Episodes

  • 8: Kings of France (Preview Edition)

    8: Kings of France (Preview Edition)
    Apr 8 2023

    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, and we unravel a little bit of the mystery behind the mysterious Dr. Vinny.

    Thirsty for more? Check out this related content
    • May 31, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator
    • Bruce Sanderson Tastes the 2020 DRC Lineup
    • More on Tony Parker
    • Latest News and Headlines
    • Ask Dr. Vinny
    • WS website members: More on James' Sneak Peek Pick

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host:     James Molesworth
    Director: Robert Taylor
    Producer: Gabriela Saldivia
    Guests: Aubert de Villaine, Gérard Bertrand, Tony Parker, Bruce Sanderson, Kristen Bieler, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    8 mins
  • 7: Wine & Wellness (Preview Edition)

    7: Wine & Wellness (Preview Edition)
    Apr 2 2023

    How do some of the world's most successful chefs, somms and winemakers balance wine and health? In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 7, Red Rooster chef-owner Marcus Samuelsson and Frasca somm-owner Bobby Stuckey talk about how they keep perspective—and how they keep fit.

    In the full-length episode, 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 is impacting the California wine industry. Plus, Dr. Vinny and podcast director Rob Taylor talk wine-tasting etiquette!

    You might also like: Straight Talk director Rob Taylor joins Brooke Gladstone on WNYC's On the Media to talk about the "French Paradox"

    Thirsty for more? Check out this related content
    • April 30, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator
    • Full index of Health coverage
    • Piedmont Tasting Report
    • More on Marcus Samuelsson and Bobby Stuckey
    • Latest News and Headlines
    • Ask Dr. Vinny
    • WS website members: More on James' Sneak Peek Pick

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host:     James Molesworth
    Director: Robert Taylor
    Producer: Gabriela Saldivia
    Guests: Marcus Samuelsson, Bobby Stuckey, Gaia Gaja, Kristen Bieler, Mitch Frank, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    9 mins
  • 6: Bordeaux, Napa and the Future of Wine (Preview Edition)

    6: Bordeaux, Napa and the Future of Wine (Preview Edition)
    Mar 19 2023

    In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 6, host James Molesworth and Wine Spectator contributing editor Suzanne Mustacich look at the 2020 Bordeaux vintage and speak with Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande director Nicolas Glumineau. In the full-length episode, we also chat with Napa Valley winemaking iconoclast and Massican winery founder Dan Petroski, who pulls no punches in a hard look at the wine industry’s newest obstacles and trends. Plus, Dr. Vinny administers a Bordeaux booster, and much more.

    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast

    Thirsty for more? Check out:
    • March 31, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator
    • Bordeaux Tasting Report
    • More on Dan Petroski
    • Latest News and Headlines
    • Ask Dr. Vinny
    • WS website members: More on James' Sneak Peek Pick

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host:     James Molesworth
    Director: Robert Taylor
    Guests: Mathieu Chadronnier, Nicolas Glumineau, Dan Petroski, Mitch Frank, Suzanne Mustacich, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    8 mins
  • 5: The Rhône, Port and Our Value Wine of the Year (Preview Edition)

    5: The Rhône, Port and Our Value Wine of the Year (Preview Edition)
    Mar 12 2023

    In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 5, we take a star-studded trip to the Rhône , a closer look at Port with two of the region's biggest names, and we reveal Wine Spectator’s Value Wine of the Year for 2022. Host James Molesworth and senior editor Kristen Bieler share tales of their recent trip to France's Rhône Valley, and we're joined in the studio by Philippe Guigal to talk recent vintages and a new addition to his family's famous La-La lineup of Côte-Rôtie Syrahs. We also speak with Port stars and friendly rivals Adrian Bridge of the Fladgate Partnership and Rupert Symington of Symington Family Estates. Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us how flooding is impacting the California wine industry, we check in with Dr. Vinny, and much more.

