The Chronicle
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videoIs Yellow Tail Shiraz Really That Bad? | Yellow Tail vs Penfolds Koonunga Hill
Some of the most popular wines in America are also some of the cheapest and most criticized. So the guys decided to put that reputation to the test. This week launches the brand new “Drink This, Not That” challenge, where each host tries to replace a widely available bottom shelf wine with something noticeably better without asking people to spend much more money. First up: Yellow Tail Shiraz vs Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet. The episode explores: - Why bulk wine gets such a bad reputat
videoDoes "All of Me" Love This Wine? | John Legend Signature Series Cabernet by LVE 2021 Review
Is John Legend’s wine actually worth buying, or are you just paying for the name? The crew tests the 2023 LVE Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon from LVE Wines by John Legend, a North Coast, California bottle priced around $20 with 14.5% ABV, as part of their celebrity wine challenge under $30. Aaron explains why this bottle stood out among the many celebrity wine options and why the LVE lineup caught his attention. The hosts also discuss the partnership with producer Jean-Charles Boisset and w
videoWe Paid More…And Got Less | Henri Champliau Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Authentique
Is Crémant just “cheap Champagne”… or are you being sold the wrong story? In the final round of our Best Bang for Your Buck Bubbles Challenge, we put a Crémant de Bourgogne to the test and things get controversial fast. A surprise price jump turns this bottle into a debate about value, expectations, and what actually makes sparkling wine worth buying. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: • Why Crémant is not trying to be Champagne and why that matters when you’re buying • The real differenc
videoCan Canned Wine Be Good? This Winemaker Thinks So | Interview w/ Preston Thomas Tirage Wine
A winemaker with 90+ scores and even a perfect 100 set out to solve a simple problem: how to enjoy one great glass of wine without opening a whole bottle. Preston Thomas shares how Tirage brings premium wine into cans without sacrificing quality. The wines come from Lake and Sonoma counties and land at 12% ABV, built for real-life moments. The episode explores: - His path from Tennessee to professional winemaking - Why canned wine still faces resistance - How Tirage prioritizes quality before pa
videoSun Goddess Energy? | Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Orange Wine by Mary J Blige, 2021 Review
A celebrity Pinot Grigio that doesn’t look like Pinot Grigio and might challenge what you expect from the category. This week, the crew digs into a unique bottle and debates whether it delivers where it counts. This episode features the Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato 2021 by Mary J. Blige from Friuli, Italy. It’s 12.5% ABV and priced around $20. They break down the Ramato style, why the wine has its copper color, and how it compares to typical Pinot Grigio. The conversation explores drinkabilit
videoTenuta Di Salviano Rigogoli 2022 Bianco Umbria IGT Review | Overpriced or Overdelivering?
This week we ask a simple question. Is a fifty dollar white wine actually worth it? We head back to Umbria with the Rigogoli 2022 from Tenuta di Salviano. A fifty fifty blend of Viognier and Grechetto di Todi. An IGT wine built on freedom and intention. Named for the winemaker’s grandfather, Rigogoli brings real story to the glass. We also kick off a new yearly tradition. The wine fridges are officially cleared. New year. Clean slate. Only three spots are open for 2026. Things go off the rails f
videoWhy Raventós Left Cava (And What It Means for the Bottle) | Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Review
A Spanish sparkling wine producer walked away from Cava on purpose. They wanted more control. In this episode, we break down: • Why Raventós left the Cava designation • What stricter farming and lower yields are aiming to do • And whether this Spanish sparkling wine is just “better Cava”… or something different We’re reviewing Raventós Blanc de Blancs (2023), a traditional method sparkling wine from Conca del Río Anoia, Spain. At 12% ABV and $20–$25, it’s positioned as a high-value alternative t
videoViña Alberdi La Rioja Alta Reserva Review | A Good Time for a Solid Pour
Big changes are coming to Stop Wasting Your Wine! In this episode, Colin, Joel, and Aaron unveil an exciting new format: monthly wine challenges. Each month, the hosts will pick wines based on a specific theme, with three weeks of competitive tastings followed by a wildcard week featuring interviews with wine industry pros or special features. For February's inaugural challenge, the crew tackles finding the sexiest bottle of wine under $30. A task that proves more difficult than expected. Aaron
