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...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 25
Gamble Family Vineyards: A Conversation with Tom Gamble In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace welcomes Tom Gamble of Gamble Family Vineyards. They delve into the rich history of Napa Valley, discussing topics from prohibition era challenges to the intricate relationship winemakers have with certain grape varieties like Charbonneau. Tom shares his experiences as a third-generation Napa farmer and the transition from grape growing to wine making, highlighting the economic and en...
Jun 17, 2025•55 min•Ep. 24
Mastering Wine Tasting: Practical Tips and Personal Insights In this episode of the After Wine School Podcast, hosts Keith and Alana discuss techniques to enhance wine tasting abilities. They cover practical advice on developing your palate through mindful activities like grocery shopping, cooking, and exploring diverse aromas. They also share personal anecdotes about how authenticity in describing wine flavors and focusing on a single grape variety or region can deepen wine understanding. With ...
Jun 10, 2025•26 min•Ep. 23
From Slam Poetry to Somm Success: A Conversation with Anna Binkovitz In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace interviews Anna Binkovitz, the newly named Sommelier Student of the Year at the Wine School of Philadelphia. They discuss Anna's unconventional journey from being a nationally ranked slam poet to becoming a service manager at one of the top restaurants in Philly. Anna shares insights into her career shift, her experiences with sparkling wine, and why she believes Philadel...
Jun 03, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Navigating Wine Tariffs: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Businesses In this episode of the After Wine School Podcast, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the complex topic of wine tariffs and their impact on wine lovers and small businesses. They discuss past experiences with tariffs, offer insights on the current economic landscape, and explore the potential future scenarios for the wine industry. They highlight the interconnected nature of the wine supply chain, the unique challeng...
May 20, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the world of wine, demystifying the concept of terroir. Keith passionately argues that terroir is often overstated and emphasizes the significant role of yeast and winemaking techniques. The duo also explores the magic of precise winemaking as they taste a Sancerre. They share candid insights and engage in an entertaining discussion about wine education, pairing suggestions, and the elusive quality that makes so...
May 06, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Apr 29, 2025•10 min
In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe reveal why asking a Sommelier about their favorite wine is considered the most annoying question. They explore the subjective nature of wine appreciation, emphasizing that personal preferences vary greatly. The hosts share engaging anecdotes about their favorite wine experiences and discuss how simpler questions can promote a more inclusive conversation about wine. The episode concludes with an in-depth tasting of Muscad...
Apr 22, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Uncorking Wine Buying Tips: From Supermarkets to Boutique Shops In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace steps in solo as Alana Zerbe embarks on an intriguing NASA mission. Keith demystifies wine buying by discussing four major types of wine shops in the U.S.: Supermarkets and National Chains, Big Box Wine Shops, Boutique City Wine Shops, and Suburban Mall Wine Shops. He offers insights and insider tips on selecting wines, particularly for those interested in wine education and sommel...
Apr 15, 2025•5 min
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the declining presence of wine books and the need for updated, accessible wine education. They share personal experiences, including Keith's decision to write a food and wine pairing book instead of a traditional wine book, and the challenges of keeping wine information current due to rapidly changing details. The episode highlights the importance of electronic resources and honest, jargon-free approaches to wine e...
Apr 08, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the intricacies of wine marketing, revealing how industry insiders are influenced and how certain wines become popular. They reminisce about an influential cruise promoting Rosé and recount a memorable trip to Paso Robles. They also conduct a detailed tasting of a Rosé de Provence, exploring its characteristics and potential food pairings. The episode ends with practical advice for those interested in joining the wine...
Apr 01, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the ins and outs of wine tasting room experiences, sharing both horror stories and tips for making the most of your visit. From the importance of setting appointments and being polite to understanding the different types of visitors (and how tasting room staff should cater to each), they cover it all. The episode also features a tasting and detailed analysis of a premier cru burgundy wine, highlighting its complex ...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive into the intricacies of oak aging in wine. They explore the historical significance, the flavor contributions, and the various types of oak used by winemakers. The discussion is enriched by Wallace’s insights into winemaking practices and the management of oak barrels. The episode concludes with a tasting and analysis of a beautiful Fronsac, highlighting its complex flavor profile and the impact of oak aging. Listener...
Mar 18, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive deep into the world of sparkling wines, starting with a critique of generic Prosecco and moving on to various high-quality alternatives like Cava, Loire Valley bubbles, and Anderson Valley wines. They discuss the importance of lees, the complexities of different sparkling wines, and touch upon unique varieties like Bougie Cerdan and Greek orange wines. The episode aims to educate listeners on identifying good quality ...
Mar 11, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Demystifying Wine Ratings and Reviews with Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, leading wine experts, dive into the topic of wine ratings and reviews. They explain the importance of wine ratings, their history, and how they can guide wine selections. They review a Chateauneuf du Pape wine and discuss the significance and correct usage of wine ratings. The hosts advocate for using ratings judiciously and discuss the pitfalls of c...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss their paths from law and journalism to becoming top wine experts. They share anecdotes about the transition, the cultural lens of wine, and the prevalence of lawyers in the wine industry. The episode also highlights a tasting of Cab Franc from the Loire Valley, focusing on its unique flavors and characteristics. Tune in for an engaging mix of wine education, personal stories, and humor. 00:00 Introduction to After Wine S...
Feb 18, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the complexities of wine pricing, offering insights into how different tiers of wine are priced. They explore factors from production costs to market placement and offer actionable advice for selecting the best wines within a given price range. The hosts also cover the nuances of wine aging, gifting strategies, and smart buying techniques. Later, they sample a sommelier's favorite, a wine from Cahors, and offer pai...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe explore the world of Chardonnay. They discuss the wine's rich history, its varied styles, and the misconceptions surrounding it. Keith shares his personal journey with Chardonnay and why he values it as a winemaker. Alana presents a Southern Burgundy Chardonnay, , highlighting its tasting notes and characteristics. The episode balances humor, professional insight, and practical advice, aiming to demystify Chardonnay and ma...
Feb 04, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, renowned wine experts, explore the nuances of French wines. From discussing Burgundy and Bordeaux to offering tips on how to buy high-quality wines at reasonable prices, they provide insights into winemaking, regional characteristics, and even discuss organic and biodynamic wines. They also share their personal favorites and the unique factors that affect wine purchasing decisions. Sponsored by the National Wine School, this ep...
Jan 28, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Uncorking Bubbles: Champagne vs. Cava - The Ultimate Wine Showdown In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, leading wine experts, dive deep into the world of sparkling wines, comparing champagne and cava. At the end, they uncork a showdown between Champagne and Cava, discussing their unique characteristics, flavor profiles, and ideal pairings. From the misconceptions of aging champagne to the dangers of sabered bottles, Keith and Alana share their expert insights with...
Jan 21, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Ditch the wine snobbery and join the party at After Wine School! Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, two of the best wine instructors in the US, bring you fun, accessible conversations about all things wine.
Dec 26, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1
