Taking Stock of the Best Tequilas of 2026

Why Do We Care Where the Industry Drinks?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach comment on the fact that while many publications (including VinePair) love to interview bartenders about their favorite places to drink, it's an open question as to whether that serves as good advice for the drinking public when it comes to whether they should seek those places out. While bartenders might prioritize a relaxed vibe and an industry-friendly ethos, that might not serve those seeking out the pinnacle of cocktailing. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Zach is drinking: Torbreck Vintners [https://torbreck.com/\] Marsanne Joanna is drinking: Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale from Dogfish Head [https://www.dogfish.com/] Adam is drinking: Light Cone Pilsner from Grimm Artisanal Ales [https://grimmales.com/] Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Wait, Smoking is Cool Again?

You might have heard that apparently, smoking cigarettes is cool again. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what might be influencing this trend, why the health consequences of smoking might not resonate right now, and how that could impact the alcohol industry. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Zach is reading: 21 Liqueurs to Know to Read a Cocktail Menu With Confidence [https://vinepair.com/articles/cocktail-menu-liqueurs-to-know/] Joanna is reading: Here’s How 7 Top Bartenders Make Spritzes at Home [https://vinepair.com/articles/top-bartenders-at-home-spritz-recipe/] Adam is reading: Legendary Bartender Shingo Gokan on Hype, Humility, and Sip & Guzzle’s Big Win [https://vinepair.com/articles/bartender-shingo-gokan-sip-and-guzzle-feature/] Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can Brands and Bars Score With the World Cup?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether the brands and bars that are counting on the upcoming World Cup as a central park of their marketing push or as a major driver of business over the next month might be let down. Just how big is the American appetite for soccer? Will the many obstacles and objections for international tourists harm hospitality properties in host cities? Plus - how do you tell if you kid's friend's parents are cool? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Zach is drinking: Vesper Sentinel at Driftwood [https://www.driftwoodseattle.com/] Joanna is drinking: Rice Lager from Saltfields Brewing [https://saltfieldsbrewing.com/] Adam is drinking: Martini at Le Veau d'Or [https://www.lvdnyc.com/] Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is Wine Country About Vines or Vibes?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether people looking for a wine country outing actually care about being able to see vineyards, or even winery facilities, or if nice amenities and easy access are more appealing. Can urban tasting rooms and concentrated wine districts be a better bet for tourism than scenic vistas that also come with long drives and hard-to-access experiences? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Zach is reading: Happy Hour Isn’t Dead, But It Could Be Going Late-Night [https://vinepair.com/articles/happy-hour-goes-late-night/] Joanna is reading: We Asked 14 Bartenders: What’s the Most Overrated Bourbon Cocktail? [https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-bartenders-most-overrated-bourbon-cocktail-2026/] Adam is reading: The 15 Beers That Defined American Craft Brewing — and Where They Are Now [https://vinepair.com/articles/american-craft-brewing-defining-beers-today/] Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mezcal's Continued Search for Mainstream Success

Adam and Joanna are joined by VinePair Spirits Editor Aaron Goldfarb to break down his list of the 20 Best Mezcals for 2026 [https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/best-mezcals-2026/] and the general state of Mexico's other great agave spirit. While bartenders and aficionados remain deeply enamored with mezcal, commercial success has been limited in scope and confined to a few specific brands. Is the wild, small batch nature of the spirit an insurmountable roadblock to a larger audience? Is the complexity and variety, the very thing that draws some in, a turnoff for most? Plus - what's the deal with pechuga anyhow? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Joanna is drinking: Guinness Negroni Adam is drinking: Grimm Artisanal Ales [https://grimmales.com/] "Lambo Door" Double IPA Aaron is drinking: Heaven Hill [https://heavenhill.com/] "Deatsville" Bourbon Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.