After Wine School

Demystifying Wine Ratings and Reviews (and Chateneuf du Pape!)

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

Lawyers Guns and Vineyards

In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss their paths from law and journalism to becoming top wine experts. They share anecdotes about the transition, the cultural lens of wine, and the prevalence of lawyers in the wine industry. The episode also highlights a tasting of Cab Franc from the Loire Valley, focusing on its unique flavors and characteristics. Tune in for an engaging mix of wine education, personal stories, and humor.
 
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School
00:41 Meet Your Hosts: Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe
01:53 The Lawyer's Journey to Wine
05:25 Cultural Insights Through Wine
12:31 Tasting Cab Franc from the Loire Valley
16:36 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The Down-and-Dirty Secrets of Wine Pricing, and A Cahors Wine Tasting

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the complexities of wine pricing, offering insights into how different tiers of wine are priced. They explore factors from production costs to market placement and offer actionable advice for selecting the best wines within a given price range. The hosts also cover the nuances of wine aging, gifting strategies, and smart buying techniques. Later, they sample a sommelier's favorite, a wine from  Cahors, and offer pairing recommendations. Sponsored by the National Wine School, the episode wraps up with valuable tips for wine enthusiasts and professionals alike.
 
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School
00:45 Today's Topic: Secrets of Wine Pricing
02:06 Understanding Wine Pricing Tiers
06:51 Factors Influencing Wine Prices
10:54 Tips for Buying Wine
16:07 When to Splurge on Luxury Wines
16:53 Aging Wine: A Complex Topic
17:10 Wine School Sponsorship
17:53 Choosing the Right Wine: Price and Quality
18:54 Gifting Wine: Tips and Tricks
20:52 Dealing with Wine Snobs
27:09 Wine Tasting and Pairing
31:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Chardonnay vs the Haters: Debunking Myths and Taking Names (1.3)

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe explore the world of Chardonnay. They discuss the wine's rich history, its varied styles, and the misconceptions surrounding it. Keith shares his personal journey with Chardonnay and why he values it as a winemaker. Alana presents a Southern Burgundy Chardonnay, , highlighting its tasting notes and characteristics. The episode balances humor, professional insight, and practical advice, aiming to demystify Chardonnay and make it accessible to all wine lovers.
 
00:00 Welcome to After Wine School
00:41 Introducing the Hosts and Today's Topic
02:44 Keith's Love for Chardonnay
08:22 The Popularity and Criticism of Chardonnay
15:51 Tasting and Analyzing a White Burgundy
21:36 Conclusion and Farewell

Exploring French Wines with Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe (1.2)

 
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, renowned wine experts, explore the nuances of French wines. From discussing Burgundy and Bordeaux to offering tips on how to buy high-quality wines at reasonable prices, they provide insights into winemaking, regional characteristics, and even discuss organic and biodynamic wines. They also share their personal favorites and the unique factors that affect wine purchasing decisions. Sponsored by the National Wine School, this episode is perfect for both wine enthusiasts and those looking to deepen their understanding of French wines.
 
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School
00:41 Meet Your Hosts: Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe
00:51 Exploring French Wines: Burgundy and Bordeaux
04:28 Tips for Buying French Wines
07:59 The Importance of Wine Regions and Producers
11:20 Biodynamic and Organic Wines
13:45 Top Shelf Wine Recommendations
16:48 Class Overview and Final Thoughts
20:48 Conclusion and Farewell

Mo Bubbles, Mo Troubles (1.1)

Uncorking Bubbles: Champagne vs. Cava - The Ultimate Wine Showdown
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, leading wine experts, dive deep into the world of sparkling wines, comparing champagne and cava. At the end, they uncork a showdown between Champagne and Cava, discussing their unique characteristics, flavor profiles, and ideal pairings. From the misconceptions of aging champagne to the dangers of sabered bottles, Keith and Alana share their expert insights with a touch of humor. They also highlight key advice like the best times to purchase champagne and the suitability of different regions for sparkling wine production. Sponsored by the National Wine School, this episode merges wine education with entertaining conversations and practical tips.
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School
00:44 Meet Your Hosts: Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe
01:10 Bubbles and Trouble: Champagne vs. Cava
02:52 Perfect Pairings: Champagne and Food
04:51 Champagne Memories and Missteps
09:10 The Art of Aging Champagne
11:48 Global Sparkling Wine Regions
15:50 Post-Holiday Champagne Prices
16:15 Sabrage: A Dangerous Art
17:24 The Risks of Sabering Champagne
18:15 What to Do with Leftover Champagne
19:46 Tasting Affordable Cava
24:36 Comparing Cava and Champagne
28:58 Understanding Champagne Labels
30:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Introducing the After Wine School Podcast!

Ditch the wine snobbery and join the party at After Wine School! Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, two of the best wine instructors in the US, bring you fun, accessible conversations about all things wine.