videoDave Matthews’ $15 Wine… Is It Actually Good? | The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend Review
Celebrity wines can be a minefield. This week the crew kicks off a new challenge to find the best celebrity wine under $30, starting with The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend (2023) from Dreaming Tree Wines, a collaboration between Dave Matthews and winemaker Steve Reeder. The wine comes from California, costs about $15, and sits at 14.5% ABV. The hosts discuss what celebrity wines get right and wrong, why California red blends often surprise drinkers, and who these easy drinking wines are actually
video$17 Bordeaux Bubbles...Hidden Gem or Total Waste? | Dulong Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Review
A $17 sparkling wine from Bordeaux challenges the idea that bubbles need to be expensive to be worth it. This week kicks off a value-focused series with a surprising pick. The wine is the Dulong Crémant de Bordeaux Brut from Bordeaux, France, priced around $17 with 12% ABV. The hosts explore why a region known for red wine is producing sparkling wine and how value plays into buying decisions. They break down what “Brut” actually means, how region shapes style, and why traditional method sparklin
videoWine Interview: Chris Louton Winemaker at St. Francis Winery | Protecting the Soul of a Wine?!?
From cleaning kennels to crafting Sonoma Cabernet, Chris Louton’s path to winemaking wasn’t planned. A UC Davis class changed everything. Now at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, he’s shaping wines that stay balanced, affordable, and true to place. Chris shares how he went from veterinary ambitions to overseeing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma County. We talk vintage differences, protecting quality at scale, and why he refuses to “make wine for trends.”\ We taste the 2
videoWine Interview: Mariano Buglioni of Cantina Buglioni | Big Barrels, Bold Ideas!
A winemaker challenges Amarone tradition and flips the script. Mariano Buglioni shares how his Il Lussurioso Amarone from Buglioni in Valpolicella Classico (15.5% ABV) is intentionally made to be more drinkable, food-friendly, and approachable. Instead of heavy, overpowering styles, Buglioni shifted away from barrique aging to large casks and adjusted grape drying to reduce sugar and alcohol intensity. The result is an Amarone designed for a second glass, not just a single sip. The conversation
videoWine Interview: Katie Madigan Winemaker at St. Frances Winery | Making Great Wine at Great Scale!
This week, a behind-the-scenes look at how great Sonoma wine actually gets made. Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery shares how she went from chemistry student to winemaker, why sustainability is more than farming, and how to keep soul and quality in wines priced around $15–$18. Katie breaks down St. Francis Winery’s approach to balance, aromatics, and vintage expression, plus what it takes to produce accessible wines at scale without losing identity. We taste and discuss: • 2023 Sonoma County C
videoForbidden Kiss Sweet Red Sparkling Wine Review | Looks Can Be Deceiving!
A $15 sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais with a sexy label and big wine family backing… and it became the first unanimous drain of 2026. This week, the guys crack open Forbidden Kiss Sparkling Red Wine from the Boisset Collection in Beaujolais. It’s 100% Gamay, made in the ancestral method, 7.5% ABV, and widely available at Total Wine. On paper, it checks the boxes for a fun, low-alcohol sparkling red. In the glass, things go sideways. They break down: - What sparkling Gamay should taste like - How
videoDelta Estate Identity Vineyard Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Review | A Sexy Sauvy B!?
The Sexy Bottle Challenge rolls on with Colin's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the latest contender in the search for the best intersection of great wine and great presentation. Colin's pick faces off against last week's bottle as the competition tightens and early favorites begin to emerge. The conversation then shifts to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as a style: why the region has earned its reputation, and how climate and winemaking choices create a wine that feels instantly recognizable. With ra
videoAix Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé 2024 Review | Can Rosé Actually Be a Great Gift Wine?
Rosé does not usually top the list when it comes to gift wines. This week, that assumption gets challenged. In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Wine, the crew wraps up their Gift Wine Series with a deep dive into a Provençal rosé that aims to stand out in a crowded category. They explore what makes rosé a smart and often overlooked choice for gifting, especially when the weather heats up and expectations are high. The conversation moves beyond the glass into Provence itself. Why elevation matte
videoPighin Collio Pinot Grigio 2024 | Not Your Average Italian Pino Grigio!
This week we open our gift wine series with Pighin Collio Pinot Grigio 2024. This is Italian Pinot Grigio with ambition. 14.5% ABV means it brings more power than you expect. We explore the Collio region in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where ponca soil, mountain air, and coastal warmth shape wines with edge and depth. This bottle shifts the narrative. It asks you to rethink the Pinot Grigio category. We also play PiNope or ChardonYay, because choosing sides is fun. And we solve a real problem: what do you do when someone keeps gifting you wine you don’t like? The answer might change how you gift wine forever. This episode pours bold opinions, regional facts, and the kind of surprises that make you laugh, learn, and reach for another glass. Support the Show! Love finding great wines at a great value? Every dollar you give goes straight toward sourcing the next hidden gem for the show. Buy us a glass at the link below to keep the reviews flowing. Cheers! Buy us a glass! https://buymeacof
videoPierre & Antonin Petit Sauvage Orange Wine Review | Certified Not Mousy!
Kicking off 2026, the Stop Wasting Your Wine team dives into the vibrant world of orange wine with a review of the Pierre and Antonin Petite Sauvage Orange Wine. Far from being just a passing fad, this 100% Souvignier Gris natural wine proves to be a bottle that perfectly balances high quality winemaking with an approachable price of $17 to $20. Throughout the episode, the hosts explore what truly defines an orange wine, explaining how skin maceration creates a unique "skin contact white" that delivers the tannic grip of a red with the bright acidity of a white. You will hear the team break down surprising tasting notes ranging from a Grand Marnier style orange lift and honeysuckle to a complex, earthy finish of black tea. The discussion also features a special guest clip from winemaker Antonin Bonnet, insights into why this style is the ultimate food pairing "chameleon" for everything from spicy Thai food to funky cheese boards, and a heated "Pick Your Poison" debate that pits high
videoPoema Brut Cava Review | The Final Pour: A New Year’s Toast to 2025
Cheers to a spectacular wrap on 2025! In our final episode of the year, the "Stop Wasting Your Wine" crew is popping a bottle of Poema Brut Cava to ring in the new year without breaking the bank. At just $15, this traditional method sparkler from Spain brings the "tiny bubbles" and crisp acidity you crave for a celebration, but is it the best value we’ve found in our sparkling wine mini-series? Beyond the bubbles, we’re taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. From discovering a love for Cab Franc and sweet dessert wines to checking off more of those "10,000 grapes," we reflect on the bottles that defined our year. We also give a heartfelt shout-out to the incredible guests and experts who joined us on this journey. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute party recommendation or want to relive the highlights of 2025, grab a glass and join us for one last toast. Happy New Year! Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/stopwasting
videoAlta Vista Brute Rose Sparkling Wine Review | A Fruit Forward Take on Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine season rolls on and this week we pop open the Alta Vista Brut Rosé from Mendoza, Argentina. It is a tank method sparkling wine made from an unexpected blend of Malbec and Pinot Noir, and it lands right in the middle of holiday drinking season. On this episode, we talk about why bubbles take over this time of year and how easy it is to lose track of what you are pouring between family dinners, guests dropping by, and that strange week between Christmas and New Year’s. This is the kind of bottle you keep cold and open without overthinking it. From there we break down what tank method really means and why this wine tastes fruit forward, bright, and more rosé driven than bready or yeasty. Cherry, raspberry, citrus, and a little funk on the finish lead to a bigger conversation about sparkling wine styles and how production methods shape texture and flavor. We also walk through traditional method, ancestral method, and carbonation to help you understand what you are actuall
