We all know wine has rules. But who says you have to follow them?

James Beard-nominated author (The Rebel School of Wine) and self-proclaimed “wine rebel” Tyler Balliet is helping us challenge every “thou shalt not” in the wine world. From dunking ice cubes into red wine to sipping rosé in December, this conversation is a delicious middle finger to snobbery and a refreshing celebration of drinking what you like.

From how taste really works (hint: it’s not all in your mouth) to how Champagne became the ultimate rebel wine, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to break a few rules of your own. 

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

⁠2023 Viola Franconia Trevenezia

📖Learn More about Tyler and buy the book!

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Sauvignon Blanc has officially entered its main character era, and we are so here for it. Whether you’re pouring Sancerre before noon à la Emily in Paris, shaking Sauv Blanc into a martini, or pairing it with after-school snacks (hello, Goldfish), the grape is absolutely everywhere—and shining in its versatility. Join Amanda and viral content creator Pilar Brito (@barpilarr—who has rocketed from lawyer to wine influencer in just over a year—for a breakdown of why Sauvignon Blanc deserves more credit, the regions and producers worth seeking out, and exactly how far a good goat cheese can take you. Plus: oyster parties, salad slander, “flat Champagne,” and a spectacular bottle from little-known Menetou-Salon!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

2023 La Rive de Loire Menetou-Salon

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What do Uruguay and Germany have in common? They were both bucket-list wine regions for Amanda and Laura Koffer, and in this special 100th episode (!!) of Unfiltered, they share their thrilling visits to these two sleeper destinations. From Germany’s soaring slate slopes to the glory of perfectly aged Uruguayan Tannat, they cover the wines, regions, and meals that made their trips magical—oh, and before you ask, yes, there were capybaras. Check out the episode to learn why Albariño might be your next favorite transition white, what spargel season means in Germany, and how to actually make Tannat work for your palate. Enjoy, and cheers to 100 episodes of Uncorked conversations!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

2023 Garzon Single Vineyard Albarino Uruguay

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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You know Pinot Noir. But do you know Spätburgunder?

For years, wine insiders have known that German Pinot Noir offers Burgundian-level quality at a fraction of the price. But in this episode we’re blowing this industry secret wide open courtesy of Zack Musick (German Wine Collection) who joins us for a fresh take on one of the world’s most beloved grapes. From unexpected flavor profiles (think bone broth, mushrooms, and spice) to why an eagle on the label is a true marker for quality, we’re digging into how Pinot Noir expresses itself in Germany outside of its classic regions and why it’s often considered the ultimate “terroir grape,” capable of transparently reflecting the soil, climate, and place it’s grown. Plus, we’ve got all your food pairings ranging from classic duck to Philly cheesesteaks and Amanda’s unexpected (but highly effective) Costco salad and chicken schnitzel hack.

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

2022 Rings Estate Spätburgunder Pflaz

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shop all the wines at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wine Access⁠

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They say there "ain't no party like a Napa party" and our guests are true Napa Valley locals who know how to deliver the Napa Valley experience. We’re throwing a “virtual” summer block party and inviting our wine country friends to hang and share some “locals only” tips and tricks. Audra Chapman (Newfound Wine), Josh Phelps (Grounded Wine Co.), and Scott Dale (Wild Vine Tours) join us to dish on their favorite hidden gem wineries, where to hike and bike, and the secret charcuterie spot that even Amanda didn’t know existed!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

⁠2022 Newfound Gravels Red Wine⁠

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Whether it’s to Burgundy, Barolo, or Barossa, wine travel delivers big-time pleasure—but can come with serious setbacks, from shipping snafus and suitcase spills to winding wine-country road nausea. Enter Amanda, whose passport’s been stamped by just about every wine-producing country on the globe. In this episode, she shares hard-earned travel hacks, favorite flight-friendly accessories, tips on how to find the best coffee, and the best way to educate yourself—before you arrive. Let’s go!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

2019 Esprit de Pavie Bordeaux

🧳 Amanda’s Amazon Travel List

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠

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When you hear “Riesling,” do you still think syrupy sweet? If so, you're not alone, but you're definitely missing out. 

