After Wine School

Forgotten Wines of America: A Deep Dive into Regional Treasures In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe embark on a road trip exploring the often overlooked and forgotten wines of America. The discussion spans a variety of regions, starting with Virginia's troubled history with Vitus VRA vineyards and the rise of Norton and Petit Verdot grapes. They move north to highlight Finger Lakes' Riesling and lesser-known Georgian grape Saperavi, then delve into Pennsylvania's history with grapes like Chambourcin and Barbera. The conversation continues with New Jersey's traditional French-inspired wines, Vermont's hybrid grape success stories, Texas' renowned Tempranillo, and several rich yet underappreciated grape varieties in California. The episode wraps up with mentions of emerging wine regions like Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona, encouraging wine enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the diverse and rich heritage of American wines. 00:00 Introduction to Forgotten Wines of America01:32 Virginia: The Birthplace of American Wine05:24 Exploring the Finger Lakes Region07:07 Pennsylvania's Rich Wine History11:09 New Jersey and Vermont: Hidden Gems12:46 Texas: The Tempranillo Territory13:53 California's Forgotten Grapes19:06 Shoutouts to Other Wine Regions20:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

The Impact of Prohibition on American Wine In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the history of American Prohibition and its profound impact on the wine industry. They discuss the rise of the temperance movement, the unexpected enactment of Prohibition in 1920, the cultural and economic fallout, and the rise of organized crime. They also highlight the significant loss of wine knowledge and the evolution of America’s relationship with alcohol post-Prohibition. Additionally, they explore the recovery and resurgence of the wine industry, with a particular focus on California, and the ongoing challenges and regulations that stem from this era. 01:03 The Temperance Movement and Early Prohibition Efforts 03:51 Wine's Early History in America 08:39 Prohibition's Impact on the Wine Industry 12:43 The Rise of Organized Crime and Federal Policing 14:23 The Decline of Prohibition 16:21 Economic and Social Impact of Prohibition 17:08 Post-Prohibition California Wine Industry 18:17 The Three-Tier System Explained 20:30 Cultural Shifts in Alcohol Perception 23:00 Prohibition's Lingering Effects on Science and Society 25:34 Regional Differences in Alcohol Laws 27:35 Reviving America's Wine Heritage 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

The Medieval Era of Wine In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the captivating history of medieval wines, exploring their enduring impact on modern winemaking. They discuss the vital role monks played in wine production, driven by both spiritual quests and practical necessities. The duo examines how wine functioned as medicine and the political maneuvers surrounding Bordeaux during the medieval era. From the meticulous vineyard practices of monks to the medical benefits of wine and the influence of class and politics, the conversation provides a thorough insight into how medieval practices shaped today's wine culture. They also touch upon the role of women in taverns and the social intricacies of the era. To wrap up, they invite listeners to explore more about ancient wines through the National Wine School's programs. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:32 Monks and the Birth of Terroir 07:03 Wine as Medicine Through the Ages 10:20 Political Influence on Wine Trade 13:37 Class and Wine Preferences 17:41 Taverns and Women's Role in Wine History 20:00 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Climate Change and Innovations in Winemaking In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the impact of climate change on the wine industry. Though the topic is inherently dark, they provide an optimistic look at how winemakers and regions are adapting and innovating. They discuss historical shifts in wine regions due to climate change, current challenges such as extreme weather, and the various innovative strategies being employed to mitigate these changes. Emerging wine regions and the surprising winners benefiting from climate shifts, like England, Tasmania, and Canada, are also highlighted. This informative episode concludes with an encouragement for wine enthusiasts to further their education through the National Wine School and to support the podcast by liking and subscribing. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:33 Climate Change and the Wine Industry 01:49 Historical Climate Changes and Wine Regions 05:34 Impact of Modern Climate Change on Winemaking 14:54 Innovative Solutions in Winemaking 18:44 Emerging Wine Regions and Future Prospects 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

The Fascinating Role of Yeast in Winemaking In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace, joined by fermentation expert Alana Zerbe, delves deep into the critical role yeast plays in winemaking. They explore why wines have distinct smells, how yeast converts grape sugars into alcohol, and the influence yeast has on flavors, mouthfeel, and terroir. The discussion covers the complexity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, native yeasts, and the impact of fermentation temperatures. They also discuss the nuances of wild yeast fermentations, stuck fermentations, and the presence of Brettanomyces. The episode concludes with a lightning round exploring the yeast characteristics of various wine styles. Wine lovers and aspiring winemakers will gain a thorough understanding of the science behind their favorite wines. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 The Role of Yeast in Wine Making01:20 Saccharomyces: The Workhorse Yeast02:02 Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts02:36 Yeast and Wine Complexity03:30 Terroir and Yeast04:41 Sherry and Vin Jaune05:50 Champagne06:49 Temperature's Impact on Fermentation19:08 Wild Yeast19:35 The Role of Native Yeast in Winemaking26:07 Brettanomyces: The Double-Edged Sword28:51 Lightning Round31:00 Final Thoughts 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Unveiling Sommelier Secrets: Practical Tips and Restaurant Insights In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive into the world of sommeliers, peeling back the layers of snobbery and pretentiousness to uncover practical tips and secrets from the trade. The discussion starts with basic skills like properly using a waiter's corkscrew and the significance of pouring techniques. They then explore how to navigate restaurant wine lists, provide insights on how wine lists are structured, and share tips on interacting with sommeliers. A lightning round reveals what's legit and what's not in the wine world, from smelling corks to ordering the second cheapest wine. The episode wraps up with recommendations for further wine education through the National Wine School and the Wine School of Philadelphia. 00:00 Introduction to After Wine School Podcast00:21 Somali Secrets: Demystifying the Sommelier01:54 Opening Wine Bottles Like a Pro06:18 Proper Wine Pouring Techniques10:40 Communicating Wine Sensations11:20 Understanding Bitterness and Taste Training13:44 The Importance of Authenticity in Wine Tasting14:57 Navigating Restaurant Wine Lists19:18 Identifying Flaws in Wine23:07 Lightning Round: Wine Myths and Facts25:31 Conclusion and Wine School Promotion 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss five common wine rules that deserve to be broken. They explore pairing white wine with fish and red wine with meat, serving red wine at room temperature, decanting only old wines, aging all wines, and saving champagne for special occasions. They provide practical advice and science-based insights to help listeners enjoy wine without adhering to snobbery. The episode also includes a fun lightning round to debunk more myths and encourage listeners to enjoy wine in a more relaxed and enjoyable way.

From Philly to New Zealand: The Winemaking Adventures of Daniel Brennan In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith welcomes Daniel Brennan, a Philly native and accomplished winemaker now based in New Zealand's Hawke’s Bay with Decibel Wines. The conversation covers Danny’s unique journey from cheesesteak pop-ups in Hastings to pioneering organic vineyards and making Malbec a new staple in New Zealand. They delve into the intricacies of terroir, the realities of selling independent wines in the U.S., and the vibrant winemaking culture. The episode also includes humorous anecdotes, like creating the perfect cheesesteak bread in New Zealand, collaborating with high-end butchers, and even some light-hearted jabs at Australians. Daniel shares insights on organic farming practices, climate change impacts, and the importance of being hands-on in the U.S. market. The episode wraps up with personal stories, including Danny’s experience with the Wine School of Philadelphia, discussions on distribution strategies in various U.S. states, and the challenges and rewards of making fine wine. 00:00 Introduction to Daniel Brennan and Decibel Wines 00:58 Cheesesteaks in New Zealand 02:42 Wine Culture and Global Hustle 04:31 Italian Influence and Family 07:27 New Zealand Wine Industry Insights 11:05 Challenges and Successes in Winemaking 12:49 The Evolution of New Zealand Pinot Noir 28:46 The Business of Wine 28:58 Understanding the Wine Industry 29:36 The Importance of Personal Presence in Sales 31:07 Distribution Across the United States 32:30 Challenges and Strategies in Organic Wine Growing 35:09 The Unique Nature of Wine 36:13 Historical and Cultural Significance of Wine 40:51 Climate Change and Its Impact on Vineyards 42:21 Organic Wine Growing Practices 45:23 Market Trends and Consumer Preferences 57:23 Innovations in Vineyard Management 58:27 Conclusion and Contact Information 👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub