It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

My friend Martha—my fun loving co-host of One Star Winery Reviews—recently made a trip out to Paso Robles. It was the first time we actually met in person and the conversation was effortless, the wine was flowing (along with a few margaritas), and the stories were endless. We even took a detour to see if we could speak to the beyond by seeing John Edwards live. While she was in town, we decided to take our friendship on the road. So, pour yourself a glass of something local, settle in, and listen to our guest appearance on Protecting What Matters, hosted by Barry Fisher.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Martha’s Podcast: click here

Protecting What Matters: click here

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

We’re back in for our final visit to Montepulciano, where the wine is ancient but the attitudes are…freshly ferocious. From a winery that proudly reminds you it’s been there since the year 1200—but still won’t let you use the bathroom unless you’re a “real” customer—to underground tastings where the host seems more interested in flirting and asking “Are you drunk yet?” than talking about tannins, this one is a ride. We’ll meet guests who felt “ripped,” Americans who suspect their tour guide hated their entire country, and owners who respond to one-star reviews with 1,000 years of family history and a side of “too bad!!!”. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when world-class wine collides with world-class pettiness, keep listening—because these grapes come with serious gripes.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

Welcome to another one star winery review,” where the vines are world-class, the views are stunning, and the reviews are… absolutely savage. Today, we’re wrapping up our Montepulciano misadventures with wineries that allegedly buy good ratings with free bottles, hosts more interested in flirting than pouring, reservation “requirements” that appear and disappear like magic, and a restaurant so bad one reviewer said it made McDonald’s look like fine dining. Pour yourself a glass of something affordable and stick around—because if you’ve ever felt ripped off on vacation, this episode will make you feel downright vindicated.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Find out more about Wines of Galicia here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

Today, we are thrilled to be sitting down with a true visionary of the Paso Robles wine scene, the man behind Brecon Estate, Damian Grindley.

From the stunning, high-calcium hills of the Adelaida district, Brecon has quickly established itself as a producer of world-class, distinctive wines, earning high praise and a loyal following. But today, we're focusing on one grape in particular—a varietal that Damian has championed and truly elevated here in Paso Robles: Cabernet Franc.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Find out more about Brecon Estate here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

We’re heading back to Spain today! Yeah! So far, we've traveled through Galicia’s green coastlines, wandered through the cider-soaked hills of Asturias, and hiked Cantabria’s misty valleys—but today, we’re heading somewhere truly unique. A place that feels like its own little country—because, well, it kind of is. Welcome to País Vasco, also known as the Basque Country. Where the food is world-class, the language predates Latin, and the wines? Oh the wines! Crisp, coastal, and packed with character. This is a place where the Atlantic Ocean crashes into steep green hills, where locals pour wine from impossible heights, and where the language sounds like it was written by Tolkien after a night of pintxos and Txakoli.

So, grab your glass, maybe pour something with a little spritz to it, and let’s dive into the story of Basque wine — a region that’s small in size but enormous in character.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass! Hard to believe this is my 400th episode!

I’m thrilled to be joined today by the ever-insightful Noah Chichester of Wines of Galicia, the go-to guide for all things Galician wine. We’ll be diving into the lush, green wine regions of Spain’s northwest — where the Atlantic air, ancient vines and a treasure trove of native grapes like Albariño, Godello and Mencía come together in spectacular fashion. Whether you’re a seasoned Spanish wine lover or just curious about what’s happening beyond Rioja and Ribera, you’re in for a treat.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Find out more about Wines of Galicia here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

Today’s episode is a little different — we’re taking you inside a live tasting event at the San Francisco Wine School, hosted by Master Sommelier David Glancy. This special session focused on the wines of Castilla y León, one of Spain’s most dynamic and diverse regions, home to some of the country’s most iconic appellations and innovative producers.

You’ll hear the clinking of glasses, the energy of the crowd, and plenty of wine wisdom as we explore what makes this region so distinctive — from its bold reds to its elegant whites. So, pour yourself a glass, settle in, and join us for this immersive tasting experience straight from the classroom to your earbuds.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Find out more about SF Wine School here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!

We are back in Montepulciano for more reviews! and the owner's responses continue to steal the spotlight—a masterclass in polite, yet firm, indignation. Wineries where the owners defend their staff's "patience, education, and kindness" against every accusation of rudeness, and where a free tasting only covers one-third of the actual tasting—a simple misunderstanding due to a language barrier. In search of a less emotionally fraught experience, we moved on, only to encounter a tour guide more focused on flirting than fermentation, and a host that insults Americans We’ve officially determined that touring this region's cellars is less about the vintage and more about running a gauntlet of hilariously hostile hospitality, and frankly, we're loving every minute of it and hope you do too.

Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!

Slainte!

Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here

Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here

Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here

Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video

Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel

SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY

Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass

GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.

Please support our sponsors

Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order

GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES