The Wine Pair Podcast

The Wine Pair

ArtsEducationLeisure

Recommended by Decanter Magazine who call The Wine Pair Podcast fun, irreverent, chatty, and entertaining! In each episode, husband and wife team Joe and Carmela learn about, taste, and give our honest review of three wines that are reasonably priced - meaning under $25 each - and easy to find. Our podcast is made for people who want to learn more about wine, find new wines to enjoy, and just want someone to talk about wine in a fun and funny way that regular people can understand. So, if that sounds like you, you are in the right place! Contact us at joe@thewinepairpodcast.com Instagram: @thewinepairpodcast Website: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/

Episodes

The Wine Pair Podcast

The Wine Pair

ArtsEducationLeisure

Episodes

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #21: Pascal Marty Owner and Winemaker of Viña Marty

Meet a true legend of winemaking. Ever heard of Opus One? How about Château Mouton Rothschild? Pascal Marty, owner and winemaker of Viña Marty in Chile, has a hand in those truly groundbreaking and world-renowned wines and wineries. Beyond that, Pascal is just a delightful, warm, and transparent person. A true pleasure to get to know. In our conversation, we talk about how an experience in a winery as a young man changed the trajectory of his whole life. We also talk about how his stubborn st...

46min•Mar 22, 2026

Why Serious Wine Nerds Love Xinomavro!

If you are an aspiring wine nerd, Xinomavro is a wine you just gotta know. Why is that you ask? Well, Xinomavro is often compared to the great Italian wines Barolo and Barbaresco made from the Nebbiolo grape, as well as the great French wines made from Pinot Noir in Burgundy, so that is pretty high praise for a wine you’ve probably never heard of. Xinomavro is known for its powerful structure (that’s wine nerd talk for things like tannins and acidity) and a unique savory aromatic profile (tha...

51min•Mar 15, 2026

Portuguese Wine Primer: Douro Branco — Portugal's Best White Under $15?

Have you ever picked up a Portuguese wine, stared at the label, and thought... I have absolutely no idea what this means? Same! And here's the thing: Douro Branco might be Portugal's best white wine value that no one is talking about. So this week, we are fixing that! In this episode, we break down what Douro Branco actually means, why the Douro Valley's brutal climate and ancient vines produce some of the most interesting white wines in Europe, and what the heck "field blends" are and why th...

51min•Mar 8, 2026

Italian Wine Adventure #23: Valpolicella Ripasso — The Best Under-$25 Italian Red You're Not Drinking

Valpolicella Ripasso is one of the most fascinating wines we have ever had. It’s not just the flavor, which slaps, but also the process and history behind it. We don’t want to spoil it before you listen, but the Ripasso method is a totally unique approach to wine making that aspiring wine nerds absolutely need to know! Hailing from the beautiful area around Verona, Italy (yes, the place where Romeo and Juliet hung out), Valpolicella is known for not just one, but four different styles of red...

53min•Mar 1, 2026

Sparkling Riesling (German Sekt): The Fruity Bubbly Under $20 You've Never Tried!

If sparkling wine feels like it's either too expensive, too pretentious, or just not your thing... you haven't had Sekt. German sparkling Riesling is the fruity, zippy, under-$20 bubbly that sparkling wine lovers, especially Prosecco drinkers, have been sleeping on, and in this episode, we are here to fix that. Discover why Germany is the world's largest sparkling wine market, and why the controversial Charmat method actually makes a superior sparkling Riesling versus doing it in the traditio...

49min•Feb 22, 2026

WTF is Bordeaux Blanc? The Best French Sauvignon Blanc Value!

If you think the only great wine coming out of Bordeaux is red, you’ve got it wrong! When most people think of Bordeaux wine, they think of red wines that are anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But, did you know that White Bordeaux AKA Bordeaux Blanc may be the white wine you have always loved but didn’t know, because it is anchored by Sauvignon Blanc? That’s what we are exploring in this episode, and we are going to find out just what makes it so fabulous. Spoiler Alert! Although you...

55min•Feb 15, 2026

Rosé d'Anjou: Better (and Cheaper) Than Provence Rosé?

Forget that boring Provence Rosé everyone else is grabbing for Valentine’s Day. We are exposing a secret from the Loire Valley that offers amazing flavor and higher value for your money, and will impress your significant other. It might help you spice things up a bit, too! If you think all pink wine is created equal, think again... because not all Rosés are born the same. In this episode, we dive into Rosé d’Anjou, a "tender" style of wine that is perfect for those who want a hint of sweetnes...

51min•Feb 8, 2026

Forget Chocolate: Why Sherry is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Unlock!

Valentine’s Day is coming, and if you are feeling stuck in the same old chocolate and roses rut, we have the perfect solution to win over your sweetie! Sherry as the ultimate dessert wine flex, especially if your goal is not striking out this V-Day. Inspired by a listener tip and Carmela’s unwavering love of ice cream, this episode dives headfirst into Sherry and vanilla ice cream as a surprisingly elite pairing. We know what you’re thinking... isn’t Sherry that syrupy stuff that your weir...

50min•Feb 1, 2026

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #20: René Barbier Meyer winemaker at Clos Mogador

Meet the wonderful René Barbier Meyer, head winemaker at Clos Mogador winery in Priorat, Spain. René is a winemaker who believes in being close to the land, the grapes, and juice so that he can make unique, artisan, gastronomic wines. In our interview, he shares his philosophy of winemaking, which is very similar to the way that a musician would describe making music - it is about feel, technique, and adaptation. René practices very low intervention winemaking because he wants the people to e...

