SOMM TV

What drink did the founding fathers of America choose to toast the deceleration of independence? On today?s podcast we chart the path of an unlikely island wine with a strange chemical property from obscurity to becoming the most important drink in America and the face of it?s biggest events for over a century.  Don?t forget to subscribe to sommtv.com for hundreds of hours of the best content in the culinary world.

The NBA and wine seem to be one and the same now, but one player was way ahead of the trend (being raised in France didn't hurt!).  On today's podcast Jason talks to 4x NBA champion Tony Parker about why Rosé is the most underrated wine on earth,  if Spurs coach Greg Popovich is the best restaurant critic in the United States, and how far basketball has come in the food and wine space.  you can watch this conversation now on sommtv.com or any of our apps.  SOMM TV has won back to back James Beard awards and is the best education and entertainment available on any streaming platform in the Culinary world.

Can America truly compete with Champagne?  There is an argument it?s already happening in Oregon.  Today we are joined by Andy Lytle who is at the forefront of putting American bubbles on a world stage and building the next Grand Cru Sparkling region tight here in the USA.  You can watch our documentary special ?Behind the Glass? right now on sommtv.com and the SOMM TV app.

A legend of American wine is remembered on today?s episode.  Warren Winiarski is best known for making the red wine that won the Judgment of Paris, but he was so much more.  Winemaker Steve Matthiasson joins the podcast to talk about his mentor, the legacy he leaves, and what we have all lost with his passing.

Legendary California winemaker Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards joins the show today to open one of the most famous wines ever made - the 1971 Ridge Montebello.  Paul discusses the history of Ridge vineyards from the 1800s to today and how this iconic bottle of wine fit into the 1976 Judgment of Paris and how it tastes today.  After listening, you can watch this bottle opening on SOMMTV.com and dozens of the most iconic wines from around the world opened by the legends who made them are streaming right now.

Famed Napa Winemaker and star of SOMM TV & the SOMM Films: Steve Matthiasson of Matthiasson wines called and asked to take over the podcast to interview Jason Wise about stories told over drinks and years. On today?s podcast Steve talks life, wine, and alligators.  On SOMM TV, you can watch our new special ?The Lost Winery?, and over 500 hours of the best education and entertainment in the food and  wine world.

Francis Ford Coppola may be known as the director of some of the greatest films ever made, but he also owned one of the most profitable brands in wine - ?Coppola Wines?.  On today?s podcast, we talk about how the sale of that winery went on to finance one of the craziest films in history ?Megalopolis?  which just premiered for the first time in France.  Join us for a wild story of wine, films, and dreams.  Don't forget to subscribe to sommtv.com for the best in wine and food. 

On today?s podcast we are joined by one of the smartest wine collectors in Napa to rank the top 10 vintages in the last 100 years of wine.  We also discuss the recent James Beard Award nomination for the newest SOMM Film.  Make sure to to subscribe to sommtv.com to watch the new film and content filmed in dozens of wine regions around the world.

On today's podcast Jason is joined by two moms who know a thing about drinks.  Nicole MacKay, SOMM TV's Magazine editor and Jason's real life mom choose the drinks moms want, the drinks they deserve, and the drinks they will actually get this Mother's day.  Don't forget to sign up for SOMMTV.com where you can watch over 500 hours of original content including our 2024 James Beard nominated film: SOMM Cup of Salvation.

Argentina has made wine for hundreds of years, but only recently has the world learned about it.  On today's podcast we talk to one of the country's best sommeliers about history, Malbec, and where Argentina fits in the global wine world.  Don't forget to watch our new documentary special about Argentina streaming now only on sommtv.com.

How much of what we believe about wine is actually true?  On today's podcast Jason Wise is joined by renowned author and professor of the history of science at Harvard University - Steven Shapin.  As a historian and a lover of wine, Steven has asked some profound questions about our relationship with the wine we drink.  Lets go deep into the glass and see what we find.  Don't forget to subscribe to SOMMTV.com to watch all our shows and films on all streaming devices via our app.

What is it like to be single in wine country? Renowned winemaker Megan Zobeck / SOMM TV cast member joins the podcast today to talk about what it?s like to date in Napa Valley and why it is hilariously worse than the challenges of making great wine.  After listening, make sure to go to sommtv.com to subscribe to the best streaming service in the culinary world.

