Episode 28 October 26, 2023 From cycling accident to US Editor of Decanter Magazine, Clive Pursehouse joins us for a behind the scenes look at life as a wine critic. How does he go about researching a vintage? And how does that information translate into terminology and drinking windows? Why is it that a cold vintage in Bordeaux can have the total opposite effect as a cold vintage in Napa? And why can “bad vintages” actually produce incredible wines? Plus, with all that wine Clive tastes, he...

October 12, 2023 With 19 distinct AVA’s, numerous quaint downtowns, incredible restaurants, a cheese trail, and a total acreage more than twice the size of Napa Valley, Sonoma has a lot to offer. But that also makes it a complicated region to navigate. Wine For Normal People Host Elizabeth Schneider joins Amanda to discuss their can’t miss spots. From a hidden highway bar under eucalyptus trees to their favorite wineries that are still under the radar, this is the roadmap to Sonoma stops you...

September 28, 2023 “If you love wine, you need to be drinking Spanish wine,” Advanced Sommelier Laura Koffer proclaimed. From the history of Spain’s most planted variety—Tempranillo—and it’s roots in Bordeaux to which region you should prioritize if you’re visiting for the first time, Wine Access experts Laura Koffer and Eduardo Dingler join the program to take you on a tour of one of the top producing wine-regions in the world—and an absolute value haven for wine lovers. Wine Featured on...

Navigating Napa Valley Featuring Danica Patrick Episode 25 September 14, 2023 A sip of Sauvignon Blanc at Quintessa. That was the moment that Danica Patrick—who has been named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People'' list, appeared in a record-setting 14 Super Bowl commercials, and is arguably the most successful female professional race car driver of all time—began dreaming about owning a Napa Valley winery. A few years later, a call from Aaron Pott made that a reality. Join us as Danica...

Florence-born wine journalist and Italian wine expert Filippo Bartolotta joins us to break down Tuscany with tips on how to enjoy the very best this historic wine-producing region has to offer. From understanding the classic style of Chianti Classico to where you can discover the under-the-radar wines the locals prefer to keep to themselves, this is a true wine-lovers guide to Tuscany. 📺 Watch this Episode in Full on YouTube 🍷 Watch the Tasting Video Wines Featured on This Episode: 2017...

In our very first LIVE episode, host Amanda McCrossin unpacks what she’s most excited about in the wine world right now. From the grape that might be overtaking Pinot Noir in Oregon to the affordable (for now) Italian wine that’s about to have a major comeback, Amanda is divulging all the best tips she’s gathered from her wine travels over the past two years.  📺 Watch the full live-streamed episode 🍷 Watch the Tasting Video Wines Featured on This Episode: 🛒 2021 AtLarge Chardonnay Join the...

How to Become a Sommelier Featuring Molly Greene, Saison SF Beverage Director Episode 22 August 3, 2023 Would you like to regularly travel to Europe and taste the best wines in the world night after night for your job? Well then it might be time to consider becoming a sommelier. But before you quit your job and make a run for it, we’re giving you the inside scoop on how to make it happen—and what life is REALLY like working the floor at one of the country’s top restaurants. Amanda is joined...

A Masterclass on Enjoying Rosé Episode 21 July 20, 2023 Over the last decade rosé has taken the world by storm, expanding way beyond its Provence roots and into nearly every major wine producing region in the world. From food pairings and styles, to how White Zinfandel fits into the picture, Amanda breaks down everything you need to know about rosé … and is joined by TikTok star Christine Buzan (@lookgoodinphotos) who teaches us how to look good doing it in this perfectly pink and fun-filled...

Smart Wine Buys from Iconic Regions Episode 20 June 22, 2023 Restaurant sommeliers may be pouring the most iconic and expensive wines in the world at work, but at home it’s a slightly different story. In this episode we’re spilling all the tea on smart buys from iconic regions Somm’s love to keep for themselves. We’re talking Piedmont, Loire Valley, Burgundy, and even Bordeaux — because even in the highest priced regions, Somm’s always know where to look to score a great deal. Wine Access...

Episode 19 June 8, 2023 The Guide to Visiting Bordeaux Featuring Aaron Pott Château Margaux. Lafite-Rothschild. Petrus. Château d’Yquem. Despite the exclusive reputation—wealth, power, status—that Bordeaux has earned, the region is also a hotbed for affordability and accessibility. We’ve invited Quintessa winemaker Aaron Pott who formerly served as winemaker at Bordeaux’s Château Troplong Mondot and Château la tour Figeac, to help you navigate Bordeaux as a wine lover: you’ll learn the best...

Loire Valley and the great re-discovery of Cabernet Franc Episode 18 May 25, 2023 Don’t be fooled by the long winding river and Disney-esque castles that line it. The Loire Valley is way more than just a beautiful place to snap a photo and tour on bicycle. As the home to some of the finest Cabernet Franc’s, Chenin Blanc’s, and Sauvignon Blanc’s in the world, the Loire Valley is as prolific a region as they come. And when it comes to wine and cheese, no region can compete with the local goat...

Episode 17 May 11, 2023 Mendoza: A Wine Lover’s Guide to the Region featuring Robert Vernick Mendoza is the world’s 5th largest wine producer, home of multiple 100 point wines, and the adoptive birthplace of Malbec. Yet, it’s a region that still manages to fly under the radar, especially when it comes to wine tourism. Amanda is joined by XChateau podcast host Robert Vernick, whose wine-savvy Instagram @wineterroir focuses on some of the most sought-after, interesting, and rare wines of the...

