Our Top 3 ‘Wine & Beverage Podcast’ Recommendations

Hello, fellow wine enthusiasts! It has been a while since I was last active on our blog! In all honesty, the team and I have been extremely busy with tastings, listing procedures, activations and wine events! That being said, moving forward, I will endeavour to write at least 3 blog posts per month.

To begin our blog renaissance, I thought I would share a new resource, which I use myself, to learn more about wine: Podcasts!

Podcasts are ‘an episodic series of digital audio files, which a user can download and listen to. Often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player.’ (via Wikipedia)

 In simple speak; podcasts are digital series, which you can ‘subscribe’ too (most are free!) via a smartphone and your favourite podcast app (mine just so happens to be Overcast because I use iOS). Continue reading to find out about my favourite wine and beverage podcasts!

A typical day for me as a wine merchant and sales director for The Wine Shop Kenya involves a lot of meetings. Whether with my admin staff, sales associates, head sommelier or clients; or perhaps even a combination of the above, the team and I usually find ourselves, on-the-go and killing time in Nairobi traffic (somewhere or the other).

Many times in the day, I usually find that listening to a variety of wine and beverage related podcasts keeps my curiosity, knowledge and love for wines satisfied so to speak.

I encourage you and your friends to download your favourite podcast player (link for iOS one is above and here is one for Android) and subscribe to the podcasts below! You can listen to them at the gym, in traffic or most definitely on the road in-between meetings!

Then, bring your newfound knowledge with you, to our wine bar and café and enjoy a glass or glasses of wine (or a coffee); while having a discussion with our in-house Sommelier Vincent.

  1. I’ll Drink to That! (IDTT) with Levi Dalton.

IDTT is one of my favourite podcasts to listen to because of the depth of details, wide range of ‘wine industry guests’ and diverse amount of wine topics that are discussed. With the average episode lasting 35 minutes, you are guaranteed to pick up a tip or two! Levi’s website also provides a host of wine resources and information for free!

If you are interested, Levi (an ex-Sommelier) categorizes his podcasts via ‘playlists’ on his website! Some of my personal favourite playlists, that I am currently listening to are: ‘Burgundy’, ‘South America’ and of course, ‘Champagne’

Website: http://bit.ly/1AckXGR


 

  1. Wine Enthusiast Podcast.

The next podcast, which I really enjoy listening to, is the ‘Wine Enthusiast Podcast’ by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In their own words, ‘The Wine Enthusiast Podcast takes you on a tantalizing trip into the world of wine, beer and spirits.’ Drink-up engaging, behind-the-scenes stories; reported and recorded by rotating Wine Enthusiast Editors’ from Wine Enthusiasts New York-based and global team and featuring the best and brightest personalities from all aspects of the wine, food, beer and spirits worlds!
The main goal of this particular podcast is ‘to kick away the velvet rope surrounding wine, and give listeners a glimpse into the real people, stories and sips that make wine and beverages the coolest culture in the world to be a part of. Below are some episodes, which I recommend for the beginner to intermediate wine drinker in Kenya:

  • Wine Myths Debunked
  • The 411 on Rosé
  • Throwing Pairing Rules Out Of The Window
  • How We Got Into Wine

While this podcast may have only a few episodes to listen to, each one on average is about 25 minutes and full of great information! This podcast is also relatively new (but frequently updated) and is a great one to ‘subscribe to’ and grow with.

Website: http://bit.ly/2w5uJQI

  1. Wine for Normal People.

Last, but definitely not least is ‘Wine for Normal People’. Wine for Normal People is an award-winning podcast, hosted by credentialed wine geek and certified Sommelier Elizabeth Schneider. This particular podcast began in 2011, and to date has racked up 195 episodes of fantastic content.

This is a podcast, which you can listen to, with your friends and favourite bottle of wine, and you will definitely learn a lot! ‘A podcast for people who like wine but not the attitude that goes with it. We talk about wine in a fun, straightforward, normal way; to get you excited about wine.’

The reason why I personally recommend this podcast, is because, Elizabeth has lots and lots of excellent content! From topics such as: ‘The Flavours of Rosé Explained,’ ‘Bar Food and Wine Pairings’ and ‘The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Wine.’ The host is quite opinionated (but informed and accredited), so definitely subscribe to this podcast, kick back on a Sunday and choose your favourite topic with a glass of wine to accompany.

Website: http://bit.ly/2v4Sif8

So, that’s it for now! I will definitely be writing with more updates on a few more of my favourite wine and beverage related podcasts to keep you learning and growing your wine appreciation and knowledge!

P.S. On a serious side note, I can now enjoy the glass of Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2009, which has been decanting on my kitchen table for the last 40 minutes!! This wine is absolutely amazing! The first time I enjoyed a bottle of this lovely wine was with an old supplier from South Africa; who has easily tasted hundreds if not thousands of wines over the last 45 years, and his comment was ‘outstanding’ – we ended up enjoying and savouring two bottles!

Anyways, The Wine Shop has been holding a few cases (limited quantities) and in addition, we also have a Napa Valley Chardonnay and a beautiful RM (Robert Mondavi) Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that are both ageing gracefully in our cellars! If you are fan of Napa Valley wines, in particular from the Mondavi Estate – call or email me and I will hook you up with a great price on a case!

FYI, 2009 was a great year for Pinot Noir in the Napa Valley; you can view the Wine Spectator Report Card here: http://bit.ly/2eSBjGV

The wines, vintages and more information; including the e-listings for the RM Napa Valley Chardonnay and the RM Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on The Wine Shop will be up on our website by August 1st 2017.

Take advantage wine enthusiasts! These are excellent wines to sip and listen to any of the above podcasts and also begin your collection (if you are into collecting wines)! In the meantime, happy listening!!

Cheers!

Soraiya Ladak
MD The Wine Shop Kenya