Salvestrin Family winemaker Natalie Winkler struck a chord when the 2018 Salvestrin Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon earned a spot among Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2021. But it all started with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir … Winkler represents a new breed of California wine pros specializing not just in winemaking or vineyard management, but in both, and she tells us why winemakers should be in the vineyard, and much more. Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank joins us as well, with news of some recent major wine thefts from two of Europe ..read more

Burgundy's legendary Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti joins us for an exclusive rare interview covering his auction-darling Pinot Noirs, his first encounter with Robert Mondavi, and his role in the 1976 Paris Tasting. Plus, southern France wine star Gérard Bertrand and NBA Hall of Famer turned (multiple) winery owner Tony Parker. Straight Talk host James Molesworth is joined by podcast director Rob Taylor and Wine Spectator senior editors Bruce Sanderson and Kristen Bieler, and we unravel a little bit of the mystery behind the mysterious Dr. Vinny. Thirsty for more? Check ou ..read more

Straight Talk kicks off 2023 with a star-studded trip to France's Rhône Valley, a closer look at Port with two of the region's biggest names, and we reveal Wine Spectator’s Value Wine of the Year for 2022. Host James Molesworth and senior editor Kristen Bieler share tales of their recent trip to France's Rhône Valley, and we're joined in the studio by Philippe Guigal to talk recent vintages and a new addition to Guigal's famous La-La lineup of Côte-Rôtie Syrahs. We also speak with Port stars and friendly rivals Adrian Bridge of the Fladgate Partnership and Rupert Symington of Symington Family ..read more

In the debut episode of Wine Spectator’s Straight Talk podcast, James Molesworth hosts an exclusive roundtable discussion with three of Napa Valley’s most in-demand winemakers: Thomas Rivers Brown of Schrader Cellars and Rivers Marie, Andy Erickson of Favia, Mayacamas and the new To Kalon Vineyard Co., and Helen Keplinger of Grace Family, her Keplinger label and others. Plus, we check in with news editor Mitch Frank and our beloved advice columnist Dr. Vinny. We also explain the difference between Napa Cabernets from mountain vineyards vs. valley floor vineyards, our guests cover recent vintag ..read more

It's our season 1 finale and our year-end roundup of the most exciting wines of the year! In this episode, host James Molesworth is joined by senior editor Bruce Sanderson, counting down our Top 10 Wines of the Year, including an exclusive interview with the man behind our 2023 Wine of the Year! Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about the biggest stories of the year, we remember some of the wine industry stars we lost this year, and Dr. Vinny tackles Chianti vs. Brunello. Thirsty for more? Check out: • Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2023• Wine Spectator's Dec. 31, 2023, is ..read more

Winemaker Dan Petroski made news when he sold his boutique California white wine brand Massican to Gallo late last year. But that was just the latest step on a wine journey that started ignominiously as a Columbia University football player and began in earnest a decade later after an eye-opening dinner at Le Bernardin in New York. Petroski went on to become cellarmaster at Larkmead, where he worked until 2021 while also building his own brand. "I started Massican because my mother couldn't afford Larkmead," Petroski tells host James Molesworth in the newest episode of Wine Spectator's Straigh ..read more

We're live at Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience in this special episode of Straight Talk with host James Molesworth.  He's joined by senior editor for news Mitch Frank, podcast director Rob Taylor and a cast of wine and restaurant industry all-stars that includes chefs José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse and Eric Ripert, Hollywood legend Rich Frank, Tribeca Grill wine director David Gordon, California wine stars Thomas Rivers Brown, Carlo Mondavi, Greg Brewer and more, including a special musical number from our 2023 Video Contest winner. Stay tuned til the end for James'  sneak pee ..read more

From his teetotaling childhood home to Opus One's debut vintage to putting Argentine Malbec on the map, winemaker Paul Hobbs opens up to host James Molesworth about his career-defining moments with candid humor and insightful analysis in the season 2 premiere of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast! Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about a government study that recently surfaced in Oregon, and the controversy over why it had been buried by state officials. Thirsty for more? There's always more free content at WineSpectator.com! • Read more on winemaker Paul Hobbs• Oregon's ..read more

Episode 15 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast is all about California Cabernet, and host James Molesworth's interview with Napa winemaker Maya Dalla Valle was too fun not to share the whole thing. Enjoy the full, uncut  Dalla Valle interview, and don't forget to listen to Episode 15 of Straight Talk for our exclusive interview between Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken and Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, plus, our wine advice expert Dr. Vinny addresses the old adage that wine improves with age. Thirsty for more? Check out this related content • FULL EPISODE A ..read more

What's in the cellar of the world's second-richest man? Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us all about LVMH founder, chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, the man behind not just fashion house Louis Vuitton and the Möet & Chandon Champagne house (including Dom Pérignon), but also brands like Dior, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Hublot, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and many more, including Bordeaux's Cheval Blanc. It's also the holiday season, which means we've gotta have bubbly. Host James Molesworth welcomes senior editor and tasting director Alison Napjus back to talk about her ann ..read more