Wine Paired to 5 Bingeable Podcasts
Are podcasts the new TV? Nah, but they're definitely worth taking seriously! We've rounded up some gripping, hilarious, bingeable podcasts we think you'll like. And if you binge them while drinking the wines our sommelier Leslee suggests, you might just fall in love.
click through to see each pairing
Unicorn Girl + Mary Taylor Finca El Molor Pet Nat
The podcast: Unicorn Girl chronicles the life and lies of Candace Rivera. To her many followers and "besties" on the internet, Candace seemed like the perfect woman: after divorcing her husband, she created several multimillion-dollar businesses and set about crusading against human trafficking, all while living the good and luxurious life. But after one "manic" summer, the illusion falls apart. Listen in for all the juicy details of Candace's crazy fall from grace.
Leslee's pairing: I am so excited to start listening to this one! My pairing? I’m going with the Mary Taylor Finca El Molor Pet Nat sparkling. Why? Because it is a total unicorn of a wine! So exceptionally rare + absolutely delicious. This sparkling (red-ish colored) wine is made with the grape Moravia Agria. Moravia Agria is a rare varietal that is essentially only grown in central/eastern Spain. Agria indicates ‘sour’ giving the wine a nice, bright tart red fruit note.
Wonderful savory notes + rich ripe berry with elegant acidity make for a wine that is truly unique. Bright red fruit explode in the mouth with just the right amount of grip – you are going to FLIP over this bubb!
We're Here to Help + Brown Estate 'House of Brown' Chardonnay
The podcast: Longtime friends Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop) try their hand at giving advice to everyday people with some truly wacky problems. But don't be deceived—Jake and Gareth are no experts! Throughout each episode the guys (and usually a special guest) dole out crackpot wisdom and ideas while staying fully committed to the bit. Come for the celebrity cameos and stay for the belly laughs!
Leslee's pairing: Okay, I’m def here for this advice hour! I kinda just want to drink an easy going, unoaked Chardonnay to settle in to this one. How about the Brown Estate 'House of Brown' Chardonnay from California. There is a leaness to this round, tropical Chardonnay. Very 'vacation-like' with notes of starfruit, guava, pineapple + kiwi but also a bit zippy with tangy lemon curd + zest. Deliciously balanced, which is exactly what I’m hoping for in this podcast. Enjoy (in a Burgundy bowl, of course)!
Noble + Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli 'Basarin' Barbaresco
The podcast: In the winter of 2002, police discovered more than 300 bodies on one property in the tiny town of Noble, Georgia. In this podcast, journalist Shaun Raviv follows the investigation into the Noble community, where he and investigators encounter a surprising history behind the bodies sent to a cematory called Tri-State. This podcast is not only a gripping tale, it's also an exploration of how we value our dead.
Leslee's pairing: You guys!! I intently listened to this podcast top to bottom + I am still thinking about it months later. This sounds a bit twisted, but I think something earthy, forest floor-like + a bit dirty is the right answer for this wine pairing. So many of the Noble folks were found spread across the crematorium’s woods, so yep—I’m going earthy with this one! (Shriek!)
Let’s go earth-forward, yet down right gulpable with our Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli 'Basarin' Barbaresco. This Nebbiolo based Italian red gives way to a classic garnet red color (it’s actually very intense in its color). This Barbaresco’s aroma is precise, it reminds of the fragrance of red fruit, spices and citrus. The taste is well balanced, elegant without excessive tannins, with soft, spicy and mentholated aftertaste. Go for it!
Sentimental Garbage + Alvaro Palacios 'Camins del Priorat'
The podcast: Hosted by the Caroline O'Donoghue—a fiction writer and charming Irishwoman—Sentimental Garbage celebrates the "culture we love that society can sometimes make us feel ashamed of". Caroline spends each episode (usually with a guest) digging deep into a favorite cultural touchpoint, popular phenomenon, or piece of millenial ephemera. Some of her best episodes are tv show and movie re-watches, and her latest is a joyful review of Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl!"
Leslee's pairing: Oh yeah, I’m going with the Alvaro Palacios 'Camins del Priorat' red for this pairing. This podcast sounds so pretty, yet so REAL—I can’t help but think ‘never ONLY judge a wine by its label’. The label of this wine is so feminine + floral, yet the wine itself is elegant, somewhat muscular + goddamn serious. This elegant red shows lovely balance and accessibility, offering fine-grained tannins enmeshed with flavors of ripe black raspberry, plum, crushed pine and milled pepper, plus a lively touch of mandarin orange peel. Lingering and lightly chewy on the finish. This will be a GREAT pairing!
Good Hang with Amy Poehler + Henry Varnay Rosé Sec
The podcast: Every week, Amy Poehler sits down with a celebrity for a gentle chat about their life, career, the things they have in common and the things that makes them laugh. The best thing about this podcast, of course, is Amy's effervescence and commitment to just having a good time!
Leslee's pairing: Who doesn't love Amy Poehler? Let’s lighten this one up, shall we? The Henry Varnay Rosé Sec from France is the best pick while listening to lady-boss. This fizzy gem will keep your palate so very happy with notes of round fresh strawberry, raspberry, currant + a hint of citrus! Fresh and fruity, lively on the palate, with a delicate mousse and appealing finish. A glass great with friends, your Monday night or just a good listen with your new bestie, Ms. Poehler.