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I promise I’ll never tell you what to drink, but I’ll always share what’s in my glass. A Podcast from the owners of Dracaena Wines
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Nov 10, 2025
Monday Nov 10, 2025
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Oct 13, 2025
Monday Oct 13, 2025
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
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!
Hey there, wine friends! Welcome back to Exploring the Wine Glass, where I’ll never tell you what to drink, but I will always share what’s in my glass. Today, we’re continuing our journey along Spain’s northern coastline, and we’re visiting a region that’s small in size but big in personality: Cantabria. From misty mountains and secret valleys to prehistoric caves and coastal waves, Cantabria may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine—but it has a story worth raising a glass to. So pour yourself something delicious, get comfy, and let’s explore the hidden wines, ciders, and legends of Cantabria.
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 Wine 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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
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 back to talking one star winery reviews and we are traveling to Italy, where the only thing flowing faster than the wine is the one-star reviews. Today we’re headed to Montepulciano, a region renowned for its history, stunning landscapes, and apparently, its ability to disappoint. The unfiltered opinions of people who had their dreams of a perfect Italian wine experience crushed by stingy aperitifs, rude witches behind the counter, and in one case, a live worm on the charcuterie board. So pour yourself a glass of whatever you’ve got—maybe something from a big bottle—and prepare to cringe.
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!
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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
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!
It’s National Box Wine Day, and what better way to celebrate than breaking open the myth that boxed wine can’t be both fun and fabulous? I sat down with Chelsea Franchi, assistant winemaker at Tablas Creek, to chat about sustainability, innovation, and why putting great wine in a box is more than just convenient—it’s downright brilliant. Join us as we sip, laugh, and explore how this packaging is shaking up the wine world in the best way possible and maybe rethink your next pour.
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 Tablas Creek 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
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
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