When You Just Want A Glass Of Wine

How do you find a good glass of wine when you’re dining at a corporate restaurant like Hard Rock Cafe? We’ll decode the wine list, help you spot hidden gems and suggest the perfect pairing for a burger, a glass of wine and a blast of rock and roll. You'll learn the biggest difference between a corporate wine list and a curated wine list, how price points can influence perceptions on quality, whether to order a glass or a bottle, an...

This week, everything's coming up Rosés! Zena and Renée welcome Renée's long-time friend Marquette Rogers to discuss his favorite style of wine. We're "pretty in pink" in this week's episode. Join us and discover why rosé is a perfect year round versatile wine. Pair it with food, friends or any given Tuesday. #roséallday #pinkiesdown

Cheers to Marquette Rogers, Hillinger Secco, Old Westminster Rosé, Haywater Cove Rosé, Château Minut...

Zena and Renée welcome the man, the myth, the Austrian Wine Legend, Klaus Wittauer for a full on deep dive on Austrian wines! Accounting for about 1% of the world's wine production, but responsible for some of most magical wines on earth, where else can you stay in the historic city where Beethoven wrote his 9th Symphony, which is also its own designated wine region, and within one hour you can reach all the wine regions in the co...

Light pale lemony, and Italian or is it? Ah, a 2023 Barboursville Pinot Grigio - a beautiful example of Virginia winemakers bridging the gap between Old World and New World. Wanna score cool points with Luca Paschina? Ask for a Pinot "Gree Joe".

PRO TIP: Lessons learned - Heavy dishwashing soap can impact the aroma of your wine. Check before you pour - does your glass have a "nose" of its own?

Cheers to: The amazing Holly Feraci of B...

For our first in a series on Virginia wines, Zena and Renée take a road trip to the astonishingly beautiful Glen Manor Winery in Front Royal, VA. Nestled beneath the epic views of Skyline Drive, and family owned for 4 generations, making it a Virginia certified "Century Farm", Glen Manor Winery is a true "glen". Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains (elevation ranging from 1400 and 3400 feet above sea level) on three sides, Glen M...

Zena finally gets into the hot seat! The best part of wine is bringing people together. Zena, Renée and their friends take on a blind vertical tasting of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Hawkes Wine Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Renée has been a wine club member of Hawkes Wine for over a decade, which, as it turns out, does not guarantee success! The group has the tasting notes courtesy of Hawkes. Can they match the vintage wi...

"A Deep Dive into Flavors and Aromas aka is there bacon in my wine?" In this episode, we chat about the fascinating world of wine flavors and aromas — demystifying why your glass might smell like cherries, freshly cut grass, butter or cat’s pee.

Where Do These Aromas Come From? We break down how wine’s scents aren't added, but come from a mix of grape variety, fermentation, aging methods and terroir. From primary aromas of the varie...

Cherry, tannins and a hint of balsamic. Oregano and thyme, and tomato leaf. A pink label with a black rooster. Special Guests Geoff and Jimi. Put them all together and you have a lovely 2023 Gellina Chianti Classico Reserva. Aged a minimum 24 months. Pair it with a Sunday Sauce, a pizza or just a smile. SPOILER ALERT: No fava beans were hurt in the making of this podcast. This week's What's in Renée's Glass features Geoff's first c...

In this episode of Guy Talk, we’re sipping bold Amarone and getting real about wine. What do guys love about it? What do guys hate? We break down the stereotypes around men and wine drinking—because wine isn’t just for swirling and sniffing, it’s for enjoying. From boxed wine to pricy favorites, we talk about how wine culture is shifting and share tips on making it less intimidating for guys who just want a glass of wine. Plus, we ...

Pinot Noir is a diva in the vineyard but a rockstar in the glass. In this episode, we take a "deepish" dive into the history, mystery and sheer drama of this beloved grape. From its Burgundian roots to surprising New World hotspots, we explore why Pinot is both a winemaker’s heartbreak and a wine drinker’s joy. What are you looking for tonight? Old world? New world? Mushrooms and forest floor or strawberries and raspberries? "God m...

Old world elegance....a classic Left Bank Bordeaux from Château Verdignan. Ever wondered how those wine experts know if it's a left bank or right bank Bordeaux? Do you taste more Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot? Left Bank Bordeauxes are Cab Sauvignon dominant and Right Banks feature Merlot more.

Here's a tasting tip - when your red wine starts to get a slightly brown tinge on the edge or has some sediment, it's usually a pretty good in...

Dry champagne or DRY champagne? Do you want a "brut" wine or a feminine wine? When does half sweet actually mean more sweet? Why are the French so brilliant and challenging! Join Zena and Renée along with the amazing Andrew Stover of Siema Wines for this light flight as we decode the language of wine, starting with wine labels and ending with winemaking techniques.

Cheers to Siema Wines, Brimoncourt, Bedell Cellars, Ondarre, Moet &...