In this episode, Amanda and Wine Access experts Eduardo Dingler and Laura Koffer set the record straight on one of the world’s most versatile yet vexing grapes. They unpack Riesling’s reputation in the US, share tips on how to decode sweetness levels, and reveal where (outside Germany) you should look for great Riesling. Oh, and for those who love everything from oysters and sushi to spicy noodles and summertime salads, they get into why Riesling might just be the GOAT when it comes to food pairings!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode

2024 Henschke Riesling Peggy's Hill Eden Valley

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠

Shop all the wines at ⁠⁠⁠Wine Access⁠

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Oregon Pinot, Washington Syrah, and… heavy metal? Believe it or not, all three fit right into this episode’s deep dive into the Pacific Northwest, one of the world’s most exciting (and misunderstood) wine regions.Fresh off a National Geographic wine cruise through the Columbia and Snake Rivers, host Amanda McCrossin is joined by journalist, educator, and senior editor at JancisRobinson.com Samantha Cole-Johnson. In this enlightening (and, of course, unfiltered) conversation, Amanda and Sam get into Washington’s red-hot Rocks District, where to eat and drink in Portland, and—HOT TAKE ALERT—why Oregon might actually be best suited to white wines. Whether you’re Pinot-obsessed, Syrah-curious, or just wondering what to do on your next trip to the PNW wine country, this one’s for you

2023 Tior Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

📢 Links & Mentions

Follow Samantha Cole-Johnson on Instagram
For updates on her wine reviews, blind tasting series, and more.
👉 @samanthacolejohnson

Read Samantha’s work on JancisRobinson.com
Check out her writing and the “Wine News in Five” feature.
👉 📰 Wine News in Five – read on JancisRobinson.com

👉🎧 Wine News in Five -- listen to the Podcast

Nat Geo x Lindblad Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise
The wine-adventure cruise Amanda went on.
👉 Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey

Kann Restaurant (Portland)
Amanda’s top meal of 2024.
👉 Kann Portland

Coquine Restaurant
Highly praised spot in Portland mentioned by Samantha.
👉 Coquine Portland

Bar Casa Vale
For Spanish wine and Sherry in Portland.
👉 Bar Casa Vale

St. Jack & Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
Favorite neighborhood spots also mentioned in the episode.
👉 St. Jack | Lovely’s Fifty Fifty

Blood of Gods Wine x Metal Festival (Walla Walla)
Yes, it’s real—and Samantha is speaking at it.
👉 Blood of Gods

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Host: ⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠

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What happens when one of the most legendary Champagne minds on the planet leaves a Champagne icon… to make sake? In this special bonus episode, Amanda sits down with Richard Geoffroy, former Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, to discuss his newest—and to many, extremely unexpected—venture: IWA 5, a cutting-edge Junmai Daiginjo sake born in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture.Recorded in NYC during a rare stateside visit, this conversation with Richard explores his bold leap from the structured tradition of Champagne to the boundless creative freedom of sake brewing. From the moment he first encountered a transformative Kyoto sake in 2000 to the experimental, terroir-redefining blending process behind IWA, Richard opens up about creativity, culture, and why sake might be the most versatile beverage on the planet. Plus, sake expert Eduardo Dingler joins the conversation to help unpack the world of premium sake—so whether you’re merely sake-curious or a seasoned enthusiast, you should consider this rare glimpse into the world of top-level to be a must-listen!

📺 Watch the episode in full on YouTube

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

NV IWA 5 Assemblage 5 Junmai Daiginjo Toyama

**Note, this is not a wine club wine

👉 Explore IWA Sake

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Host: ⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠

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Midwestern tax-preparer Steve Hoffman moved his family to the South of France to live out his dream of being a French-speaking bon vivant. But when life abroad fell far short of his expectations, he found himself at a loss for what to do—until his vigneron neighbor started him on a new and uncharted path.

Steve swapped his spreadsheets for soupe à l’oignon, and his outstanding memoir A Season For That—which NYT Wine Critic Eric Asimov called one of the best wine books of 2024—recounts his transformative experience with humor and heart. In his conversation with host Amanda McCrossin, Steve touches upon the magic of shared meals and the importance of “terroir” in both food and life—plus how to cultivate a “bon vivant” attitude, even if you can’t move to France!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2022 Clos Venturi 1769 Corsica

Links & Mentions

⁠Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club⁠

Follow us on social!

IG: ⁠@wineaccessunfiltered⁠

Twitter: ⁠ @wineaccesspod⁠

Host: ⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠

Shop all the wines at ⁠Wine Access

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