We're going solo this episode, and we're going global. After months of logging serious miles across cities and continents, we wanted to revisit a format we love — not the wine regions, not the châteaux, but the cities themselves. The places that aren't necessarily making wine, but are doing it better than almost anywhere else in the world. We're breaking down our top four wine cities right now — London, Copenhagen, Tokyo, and New York — what makes each one stand out, how we navigate them for wine when we get there, and the specific spots that completely won us over. Along the way, we're also tasting the Zuccardi Polígonos Cabernet Franc from Mendoza — our wine club pick and a perfect tie-in to our earlier episode on the most exciting wine regions to visit. Pour a glass and come along.

Featured Wine: Zuccardi Polígonos Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley

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Mentions & Links

Restaurants, Wine Bars, and Recs — London

Restaurants & Wine Bars — Copenhagen

Restaurants & Wine Bars — Tokyo

Restaurants & Wine Bars — New York

Wines Referenced

Also Mentioned

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Bordeaux has a reputation problem — and we're here to fix it. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Cristaldi, North America Regional Editor at Decanter Magazine and fellow theater kid, to make the case for a region that the wine world has been too quick to dismiss. We just got back from our first trip there together and we're talking about all of it: the left bank vs. right bank divide, why the best Bordeaux you'll ever drink might cost you 25 euros, what it's actually like to navigate the city of Bordeaux as a visitor, and a surprisingly fascinating detour into the science of corks. Pour yourself something from the Haut-Médoc and open your mind — Bordeaux is better than you remember.

Featured Wine: Château de l'Église Vieille, Haut-Médoc

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Mentions & Links

Guest

Wineries

Restaurants & Dining

Also Mentioned

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Italy is one of those places that feels instantly familiar the moment you arrive — and yet the more you learn about it, the more you realize how much you've been missing. In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Dupuy, James Beard Award-winning author and self-described outsider-turned-insider, to talk about her new book Italianity — a collection of essays and stories that captures what it actually means to drink Italian wine the Italian way. We get into the concept of Italianità, why the best way to plan your Italy trip is to start with the grape you love, and what Antica Bottega del Vino in Verona looks like at 9:30 in the morning when the locals still have the place to themselves. Pour yourself a glass of Franciacorta and let this one transport you.

Featured Wine: 

NV Le Marchesine Franciacorta Nitens Brut

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Featured Guest

Jessica Dupuy, co-author — Italianity

Regions Discussed

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If Paso Robles isn't already on your must-visit list, this episode will change that. Maggie Tillman, co-owner of Alta Colina and self-described "co-first-generation" winery founder, joins us to dig into what makes Paso one of the most exciting — and most underrated — wine regions in the country right now. From why the east side vs. west side divide isn't quite as "divided" as you might think, to the magic of Tin City, we're giving you an all-access pass as to why Paso rewards the traveler who puts in the effort to get there. Plus, Maggie shares her personal list of wineries, restaurants, and not-to-miss experiences — including the outdoor art installation that simply cannot be captured on your phone (don't even try). Pour yourself a glass of the Peachy Canyon Zinfandel and let this episode and wine talk you into booking your trip.

Featured Wine: 

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel

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Featured Guest

Maggie Tillman, co-owner — Alta Colina Winery, Paso Robles

Amanda's Paso Robles Guides

Wineries

Restaurants & Food

Coffee & Bakeries

Cocktails & Nightlife

Hotels

Other Experiences

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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris with Chateau Montelena winemaker Matt Crafton—but we're not here to rehash history. Instead, we're diving into Paris as a wine travel destination through Matt's eyes, shaped by an accidental 10-day COVID quarantine that became the trip of a lifetime. From food tours with kids to Sunday restaurant closures, spontaneous wandering versus careful planning, and the wine bars worth seeking out, this is Paris for wine lovers who want to go beyond the guidebook.

Wine featured in this episode:

2022 DeLille Cellars Signature Syrah Yakima Valley

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Oregon wine country is closer, more accessible, and more delicious than you think. In this episode, we sit down with AJ Resnick—former Wine Access colleague, podcast co-creator, and current Ponzi Vineyards Chief of Marketing—to explore Portland and the Willamette Valley through the eyes of someone who left California to make Oregon home. From why Ponzi is only 20 miles from downtown Portland to which pizza shops deserve a permanent spot in your rental car, AJ breaks down how to plan your Oregon wine trip, where to eat in Portland, and why these Pinot Noirs deserve more age than they're getting. We taste Ponzi's Laurelwood Chardonnay, compare Oregon to Burgundy and California, and get AJ's insider list of restaurants, wine bars, and hidden gem wineries. Whether you're planning your first trip to the Pacific Northwest or wondering if Oregon wine lives up to the hype, this episode proves it absolutely does.

