In the spirit of providing useful information for those that are just getting into wine I can’t think of a better resource than @Levi_Dalton I’ll Drink to That Podcast. Getting to know the people behind the wines is what turned my interest in wine from something I wanted to know much more about to a passion that has become a huge part of my life. Incidentally Levi was a big part of my early wine education and was the best somm in NYC during this period. I can’t think of a better resource than this. I am going back and re-listening to the early episodes.
Episode one featured Aldo Sohm. I really enjoyed the entire podcast but particular enjoyed their discussion of pairing wine with fish and wow Aldo is one competitive guy which is cool because he comes off so chill.
Amazingly there are over 500 episodes from many people that are no longer here! The Becky Wasserman episode is particularly moving for me.
There are too many episodes that I love listening to multiple times to list. Terry Theise, Dan Petroski, Ian d’Agata, Tegan Passalacqua (twice I think), Steve Edmunds, Paul Greico, etc.
Strong co-sign here. To me, IDTT achieves something akin to what Chef’s Table does for chefs and restaurants: intertwine a personal story and point of view with winemaking technique and connect it to what comes out of the bottle. The best episodes are audio magic.
Hmm, seems suspicious that this praise should arrive on the exact same day that a new episode was released about high quality German Pinot Noir. Coincidence?
I swear to god that I did not see that! But knowing that makes me extremely happy. Especially now that I know its Meyer Näkel a winery I really want to know more about! I really love their 2021s especially knowing the heartbreaking backstory.
1000% this. To me it qualifies as a literary experience, and has a very American Bildungsroman-quality to it. Better than listening to Fitzgerald on audio, lol. I’ve listened to it multiple times and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes as he navigates his experiences on and after 9/11.
Hardy Wallace (1st and 2nd; @Levi_Dalton maybe time to do a 3rd to discuss his new frontier with EDWCY blending??)
Joel Peterson
Becky Wasserman
Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia
Serge Hochar (musar)
Tomoko Kuriyama (chantereves)
Many of these episodes are important documents of the history and frontiers of wine, and deserve to be part of the research and almost training of anyone who is serious about wine.
But still, the Kevin Zraly episode, which transcends the genre into something truly extraordinary, tops them all.
IDTT is absolutely the best wine podcast out there, IMO. My only hesitation in recommending it to someone just getting into wine is that most episodes are pretty “300 level” (if not “500 level”), at least in spots. That, by the way, is praise not criticism, but also needs to be recognized. You will get more out of most of the episodes if you already have a pretty solid base of wine knowledge. So, if you listen to them as a beginner there will be much that goes over your head and you will deny yourself the benefit of comprehending those parts. OTOH, if you wait, you are delaying your use of a great resource, and sometimes just jumping in the deep end is the best way to learn.
I think in the end I’d come down to recommending reading at least a couple of “intro to wine” books first, then starting on IDTT with a wine dictionary./encyclopedia handy as you listen. Of course, tasting tasting tasting along the way as you read/listen.
Many great episodes already listed, but I’ll add the one with @Carole_Meredith about her genetic detective work as a favorite of mine.
I don’t recall (and a quick look did not show) if Levi has even interviewed Pascaline Lepeltier. Given the recent release of her astounding book ‘One Thousand Vines’ it could be a very good time to do so.