VIK Red Blend 2021 Review | A Conversation with Daley Brennan: Science, Soil, and a 100-Point Red Blend
This week we sit down with Daley Brennan of Vik Wines, whose path into the wine world is anything but ordinary. Born in the UK, educated in Paris, and once on track for a career in neuroscience, Daley’s journey shifted after a side job at a Paris bottle shop had him opening first-growth Bordeaux's. In our conversation, Daley talks about moving from academia into wine, navigating French and American business culture, and how Vik has built its reputation in Chile by embracing bold ideas and experimentation. He also shares what makes Vik’s valley so distinctive, from its soils and microclimates to amphora crafted with estate clay and barrels toasted with local oak.And of course, we open a bottle of the VIK Red Blend Millahue 2021. From its shift toward Cabernet Franc dominance to the rare 100-point score, we explore why this flagship wine stands out and how it captures Vik’s vision for Chilean wine.Learn More About VIK!The VIK Consumer Websitehttps://www.vikwine.com/The VIK Wine Industry Websitehttps://www.vikvines.com/Connect with DaleyLinkedInConnect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/
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Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico Reserva 2021 Review | A Safe Bet from Tuscany
This week, the guys pop open the 2021 Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico Riserva. A $25 bottle that James Suckling stamped with 95 points. The question, does that score really hold up?Along the way we dig into what separates Chianti Classico from the rest of Chianti, the rules behind Riserva and Gran Riserva, and why the black rooster on the label actually matters.We also roll out our brand-new game Viterations, where this Riserva gets reimagined as a car, a cheese, and even an Italian speedo.Looking for a solid Sangiovese that won’t empty your wallet? This one might be your next dinner table pick.Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/Chapters00:00 - Welcome and Wine Introduction02:30 - Why This Bottle? $25 and 95 Points05:20 - First Impressions and Tasting Notes10:30 - Structure, Balance, and Finish16:30 - Old World vs. New World Discussion18:00 - Learning Segment – Chianti Classico, Riserva, and Gran Riserva25:30 - How Air and Decanting Change the Wine28:00 - The Review30:30 - Food Pairings and Dinner Table Potential33:00 - New Game: Viterations36:30 - Closing Thoughts
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Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Review | The Yoo-hoo of California Cabs!
This week we crack open the 2021 Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, a bottle you can find just about anywhere. In this episode, we dive into what it means to take on “big brand week,” share our first impressions of a California Cab at this price point, and talk through where it lands in our wine ranking system.Along the way, we swap out the name of our learning segment, "wine nuggets”, for the much better sounding “wine drops,” dig into California’s climate and oak choices, and discuss the food pairings that actually make sense with this style of wine. And for the first time, we try out a brand-new game: Wine Vibes.Is this Cab a wine fridge pick, a backup bottle, or just a casual sipper? Tune in and see where we landed.Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/Chapters0:00 - Intro and Big Brand Week2:00 - Preconceptions About California Cab6:00 - The Story Behind Joel Gott 8159:00 - First Impressions and Tasting Notes14:00 - Structure, Balance, and Oak Talk17:00 - Wine Drops26:00 - Food Pairings Beyond Steak29:30 - Revisiting the Wine32:00 - Final Verdict 36:00 - New Game: Wine Vibes40:00 - Closing Thoughts
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Wine Interview: Noah Chichester | The Wines of Galicia (w/Bonus Martín Códax Albariño Review)
This week we sit down with writer and storyteller Noah Chichester, the voice behind Wines of Galicia. Noah shares how a college job in a small wine shop set him on a path that led to teaching in Spain, falling in love with Albariño, and dedicating himself to telling the story of one of Spain’s most overlooked wine regions.We dive into what makes Galicia so distinct from the rest of Spain, from its Celtic coastline to its remarkable diversity of native grapes. Noah explains why Albariño is the perfect gateway to the region, why Mencía deserves more attention, and how Galicia’s wines deliver both freshness and value.Along the way, we taste a bottle of Martín Códax Albariño and share our thoughts on its sea-spray minerality, citrus brightness, and surprising complexity. All for around thirteen dollars.Whether you’re a longtime Spanish wine fan or just starting your journey, this episode offers a fresh look at why Galicia should be on your radar.Connect with Noah and The Wines of GaliciaThe Wines of Galicia Websitehttps://winesofgalicia.com/The Wines of Galicia on Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/@winesofgaliciaNoah on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nchichesterConnect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/
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Dolia Cannonau di Sardegna 2022 Review | Cannonau: The Secret to a Longer Life or Just Grenache?!
Can a bottle of Cannonau really hold the secret to living longer? We’re not sure, but we can tell you what we thought of this one!This week the guys open the 2022 Dolia Cannonau di Sardegna. A red wine from the island that’s famous not only for its beauty but also for being one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live longer than almost anywhere else. At just $17 and packing 14% alcohol, it had all the makings of a hidden gem. But did it live up to the hype? Episode HighlightsThe big surprise: Cannonau is none other than Grenache, but with its own Sardinian personalityTasting notes ranged from bright cherry and plum to earth, oak, and herbsThe alcohol hit harder than expected, muting the fruit and leaving a thin structureFood pairing ideas from pasta with red sauce to grilled lambHave you tried Cannonau or any wines from Sardinia? Did it feel closer to Grenache from France or Spain for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more honest wine reviews every week. Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/Chapters00:00 – Opening and Birthday Banter01:58 – Introducing Cannonau (First Impressions)05:15 – Wine Reveal: 2022 Dolia Cannonau di Sardegna07:05 – The Blue Zones Connection and Longevity Angle09:10 – Why Colin Chose This Wine10:10 – First Nose Impressions (Alcohol, Cherry, Earthiness)13:20 – First Tasting Notes and Structure Discussion19:00 – Learning Segment: Cannonau vs Grenache/Garnacha27:02 – Review34:00 – Is This a Waste of Your Wine?35:05 – Pick Your Poison: Blue Zone Life vs Exploration40:45 - Outro
Tired of guessing which wine to buy? We were too. That’s why Colin, Joel, and Aaron set out to make a wine podcast that actually helps you drink better wine. Each episode features an honest wine review, a bit of wine education, and plenty of laughs along the way. We keep things casual, skip the snobbery (except for Colin's occasional wine nerd moment), and focus on what really matters: finding wines worth your time and money. Whether you're new to wine or just looking for a more approachable way in, you’re in good company here. Pour a glass and join the conversation!
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