2023 Ponzi Vineyards Chardonnay Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley

Restaurants - Portland:

Pizza:

High-End/Fine Dining:

International:

Casual/Other:

Breweries:

Bakeries/Coffee:

Willamette Valley

Restsaurants/food

Wineries Mentioned:

Must-Visits:

Hidden Gems:

Historic Oregon Producers (aged well at Press Restaurant):

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Mexico is making world-class wine—and most people have no idea. In this episode, we head to Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California with Eduardo Dingler to explore one of North America's most exciting (and accessible) wine regions. From Nebbiolo that tastes like Napa Cab to fresh Chenin Blanc perfect for fish tacos, Valle de Guadalupe is rewriting the rules on what Mexican wine can be. We break down which grapes thrive there, why it's an easy weekend trip from San Diego, how to plan your visit, and what makes this region so special. Plus, we taste Mama Mama Chenin Blanc from winemaker Lulu Martínez Ojeda—a wine that proves Mexico deserves a spot on your wine travel bucket list. Whether you're curious about emerging wine regions or just want an excuse to drink wine with tacos by the ocean, this episode is for you.

Wine:

2024 Towns Wine Co. Mama Mama Chenin Blanc, Viñedo Kompali, Baja California

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Wine Region:

Winemaker/Producer:

Key People Mentioned:

California Chenin Blanc Producers Mentioned:

Napa Restaurants Mentioned:

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Time travel exists—and it comes in a bottle. In this solo deep dive, we're exploring everything you need to know about older wines, from what actually happens as wine ages to how to find, store, and serve bottles with serious age on them. Drawing from years of working with Press Restaurant's legendary cellar—one of the largest collections of Napa Valley wines dating back to the 1950s—we break down which wines are worth cellaring, what "good funk" really means, and why you don't need a million-dollar cellar to enjoy the magic of aged wine. Whether you're curious about that 2015 Rioja in your glass or wondering if your closet can double as wine storage, this episode answers your most-asked questions about drinking through time. Spoiler: sediment is your friend, and no, you don't have to finish the bottle in one sitting.

Wine: 2015 El Centimo Real Rioja

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Previous Episode Reference:

Wine Regions/Styles Discussed for Aging:

Regions Known for Age-Worthy Wines:

Grapes That Age Well:

Grapes/Styles That Don't Age Well:

Wine Storage & Serving Tools Mentioned:

Key Concepts Covered:

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Forget the usual suspects—we're taking you off the beaten path with the top five most exciting wine destinations for 2026. From Portugal's incredible diversity beyond Port to Germany's underrated food scene, Argentina's high-altitude Malbecs in Mendoza, California's dynamic Paso Robles, and the UK's surprising sparkling wine regions, these are the places where wine, food, and culture collide in the best possible way. Whether you're planning your first wine trip or looking for your next adventure, this solo episode is packed with firsthand insights, travel tips, and why visiting wine regions beats any classroom education. Plus, we share what makes each destination uniquely exciting—and why now is the time to go.

2021 Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec Historic Rows Mendoza

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Wine lovers don't just travel—they travel differently. And in this episode, Amanda sits down with Candice Mathis, founder of Vintage Departures and wine travel expert, to explore exactly how. From what makes a wine trip worth booking to why a great hotel bar matters more than you think, Candice shares her hard-earned wisdom from planning itineraries across Napa, Burgundy, Champagne, and beyond. They dig into the logistics of traveling with kids, why sleep is always worth the splurge, the unspoken rules of wine region etiquette, and how to unlock hotel perks you didn't know existed. Whether you're planning your first wine trip or your fiftieth, this conversation will change the way you think about where to stay, what to book, and how to make every moment count.

Wine Featured on This Episode:⁠⁠⁠

2022 Louis Millet Sancerre Rouge

📣 Links and Mentions

Candice Mathis - Vintage Departures

🤳 @vintagedepartures

📧  [email protected]

Hotels

Napa Valley

Champagne

Piedmont (Alba)

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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