Napa Valley is in the thick of harvest 2024, the busiest time of year in wine country, and Napa Cabernet superstar Thomas Rivers Brown took a break to tell us about the realities of harvest season—hope you like cleaning!—as well as his “Ziploc baggy mini-maceration method” for deciding when a vineyard is ready to be picked. Plus, Wine Spectator’s Dr. Vinny joins the program for a “sweet” harvest vocab check! And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com! • 2024 New...

When it comes to California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, few names command as much respect as Sonoma's Kistler Vineyards. Kistler president and winemaker Jason Kesner joined Straight Talk host James Molesworth to tell us about growing up in the Napa wine industry—including where Robert Mondavi bought the weekly staff donuts—and how he strives to do a little bit less in the vineyard and winery with each passing year. Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank joins the program as well,...

Straight from the cover of Wine Spectator and the season 3 premiere of hit TV series The Bear, legendary chef Daniel Boulud invites us into the Daniel dining room for an exclusive interview about what it means to be a chef today, his legacy of mentorship and why his next restaurant will reflect a shift in allegiance since becoming a U.S. citizen in 2021: "I finally became American. I always felt like I'm French … but with my family here, I'm definitely settled here ... it is more important to...

A few days after winemaker Meghan Zobeck started her new job at Napa's historic Burgess Cellars, the winery burned down in the 2020 wildfires. With the help of owner Gaylon Lawrence and CEO Carlton McCoy, not only did Burgess bounce back, but Zobeck's followup 2021 Cabernets are outstanding. She tells us about her journey from the NFL to Chile's Clos Apalta to Michel Rolland's team in France to California's Napa Valley, and the "crazy ideas" she's implementing at Burgess—including something...

Patz & Hall co-founder James Hall is still pinching himself: After selling the iconic California Chardonnay brand in 2016, Hall was able to buy it back earlier this year. He tells us how he did it, and then takes us all the way back to landing his first winery gig in Napa … by pretending he could speak Italian?! Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes Wine Spectator senior editors MaryAnn Worobiec and Mitch Frank to the newest episode. Dr. Vinny explains malolactic fermentation,...

Salvestrin Family winemaker Natalie Winkler struck a chord when the 2018 Salvestrin Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon earned a spot among Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2021. But it all started with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir … Winkler represents a new breed of California wine pros specializing not just in winemaking or vineyard management, but in both, and she tells us why winemakers should be in the vineyard, and much more. Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank joins us...

Winemaker Dan Petroski made news when he sold his boutique California white wine brand Massican to Gallo late last year. But that was just the latest step on a wine journey that started ignominiously as a Columbia University football player and began in earnest a decade later after an eye-opening dinner at Le Bernardin in New York. Petroski went on to become cellarmaster at Larkmead, where he worked until 2021 while also building his own brand. "I started Massican because my mother couldn't...

From his teetotaling childhood home to Opus One's debut vintage to putting Argentine Malbec on the map, winemaker Paul Hobbs opens up to host James Molesworth about his career-defining moments with candid humor and insightful analysis in the season 2 premiere of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast! Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about a government study that recently surfaced in Oregon, and the controversy over why it had been buried by state officials. Thirsty for...

It's our season 1 finale and our year-end roundup of the most exciting wines of the year! In this episode, host James Molesworth is joined by senior editor Bruce Sanderson, counting down our Top 10 Wines of the Year, including an exclusive interview with the man behind our 2023 Wine of the Year! Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about the biggest stories of the year, we remember some of the wine industry stars we lost this year, and Dr. Vinny tackles Chianti vs....

What's in the cellar of the world's second-richest man? Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us all about LVMH founder, chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, the man behind not just fashion house Louis Vuitton and the Möet & Chandon Champagne house (including Dom Pérignon), but also brands like Dior, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Hublot, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and many more, including Bordeaux's Cheval Blanc. It's also the holiday season, which means we've gotta have bubbly....

What wine pairs best with turkey and sides? Straight Talk podcast director Rob Taylor made an emergency appointment with Wine Spectator advice columnist Dr. Vinny (aka senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec) for some tips on Thanksgiving wine pairing, including pumpkin pie! And don't miss Episode 16: Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience with Chefs José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse and Eric Ripert, featuring Hollywood legend Rich Frank, Tribeca Grill wine director David Gordon, California wine stars...

We're live at Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience in this special episode of Straight Talk with host James Molesworth.  He's joined by senior editor for news Mitch Frank, podcast director Rob Taylor and a cast of wine and restaurant industry all-stars that includes chefs José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse and Eric Ripert, Hollywood legend Rich Frank, Tribeca Grill wine director David Gordon, California wine stars Thomas Rivers Brown, Carlo Mondavi, Greg Brewer and more, including a special...