Filmmaker Jason Wise and wine expert Jonah Beer dive back into famous moments when wine appears in film and television. We break down Champagne in ?Jurassic Park,? Pierce Brosnan?s wine taste in ?The Thomas Crown Affair,? Nazi wine in ?Band of Brothers,? and a crazy counterfeit wine scene in the show ?Northern Exposure.? Be sure to subscribe to http://sommtv.com for the best in wine education and entertainment.

Today we tell the story of America?s most popular and most drank Chardonnay.  Joining us are educator Gillian Handleman and Wine Master Randy Ullom of Jackson Family Wines to tell us first hand how an idea turned into the biggest most popular wine the United States has ever seen.  Learn more about Chardonnay,  sustainability, and so much more at SOMMTV.com

How is Napa wine tourism doing so far in 2024? Today we are checking in with creators of the Cuvée app to understand the state of wine tourism and hear about how they are revolutionizing how we visit this iconic wine region.

How do you transition one of the largest collections of the world?s top vineyards to certified organic farming and why? Chris Carpenter is leading an amazing charge across 480 planted acres of 15 estate vineyards with some of the most coveted vines in the United States.  On today?s podcast he discusses the challenges and reasons why his team is so devoted to organic farming and what it means for the wine we drink.  

Today Jason Wise talks to the main character of his new SOMM Film about how they puled off ?that wine? in the movie. If you have seen Cup of Salvation, you know there is a wine that put people?s lives at risk, but the story of how they pulled it off in the film has not been told, until now. The new SOMM Film is now streaming on sommtv.com and all devices so make sure you watch that first. If you are looking for the wines in the movie, go to storicawines.com or click the QR code in this podcast image to grab a custom pack of wine from the new SOMM Film delivered right to your door.

The fourth SOMM Film is streaming right now on sommtv.com and all SOMM TV devices worldwide with over three hours of additional content, shows and expanded scenes.  go to sommtv.com and download the app on any device to begin streaming the newest SOMM Film.

The process of joining two plants together sounds technical and far away from your glass of wine, but it is the most important discovery in wine's history.  On today's podcast Winemaker John Adams of Wildsound Wine talks us through the history and process of growing two different species of vines together and how it saved the wine in your glass.  For SOMM TV subcribers, don't forget the fourth SOMM Film "Cup of Salvation begins streaming on sommtv.com and all SOMM TV devices Feb 23 with hours of exclusive additional content.  

Winemaker Steve Matthiasson joins the show today to talk about wine regions that have been type casted, both fairly and unfairly to sell wine or become known to the world outside.  The new SOMM Film ?Cup of Salvation? will be streaming on SOMM TV Feb 23 with hours of bonus features and content.  If you would like to rent it early:  https://sommtv.vhx.tv/checkout/somm-cup-of-salvation

For our 200th podcast episode we tell one of the most harrowing and unbelievable stories in all of wine.  "SOMM: Cup of Salvation" is now available to rent or buy on SOMM TV - to celebrate, cast member Moe Momtazi joins the podcast to tell how he and his pregnant wife escaped Iran, and survived against all odds to found Maysara Winery in Oregon.  You will not believe what wine can mean to people and culture.  To rent or buy Cup of Salvation go to: https://sommtv.vhx.tv/checkout/somm-cup-of-salvation, the film will be streaming for all subscribers Feb 23 with hours of bonus material, but you can watch this episode now on SOMM TV.

SOMM: Cup of Salvation is available to rent & buy on SOMM TV starting January 23!  To celebrate we speak to world renowned grape geneticist and cast member Carole Meredith about the origin of wine grapes and how humans helped spread them across the globe.  To preorder or rent the 4th SOMM Film go to:  https://sommtv.vhx.tv/checkout/somm-cup-of-salvation.

Poison in your wine, ransom letters, deception! Today we talk about some of the biggest scandals in wine you may not have heard of.  Travel with us to the darker side of wine today on the SOMM TV Podcast and don?t forget to subscribe to sommtv.com to watch the best food and wine content anywhere on any device.

We often hear about the 3 tier system in America, but what is it really like to deal with it on a daily basis?  On today?s episode we speak to Travis Todd, a wine director turned winemaker who can break down the challenges we have created for selling wine in the United States.  Don?t forget to subscribe to SOMM TV for the best in Food and Wine content at SOMMTV.com

We look back at 2023 and debate our most impactful wines of the year and found some very surprising bottles made the cut.  Don't forget to subscribe to SOMMTV.com to watch all the content about the wines we talk about in today's episode.  

