VinePair Podcast

Has Collecting Gone From Cool to Cringe?

Adam and Zach contemplate whether collecting beer, spirits, and wine has gone from a hobby associated with class and refinement to something that comes off as weirdo beha

Are We Entering a New Era of Drinks Specials and Happy Hours?

Recession indicators abound, from robust inflation to consumer sentiment. Within the hospitality industry, it's the rise of all-you-can-eat restaurants and drinks special

Cabernet Is Still King...But For How Long?

With recent doomerism about the most popular red grape variety in the world, Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of Cabernet Sauvignon - is it in fact going through a bit o

Will Americans Ever Embrace the Hotel Bar?

With Adam back from his European adventures, he, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether America's general dismissal of hotel bars as nothing more than places for mediocre drink

Can Campari Strike Spritz Gold Again?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder Grupo Campari's latest stateside foray into the spritz space - SARTI Rosa. Can this new aperitivo further expand their hold on the spritz ca

Your Menu Has to Be Cohesive

Inspired by a couple of recent pieces about restaurant green and red flags, Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair contributor Dave Foss to discuss some of their red and

Can American Drinks Ever Regain the Canadian Market?

In the wake of yet another flare-up in the trade war/war of words between the United States and Canada, Joanna and Zach discuss the current state of Canada's boycott of A

Secret Wine Lists: Savvy or Shady?

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair managing editor Hannah Staab to discuss the merits and ethics of the "secret" wine list: special bottles that for one reason or ano

Wine Needs to Break the Rules

Joanna and Zach discuss a recent survey that found that many would-be wine drinkers, particularly younger ones, are put off by the rules, traditions, and lack of customiz

Where's the Market for Weird Spirits?

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to discuss the rise of so-called "weird" spirits, particularly unusual or unexpected flavors in estab

White Wine is Booming. Can American Producers Pivot?

Joanna and Zach discuss how American winemakers and grape growers should react to consumer preferences swinging more towards white wines and more decisively away from ful

Is Closing Early a Crime?

Adam and Joanna respond to a couple of hospitality hot takes: first, is it a betrayal of your customers to close earlier than your posted hours, even if business is slow?

What to Make of Diageo's New Direction

Adam and Joanna discuss some of the more intriguing parts of Diageo's recently-announced plans to change and modernize their approach, from finally taking RTDs seriously

You Can Be Exclusive Without Being Jerks

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a recent occurrence while filming The Wait - a trendy NYC restaurant telling people to come back at 11 pm for dinner and then informing the

Wine Has to Offer Value in Restaurants. Here's How it Can.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach take a look at another reason why wine is struggling in restaurants: the drinking public is unable to perceive value with much of what's on offer.

Is There a Sameness to Great Bars?

With Joanna back from Scotland, she rejoins Adam and Zach to discuss her takeaways from visiting Panda & Sons, the iconic and world-class bar in Edinburgh. Do bars at tha

Wine Loves to Talk Tradition. Should It?

Wine has long relied on tradition to sell itself: traditions surrounding wine producers and regions, traditions surrounding drinking occasions and traditions surrounding

Studies Show Gen-Z Drinks, and Value is Paramount

Adam and Zach discuss two recent studies, the first of which shows that, surprise, Gen Z is drinking at historically normal rates, despite all the misplaced doom and gloo

The Paramount Importance of Hospitality

Adam and Zach discuss some of Adam's takeaways from hosting The Buildout, in particular about the tremendous importance of hospitality, and on making the guest experience

Can Vodka Break Out Again?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to discuss his recent list of the best vodkas, as well as how drinkers are relating to the spi