Episode 15 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast is all about California Cabernet, and host James Molesworth's interview with Napa winemaker Maya Dalla Valle was too fun not to share the whole thing. Enjoy the full, uncut  Dalla Valle interview, and don't forget to listen to Episode 15 of Straight Talk for our exclusive interview between Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken and Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, plus, our wine advice expert Dr. Vinny addresses the old...

Don't miss this Straight Talk podcast exclusive: Never-before-heard highlights from Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken's one-on-one interview with Napa Cabernet legend Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards. Host James Molesworth also welcomes Napa winemaker Maya Dalla Valle to the studio. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny addresses the old adage that wine improves with age, and stay tuned til the end for James' sneak peek wine pick! Thirsty for more?...

We're welcoming the one and only Sarah Jessica Parker in this episode of  Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast. If you only know her as an award-winning actress and producer, let us show you her winemaking side! Host James Molesworth  welcomes back senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec for a look at the New Zealand wine scene, and senior editor Bruce Sanderson tells us what to look for from Tuscany's latest vintages. Plus. our mysterious advice columnist Dr. Vinny shares tips on what to do with...

We're detouring to Scotland for a look at our Oct. 15 issue cover story: Whisky for Wine Lovers. In episode 13 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast, host James Molesworth  welcomes back Wine Spectator executive editor Jeffery Lindenmuth, along with Whisky Advocate senior taster Jonny McCormick, for a lively discussion on how and why whisky holds such a strong appeal for wine lovers. Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank returns to tell us about several major winery sales in...

California Pinot Noir is the star of the show in episode 12 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast. Host James Molesworth  welcomes Sonoma winemaking legend Mark Aubert and Santa Barbara Pinot Noir star Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny explains vine clones, and stay tuned til the end for James'  sneak peek wine pick! Thirsty for more? Check out this related content • FREE BONUS EPISODE ALERT! Listen to The Greg Brewer Interview •...

Episode 12 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast is all about California Pinot Noir, and host James Molesworth's interview with Santa Barbara Pinot Noir star Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton was too fun not to share the whole thing. Enjoy the full, uncut  Brewer interview, and don't forget to listen to Episode 12 of Straight Talk for James' interview with Sonoma winemaking legend Mark Aubert, our wine advice expert Dr. Vinny explains clones, and much more. Thirsty for more? Check out this...

We're celebrating our annual Restaurant Awards with an exclusive interview with chef Thomas Keller and Wine Spectator executive editor Jeffery Lindenmuth. Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes senior editor for news Mitch Frank to catch us up on the latest dining trends. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny explains the dos and don'ts of bringing wine to a restaurant, and stay tuned til the end for James'  sneak peek wine pick! Thirsty for more? Check out...

We're welcoming summer with wall-to-wall California Chardonnay! Straight Talk host James Molesworth welcomes senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec and an all-star cast of winemakers and grapegrowers, including Larry and Chris Hyde, Kistler's Jason Kesner and Arista and Ferren's Matt Courtney. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny walks us through some dinner party etiquette, and stay tuned til the end for James'  sneak peek wine pick! Thirsty for more? Check out this related...

Is the 2022 Bordeaux hype for real? Straight Talk host James Molesworth just returned from the Médoc, where he tasted hundreds of these young wines; don't miss his take on this highly regarded new vintage. Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank introduces us to Auberge Resorts Collection CEO Craig Reid, and legendary California and Oregon Pinot Noir pioneer Tony Soter chats with senior editor Tim Fish. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny tells us about wineglass...

Burgundy's legendary Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti joins us for an exclusive rare interview covering his auction-darling Pinot Noirs, his first encounter with Robert Mondavi, and his role in the 1976 Paris Tasting. Plus, southern France wine star Gérard Bertrand and NBA Hall of Famer turned (multiple) winery owner Tony Parker. Straight Talk host James Molesworth is joined by podcast director Rob Taylor and Wine Spectator senior editors Bruce Sanderson and Kristen Bieler,...

How do some of the world's most successful chefs, somms and winemakers balance wine and health? Red Rooster chef-owner Marcus Samuelsson and Frasca somm-owner Bobby Stuckey join the latest episode of Straight Talk to share how they keep perspective—and how they keep fit. Host James Molesworth and Wine Spectator senior editor Kristen Bieler take a closer look at our Wine & Wellness cover story, and senior editor for news Mitch Frank shares an update on how the Silicon Valley Bank collapse...