Meet Alice Anderson of Amevive Wines. Alice has worked harvests and made wine all over the world. When the chance came to revitalize a historic Santa Barbara vineyard and begin making her own wine, she jumped at the chance. We talk with her about regenerative farming and a revolution happening in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

For the first time in the United States a bottle of extremely rare Franciacorta is opened and enjoyed. Jason Wise shares a 1980 Annamaria Clementi from legendary producer Ca' Del Bosco with its Founder and President, Maurizio Zanella. Listen along as we learn how and why this wine was created, and what exactly a decades old Franciacorta tastes like. 

Some of the world's greatest traditional method sparkling wines are being made in Oregon state. Arabilis winemaker Kenny McMahon discusses why Oregon is the perfect place to produce serious sparkling wines of elegance, complexity, and finesse. He takes us through the rigorous process of making world class bubbly from the vineyard to the bottle. 

One of the most beautiful wine producing regions in the world happens to be Canada's Okanagan Valley.  We talk with Checkmate Winery's Graham Nordin and Spencer Kelly about the region's history, what grapes thrive here, and how the Okanagan is quickly becoming one of the world's premier wine regions.

Subscribers can watch the conversation only on sommtv.com.

The Venetians have always been some of the greatest merchants and always been at the forefront of wine trading.  Today we speak to Luca Marzotto of the famed Venetian family behind Santa Margherita wines and current CEO of Ca del Bosco Franciacorta.  His family goes back generations and for the first time, he tells the story of his family and how they changed the wine business forever.  Subscribe to sommtv.com to watch our brand new documentary on the family behind Santa Margherita wines streaming now. 

Today we talk to composer Alex Monsour whose orchestral score can be heard in the new SOMM Film: Cup of Salvation playing in theaters and events in Canada and the United States.  We talk about the music and composing and performing is like making the great wines of the world.  You can stream the music from the new SOMM film anywhere you listen to music now and get tickets at sommfilms.com

Halloween is here, and the SOMM TV team is off the rails to talk about wether or not you should actually pair wine with candy, what to drink while trick or treating, and some of our all time halloween mistakes and hot takes.  Don't forget that our new film "Cup of Salvation" is currently in theaters, for tickets and showtimes go to www.sommfilms.com.

We are joined by the main character in our next SOMM Film: "Cup of Salvation".  His name is Vahe Keushgeurian and because of what he pulls off in this film, he has been called "The Indiana Jones of Wine".  This is his story before or even after you see the film.  For screening dates and tickets for Cup of Salvation, go to sommfilms.com

The history of Georgian wines go back thousands of years of uninterrupted winemaking.  On today's podcast we speak to a french winemaker who has ventured into this ancient land to make traditional wines in one of the oldest countries with planted vineyards.  Don't forget our new SOMM film: Cup of Salvation" is now playing in theaters - go to sommfilms.com to buy tickets and experience the wines of this new incredible film.

Today we dive into the next and maybe most important wine region to emerge in hundreds of years, but the twist is it is also the oldest.  To celebrate the next SOMM Film releasing in theaters, director Jason Wise talks with international wine professional Anush Gharibyan O'Connor about the ancient wines of Armenia and the explosion of their wines in America.  If you want to get the wines featured in our next film, go to www.storicawines.com before they sell out.  to buy tickets to see the new film on the big screen, go to www.sommfilms.com

A river of wine in the streets, millions of dollars to dispose of Bordeaux, Miller High Life destroyed for being ?the Champagne of beers?. We are rounding up all the insane wine news in today?s podcast.  Director Jason Wise also talks about why the next SOMM Film, ?Cup of Salvation? took so damn long to finally release.  Make sure to go to www.sommfilms.com to get your tickets to see the next SOMM Film on the big screen beginning in LA October 6th, 2023!

We talk with Laurène Drouhin Boss 5th generation member of the Drouhin Bourgogne wine family about growing up in wine and the future of her famous region.  We also talk about our upcoming SOMM Film: Cup of Salvation.  To get tickets for the first screenings go to www.sommfilms.com 

Today we dive into the complex and humorous world of German Wine Laws.  If you have ever studied for a wine exam or picked up a bottle of German wine, you have been touched by one of the most complex sets of rules in the beverage world.  For more on all things Germany make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com for hours of content about this fascinating, beautiful region.  

