Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether it's harder than ever to be a bar regular. Have the rising cost of drinks, the changing approach to bar formats, and other considerations created an environment where being a bar regular is relegated to the history books? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair o…

Zach is joined by Josh Taylor, co-founder of TabX, to discuss the company's platform, and how it can offer bar goers not just more flexibility and a speedier way to close out their checks, but also special deals on drinks, while helping bars drive business and maintain revenue and allowing brands to connect to their audience more directly. Plus, wh…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach recap the Next Wave Awards party, Zach's epic NYC bar crawl, and discuss why it is that wine bars just don't seem suited to the same kind of "pop in, pop out" experience. Then, spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb joins to discuss the latest releases from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, a…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach convene to discuss a recent gripe from within the drinks industry that they heard from a very highly-placed executive: that brand managers tend to design marketing campaigns and outreach around what they themselves want to do or what they think is cool, not necessarily in the locations and moments where their product's consum…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to an unhinged television appearance from winemaker Charles Smith and the latest iteration of a topic that comes up every so often: that wines in the US can contain a wide range of additives that do not need to be disclosed on the label. Do consumers really care about any of the ingredients or nutritional information of…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss influential whiskies, hunting for sought-for bottles, and other drinks adventures. Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by Kate Shapira Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, to discuss why so much of the fear-mongering around the future of bourbon is misguided. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePa…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach celebrate the winners of VinePair's 2025 Next Wave Awards, highlighting some of their favorites and suggesting what the industry as a whole can learn from some of the outstanding individuals, establishments, and brands therein. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent op-ed claiming to offer suggestions to the struggling wine industry, an op-end that dismisses the vast majority of wine drinkers as just looking for a cheap, pleasant buzz. In tough times in particular, isn't it important to celebrate self-identifying wine lovers, no matter what wine they prefer? Please reme…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach muse on a conversation from Vinitaly.USA about a super successful Italian wine region trying to get more acclaim and approval from sommeliers, and whether that even makes sense for such a financial juggernaut. Does marketing to and through somms actually move the needle for brands, or is this more just about a very human desi…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether it works for smaller, alternative wine brands to market themselves as better or healthier alternatives to large-scale wine, much in the way that smaller food manufacturers and purveyors do. While there are some similarities, does the nature of how wine is typically displayed in gro…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about a recent, unsatisfying visit to a well-regarded Napa Valley winery. Are some of the more established wineries in the valley failing to provide the kind of hospitality guests expect? Are newer brands more responsive to the current landscape? How can wineries justify high-priced tastings to …

In light of the recent launch the Netflix prestige drama "House of Guinness," Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of the show, and the potential for drinks-centric programming in general. Does "House of Guinness" actually work as a marketing engine for the ultra-popular beer, and if so, is there any way for other brands and companies to piggyback off…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories: first, Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States - is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a frequent comment/criticism about being negative about the present and future of the wine industry: shouldn't we be cheerleading an industry that we love and want to succeed? Is the role of journalists to root for the industry the cover? Can different kinds of content live within one publication? Please remember t…

Zach is joined by Molly Matelski, director of buyer relations, programming and partnerships for Fiere Italiane and Vinitaly.USA, and Serafin Alvarado, director of wine education for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits to discuss the upcoming Vinitaly.USA conference in Chicago. What are some of the lessons learned from last year's debut of the US-bas…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent purchase of Whiny Baby by GALLO: does it give them a leg up on marketing to Gen Z wine drinkers, or will it perhaps backfire? Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to chat about why whiskey collectors remain largely uninterested in rye whiskey. Please remember to subscribe to, ra…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach interrogate an oft-repeated and deeply-held industry belief that "alcohol is recession-proof." While it may be true in the past that consumers continued to drink at similar levels regardless of the economic situation around them that doesn't mean that recessions don't cause massive changes and create massive challenges. Plus,…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question: do wine scores and reviews still move the needle? If so, what are some of the wines that benefit and the places where scores matter, and if not: what's changed? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent investment by GALLO into Gran Malo, a spicy tamarind tequila liqueur, and if it could be the next spirit to become the go-to shot for drinkers. Plus: what are some of the traits that made Fireball and Jägermeister so successful in this area? Can a bottle like Gran Malo find love in higher-end cocktail bars?…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to the recent news about canned wine brand Archer Roose partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings, and discussed the mostly unexplored potential for wine at sports bars. Given that wine as a category needs to do more to be where people are drinking, and that sports bars remain a reliably successful business model, how can wi…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about the Honey Deuce, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open, and whether it - and other drinks tied to a specific sporting event - can actually make a meaningful impact for brands. Is the pairing of the Open and the cocktail something that works but can't really be copied, or are drinks companies shying away from what…

With summer at an end, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a few of the changes coming to the podcast, including the introduction of full video recordings as well as more shareable clips and content. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments,…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent Substack post from wine influencer Pilar Brito about the need to tell people that mass market wine is bad. While there's certainly some folks who might respond positively to being told that the wine they like to drink apparently actually sucks, most consumers are likely to be turned off from the category if …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a question from a listener pondering a career in the wine industry. With all the negative headlines, slackening sales, and general turmoil, is this a terrible idea, or is it worth it to follow your passion and your dream even so? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach share some context and thoughts about the recent showing not just a noticeable decline in respondents who drink, but a particularly large drop in those who identify as Republicans. Has a new era of right wing political leaders and influencers really caused that kind of change in behavior, particularly among young people? Are …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach puzzle over why it's become increasingly difficult to just get a drink at a restaurant bar, whether you're early for your reservation or just hoping to scope out a new place. Does it really pay in the long run for restaurants to be so miserly with bar space? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the potential role of AI in restaurants and bars, from wine list and menu creation to guests relying on ChatGPT for recommendations instead of the staff. Are we really going to let an algorithm take over this part of the world too? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, …

