Episode 97 - The Hunt for Affordable Wine Is Back

Episode 97 - The Hunt for Affordable Wine Is Back

In today's episode, we discuss a record-breaking $812,500 bottle of 1945 DRC headlines this week's wine news as Ted Hall explores Napa's growing "luxury squeeze," while new consumer research and Eric Asimov's latest New York Times piece reveal why more wine drinkers are hunting for value bottles under $20 in today's softer wine market. This episode also features Enkidu Winery, the Gundlach Bundschu Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, a spotlight on Bottega Angelina and its $40 per bottle/no limit corkage policy, plus this week's corkage feature at Stonehouse Restaurant with a $75 per bottle/no limit corkage fee. Get 10% off your first purchase at The Caubleist using the code CORK10 at checkout! https://thecaubleist.com/ [https://thecaubleist.com/] Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Bottle Of 1945 DRC Sells For US$812,500 [https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/04/bottle-of-1945-drc-sells-for-us812500-setting-new-world-record/] ♦️ Napa's Luxury Squeeze [https://ted241.substack.com/p/napas-luxury-squeeze] ♦️ US Wine Drinkers Turn To Value Bottles [https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/04/us-wine-drinkers-turn-to-value-bottles-as-consumption-softens/] ♦️ How To Find Great Values In Wine [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/dining/drinks/wine-tariffs-cost-value.html] Wine & Winery of the Week: ♦️ Enkidu Winery in Sonoma, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/enkidu-winery/] ♦️ Gundlach Bundschu "Vintage Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 [https://corkandjourney.com/2019-gundlach-bundschu-vintage-reserve/] Restaurant & Corkage of the Week: ♦️ Bottega Angelina in Laguna Niguel, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/bottega-angelina/] ♦️ Bottega Angelina Corkage Fee is $40 Per Bottle/No Limit [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/bottega-angelina/] ♦️ The Stonehouse Restaurant Corkage Fee: $75 Per Bottle/No Limit [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/the-stonehouse-restaurant/] 📄 SHOW NOTES 📄 Read all the stories discussed on the show ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-25-2026-the-hunt-for-affordable-wine-is-back/ [https://corkandjourney.com/may-25-2026-the-hunt-for-affordable-wine-is-back/] 👇SUBSCRIBE👇 ️ ♦️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1] ️ ♦️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/ [https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/] ️ ♦️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Twitter - https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/ [https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/] 💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings [https://corkandjourney.com/listings] 🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/ [https://corkandjourney.com/wines/] 🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/ [https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/] 🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/ [https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/]

Episode 96 - Restaurant Wine Prices Are Killing Wine Sales

In today's episode, we discuss how restaurant wine prices may be pushing diners away from wine altogether, Catena Zapata has once again been named the world's most admired wine brand, Germany's new wine classification laws are officially rolling out, and the legendary Judgment of Paris has been recreated in New York. This week we also feature Calcareous Vineyard, the 2017 Venteux Vineyards Petite Sirah 2017, and A Crystal Cove Restaurant along with Lucky's in Montecito featuring a $45 corkage fee with a two-bottle maximum. Get 10% off your first purchase at The Caubleist using the code CORK10 at checkout! https://thecaubleist.com/ [https://thecaubleist.com/] Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Consumers Reject Expensive Restaurant Wines [https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/03/consumers-reject-expensive-restaurant-wines] ♦️ Catena Zapata Named The World's Most Admired Wine Brand [https://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/12240/Catena_Zapata_named_The_World_92s_Most_Admired_Wine_Brand_for_second_year_running.html] ♦️ A Guide to Germany's New Wine Classification System [https://daily.sevenfifty.com/a-guide-to-germanys-new-wine-classification-system/] ♦️ Inside The Great Judgement of Paris Makeover [https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/03/the-great-judgement-of-paris-makeover] Wine & Winery of the Week: ♦️ Calcareous Vineyard in Paso Robles, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/calcareous-vineyard/] ♦️ Venteux Vineyards Petite Sirah 2017 [https://corkandjourney.com/2017-venteux-vineyards-petite-sirah/] Restaurant & Corkage of the Week: ♦️ A Crystal Cove Restaurant in Newport Coast, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/a-crystal-cove-restaurant-glitzy-newport-beach-dining/] ♦️ Lucky's Corkage Fee: $45.00 Per Bottle / Max 2 [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/luckys/] 📄 SHOW NOTES 📄 Read all the stories discussed on the show ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-18-2026-restaurant-wine-prices-are-killing-wine-sales/ [https://corkandjourney.com/may-18-2026-restaurant-wine-prices-are-killing-wine-sales/] 👇SUBSCRIBE👇 ️ ♦️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1] ️ ♦️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/ [https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/] ️ ♦️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Twitter - https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/ [https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/] 💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings [https://corkandjourney.com/listings] 🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/ [https://corkandjourney.com/wines/] 🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/ [https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/] 🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/ [https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/]