Today we talk about one of our favorite wine countries: Germany.  It is a lot more than just off dry Riesling and beer.  We look at this incredible place and talk the history, the wine, and why it is one of the best values in wine today.  Want to learn more about Germany? sommtv.com has hours of content you can find no where else about the food, wine, and culture of Germany.

Today we discuss the journey of two very accomplished women through their studies with the Court of Master Sommeliers and more.  Some big issues like the scandals that have plagued these organizations and some questions like do we even need wine certifications anymore are talked about.  You can also watch this episode on sommtv.com.

Bourgogne has set the mark for the best expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for a thousand years, but the future is on the minds of the next generation.  Today we talk to the next generation making wine at Domaine Merlin in the Maconnais about working with family, growing up in wine, and climate change.  Make sure to sign up for SOMM TV at sommtv.com for our new documentary "Inheriting the Future".

Renowned winemaker Rajat Parr joins the podcast to talk about his career, sommeliers, and how winemaking takes place on a farm.  Make sure to subscribe to SOMMTV.COM to watch our new documentary on the next generation of Bourgogne winemaking and watch this episode plus hundreds of hours of the best food and wine movies and shows anywhere else.

Two winemakers join the podcast today to talk about the sneaky next big grape for wine: Gamay.  Famous in Beaujolais, this grape has been marginalized for centuries by Pinot Noir, but it is now standing in the sun.  Join Meghan Zobeck of M Zobeck Wines and John Adams of Wildsound Wine as we talk through the history and present of Gamay and litigate if its worthy of all they hype.  

On today's episode we talk to Tahmiene Momtazi from Maysara winery about the hilarious process of working with her family in the business of winemaking in Oregon's Willamette Valley.  Tahmiene makes some of the best pinot Noir in the United States and her story of how she became a winemaker is a must listen. Maysara winery will also be featured in our upcoming film "Cup of Salvation" later this year so grab their wines now.   You can watch this episode on SOMMTV.COM right now and hundreds of other episodes of award winning shows.

SOMM TV is at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic and this year we are holding a blind tasting competition with the most difficult wine: bubbles.  We are seeking out the best of the best to attempt to blind taste sparkling wines, but what really goes into knowing how to do that?  On today's pod we catch up on Aspen and talk the impossible blind tasting tournament coming soon to SOMM TV.  

Our SOMM TV original film "The Whole Animal" beat some of the biggest competition at the James Beard Awards last week, but it means a lot more than that.  The SOMM TV team discusses the award and what it could mean for food.  We also preview our upcoming competition show at Aspen food and wine classic, and Cup of Salvation.  Last chance to get SOMM TV for 50% off by using code 50OFF at www.sommtv.com 

On today's podcast we talk about Pinot Noir and about an extraordinary Sonoma vineyard that was built on a dream.  Diane Carpenter of Ross Knoll Vineyard and Kelly Cornett of "A Cork in the Road" join Jason Wise to talk about this finicky, wonderful grape and discuss some of the great places it grows best.  You can get the wines talked about in this podcast at https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines.  

Rosé is on every shelf, it floods our glasses all year and there seems to be no end to the amount that is made, but is there still any artistry to this wine?  On today's podcast, famed winemaker Steve Matthiasson discusses the story of our obsession with pink wine and how where it fits into the world of fine wine and even finds the parallels with the beer market.  don't forget you can get 50% off a year of SOMM TV by entering the code: 50OFF at SOMMTV.COM for a very limited time.

We need to talk about Chardonnay, a grape that makes some of the greatest wines on earth, but also might be the most over exposed.  When we talk Chablis we talk about the best and most pure of what Chardonnay is and we are due to discuss this high acid wine.  Today's pod sees legendary winemaker Christian Moreau join Jason Wise and Claire Coppi to talk about how the United States has messed up this grape and also go deep on one of the best white wines on the dinner table.  For 50% off SOMMTV go to SOMMTV.COM and enter 50OFF for a very limited time!

Nicolas Deslauriers is a wine collector, loves to find new wines and travel to drink them where they were made.  Nicolas Deslauriers is also one of the most known enforcers in Hockey and gets paid to fight on the ice, this has led to some issues with his smelling and tasting wine.  On today's podcast Jason Wise, Claire Coppi and Nicolas Deslauriers discuss the violent profession of collecting wine.