Episode 16 April 27, 2023 The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Minh Phan from Phenakite, Los Angeles On this absolutely can’t-miss episode, Amanda and Eduardo are joined by Michelin-starred Chef Minh Phan from Phenakite—who the Los Angeles Times named their Restaurant of the Year in 2021—to talk about Asian food and wine pairings. A wine’s “texture is really important in Asian food,” Chef Minh tells us. “When I compose a dish, I make sure that each bite is different and I feel like wine, with...

Episode 15 April 13, 2023 The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Emma Bengtsson from Aquavit, New York The MICHELIN Chef mini-series continues with Chef Emma Bengtsson of 2 Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. She began at Aquavit as a Pastry Chef before becoming Executive Chef and the first female Swedish Chef to be awarded two Michelin stars—and only the second female Chef in the United States to do so. Emma talks about how a lot of the “new” culinary techniques that have surfaced within the...

Episode 14 March 30, 2023 The MICHELIN Chef mini-series continues with Chef (and Owner) Val Cantu of Californios, the first and only Mexican restaurant in North America to earn two Michelin stars. From squab al pastor tacos to a grilled banana with Caviar, he has taken Mexican cuisine to a whole new level and we got the scoop on how to capture those flavors at home. Plus, Master Sommelier Sur Lucero joins us to help explain why we should all be breaking out Txakoli and Rioja with our...

Episode 13 March 16, 2023 The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Troy Jorge from Temporis, Chicago We’re kicking off a four-episode mini-series featuring chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants with Executive Chef Troy Jorge from Chicago’s one Michelin-starred Temporis. The MICHELIN Guide describes Troy’s food as “the epitome of subtlety, serenity, and sophistication” and when the chef coat comes off, he’s heading straight for the grill at home. Troy declares the cut that reigns supreme and...

Episode 12 March 2, 2023 The Many Paths of Pinot: To Stem or Not to De-Stem with Luisa Ponzi Pinot Noir is nicknamed the heartbreak grape—because there’s so much that can go wrong. Winemaker Luisa Ponzi joins us to talk about all the factors that go into making Pinot Noir, from the terroir to the winemaking. We hope this episode gives you a whole new appreciation for how much goes into making Pinot Noir and why Luisa says it can be either the most amazing glass of wine you ever had or the...

Episode 11 February 16, 2023 Master Sommelier Sur Lucero was the fourteenth Krug Cup winner, passing all three levels of the Master Sommelier Exam on his first attempt while earning the highest score. He honed his palate working at The French Laundry, The Little Nell, Cyrus, Meadowood Resort, and Daniel Boulud Las Vegas. Sur joins the Podcast to share his tips on how to assess wine, which is a great way to understand what you like and how to then communicate that.  ** Taste along with us...

Episode 10 February 2, 2023 Washington’s Booming Wine Scene Featuring Drew Bledsoe So many people reached out to request we have ex-NFL star Drew Bledsoe on the podcast and we totally understand why. Now an accomplished vintner, Drew first got into wine doing blind tastings with his Patriots teammates. He’d slide wines from his home state of Washington into the lineup and they would always beat the best from Bordeaux and Napa. That’s when the light bulb went off. “There was something...

Episode 9 January 19, 2023 “Was there a fear that going plant-based would affect your 3-Michelin star status?” we ask Sommelier Gabriel Di Bella of Eleven Madison Park, which has been recognized as the world’s best restaurant. “Hundred percent for sure,” he tells us on this episode of Wine Access Unfiltered. Join us as Gabriel recounts Chef Daniel Humm’s big announcement, how he approaches wine pairings with “no boundaries” just like they do food, how texture plays a bigger role in pairing...

Episode 8 January 5, 2023 When David Stern announced “With the 10th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers select CJ McCollum from Lehigh University,” CJ didn’t yet know there was wine in Oregon. Join us as we dive into the rise of Oregon wine and get the scoop on CJ’s wine journey, from Carmelo Anthony introducing him to White Burgundy to launching his own wine label and purchasing his own vineyard. Plus, CJ shares his favorite Oregon spots and the hidden gems he and his wife...

Episode 7 December 22, 2022 Winemaking Techniques featuring Dan Petroski Many consider Chardonnay “the winemaker’s grape” but how much does winemaking really affect the outcome? Our friend Dan Petroski of Massican joins us to discuss the many paths to Chardonnay. How does terroir, harvest and picking date impact the outcome? What is malolactic fermentation? Should all Chardonnay be oaked? What can you look for on a label to determine how the Chardonnay will taste? And Vanessa reveals a...

“What type of glassware should I use for different wines?” “What’s the best way to store my wine if I don’t have a wine fridge or a cellar?” “Are wine gadgets actually worth the money?” “When should I decant a wine and for how long?” “Once I open a bottle, what’s the best way to keep it fresh?” We’re tackling all your questions about how to store, service, and save your wine on this episode with actress, writer, producer and director Nia Renee Hill, who shares her epiphany wine moment with...

From the fortified Port wines of the Douro Valley to the bright, crispy whites of Vinho Verde, Portugal is one of the most diverse and interesting wine regions of the world—yet still remains under-the-radar. Having just returned from a month-long trek through the region, Amanda is downloading everything she gathered, including some of the surprising techniques used to make Port, unusual dishes like Percebes, and why this stunning region might be her favorite in the world. Watch this episode...

Episode 4 November 10, 2022 What Grows Together Goes Together Just as the fog, or nebbia, creeps down the hillsides of the Langhe each October, Nebbiolo grapes finish ripening and truffles begin their own ripening cycle in the woods nearby. In this episode we’ll explore the process of finding, harvesting, and preparing truffles, and talk about how to pair this region’s iconic wines with truffle cuisine. Plus, we’ll break down some other famous pairings “that grow together” like Loire Valley...