Episode 95 - The Global Push To Put Warning Labels On Wine

In today's episode, we discuss how the Global wine warning label battle heats up as Prohibitionists push new regulations, China's crackdown hits the wine trade, EU tariff removal reshapes competition for Australian wine, and Southwest Airlines rolls out new wine travel perks. This week we feature Sheehan Winery in Albuquerque, the 2022 Bodegas de Santo Tomás Sauvignon Blanc, and dining at Marriott Hacienda Del Mar's De Cortez in Cabo, plus a $30 corkage pick at The Great Oak Steakhouse. Get 10% off your first purchase at The Caubleist using the code CORK10 at checkout! https://thecaubleist.com/ [https://thecaubleist.com/] Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Prohibitionists Still Going after Wine [https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/03/prohibitionists-still-going-after-wine] ♦️ Xi Jinping's Morality Crackdown [https://www.wsj.com/world/china/xi-jinpings-morality-crackdown-has-a-new-victim-the-global-wine-trade-f030b778?st=1ExV3H&reflink=article_email_share] ♦️ EU Tariff Removal for Australian Wine [https://www.winebusiness.com/news/link/315687] ♦️ Southwest Airlines Pops The Cork On Santa Rosa Service [https://worldairlinenews.com/2026/04/09/southwest-airlines-pops-the-cork-on-santa-rosa-service-paired-with-sip-and-ship-program-for-wine-lovers-starting-april-24/] Wine & Winery of the Week: ♦️ Sheehan Winery Tasting Room in Albuquerque, NM [https://corkandjourney.com/a-look-at-sheehan-winery-tasting-room-in-old-town/] ♦️ Bodegas de Santo Tomás Sauvignon Blanc 2022 [https://corkandjourney.com/2022-bodegas-de-santo-tomas-sauvignon-blanc/] Restaurant & Corkage of the Week: ♦️ Marriott Hacienda Del Mar's De Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, MX [https://corkandjourney.com/marriott-hacienda-del-mars-de-cortez-where-steak-meets-stunning-ocean-vistas/] ♦️ The Great Oak Steakhouse Corkage Fee: $30 Per Bottle / No Limit [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/the-great-oak-steakhouse/] 📄 SHOW NOTES 📄 Read all the stories discussed on the show ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-11-2026-the-global-push-to-put-warning-labels-on-wine/ [https://corkandjourney.com/may-11-2026-the-global-push-to-put-warning-labels-on-wine/] 👇SUBSCRIBE👇 ️ ♦️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1] ️ ♦️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/ [https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/] ️ ♦️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Twitter - https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/ [https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/] 💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings [https://corkandjourney.com/listings] 🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/ [https://corkandjourney.com/wines/] 🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/ [https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/] 🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/ [https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/]

