Curves, Shoulders, and Punts – The History of Wine Bottle Shapes

Curves, Shoulders, and Punts – The History of Wine Bottle Shapes

In Episode 14 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia take a break from the juice itself to examine the fascinating glass vessels that hold it. Have you ever wondered why a Cabernet Sauvignon always comes in a tall, broad-shouldered bottle, while a Pinot Noir rests in gently sloping glass? Or what exactly that deep dimple—the punt—at the bottom of your Champagne is actually for? The duo traces the evolution of glassmaking from fragile, onion-shaped ancient flasks to the standardized, regionally specific designs we recognize today. By exploring the functional and historical reasons behind the classic Bordeaux, Burgundy, and sleek Alsace silhouettes, Andrew and Lydia prove that sometimes you actually can judge a wine by its cover. Whether you are actively organizing your cellar or just want a great trivia fact to share at your next dinner party, this episode will change the way you look at your wine rack forever.

Part 2: The June 2026 VDV Select Wine Club

In Episode 13 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are keeping the summer momentum going with Part 2 of the VDV Select June Wine Club. Journeying to France, the duo explores two distinctly fascinating pours to round out this month’s lineup. First in their glasses is the endlessly refreshing 2021 Château du Cèdre 'Blandine' Le Blanc, a zesty, aromatic blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc from Côtes de Gascogne that delivers a bright, crisp jolt of citrus and green apple. Next, they pivot to an elegant expression of Loire Valley Pinot Noir with the 2019 Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Rouge, proving that vibrant, cherry-laced reds with a slight chill are an absolute necessity for warm-weather dining. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with the back half of your June shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the ultimate guide to finishing the month strong.

Part 1: The June 2026 VDV Select Wine Club

In Episode 12 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are officially kicking off summer patio season with Part 1 of the VDV Select June Wine Club. Join the duo as they pop the cork on the first half of this month’s four-bottle lineup, starting with the deeply elegant 2017 Castell d’Age 'Anne Marie' Brut Nature Cava Reserva. Together, they dive into what makes this zero-dosage, organic Spanish sparkler so brilliantly crisp and complex after years of aging, before traveling across the globe to the extreme, sun-drenched altitudes of Argentina. Next in their glasses is the fiercely aromatic 2024 Loscano 'The Winemaker' Torrontes from Salta, an absolute masterclass in bright, floral, and wildly refreshing white wine. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with your own June shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the perfect, thirst-quenching start to the month.

Secrets of the Cellar with VDV Select

In season 1, episode 11 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia uncork the fascinating world of cellared wines with a very special on-air tasting session. Join the duo as they sample exquisite, perfectly aged bottles from a recently acquired private cellar collection, made available to everyone through VDV Select by Vinodivino. As they sip and evaluate these rare treasures, Andrew and Lydia discuss the magic of how wine evolves over time, what makes a mature vintage truly exceptional, and how interested listeners can secure these exclusive VDV Select acquisitions for their own cellars. Whether you are an experienced collector or simply curious about the beauty of an older bottle, this episode offers a delicious deep dive into the art of the cellar.

Revitalizing Rioja – Inside the Cellars of Martínez Lacuesta

In Season 1, Episode 10 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew Putnam and Lydia Sharrad take listeners on a sun-drenched journey to the heart of Spain to unpack the bold, historical, and heavily structured world of Rioja. Ditching the stuffy terminology, the duo swirls and sips their way through the iconic portfolio of Bodegas Martínez Lacuesta, a legendary family-run estate that has been shaping the region's viticulture since 1895. From decoding the traditional aging tiers—Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva—to exploring how Martínez Lacuesta perfectly balances old-world oak aging with vibrant, modern fruit expressions, Andrew and Lydia serve up a highly approachable crash course on Spain's premier wine region. Whether you are a dedicated Tempranillo collector or simply searching for the perfect pour to pair with your next weekend tapas spread, this episode uncorks exactly why Rioja remains a timeless, dynamic powerhouse in the global wine landscape.