Hey friend — settle in, this one’s a wild little ride. A 26-year-old woman tells the story of playing Mafia with friends, pinky-promising her husband she wasn’t the mafia, then immediately killing him in the next round. He was the nurse who’d saved her, and the next day he’s convinced her win proves she could manipulate him outside the game. Yikes.

The hosts lose it (in the best way) — because it’s literally a game built on lying and deception, and expecting a solemn, grown-up pinky promise in the middle of Mafia is peak teenage energy. Verdict? Not the asshole. The husband? Labeled a big baby. The panel dishes out deliciously petty suggestions: double down, treat him like the toddler he’s being, and do not grant his dramatic trust meltdown the time of day.

There’s also a ridiculous, nostalgic detour about SpaghettiOs and Chef Boyardee raviolis, because what’s a podcast without a tangential rant about canned pasta ruin? It’s part roast, part therapy, and all snark — the kind of episode where the hosts are laughing with you and at the absurdity of grown adults throwing a fit over a game.

So, what would you do? Laugh, roll your eyes, or prepare for trial by combat? Either way, pour a glass, join the banter, and enjoy the chaos. Cheers.

DEFENDANT: Vampire Wine

EVIDENCE: Vampire Pinot Noir

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Napa, CA

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Hey friend — welcome to our cozy, slightly spooky corner where we pair pop-culture deep dives with a glass of something fun. In this episode Judge Topher and Judge Rachel uncork a California Pinot Noir called "Vampire" and take a gleeful, rambling tour through vampire lore, wine bottle capes, 80s rock-star winemakers (hello Lisa Dominique), and all the ways the undead have stalked global storytelling. Expect laughs, awkward confessions, ridiculous quizzes, and a whole lot of wine-fueled speculation about bats, fae, garlic, and whether Oprah might secretly be nocturnal.

We sip, sniff, and debate tasting notes (raisinettes, anyone?), wardrobe vibes (leather pants + vampire choker = mood), and the many cultural versions of vampires from Transylvania to the Americas. Along the way: surprisingly sweet wine history, bizarre World Market shopping antics, the best vampire media to binge, and a spirited quiz that will test your knowledge of garlic, running water, and thorny roses.

Pour yourself something nice, tuck under a blanket, and join us for a chat that’s equal parts spooky folklore class, wine tasting, and late-night friends’ gossip. Whether you’re a vampire scholar, a True Blood stan, or just here for the bottle with a cape, we promise chills, chuckles, and maybe a little bite of mystery.

Hey friend—grab a glass and let's talk Halloween candy and wine like this is just us on the couch. This episode of True Crimes Against Wine dives into fun, easy pairings for those classic treats parents (and secret candy-stealers) might sip while handing out goodies. We cover gummy sweets like Swedish Fish and gummy bears with a light, fruity Gamay; chocolatey-carameled bars like Snickers with a friendly Chardonnay; and icebox favorites like Three Musketeers with a soft, earthy Pinot Noir. For tart, chalky Smarties, try a zippy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; candy corn? Just drink whatever you love—no rules. Caramel apples get a nuanced pick (Chablis-style Chardonnay or a cozy Chenin Blanc depending on apple type), Reese’s calls for a bold Malbec, and surprisingly, rosé makes a playful companion for Tootsie Pops. There’s also nostalgic chat, sticky-finger confessions, and the kind of banter that makes you hungry—so maybe keep a snack handy. Hit us up with your candy dilemmas at TrueCrimesAgainstWine@gmail.com and we’ll send swag. Cheers and happy Halloween!