37min•Jan 25, 2026

Meiomi: The Worst Wine We’ve Ever Tasted?

Every once in a while a wine comes along that makes us say, “What the f*&k is this $h&t?!? Meiomi is such a wine. Sometimes described as diabolical, this wine is still, somehow, the best selling Pinot Noir in the United States. And so, we decided to see if we could figure out why. Meiomi makes what we call “California-ized” wine. By that we mean big, bold, sweet, and lush wines that are as subtle as a mule kick to the head. More like cocktails than wine, they are not really made to be...

51min•Jan 18, 2026

Italian Wine Adventure #22: Etna Bianco!

Wow! That’s about all we can say about this zippy, electric, and super tasty white wine from the slopes of Mt. Etna. Etna Bianco is a white wine lover’s dream. Great with food, great without food, and so good we describe this wine as dangerous. And to think that this was a wine that almost went extinct! Like its sister wine Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco comes from a long history or winemaking in Sicily that dates back to at least the Greeks, but in the 20th century, a reputation for cheap bulk wine...

48min•Jan 11, 2026

Italian Wine Adventure #21: Etna Rosso!

Etna Rosso is sometimes referred to as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean” and for good reason. This wine, made on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily from the grape Nerello Mascalese, is a serious gastronomic wine, loved by sommeliers and wine nerds for its complexity, depth, acidity, and firm tannic structure. While it is not quite at the level of demand as Barolo, Brunello, or Aglianico, just give it some time. Nerello Mascalese is an up-and-coming grape whose parentage includes Sangiovese -...

52min•Jan 4, 2026

The Best & Worst Wines We Drank in 2025!

Welcome to our very own version of Spotify Wrapped! In this episode, we review the best and worst wines we drank this year, and share with you why we thought they were so good or so bad. In 2025 we drank 80 wines from 12 different countries and 3 different states in the US, interviewed 8 winemakers from all over the world, and released 5 minisodes on a variety of subjects. Listen in to learn about how many downloads we got this year, in how many countries our podcast was downloaded in, and ho...

49min•Dec 28, 2025

WTF is Aligoté?

Sometimes known as the “other” white wine of Burgundy, Aligoté is the bargain white from one of the world’s most famous wine regions. It is the child of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, the latter of which is a wine that many think is now extinct because French nobility hated it so much they burned and banned it. Aligoté is often used in sparkling wine, and as a standalone varietal, it is often described as acidic and neutral, making it a very good food wine. We agree with that description. It is...

46min•Dec 21, 2025

Holiday Sparkling Wines #5: Lambrusco!

Forget what you think you know about Lambrusco, because this wine slaps! We walked away from this episode with one of our very few 10/10 rated wines! If you are looking for something fun, festive, and delicious to add to your Holiday table or bring as a special gift, Lambrusco is the answer! For many years, Lambrusco was the top selling imported wine in the United States, but it did not come with a great reputation. It was known as a sweet “soda-pop” wine, but today, great winemakers are maki...

53min•Dec 14, 2025

Italian Wine Adventure #20: Nero d’Avola!

Known as the King of Sicily, Nero d’Avola is a wine that can be very approachable and fruity, and might just be the wine that you need to serve your friends and family who have not found a wine they like yet. Historically used as a blending grape, sometimes called a ghost grape and “medicine wine” by the French, Nero d’Avola was added to blends to add structure and alcohol. But today, it is finding its legs as a standalone varietal. If you or someone you love is a fancy wine drinker, they wil...

50min•Dec 7, 2025

Special Episode! The Virginia Winemakers Series #3: Corry Craighill of Septenary Winery

In the third installment of our Virginia winemaker’s series, we meet Corry Craighill who is the head winemaker at Septenary Winery as well as her own small label Wound Tight. Corry took a winding path to where she is today, learning her craft all over the world including experiences in South Africa, Oregon, France, Australia, New Zealand, and in California with modern winemaking legends Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman. Corry is forever curious, and brings that sense of wonder and desire to learn t...

39min•Nov 30, 2025

WTF is Graciano?

You say you love Spanish wine, but you’ve never heard of Graciano?!? Then we have got a treat for you! Hailing from the Rioja region of Spain (as well as the Navarra region), Graciano has long been used as a blending grape to round out Rioja red wines, but now is being made into a single varietal that we think is worth seeking out. Sometimes called the third grape of Rioja, Graciano makes a red wine with robust tannins and acidity that some may find similar to Syrah or Petit Verdot. We think...

46min•Nov 23, 2025

Barolo Battle! Costco Kirkland vs. Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve!

We had to try it. We couldn’t help ourselves. And, can you blame us?!? Afterall, who can resist a $20 Barolo from Costco’s Kirkland Brand, or Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve label?!? Not us, and we bet not you either. The question on your lips, of course, is “are the wines worth their $20 price tag?” Look, you need to listen to the episode to find out, but here are a few things that might entice you even further. First, the wines are both from Serralunga d’Alba, both have pretty decent ratings f...

52min•Nov 16, 2025

Special Episode! The Virginia Winemakers Series #2: Justin Rose of Rosemont of Virginia

In our second installment of our Virginia winemaker’s series, we meet Justin Rose of Rosemont wine. Justin was able to leverage his chemical engineering background into becoming the winemaker at the winery his father started on their historical family farm. Today, in the southernmost wine grape growing region in Virginia, they make wines that are tailored to grow well in their area. That includes wines you have heard of like Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the latter of which is a wine that Virgin...

34min•Nov 9, 2025

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Episodes