Renegade - A Blackthorn Podcast

Some sparkling wines feel like a celebration. This one feels like a secret. Victorine de Chastenay’s Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé is a perfect example of Burgundy’s quiet brilliance—delicate, refined, and far more elegant than its price suggests. It’s the kind of bottle you open when you want bubbles that feel thoughtful rather than loud; joyful, but with a wink.

A perfect addition to any holiday table, sparkling wine always adds somet...

December at Blackthorn is all about two things we’re usually terrible at: slowing down and actually letting ourselves shine. This is the month where rest meets celebration, where quiet winter mornings sit right alongside the clink of something bubbly. It’s the season of looking back, taking stock, and letting the year settle before we step into the next one with intention.

In Blackthorn fashion, we’re treating rest as rebellion. Cho...

As we approach the holidays, we often have more gatherings than normal, but whether you are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner or just having a mixed group dinner party, it can be difficult to decide how to pick wines that you think your guests will enjoy. Especially if you aren’t sure what they will like. 

We are here to help you choose wine for a crowd without losing your mind or budget. My first bit of advice is not to overthi...

We often look to the stars for inspiration, guidance, and the spectacular movements of the stars and planets. Space is often referred to as the final frontier, and man has been using space exploration to experiment with a variety of plants and animals. 

As recently as 2021, a certain Bordeaux wine and its vines were sent up to space.  Julie brings you all the details on how wine and space intersect. 

Grab a glass of wine you think is...

Allie went deep into the Blackthorn Cellar for one of our favorite finds. Crafted by husband and wife winemaking partners Peter Hunken and Amy Christine aren’t afraid to be out of step with fads in the wine business. They made a Pinot Noir that is delicious, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Their wine are proof that craft and care still matter. 

Cozy up with your favorite Pinot Noir and join us. Cheers!

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This is the season of togetherness — of pulling another chair up, of pouring the good stuff even if the meal is humble. It’s about the generosity that comes from opening a bottle you love and saying, “Here, taste this.”

For this Fall season, we are sharing a favorite sparkling red with you, Lambrusco. With wild and deep origins in Italy, this wine can be made from light, slightly sweet bubbly to serious, dark, and dry versions. 

We p...

We couldn't think of a better way to close out spooky season than some wine-inspired ghost stories. 

Julie gathered a few short stories of haunted wineries and tasting rooms, with opinionated ghosts that love a little wine in their glass. 

Allie tells the tale of one of the oldest wineries in California with its haunted tunnels and houses. The winery is famous for its very active ghosts. 

Get your go-to Fall beverage ready and jo...

Let’s be real… sometimes life is less 'rosé all day' and more 'crying in the bathtub with leftover pad thai.' We all spiral. Whether it’s doomscrolling at midnight, rage cleaning your kitchen, or staring into space, wondering if time is even real, chaos happens. And around here, we don’t shy away from the shadowy moods — we pair them. So tonight, we’re talking about wines for when you’re spiraling.

Let your mood ...

Found hundreds of years after it is theorized to have been made, the pieces of the Antikythera Device still baffle the experts. It is greatly debated about when the device was made, who made it, and what it was made to do. 

Tonight, Allie takes us on a journey through the centuries of both wild and practical theories that have yet to result in an answer. 

Get cozy and grab a glass of something new and interesting. Cheers!

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In the Fall, we descend into shorter days and the transition from light to dark. We are walking in the shadows, searching for something we can connect with. 

The name Xinomavro itself is a conjunction of the Greek words for acid and black which is a fairly accurate description for this grape which characteristically has both high tannin and high acid. This is the grape that can produce a beautiful, bright sparkling wine as well as a...

October is Libra giving way to Scorpio: balance slipping into intensity, charm into obsession, the mirror into the abyss. It’s the season of mystery, of hidden rooms, of long looks inward. We’re calling it The Shadow Cellar.

So what does that mean in the glass? It means wines that feel a little uncanny, a little more textural, more emotional than intellectual. ​​It means wines that feel a little strange in the best way — wines that ...

Short answer: No. We go over how people taste and how your personal taste is made up of a variety of factors. Wine is very subjective, and your taste is not the same as someone else's. 

We drop some real-world knowledge and some facts that can help you trust your personal taste. 

Grab a glass of something you are curious about and taste along with us. Cheers!

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Many people think the mystical powers of the full moon induce erratic behaviors, psychiatric hospital admissions, suicides, homicides, emergency room calls, traffic accidents, fights at professional hockey games, dog bites, and all manner of strange events. 

The moon features prominently in Witchcraft, Astrology, Myths and Legends, and Biodynamic winemaking. We wanted to know if there is scientific evidence to support these claims. ...

Gamay may not be the grape you run into every day at the wine shop, but it deserves a permanent spot on your radar. It’s versatile, food-friendly, and usually more affordable than its Pinot Noir cousin. And yet, it’s got this undeniable charm—that little “extra button unbuttoned” energy that makes you want to lean in closer. Sommeliers call it their “secret weapon,” partly because it plays so well with food, and partly because it b...

Wine education doesn’t have to feel like cramming for an exam. In this week’s episode of Renegade: A Blackthorn Podcast, we’re throwing out the textbook, ditching the pop quizzes, and starting fresh. September’s theme, Back to Blackthorn, channels all the best parts of back-to-school energy — sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, that feeling of new beginnings — but applies them to your wine life.

This isn’t about memorizing grape var...

Tonight, Allie tells the story of the infamous Hellfire Club. It is a story full of lost secrets, hidden caves, and one man's stolen heart. 

Join us as we sip an energetic and free-spirited wine to complement the lavish celebrations of the Hellfire Club. 

Curl up in your favorite chair and grab a glass of something that makes you feel rebellious, and we will do the rest.  

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On this week's Nightcap, Blackthorn by the Glass pours something rare and radiant — the 2023 Bourgueil Rosé from Domaine Audebert et Fils in France’s Loire Valley. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc (the grape locals call “Breton”), this saignée-style rosé is bright with strawberry, blood orange, and a whisper of spice. We’ll wander through Bourgueil’s thousand-year wine history, explore why Cabernet Franc thrives here, and shar...

Volcanic wines are wild, earthy, grounded, and intuitive. Allie found the perfect wine that embodies all of these characteristics.  Our interest was piqued by this 'Woman in Flight', Sul Volcano, deeply rooted in the volcanic soils of Sicily. 

We then explore the characteristics of Volcanic soils and how they affect the depth and character of wine. These rich soils aren't just on islands, but are around the world, fro...

When you are looking for a wine that is thoughtful but easy-going, Zweigelt is the answer. Made to flourish in the harsh weather in Austria, wines from this red grape are like your chillest friend — happy to be invited, doesn’t need a fancy setup, and makes everything more fun without taking up too much space.

If you have ever been curious about Austrian wines, or a looking for something new to add to your chillable red list we have...