Episode 94 - Netflix Is Making a Show About 100 Point Wine

In today's episode, we discuss new research that suggests wine may be the "best" alcohol choice, Napa's legendary master blender has passed away, and the 2024 Napa vintage is shaping up strong while Netflix heads to wine country with a new drama. This week we feature McClain Cellars in Laguna Beach, the 2016 Laguna Canyon Winery Chaparral Cuvée from Fountaingrove, and Nick's in Laguna Beach with a $15 corkage fee and no bottle limit. Get 10% off your first purchase at The Caubleist using the code CORK10 at checkout! https://thecaubleist.com/ [https://thecaubleist.com/] Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ If You're Going to Drink, Make It This Kind of Alcohol [https://nautil.us/if-youre-going-to-drink-make-it-this-kind-of-alcohol-1279091] ♦️ Napa Valley's 'Master Blender,' Has Died [https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/michel-rolland-winemaker-death-22087554.php] ♦️ 2024 Vintage in Napa Through The Lens [https://www.vinography.com/2026/03/the-2024-vintage-in-napa-through-the-lens-of-premiere-napa-valley] ♦️ Netflix Turns To Napa Valley For New Wine Drama [https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/netflix-turns-to-napa-valley-for-new-wine-drama/] Wine & Winery of the Week: ♦️ McClain Cellars in Laguna Beach, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/mcclain-cellars/] ♦️ 2016 Laguna Canyon Winery Chaparral Cuvée, Fountaingrove [https://corkandjourney.com/laguna-canyon-winery-chaparral-cuvee-fountaingrove-2016/] Restaurant & Corkage of the Week: ♦️ Nick's in Laguna Beach, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/nicks-laguna-beach/] ♦️ Corkage Fee is $15 Per Bottle / No Limit [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/nicks-laguna-beach/] 📄 SHOW NOTES 📄 Read all the stories discussed on the show ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/netflix-is-making-a-show-about-100-point-wine/ [https://corkandjourney.com/netflix-is-making-a-show-about-100-point-wine/] 👇SUBSCRIBE👇 ️ ♦️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1] ️ ♦️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/ [https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/] ️ ♦️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Twitter - https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/ [https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/] 💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings [https://corkandjourney.com/listings] 🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/ [https://corkandjourney.com/wines/] 🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/ [https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/] 🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/ [https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/]

Episode 93 - AI Is Helping People Beat Expensive Wine Lists

In today's episode, we are discussing how AI is stepping into the sommelier role, Bordeaux vineyards are now being monitored from space with hyperspectral satellites, and new data shows tariffs aren't clearly pushing Americans toward domestic wine. This week we feature Knights Bridge Winery in Calistoga, their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Trevor's at the Tracks in San Juan Capistrano with a $30 corkage fee and two bottle limit. Get 10% off your first purchase at The Caubleist using the code CORK10 at checkout! https://thecaubleist.com/ [https://thecaubleist.com/] Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Artificial Intelligence Is Coming for the Sommeliers [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/dining/drinks/ai-wine-sommelier.html] ♦️ First Vineyard Monitored by Satellites from Space [https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2026/03/19/the-first-vineyard-operationally-monitored-by-hyperspectral-satellites-from-space/] ♦️ Are Americans Turning to Homegrown Wines as Tariffs Bite? [https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/are-americans-turning-to-homegrown-wines-as-tariffs-bite/] ♦️ Tasting Room Conversions Vital to DtC Growth [https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315303] Wine & Winery of the Week: ♦️ Knights Bridge Winery Tasting Room in Calistoga, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/the-knights-bridge-winery-tasting-room-in-calistoga-fantastic-tasting-room-better-wines/] ♦️ 2007 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon [https://corkandjourney.com/2007-knights-bridge-cabernet-sauvignon-a-bordeaux-inspired-masterpiece-from-sonoma/] Restaurant & Corkage of the Week: ♦️ Trevor's at the Tracks in San Juan Capistrano, CA [https://corkandjourney.com/a-day-to-remember-our-personal-journey-at-trevors-on-the-tracks-san-juan-capistrano-ca/] ♦️ Corkage Fee is $30 Per Bottle / Two Bottle Limit [https://corkandjourney.com/listings/trevors-at-the-tracks/] 📄 SHOW NOTES 📄 Read all the stories discussed on the show ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/episode-93-ai-is-helping-people-beat-expensive-wine-lists/ [https://corkandjourney.com/episode-93-ai-is-helping-people-beat-expensive-wine-lists/] 👇SUBSCRIBE👇 ️ ♦️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5rOLf18ZllnhaZWWQt9A?sub_confirmation=1] ️ ♦️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/ [https://www.facebook.com/CorkandJourney/] ️ ♦️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/corkandjourney/] ️ ♦️ Twitter - https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/ [https://twitter.com/corkandjourney/] 💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings [https://corkandjourney.com/listings] 🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/ [https://corkandjourney.com/wines/] 🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/ [https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/] 🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/ [https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/]