The Four Top: Wine News and Culture - podcast cover

The Four Top: Wine News and Culture

The Four Topthefourtop.org
Each week, wine media veteran Katherine Cole serves up and breaks down the four biggest stories in the vinous world with help from The Four Top team, including our contributing cohost, Martín Reyes, MW. Come for the headlines, stick around for the occasional bad pun, and savor the conversation.

The Four Top is winner of both the James Beard and IACP awards for Best Culinary Podcast.
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Episodes

Ep. 190: ICE's Chilling Effect on the Wine World

Nearly every facet of American life has been thrown into uncertainty since Donald Trump took office last month. Undocumented immigrants and their communities are perhaps the most impacted. Searching for some understanding for how these unprecedented times may impact the wine world, we turn to Amelia Morán Ceja of Ceja Vineyards Winery for her perspective. Tune in to hear her words of wisdom.

Feb 27, 202524 minSeason 5Ep. 190

Ep. 189: A Wine Community Faces the Unimaginable

We're on a short hiatus, but the world isn't. While we work on more episodes for you all, we are bringing you our conversation with Helen Johannesen (of Helen's Wines) about the impact of the Los Angeles wildfires. Our dear friend and occasional co-host Martín Reyes, MW joins as well, and while the fires are devastating, Helen brings us glimpses of community, hope, and rebuilding.

Jan 29, 202522 minSeason 5Ep. 189

Ep. 188: Nootropics and Adaptogens, Anyone?

Get out those flashcards, there is some new vocab to pair with your N. A. beverages. Pooches pounce on pests and pestilence in vineyards. Orange you glad that orange wine is finally official in Collio? We catch up on all the non serious wine news we missed over the holidays. These are the stories we're following this week on your favorite wine news podcast, The Four Top.

Jan 15, 202526 minSeason 5Ep. 188

Ep. 187: New Year, Same Trends

The Surgeon General sends shockwaves through the beverage world. A rock star Napa winemaker goes N.A. We speak with the @sober_somm. Food tourism is dead, according to the New York Times. These are the top wine news stories we're covering this week on The Four Top

Jan 09, 202530 minSeason 5Ep. 187

Ep. 186: Happy New Year from The Four Top!

Happy New Year from The Four Top! We take it easy this week, sharing our new year resolutions and discussing our favorite stories from the past year. If you are looking for a chill podcast to help nurse your Champagne-addled head, this is the one!

Jan 01, 202516 minSeason 5Ep. 183

Ep. 185: Holiday Tales from The Four Top

THIS IS NOT A DRILL: Santa Claus himself joins us on Ep. 185. You won't believe what we learn from (and about) Old Saint Nick. Once Santa signs off, we deliver you some pitches for wine-centric Hallmark holiday classics. Somebody get us a movie deal...

Dec 25, 202420 minSeason 5Ep. 185

Ep. 184: Let Me Google That for You

The FTC aims its phasers at Southern Glazer's misbehavior. Spain reigns atop the Liv-Ex Power 100. Sleepy girls are Googling. We chat with Sprudge founder Jordan Michelman about wine gifts. These are the wine news stories we're following this week.

Dec 18, 202435 minSeason 5Ep. 187

Ep. 183: Crushed Glass & ICE Advice

Michelin-starred restaurants rally behind Kally. We bring you advice for dealing with ICE. Washington's glass recycling industry is crushed. We welcome Women who Sparkle. These are the wine news stories we're bringing you this week on The Four Top.

Dec 11, 202431 minSeason 5Ep. 183

Ep. 182: Tequila Tariffs and Ancient Vines

Trump touts tequila tariffs. Chefs begin to repeal the eels in their meals. Drinks retail needs to bring on the fun. Alder Yarrow talks old vines. These are the wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Dec 04, 202430 minSeason 5Ep. 182

Ep. 181: Pizza Wine & Faux Foie Gras

Landowners weigh whether to plant crops or harvest clean energy. Prepare your maw for faux foie gras. Trump taps a new secretary of agriculture. It is time to acknowledge Indigenous people's impact on wine. These are the wine news stories we're covering this week on The Four Top.

Nov 27, 202420 minSeason 5Ep. 181

Ep. 180: (Thirty-Five Million) Buck Chuck

A major producer drops glass weight. Gen Z wants a no ABV party. Tis the season for best wines lists. We phone a friend in France to discuss levies out of London. All this and more on your favorite wine news podcast, The Four Top.

Nov 20, 202426 minSeason 5Ep. 180

Ep. 179: Tariffs and Toxic Waste

Trump tariffs have some terrified. It's not phylloxera, it's late frosts and freak storms. Workers allege toxic waste in winegrowers' waterways. The Aussies go aeronautical with aeration. These are the wine news stories we're following this week.

Nov 13, 202435 minSeason 5Ep. 179

Ep. 178: Napa Handles the Heat

The rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plain. Fine wine is in decline, but some producers still shine. It turns out Nick is not the only thing that likes to get drunk in the woods. Napa can handle the heat. These are the wine news stories we're following this week.

Nov 06, 202422 minSeason 5Ep. 178

Ep. 177: Ghosts, Ghouls, and GPTs

We have wine country horror stories for you this Halloween week. Plus, we have a famous comedian's contribution to wine home decor, and all the latest on AI in the wine industry. To wrap things up, we phone a friend, that friend being Jason Wise of SommTV. Jason is going to tell us all about the Ghosts of Napa Valley. These are the wine news stories we have this week on The Four Top.

Oct 30, 202435 minSeason 5Ep. 177

Ep. 176: Chardonngay and a New AVA

Criminals cashed in on counterfeit wine. Hip hip hooray! Napa's got a new AVA. What's going on at Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton? And in the name of Come Over October, we get to know the gal behind Chardonngay. These are the wine news stories we're following this week on your go-to wine news podcast, The Four Top.