    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast

    A podcast from Wine Spectator

    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host:     James Molesworth
    Director: Rob Taylor
    Guests: Philippe Guigal, Adrian Bridge, Rupert Symington, Kristen Bieler, Mitch Frank, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    9 mins
  • 3: Champagne for the Holidays (Preview Edition)

    3: Champagne for the Holidays (Preview Edition)
    Feb 9 2023
    In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 3, Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth is poppin' off — with a Champagne spectacular! He's joined by Wine Spectator's lead taster for Champagne, Alison Napjus, and a wide-ranging lineup of sparkling wine stars headlined by Roederer's Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, maker of Cristal. In the full episode, available free at WineSpectator.com/Podcast, we’re also joined by grower Champagne star Alexandre Chartogne, and we talk business with the importer of Bollinger Champagne. Plus, our regular appointment with Dr. Vinny.

    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host: James Molesworth
    Director: Rob Taylor
    Guests: Alexandre Chartogne, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Alex Michas, Mitch Frank, Alison Napjus and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    9 mins
  • 4: Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2022 (Preview Edition)

    4: Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2022 (Preview Edition)
    Feb 9 2023
    It's our year-end roundup of the most exciting wines of the year! In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 4, Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth is joined by senior editor Bruce Sanderson, counting down our Top 10 Wines of the Year and much more! The winemaker behind our Wine of the Year joins us to share how he found out they'd won ... and what happened next. And in the full episode, available free at WineSpectator.com/Podcast, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about the growing field of wine investment, Dr. Vinny explains what a "second wine" is, and James accepts our Wine of the Year Trivia Challenge!

    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host: James Molesworth
    Director: Rob Taylor
    Guests: Thomas Rivers Brown, Bruce Sanderson, Mitch Frank, Alison Napjus and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    9 mins
  • 2: The Robert Mondavi Legacy (Preview Edition)

    2: The Robert Mondavi Legacy (Preview Edition)
    Jan 30 2023
    In this preview edition of Straight Talk Episode 2, James Molesworth takes us on a deep dive into the Robert Mondavi legacy, with exclusive interviews with Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, Continuum Estate co-founder and Robert's son Tim Mondavi, international winemaking star and Mondavi winery alum Paul Hobbs, Mount Veeder winery founders and former Mondavi winery tour guides Arlene and Michael Bernstein, and Robert Hanson, President of Constellation’s Wine & Spirits division, which now owns the Mondavi winery and its esteemed To Kalon Vineyard. Plus, we page Dr. Vinny, and much more!

    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast

    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host: James Molesworth
    Director: Rob Taylor
    Guests: Marvin R. Shanken, Tim Mondavi, Paul Hobbs, Arlene and Michael Bernstein, Robert Hanson, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    12 mins
  • 1: Napa Cabernet All-Stars (Preview Edition)

    1: Napa Cabernet All-Stars (Preview Edition)
    Jan 30 2023
    In this special preview edition of Wine Spectator’s Straight Talk podcast,
    James Molesworth hosts an exclusive roundtable discussion with three of
    Napa Valley’s most in-demand winemakers: Thomas Rivers Brown of
    Schrader Cellars and Rivers Marie, Andy Erickson of Favia, Mayacamas
    and the new To Kalon Vineyard Co., and Helen Keplinger of Grace Family,
    her Keplinger label and others. Plus, we check in with news editor Mitch
    Frank and our beloved advice columnist Dr. Vinny.
    Visit WineSpectator.com/podcast for the full-length episode, where we
    explain the difference between Napa Cabernets from mountain vineyards
    vs. valley floor vineyards, our guests cover recent vintages, the 2020
    wildfires, the controversy over selling out to deep-pocketed investors,
    balancing their own family winery needs against those of their big-name
    clients, and much more.
    Hear the full episode for FREE, at WineSpectator.com/Podcast
    A podcast from Wine Spectator
    Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
    Host: James Molesworth
    Director: Robert Taylor
    Guests: Thomas Rivers Brown, Andy Erickson, Helen Keplinger, Mitch
    Frank, and MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. Vinny
    Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    11 mins