Thanks! It's Vintage

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.

Bubblegum, Bananas, and Beaujolais – The Magic of Carbonic Maceration

In this week's episode of Thanks! It's Vintage, we’re diving headfirst into the funky, intensely fruity world of carbonic maceration—the winemaking wizardry behind your favorite gluggable, crushable reds! If you’ve ever taken a sip of a juicy Beaujolais Nouveau or a vibrant natural wine and wondered why it tastes delightfully of fresh red berries, candied banana, or even bubblegum, this is the episode for you. We break down the fascinating science of fermenting whole, uncrushed grapes from the inside out in a carbon dioxide-rich tank, exploring how skipping the traditional stomping process completely transforms the flavor profile and softens those mouth-drying tannins. Grab a lightly chilled glass of your favorite whole-cluster red, and join us as we explore why this quirky, historic technique is currently taking the modern wine scene by storm!

Part 2: The May 2026 VDV Select Wine Club

The May 2026 wine club tasting continues in Episode 8 of Thanks! It's Vintage, where Andrew and Lydia are shifting gears to explore two bottles that truly capture the spirit of their historic homelands. We kick things off in France's Loire Valley with the 2025 Maison Foucher Chinon ‘Le Verre Vignon’ Rosé, a brilliant example of how compelling a 100% Cabernet Franc rosé can be when it breaks away from the typical Provence style, showcasing the region's signature elegance and deep viticultural roots. Next, we travel to Greece to tackle the 2023 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro, an ancient and legendary grape often compared to the great Nebbiolos of Italy for its commanding structure and impressive ageability. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting to expand your palate, tune in to discover the rich history, striking terroir, and unique winemaking traditions behind these fascinating pours.

Part 1: The May 2026 VDV Select Wine Club

Welcome back to Thanks! It's Vintage! In Episode 7, hosts Andrew and Lydia are diving into the first half of the May 2026 wine club with two incredible bottles that spotlight indigenous grapes and fiercely passionate winemakers. First, we head to Italy's volcanic soils for the Giannitessari Brut ‘Alpone Blu’ Durello, an exciting, under-the-radar sparkling wine that proves there is so much more to Italian bubbly than just Prosecco. Then, we travel to the coastal Bairrada region of Portugal to explore the 2023 Luís Pato ‘Maria Gomes’. Crafted by a legendary winemaking family famous for putting Portugal's native vines on the global map, this bottle perfectly captures the fierce Atlantic energy and unique coastal terroir of the region. Pour yourself a glass and join us as we celebrate the rule-breakers and hidden gems of the European wine world!

Uncorked & Unfiltered – Decoding the "Natural Wine" Umbrella

In Season 1, Episode 6 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia pour themselves a glass of something refreshingly unfiltered as they tackle the deeply misunderstood world of natural wine. As this buzzy beverage continues to take over hip bottle shops and restaurant menus everywhere, the duo breaks down exactly what the phrase actually means—and spoiler alert: it operates as a massive, loosely defined umbrella term. Together, they swirl and sip their way through the cloudy definitions of organic farming, biodynamic practices, and minimal-intervention winemaking, helping listeners distinguish between a conventional pour and a wildly untamed, zero-additive pét-nat. Whether you have done a deep dive into the world of natural wines or steered clear all together, Andrew and Lydia serve up a crisp, highly approachable crash course on the grassroots movement currently shaking up the viticulture landscape.