After Wine School

Northern California: An Irreverent Short History

The Rise and Fall of California Wine: A Journey Through History
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive deep into the rich history of California wine, from its early days under Spanish missionaries to its modern resurgence. They discuss the key figures who shaped the industry, such as Augustine Haraszthy and André Tchelistcheff, the effects of Prohibition, and the rise of iconic wineries like Mondavi.
The episode also covers pivotal moments the Judgment of Paris, the influence of Robert Parker, and the cultural impact of the movie 'Sideways.' Additionally, they highlight the growing prominence of wine regions outside California, like the Finger Lakes and Virginia, signaling a broader transformation in American wine culture.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:13 Early History of California Wine
02:13 The Count and His Legacy 04:56 The Napa-Sonoma Rivalry
06:40 Prohibition and Its Aftermath
08:55 The Jug Wine Era
10:10 Scientific Advancements and UC Davis
18:22 The Judgment of Paris
20:55 The Rise of Napa Valley
24:49 Modern Wine Culture and Sideways Effect
27:08 Emerging Wine Regions Across America
28:22 Conclusion 
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Prohibition

The Impact of Prohibition on American Wine In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the history of American Prohibition and its profound impact on the wine industry. They discuss the rise of the temperance movement, the unexpected enactment of Prohibition in 1920, the cultural and economic fallout, and the rise of organized crime. They also highlight the significant loss of wine knowledge and the evolution of America’s relationship with alcohol post-Prohibition. Additionally, they explore the recovery and resurgence of the wine industry, with a particular focus on California, and the ongoing challenges and regulations that stem from this era.
01:03 The Temperance Movement and Early Prohibition Efforts
03:51 Wine's Early History in America
08:39 Prohibition's Impact on the Wine Industry
12:43 The Rise of Organized Crime and Federal Policing
14:23 The Decline of Prohibition
16:21 Economic and Social Impact of Prohibition
17:08 Post-Prohibition California Wine Industry
18:17 The Three-Tier System Explained
20:30 Cultural Shifts in Alcohol Perception
23:00 Prohibition's Lingering Effects on Science and Society
25:34 Regional Differences in Alcohol Laws
27:35 Reviving America's Wine Heritage 
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Ancient Wine

The History and Evolution of Ancient Wines In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the fascinating history of ancient wines. They discuss the origins of wine in Armenia and Georgia, explore the innovative work of the late Patrick McGovern, and examine various ancient wine practices, including the use of goat skins, clay pottery, and the addition of seawater. The discussion also covers the medicinal and cultural significance of wine in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight how many ancient practices still influence modern winemaking while sharing plenty of historical anecdotes and interesting facts about ancient wines.
00:00 Welcome Back to After Wine School
00:51 Dedication to Patrick McGovern
02:50 The Birthplace of Wine: Armenia and Georgia
07:43 Ancient Egyptian Wine Culture
09:45 Greek Symposiums and Wine
12:47 Roman Wine and Practices
15:17 Modern Practices with Ancient Roots
16:02 Conclusion \
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Medieval Wine

The Medieval Era of Wine
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the captivating history of medieval wines, exploring their enduring impact on modern winemaking. They discuss the vital role monks played in wine production, driven by both spiritual quests and practical necessities. The duo examines how wine functioned as medicine and the political maneuvers surrounding Bordeaux during the medieval era. From the meticulous vineyard practices of monks to the medical benefits of wine and the influence of class and politics, the conversation provides a thorough insight into how medieval practices shaped today's wine culture. They also touch upon the role of women in taverns and the social intricacies of the era. To wrap up, they invite listeners to explore more about ancient wines through the National Wine School's programs.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:32 Monks and the Birth of Terroir
07:03 Wine as Medicine Through the Ages
10:20 Political Influence on Wine Trade
13:37 Class and Wine Preferences
17:41 Taverns and Women's Role in Wine History
20:00 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

The Psychology of Wine

Unveiling the Psychology Behind Wine Tasting
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the psychology of wine tasting. They explore how context, environment, and expectations can alter our perception of wine. Keith and Alana discuss personal experiences, famous experiments like the Judgment of Paris, and key scientific studies that highlight the power of suggestion in wine appreciation. The episode also covers the impact of social influence, such as the Parker Effect, and offers insights into creating the optimal environment for wine tasting. Finally, they share practical tips for wine enthusiasts to discern genuine quality from marketing hype.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:22 The Psychology of Wine
01:35 Appearance vs. Reality in Wine
04:36 The Power of Perception
05:54 Teaching Wine: Creating the Right Environment
13:23 Cognitive Tricks in Wine Tasting 1
8:28 Designing the Perfect Wine School
20:56 Wine Shops and Consumer Psychology
23:05 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Climate Change & Wine