Adam and Zach discuss a recent piece outlining Sonoma County's contentious plan to created a Wine Improvement District to collectively market the appellation and its wineries. While similar efforts have been used to solid success in Temecula, Livermore, and Santa Barbara, this effort has been fraught, to say the least. Why is it that many wineries,…

Adam and Zach discuss a recent VinePair piece about the worrisome trend of wine companies divesting themselves of value brands. Given how important these brands and the value tier is for bringing new consumers into wine, why can't premium and fine wine folks accept that they need these wines to exist and succeed for their own success? Please rememb…

After Adam's travels through Europe, he, Joanna, and Zach discuss why there's such a massive difference between fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and those in the United States that either have or aspire to the same acclaim. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about the state of American-made amaro, and the category more broadly. Is there in fact a market for craft, locally-focused amaro? Did the craze from earlier this decade just kind of die out? Why aren't there more iconic amaro cocktails? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair…

Joanna and Zach discuss a recent article about cocktail garnishes, and how some bars are eliminating them to either reduce costs or promote sustainability. Does every cocktail need a garnish? Where is the garnish absolutely essential? Could some drinks actually be improved by not garnishing them at all? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and re…

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair contributor Dave Infante to discuss his recent visit to the Hemp Beverage Expo. With this segment of the drinks business growing like crazy, Dave talks about the current challenges the industry faces, the various stakeholders and their disparate visions for the future, and how traditional beverage alcohol comp…

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair managing editor and Cocktail College host Tim McKirdy to discuss VinePair’s new podcast miniseries, "Mezcal’s Untold Past, Soaring Present, and Fragile Future." What has the rapid growth and globalized demand done to the landscape of Oaxaca, and how has it changed mezcal itself? Tim reveals a bit about the pro…

With Adam on vacation, Joanna and Zach discuss whether drinks these days simply need to be eye-catching to catch on. Do specialized glassware, alluring colors, and clever graphic design matter more now than they used to? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and sen…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener query about the fact that the best-selling RTDs do not include well-known spirits brands, and why the RTDs that do have largely struggled to find an audience. Is it a price issue? Do the marketing teams with those brands not know what do to with an RTD? Or is it just that there aren't enough use cases to…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a recent piece by Kate Bernot about the changing landscape of alcohol investment: where once there was a lot of money floating around just looking for upstart brands, those investors are a bit thin on the ground now. Yet that doesn't mean that all the opportunities are gone, just that the money still in the alcohol sp…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss recent survey data that shows that, contrary to much industry consternation, Gen Z is drinking at a rate roughly equivalent to previous generations. Given that this validates what this podcast has been saying for years, some mild self-congratulating ensues, as does a conversation about how brands and categories need t…

With the Fourth of July upon us, Adam, Joanna, and Zach reflect on the fact that beer no longer is the de facto drink of that holiday and the entire summer, now having to share the stage with hard seltzers, vodka lemonades, hard teas, and a host of other canned and packaged goods that feel just as much at home for outdoor summer drinking occasions …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a recent piece from Fast Company about advertisers and consumers becoming disillusioned with influencers and advertising through them. Does this extend to the drinks industry? Where will advertisers potentially turn instead? Is social media attention less valuable than previously thought? Please remember to subscribe …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss orange wine phenomenon Gulp Hablo, a brand that has taken New York and other markets by storm over the last few years. What exactly is it about this orange wine from Spain that makes it so popular - the packaging, the size, the flavor profile, the varieties, or something else? Can other producers and brands learn some…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question pondering whether participating in wine festivals is actually a good investment for wineries, particularly if they can't sell wine or even market directly to attendees. Is there any way to make that kind of setting work for your brand? Do the people you're pouring for even really care about your…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to the news that the New York Times is taking a different approach to its food section: having a critic specifically devoted to covering restaurants outside New York, plus producing more video content. Can they take the success they've had in New York City and make it work on a national level? How prized will these revi…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach answer a listener question about why it is that so many wine lists look the same these days, with the same wines being sold or excluded. Has a new generation of wine buyers, sommeliers, and other professionals calcified to this extent, or are they just afraid to come to their own conclusions and risk the judgment of their pee…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by Le Moné co-founder Eric Bachli to discuss the continued success of the spritz category, and how it has expanded beyond the Aperol Spritz to incorporate a wide range of aperitifs and liqueurs, as well as how it fits multiple different drinking occasions for many consumers worldwide. Please remember to subscribe t…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a recent and much-shared New York Times piece claiming that Gen Z is "killing the bar tab." Is it true that younger drinkers are truly different from previous generations, or are time-old concerns about limited budgets and a lack of practical experience more to blame? Regardless, what are some strategies that operator…

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair contributing editor Dave Infante to discuss his breaking story about Republic National Distributing Company's announcement that they'll be shutting down their California operations in September. What led RNDC to this stunning admission of failure? Is the changing landscape of total beverage part of the …

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discussed a frequently-posed question: what happened to some of the big public-facing food and drinks festivals, and why have they fallen off so dramatically over the last half decade. Is it just a case of another Covid-prompted change, or has the entire format gone stale? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review Vin…

Joanna and Zach respond to yet more reporting about how retailers and on-premise operators are reacting to declining demand for wine. While some producers are turning to price increases to shore up profits, many customer-facing businesses are reducing the number of SKUs they stock to concentrate purchasing power and perhaps to better align with wha…

Inspired by an aside on a recent Cocktail College episode, Adam and Zach discuss Gus' Sip & Dip, a Chicago bar that only offers one spirit in each category, but also sells all of its cocktails for $12. Eliminating the back bar has allowed them to concentrate their purchasing power on a few key bottles, getting them the best price they can and then …