After Wine School

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the ins and outs of wine tasting room experiences, sharing both horror stories and tips for making the most of your visit. From the importance of setting appointments and being polite to understanding the different types of visitors (and how tasting room staff should cater to each), they cover it all. The episode also features a tasting and detailed analysis of a premier cru burgundy wine, highlighting its complex flavors and aromas. They emphasize the importance of never asking for freebies, always being respectful, and enhancing your tasting experience by asking informed questions. Whether you're a seasoned wine aficionado or a casual enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into enjoying wine tastings the right way.   00:00 Introduction to After Wine School 00:49 Today's Topic: Tasting Room Nightmares 01:11 Wine Tasting Session Begins 01:39 Meet the Hosts and Sponsor 02:50 The Importance of Tasting Rooms 04:07 Tasting Room Horror Stories 08:30 How to Be a Good Tasting Room Guest 16:58 Maximizing Your Tasting Room Experience 19:02 Respect and Etiquette in Wine Tasting 20:39 Handling Unfavorable Wines with Grace 21:17 Navigating Local Wineries and Sweet Wines 22:23 Avoiding Palate Disruption 23:14 The Importance of Being Genuine 24:53 Comparing Wines Side by Side 26:02 Enjoying Premier Cru Burgundy 27:10 Describing the Complexities of Pinot Noir 34:07 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive into the intricacies of oak aging in wine. They explore the historical significance, the flavor contributions, and the various types of oak used by winemakers. The discussion is enriched by Wallace’s insights into winemaking practices and the management of oak barrels. The episode concludes with a tasting and analysis of a beautiful Fronsac, highlighting its complex flavor profile and the impact of oak aging. Listeners are invited to engage with the podcast and enjoy wine in a relaxed, enjoyable manner.   00:00 Introduction to After Wine School 00:41 Meet Your Hosts: Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe 00:47 The Role of Oak in Winemaking 03:20 Historical Use of Oak in Winemaking 05:47 The Science Behind Oak Aging 09:52 Managing Oak Barrels in Winemaking 18:26 Different Types of Oak and Their Impact 23:06 Tasting Chateau Carl Magnus 28:22 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive deep into the world of sparkling wines, starting with a critique of generic Prosecco and moving on to various high-quality alternatives like Cava, Loire Valley bubbles, and Anderson Valley wines. They discuss the importance of lees, the complexities of different sparkling wines, and touch upon unique varieties like Bougie Cerdan and Greek orange wines. The episode aims to educate listeners on identifying good quality bubbles without the snobbery, highlighting the joy in discovering diverse and lesser-known sparkling wines.   00:00 Introduction to After Wine School 00:41 Today's Topic: Bubbles 01:31 Prosecco: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 02:52 Understanding Quality in Sparkling Wines 05:52 Exploring Cava and Its Complexities 17:19 The Charm of Loire and Other French Bubbles 19:06 American Sparkling Wines: Hidden Gems 22:24 Weird and Wonderful: Unique Sparkling Wines 27:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Demystifying Wine Ratings and Reviews with Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe   In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, leading wine experts, dive into the topic of wine ratings and reviews. They explain the importance of wine ratings, their history, and how they can guide wine selections. They review a Chateauneuf du Pape wine and discuss the significance and correct usage of wine ratings. The hosts advocate for using ratings judiciously and discuss the pitfalls of crowdsourced reviews. The episode caps off with a wine tasting, highlighting the complexities and unique attributes of the wine. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and share the podcast, particularly with wine snobs for a dose of humble pie.   00:00 Welcome to After Wine School 00:41 Introducing the Hosts and Today's Topic 00:57 Wine Reviews: Chateauneuf du Pape 02:55 Understanding Wine Ratings 08:41 The Evolution of Wine Ratings 11:24 How Wines Get Reviewed 15:17 The Evolution of Wine Critic Practices 15:43 Modern Wine Review Expectations 17:16 The Role of Wine Ratings Today 18:20 Navigating Wine Selections with Reviews 22:12 Crowdsourced Wine Reviews: Pros and Cons 24:06 Understanding Wine Characteristics 25:10 Grenache: A Deep Dive 30:18 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the intricacies of wine marketing, revealing how industry insiders are influenced and how certain wines become popular. They reminisce about an influential cruise promoting Rosé and recount a memorable trip to Paso Robles. They also conduct a detailed tasting of a Rosé de Provence, exploring its characteristics and potential food pairings. The episode ends with practical advice for those interested in joining the wine trade and enjoying its unique perks. Don't forget to subscribe and share the love of wine.   00:00 Introduction to After Wine School 00:41 Today's Topic: The Dark Arts of Wine Marketing 00:59 Wine Tasting: Rosé de Provence 01:37 Reintroduction and Sponsor Shoutout 03:08 The Wine Cruise Experience 05:16 The Rosé Revolution 06:52 Marketing Strategies in the Wine Trade 13:20 Wine Tasting:  Rosé 17:08 Pairing Rosé with Food 19:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts