It’s the 5th most planted grape in the world and the most planted white wine grape in California—but sometimes it feels like everyone hates Chardonnay. In this episode we’re diving into this very misunderstood grape variety, how its reputation as an over-oaked sugar cookie is falling by the wayside, and why it’s Amanda’s “desert island grape.” Wine-vlogger and sommelier Cokie of @cokiesworldofwine (over 300k on IG) joins to share some fool-proof tips on spotting bottles you’ll love just by looking at them. Wine Featured on This Episode: 2019 Adelsheim Vineyard Chardonnay Staking Claim Chehalem ..read more

When it comes to wine regions, does one region rule them all? We’re putting the greats up against each other and breaking down the intricacies of selecting wine out in the wild. When should you choose Washington or Tuscany over Bordeaux? Does Champagne always make the best sparkling or are there situations where Cava or Prosecco make more sense? Plus, the wine world’s greatest con-man Rudy Kurniawan is back in business—and we’ve got the inside scoop on what he’s up to and why his bottles might become valuable collectibles. Wine Featured on This Episode: 2015 Balboa 'Mith' Red Wine Join the Un ..read more

Episode 1 March 14, 2024 Season 3 of the Unfiltered podcast is all about sharpening your wine-buying savvy, and our Episode 1 guest is one of the most finely honed minds in wine: Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, America’s best-selling wine book. Karen is more than the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. She’s also an independent and (truly) unfiltered thinker who’s unafraid to challenge the status quo and the sacred. Guests don’t get any more major than this, so get ready for a full-throttle start to Season 3! Karen's Links Winespeed Newslet ..read more

Episode 36 February 22, 2024 Feeling a little lost reading through a restaurant’s wine list? Have trepidation about sending a wine back? Don’t know if you should tip on an expensive bottle? On the final episode of season 2, Amanda shares her insider tips—after a decade-long career as a restaurant sommelier—on what you should and should not be doing when it comes to wine at restaurants. And since comedy is often the best way to handle these “teachable moments” she enlisted industry vet turned internet-star Drew Talbert —whose viral, hilarious, and all-too relatable “Bistro Huddy” videos resonat ..read more

Episode 35 February 8, 2024 Becoming a wine collector and building your dream cellar at home isn’t as far-fetched as you might think—and also happens to be one of the best ways to learn about wine. Joined by the Nancy Meyers-inspired lifestyle-maven Lex Nicoleta (aka “The Coastal Grandmother”), Amanda shares her fool-proof method for how to build a collection on just about any budget, why you don’t always need a wine fridge, and the ladies discuss which wines you might find your favorite Nancy Meyers movie characters—such as Meredith Blake and Annie and Hallie Parker from ‘The Parent Trap’—dri ..read more

September 28, 2023 “If you love wine, you need to be drinking Spanish wine,” Advanced Sommelier Laura Koffer proclaimed. From the history of Spain’s most planted variety—Tempranillo—and it’s roots in Bordeaux to which region you should prioritize if you’re visiting for the first time, Wine Access experts Laura Koffer and Eduardo Dingler join the program to take you on a tour of one of the top producing wine-regions in the world—and an absolute value haven for wine lovers. ? Watch this episode on YouTube Wine Featured on This Episode: ? 2017 Bodegas Patrocinio Tempranillo Reserva Terroir de Zi ..read more

Episode 34 January 25, 2024 “Natural wine” has become the new darling of the wine world, but the lack of an actual certification or definition—like “organic,” “sustainable,” and “biodynamic” wine—has made it a topic of debate. So what exactly IS “natty” wine? And if you’re not drinking it, are you drinking “unnatural” wine? We’ve got TikTok’s favorite natural wine-obsessed New Jersey twins @supervinobros to help us define what natural wine is and how to spot it in the wild. From the surprising cuisine it pairs best with to the regions doing it the best, this is your crash course on natural win ..read more

Episode 33 January 11, 2024 We’ve got your backstage pass into everything you need to know about food and wine festivals with one of the authorities on the subject. Anthony Giglio —sommelier and contributing wine editor at Food and Wine Magazine—has graced more food and wine festivals stages than any other wine professional in the business. From which festival you’re most likely to taste your bucket list wine to where you’re likely to sip wine next to a celeb, the hilariously funny fan favorite at Aspen Food and Wine is giving us the inside scoop and sharing the embarrassing on-stage moment th ..read more

December 21, 2023 Her viral “What Your Champagne Says About You” videos made us cringe AND cackle at our bubbles choices—so we figured we’d invite her onto the program to talk about entertaining with wine this holiday season. Erin Darling (@dahhhhling) —comedian, writer, actress and host of the hit “Hot Pizza Ass” podcast—talks why you may want to reconsider serving your red wine with brie, Jay-Z’s birthday blowout in Bordeaux, the top 3 Champagnes you should be drinking right now, and the surprising choice for bubbles that will make you look like a wine-pairing goddess. Wine Featured on This ..read more

Her viral “What Your Champagne Says About You” videos made us simultaneously cringe and cackle at our bubbles choices, but today she’s using her wisdom and humor to ensure none of us looks like an amateur this holiday season when it comes to entertaining with wine. Comedian, writer, actress and host of the hit podcast “Hot Pizza Ass” Erin Darling (@dahhhhling) joins us to talk why you may want to reconsider serving your red wine with brie, Jay-Z’s birthday blowout in Bordeaux, the top 3 Champagnes you should be drinking right now, and the surprising (yet affordable) choice for bubbles that wil ..read more