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!

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🍷 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

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How does a wine lover who started at the bottom shelf end up with a fine-tuned taste for fine wine? Master of Wine (and former Unfiltered Co-Host) Vanessa Conlin joins us for a candid conversation about how our palates evolve. We share our own cringe-worthy wine moments, debate the value of “flashy” vs. “ethereal” wines, and get real about why some expensive wines might fall flat for newer drinkers. You’ll also get pro tips on how to avoid getting stuck in a rut, plus an exclusive invitation to drink Napa wine with a bona fide celebrity!

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

NV Maurice Grumier Jônt Special Edition Extra-Brut Champagne

Links & Mentions

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Host: Amanda McCrossin

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Helen Keplinger is one of the most sought-after winemakers in Napa Valley, but she’s taking a break to take us on a California road trip with her Vermillion wine. Vermillion, sourced from the high-elevation Sierra Foothills to the sea-sprayed vineyards of Santa Barbara, captures the diverse terroirs that make this state so special, and we pop a bottle with Helen to identify how each component plays a unique role. She fills us in on why one of her secret, prized grape sources is like Wagyu beef and why Paso Robles might just be the most exciting region in wine. Plus, we reveal the one “can’t miss” event in Napa Valley that Helen’s been attending for over a decade—and how you can get in on the action as well! 

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🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2022 Vermillion Red Wine

Links & Mentions

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Why do some wines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars? How do global events impact your favorite bottle? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Peter Young, former McKinsey consultant and author of “Luxury Wine Marketing.” Peter’s an insider with experience at blue-chip wineries like Realm and Kosta Browne, and he sheds light on how wineries use everything from psychological triggers to the power of storytelling to drive consumers to pay top dollar. Beyond the marketing magic, we’ll tackle pressing industry issues like the potential impact of tariffs on European wines and the evolving landscape of wine consumption—all while drinking one of our most unique wine club wines yet!

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🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2022 Anima Negra Quibia Mallorca

Connect With Peter

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What do BBQ potato chips, perfume, and the power of Champagne growers have in common? They’re all part of the fascinating conversation we had with wine expert Julia Coney at the World of Pinot Noir event in Santa Barbara! We cover which Pinot regions we’re most excited about—outside of classic regions like Burgundy and Oregon—why Pinot Noir is the “un-gettable get” for winemakers, and the surprising convenience-store snack Julia swears by when drinking a glass of Pinot. Get ready for a fun, fast-paced, and flavor-filled episode that will expand your Pinot horizons and have you booking flights stat.

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2021 Dog Point Pinot Noir, New Zealand

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Julia's Substack 📖: Métier

@JuliaConey IG

📢 Mentions and Recommendations

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Ever wonder what your favorite wine expert really drinks when they’re not swirling a glass of Pinot? Hint: It might involve a shaker, not a corkscrew! In this episode, we sit down with TikTok’s Queen of Cocktails and author of “How to Be a Better Drinker,” Hannah Chamberlain (@SpiritedLA ). She’s revealing the secrets to crafting the perfect Martini (shaken vs. stirred, anyone?), how to know when to risk ordering that fancy cocktail, and which classic cocktails are making a comeback. Plus, we chat about her favorite glassware finds and why Aligote (from our wine club) might be the perfect base for your next creative concoction. Get ready to dive into the dazzling world of cocktails and explore the surprising ways they intertwine with our love of wine.

🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2022 La Chablisienne Aligote Emotions Minerales Bourgogne

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Hannah's Book 📖: How to Be a Better Drinker: Cocktail Recipes and Boozy Etiquette

@SpiritedLA TikTok | Instagram

📢 Mentions and Recommendations

Bars:

Spirits

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Think you know German wine? Think again. In this episode we’re shattering just about every German wine myth with Jenna Fields, the passionate force behind the German Wine Collection. Jenna’s mission to revolutionize how the world thinks about German wine began on a Post-It note (seriously), and in this episode, she breaks down why you’ll find racy, bone-dry Rieslings in the world’s finest collections and how the German-made versions of two of our most beloved varietals—Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—can rival the best of Burgundy. Plus, we’ll clarify those confusing German labels and classifications, making it super easy to spot the best producers (without knowing a word of German), and even reveal the guilty-pleasure Super Bowl snack that pairs perfectly with Riesling!

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🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2023 Schnaitmann Schnait Dry Riesling Württemberg

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The wine industry might thrive on exclusivity and tradition, but social media is shaking things up big time: Like it or not, wine influencers are reshaping the way we discover, enjoy, and talk about wine by sharing access, tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the wine world—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on them. Host Amanda McCrossin is joined by fellow full-time wine influencer Warner of @confidenceuncorked to discuss the surprising ways they’re vetting wines, the wine advice they’d give themselves as newbies, and how internet trolls inspired a successful line of merch!

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🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode:

2020 Collina San Ponzio Fossati Barolo

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We're kicking off 2025 what’s in and out for the wine world. From busting myths like “you have to store wine on its side” to showing you how to start a wine collection even if you don’t have a cellar, this episode is all about making wine more accessible in the next year. You’ll also get the scoop on why you might be seeing more affordable wines from popular regions like Napa Valley, why it’s okay to drink the “good bottle” on a random Tuesday, and how to make the most of wines with a touch of sweetness (Hint: they pair great with spicy takeout).

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🍷Wine Featured On This Episode:

2020 Hudson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

🛒 Products Mentioned:

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