Climate Change and Innovations in Winemaking In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the impact of climate change on the wine industry. Though the topic is inherently dark, they provide an optimistic look at how winemakers and regions are adapting and innovating. They discuss historical shifts in wine regions due to climate change, current challenges such as extreme weather, and the various innovative strategies being employed to mitigate these changes. Emerging wine regions and the surprising winners benefiting from climate shifts, like England, Tasmania, and Canada, are also highlighted. This informative episode concludes with an encouragement for wine enthusiasts to further their education through the National Wine School and to support the podcast by liking and subscribing.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:33 Climate Change and the Wine Industry
01:49 Historical Climate Changes and Wine Regions
05:34 Impact of Modern Climate Change on Winemaking
14:54 Innovative Solutions in Winemaking
18:44 Emerging Wine Regions and Future Prospects 
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Oak & Wine

The Impact and Evolution of Oak in Winemaking
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the world of oak and its significant role in winemaking. They discuss the historical evolution of oak usage, starting from the Gauls' beer barrels to its modern-day application in winemaking. They highlight different types of oak such as French, American, Baltic, and Croatian, each contributing unique flavors to wine. The duo also discuss the varying impacts of barrel size and toast levels on the wine. They explore the cultural and symbolic importance of oak in luxury wine, the American and Australian trends towards heavily oaked wines in the 20th century, and the subsequent backlash towards subtler flavors. The episode concludes with a hopeful note as they reveal that oak is making a balanced comeback in contemporary winemaking.
00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:23 The Role of Oak in Winemaking01:26 Historical Use of Oak03:27 Types of Oak and Their Characteristics04:17 Barrel Construction and Toasting05:15 Impact of Barrel Size on Wine07:22 Oak's Symbolism and Evolution in Winemaking10:37 American and Australian Oak Trends14:25 Backlash and Natural Winemaking Movement16:53 Current Trends and Conclusion17:36 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

In Praise of Yeast

The Fascinating Role of Yeast in Winemaking
In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace, joined by fermentation expert Alana Zerbe, delves deep into the critical role yeast plays in winemaking. They explore why wines have distinct smells, how yeast converts grape sugars into alcohol, and the influence yeast has on flavors, mouthfeel, and terroir. The discussion covers the complexity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, native yeasts, and the impact of fermentation temperatures. They also discuss the nuances of wild yeast fermentations, stuck fermentations, and the presence of Brettanomyces. The episode concludes with a lightning round exploring the yeast characteristics of various wine styles. Wine lovers and aspiring winemakers will gain a thorough understanding of the science behind their favorite wines.
00:00 Introduction 00:43 The Role of Yeast in Wine Making01:20 Saccharomyces: The Workhorse Yeast02:02 Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts02:36 Yeast and Wine Complexity03:30 Terroir and Yeast04:41 Sherry and Vin Jaune05:50 Champagne06:49 Temperature's Impact on Fermentation19:08 Wild Yeast19:35 The Role of Native Yeast in Winemaking26:07 Brettanomyces: The Double-Edged Sword28:51 Lightning Round31:00 Final Thoughts
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

WTF Is In My Wine?

What's Really in Your Wine? Unveiling Hidden Ingredients and Natural Processes In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the various additives and processes used in winemaking in the U.S. and Europe. They explore natural additives such as Bentonite Clay, egg whites, and sulfites, as well as techniques like malolactic fermentation and oak aging. They also delve into more controversial practices like the use of Mega Purple for color and texture enhancement. The discussion highlights the natural origins of many modern winemaking techniques and addresses common misconceptions, all while emphasizing practices to ensure safety and quality in wine production.
00:00 Introduction and Surprising Wine Additives
00:45 Historical Wine Additives
01:28 Common Modern Additives
02:39 Fermentation and Flavor Chemistry
04:11 Malolactic Fermentation
06:37 Oak Aging and Flavor Enhancement
09:59 Sulfur and Preservation
11:28 Mega Purple and Wine Manipulation
15:55 Fining, Filtering, and Clarification 2
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Sommelier Secrets

Unveiling Sommelier Secrets: Practical Tips and Restaurant Insights
In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive into the world of sommeliers, peeling back the layers of snobbery and pretentiousness to uncover practical tips and secrets from the trade. The discussion starts with basic skills like properly using a waiter's corkscrew and the significance of pouring techniques. They then explore how to navigate restaurant wine lists, provide insights on how wine lists are structured, and share tips on interacting with sommeliers. A lightning round reveals what's legit and what's not in the wine world, from smelling corks to ordering the second cheapest wine. The episode wraps up with recommendations for further wine education through the National Wine School and the Wine School of Philadelphia.
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School Podcast00:21 Somali Secrets: Demystifying the Sommelier01:54 Opening Wine Bottles Like a Pro06:18 Proper Wine Pouring Techniques10:40 Communicating Wine Sensations11:20 Understanding Bitterness and Taste Training13:44 The Importance of Authenticity in Wine Tasting14:57 Navigating Restaurant Wine Lists19:18 Identifying Flaws in Wine23:07 Lightning Round: Wine Myths and Facts25:31 Conclusion and Wine School Promotion
👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub