A former sommelier interviews incredibly famous and knowledgeable wine personalities in his tiny apartment. He gets them to talk candidly about their lives and work, and then shares the conversations with you. To see new episodes sooner and to see all of the hundreds of back episodes in your feed, it is important to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE the show. It is free to do either, the show is free.
Contact info-
Email leviopenswine@gmail.com for advertising, consulting, speaking, or guest inquiries
Instagram @leviopenswine
Website illdrinktothatpod.com
At the time of this interview, Jon Bonné was the wine critic for the " San Francisco Chronicle ". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Camille Riviere is the founder of wine import company Camille Riviere Selection, focusing on French wines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ned Benedict, who has since passed away, shared some memorable stories about his time working in the New York restaurant scene and his then role as a partner in Grand Cru Selections, an import and distribution company based in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Talitha Whidbee is the owner of Vine Wine, a wine and spirits retailer located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Michael Wheeler is a partner in wine distributor MFW Wine Co., which is based in New York, and also PDX Wines, which is based in Oregon. Michael chats about his long history in the wine distribution and importation businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Blake Johnson is a longtime New York sales representative for wine import company Rosenthal Wine Merchant. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
At the time of this interview, Justin Chearno was a wine buyer at Uva wines, a wine retail shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
At the time of this interview, Gregory Dal Piaz was the Editor-in-Chief of Snooth Media, an online wine resource. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
David Bowler is the owner of David Bowler Wine, an import and distribution company based in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Zev Rovine is the founder of Zev Rovine Selections, a wine import company focusing on Natural wines and based in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
At the time of this interview, Lee Campbell was the Wine Director of Reynard, a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jan D'Amore is the owner of Jan D'Amore Wines, which focuses on importing Italian wines from a base in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Peter Liem is a wine critic, author, and the publisher of " ChampagneGuide.net ". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Rita Jammet is the owner of the La Caravelle Champagne brand, and the onetime co-owner of La Caravelle restaurant, which was located in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Mannie Berk is the founder of California-based wine importer and retailer The Rare Wine Co. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Laura Maniec is the owner of Corkbuzz wine bars, and the former beverage director of the BR Guest restaurant group. She is based in New York. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
The anonymous blogger Brooklynguy is the publisher of " Brooklynguy's Wine and Food Blog ". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Nicolas Palazzi is the founder of PM Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor of craft spirits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Eric Asimov is the Chief Wine Critic of " The New York Times ". Eric describes how he started working for "The New York Times," and relates the story behind the creation of the restaurant review column "$25 and Under". He also discusses the wine panel he convenes for tastings at "The New York Times". He talks about his impact as a wine critic, as well as the availability of wines throughout the world. He provides an assessment of recent changes regarding wine writing, wine lists, and sommeliers....
At the time of this interview, Michael Madrigale was the Chef Sommelier of Manhattan restaurants Boulud Sud and Bar Boulud. Michael shares stories from his trip to Alsace in France, and describes how he fell in love with Riesling. He shares his thoughts on what defines minerality, how someone might get started with Riesling, and what he appreciates about drinking wine with friends. Michael also discusses what he learned from his family while sitting down at the family kitchen table. And he touch...
At the time of this interview, Talia Baiocchi was the Wine Editor of " Eater.com ". Talia contrasts online wine writing with print, and also describes some of the difficulties in becoming a wine writer. She explains why and how she came into the wine field, and answers questions like: Is food writing dead? And is there a need for wine list reviews? She discusses what a good wine list is, and how wine lists may look in the future. Talia also hashes out some recent changes within the wine scene. S...
David Lillie is a founding partner of Chambers Street Wines, the wine retailer located in New York City. David discusses the early days of his retail business, and the hard moments he experienced at that time. He explains how he developed an interest in wine, and what is most important in his wine buying decisions today. David talks about the wine business in New York City in the 1980s, and wine pricing. He also chats about the consumer response to biodynamic and Natural wines. And David recount...
Aldo Sohm is the Chef Sommelier of Le Bernardin restaurant in New York City, and a partner in the Sohm & Kracher wine label. Aldo discusses how he came to be interested in wine, and the role that Alois Kracher played in that process. He describes his wine career in Austria, as well as his decision to move to America. He speaks about how he came to work at Le Bernardin, and his relationship with colleagues there. Aldo is frank about his work ethic, and his drive to succeed in wine competition...