Oct 23, 202429 minSeason 5Ep. 176

Ep. 175: Blue Zones B.S. and Billion Dollar Buyouts

It's Come Over October, and we've got Kimberly Charles on the mic! We're watching Weed and Wine. Katherine is boozing in Berlin. A winery was acquired for a truly ungodly sum. The Blue Zones may have been bullshit. These are the stories we're following this week in the wine world.

Oct 16, 202430 minSeason 5Ep. 175

Ep. 174: Dock Strikes and Chip Farms

Karen MacNeil joins us on Ep. 174! Dock workers struck and some wine got stuck. Non-alcoholic champagne is here and it is a little pricey. Oregon's governor chooses chip farms over grape farms. Come on over because it's October. These are the wine news stories we're following this week.

Oct 09, 202427 min

Ep. 173: The Joy of Wine

Somewhere in the recent flurry of negative wine news, we forgot the most important thing about our industry: the joy. Anna Maria Ponzi of Linfield University's Center for Wine Education and Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard join us on Ep. 173 to remind us of that joy, and give us tips on how to spread it far and wide. Listen to this episode with a glass in hand; we're finding that joy once again.

Oct 02, 202437 minSeason 5Ep. 173

Ep. 172: India is Bucking Wine Trends

Deluges along the Danube drench wineries. India may be the savior wine needs. A firefighter fans flames in California. Wineries could find a friend in the USPS if some senators get their way. These are the four wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top, with a special guest: food and wine writer Henna Bakshi!

Sep 25, 202423 minSeason 5Ep. 172

Ep. 171: The Four Top’s Excellent UK Adventure

We caught up with Jancis Robinson, Richard Hemming, André Mack, Agnese Gintere, Henna Bakshi, Samantha Cole-Johnson, Elaine Chukan Brown, and Amanda Barnes at the inaugural 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards. We got to travel to London to attend the awards ceremony, and the best part was talking to so many talented wine communicators. Enjoy their hot takes, and... Cheers!

Sep 18, 202421 minSeason 5Ep. 171

Ep. 170: A Teaser

We do not have a full episode for you this week! We were all traveling for the past 7-10 days and could not get an episode together for you. But that's mostly a good thing, because we were at the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards in London! We were able to speak to some very talented wine communicators to get their thoughts and insights, and we'll be bringing you all that magic next week in a recap episode. Until then, enjoy this litte teaser. Cheers!

Sep 11, 20242 minSeason 5Ep. 168

Ep. 169: New Grapes, Same Bullshit

South African wineries are fans of wasps and bullshit. Napa Valley’s tourist stats are good news. You may RSVP to your next wedding invite via Resy. France welcomes new grape varieties. These are the four wine news stories were following this week on The Four Top.

Sep 04, 202422 minSeason 5Ep. 169

Ep. 168: Cabernet Cocoons and Aged Grapes

Prehistoric pips point to possible birthplace of grapes. You can now walk from St. Helena to Calistoga. An unrealized real estate empire implodes. Cocoons are for caterpillars and cabernet. These are the four wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Aug 28, 202419 minSeason 5Ep. 168

Ep. 167: Rubles, Roundup, and Rapa Nui

Chile designates new D.O.s. Mysterious brain diseases in Canada are cause for concern. Vine saboteurs are horrible, terrible, no good, very bad people. Vladimir Putin forks out rubles for rosés and reds. These are the four stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Aug 21, 202417 minSeason 5Ep. 167

Ep. 166: Walking Off the Wine

Wine is not allowed to be fun or festive. California wants to chuck out self-checkout. Champagne lightens up. Walkathons are all the rage in Prosecco country. These are the news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Aug 14, 202422 minSeason 5Ep. 166

Ep. 165: Chillable Reds and Friends

Katherine, Ruby, and Nick met in person for the first time...this week. That's pretty wild. Instead of bringing you a regular episode, we celebrated by talking about the rising popularity of chillable red wines (or is it chilled red wines?) and drinking rosé (a bit ironic). Sure, the audio quality isn't quite up to snuff, but we learned that we can be real life friends!

Aug 07, 202432 minSeason 5Ep. 165

Ep. 164: Taxing the Air

VWE declares bankruptcy. Politicians and producers want to blow up the bubble tax. Winemakers are fretful thanks to the French far right. The man behind the American winery aesthetic has passed away. These are the four wine news stories we're discussing this week on your favorite wine news podcast, The Four Top.

Jul 31, 202426 minSeason 5Ep. 164

Ep. 163: Wine Bots and Unpaid Bills

A former employee has spilled the tea about Visit Napa Valley. A deadbeat winery owner gets sued for shirking his bills. Treasury Wine Estates has gone full robot mode. Pete Wells quit his job before his job quit him. These are the wine news stories we're discussing on The Four Top.

Jul 24, 202425 minSeason 5Ep. 163

Ep. 162: Swiftonomics and the Supreme Court

Swiftonomics comes to the wine world. The Supreme Court creates chaos for alcohol producers. A big tech exec wants to expand access to wine. Fires force evacuations in Central Coast wine country. These are the wine stories we're following on episode 162 of The Four Top.

Jul 17, 202422 minSeason 5Ep. 162

Ep. 161: Booze, Hold the Alcohol

Anchor Brewing is raised once again. Wine pain is beer pain. Hops, water, and that's it. And the hottest thing in alcohol is no alcohol. These are the four topics we're covering this week on the beer takeover of The Four Top.

Jul 10, 202429 minSeason 5Ep. 161
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