videoBouvet Ladubay Crémant de Loire 2023 Review | Crémant: The Ultimate Everyday Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine season is here, and we are kicking it off with one of our favorite styles for everyday bubbles. This episode dives into Crémant and puts the focus on Bouvet Ladubay Crémant de Loire, a Loire Valley sparkling wine that delivers serious quality without the Champagne level price tag. This week, we talk about why Crémant is such a smart value play, how it compares to Champagne, and what makes traditional method sparkling wines stand out. The conversation explores what to look for when buying sparkling wine, why acidity matters, and how lees aging shapes texture and character. Along the way, we dig into Bouvet Ladubay’s history in the Loire Valley and why they are considered one of the region’s top producers. This episode is all about understanding sparkling wine beyond the label and rethinking when and how you open a bottle of bubbles. If you love value driven wines and want better options for everyday drinking, this one is worth the listen. Connect with the show. We wou
videoFonseca Bin 27 Ruby and Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Tawny Review | Tweed Jackets and Tiny Glasses
This week the Wine Guides step into the world of Port and discover how deep this style really goes. Colin, Aaron, and Joel taste Fonseca Bin 27 and Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Tawny side by side. The shift from bold fruit to warm caramel sparks real reactions and a few childhood flashbacks. They break down what makes Port a fortified wine from the Douro Valley, why the British shaped its history, and how aging transforms everything in the glass. You hear the crew pick apart structure, sweetness, and that signature warmth that sets Port apart from other dessert wines. They call out what to expect from a Ruby and a Tawny, when decanting actually matters, and why Port works for more than just dessert. They also dig into pairing ideas and talk about which bottle fits which moment. If you have ever been Port curious or wondered what the fuss is about, this tasting gives you a clear entry point. The conversation is fun, thoughtful, and full of small surprises that make Port feel a lot more app
videoSaffron Fields Spectrum Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021 | The Clone Wars w/ Adam Wolf!
Adam Wolf is back, and he brings a whole new story with him. Since his last visit, he packed up his life in LA and moved to Oregon’s Willamette Valley to work at Saffron Fields. We talk about that jump, what pulled him into the region, and how different the wine world feels when you live inside it instead of tasting from a distance. Adam walks us through his new role, the tasting room culture, and why Oregon’s wine community feels so supportive. We get into the local food scene, the shift from LA’s global wine focus to Oregon’s drink-local mentality, and what it’s like to taste in a place with more than 800 wineries. He also sends us a bottle of the 2021 Spectrum Pinot Noir, an entry point into Saffron Fields’ lineup. We dig into what makes it approachable, how the winemaking works, and why clones matter so much in the Willamette Valley. The conversation takes us into tasting structure, flavor differences, and the challenge of keeping your palate alive after 15 Pinots in two days. I
videoSalviano Castello di Titiginano Turlo Umbria Rosso IGT 2022 Review | A Super Umbrian?!?
Thanksgiving sets the stage, but the wine drives the mood. This episode follows the shift from classic family dinner to Friendsgiving energy and asks a simple question. What bottle actually earns its spot on the table? The guys spotlight Castello de Titignano Turlo, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from Umbria. They break down why this lesser talked about region delivers steady quality, thanks to its stable climate and the surprising role of man made structures in shaping vineyard conditions. The wine opens up with air. Flavors stretch and settle. Structure softens. Each sip tells a clearer story. They focus on what matters most. Value. Approachability. Pairing power. This bottle works for seasoned drinkers and casual guests alike. It supports the meal without stealing the spotlight. The takeaway stays practical. Choose wines that breathe well, pair easily, and keep the table happy. What kind of bottle earns repeat invites to your holiday table? Connect with th