The Wine Goblins

Climate Change’s Impact on Wine: Season 2 Episode 2

The gang is altogether as the Wine Goblins record in person for the first time. On this episode, Aaron and Dani try their hand at blind tasting as J.R. tries to stump them with a wine from his cellar. In the Wine News of the Week, the Goblins take a look at climate change and what it means to the wine world - plus a recognition of some wineries that are leading the way in innovation to reduce their carbon footprint. Read Michael Summerfield’s definitive take on climate change and wine for more info and Are Napa Wines losing their color? The Wine List of the Week is from J.R.’s favorite restaurant, Bell’s in Los Alamos, California. Check out the wine list here. 
 
Music: Coyotes by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

Washington Syrah: Season 2 Episode 1

Welcome back to Wine Goblins! Season Two of our adventure through wine. We will laugh, we will cry, and we will drink with our best friends. In the first episode of our second season, the Wine Goblins lay out the theme of the season. We also talk about the growing wine scene in Washington. We take a look at one of the best wine list at a restaurant in Washington from Eight Row in Seattle - as the Goblins discuss what would be the best bottle on that list to go with their meal. In the glass this week is a widely available Syrah from K Vintners. Hear what the Goblins think of the Washington take on the famous Rhone grape.
Confused about Old World vs. New World wine? Check out this Food & Wine article!
 
Music: Coyotes by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

The Lost Episode: Season 1 Episode 7

Following the success of Season 1, The Wine Goblins are releasing the first episode from the season that was initially lost due to an audio issue. If you can bear with some suspect sound, listen to Dani, J.R. and Aaron find their voice in the podcast world. 
In this episode, they discuss the drastic fall-off in tasting room visitors from 2023 - and how wineries can sell wine without that business. Some of the articles referenced in the discussion How Small Wineries are Selling Wine without Tasting Rooms; What’s Behind the Slump in Northern California Tasting Rooms
The Wine List of the Week is Birdies from Austin, Texas. And the wine of the week is David + Veronica from Championship Bottle. 
Enjoy our lost debut episode as we take a few weeks off before we release Season 2. 
Music: Coyotes by Half Tail 
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

A Crash Course on Champagne: Season 1 Episode 6

In the final episode of season 1, The Wine Goblins return to school for a lesson on champagne. Professor Aaron leads the discussion on how that delicious beverage is made. Dani and J.R. gush about their love of champagne. Check out the referenced books: Champagne by Peter Liem and Champagne Charlie by Don and Petie Kladstrup. 
The wine list of the week is Juliet, a California restaurant with an amazing Champagne selection. 
And, of course, the wine of the week is champagne. Dani, Aaron, and J.R. discuss Julien Prelat, Presle Blanc de Blancs (NV), a 100% chardonnay from Celles-Sur-Ource, Cote de Bar. 
 
Music: “Coyotes” by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

Let's Talk about Natural Wine: Season 1 Episode 5

Natural wine has been the lightning rod of criticism in the wine world for much of the past decade. Some adore and worship it, others cannot stand it. One of the most famous winemakers in France recently discussed her opinion on natural wine. The Wine Goblins weigh in on the sensationalized interview. 
The wine list of the week is Parcelle, which is famous for the exquisite selections from the beverage program. The New York restaurant is also popular with celebrities as Taylor Swift recently visited there. 
In our glass this week is the 2019 Chiara Condello Romagna Sangiovese Predappio. Learn more about this up-and-coming producer from Italy.
 
Music: “Coyotes” by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

Should you care about wine scores?: Season 1 Episode 4

Have you ever wondered why some wine labels have a score on them? And what do those numbers mean? In episode four, Wine Goblins discuss the epidemic of wine scores. We get super nerdy and deep dive into: What is the Parkerization of wine? Why do certain wine regions always score higher than other regions? We also mention Jeb Dunnuck’s recent piece on defining greatness in wine. 
On this week’s Wine List of the Week, the Goblins talk about what wine pairs best with the wonderful soul food from Burdell in Oakland, California. 
The bottle of the week is AFFORDABLE burgundy! Hear the goblins lust over the 2019 Domaine de la Cras Bourgugne Blanc. 
 
Music: "Coyotes" by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 

How is Wine Made?: Season 1 Episode 3

Have you ever wondered how that magical elixir goes from grape to wine? Aaron leads us this week on an informational episode about how wine is made. Dani and J.R. chime in with some insights and questions as the goblins take it back to the basics. 
In this episode’s Wine List of the Week, we do a deep-dive on the wine list from The Morris in San Francisco (click here to view).
Our bottle for this is episode is 2020 Stephane Ogier, Saint-Joseph, Le Passage Rouge. Next week’s bottle is 2019 Domaine de la Cras (Marc Soyard), Bourgogne, Chardonnay.
Music: "Coyotes" by Half Tail
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 
 

Let's Buy a Winery: Season 1 Episode 2

Are the Wine Goblins going to buy a winery? In this episode, Dani, Aaron, and J.R. discuss the recent purchases of wineries in California - and bat around the idea of buying a winery for the Goblin Gang.
We also introduce a new segment, Correction Corner. As we learn, we like to share our newfound knowledge with our friends so sometimes we need to fix our mistakes from previous episodes.
The Wine List of the Week takes a look at the famous Popina from New York City. Check out the wine list here.
In our glass this week is LaLu Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont.
 
Additional Links Discussed:
Treasury to acquire Daou
Gallo buys Rombauer
Gallo buys Massican
Gallo buys Denner
Gallo buys Hahn
Buy "Climbing the Vines in Burgundy"
Learn about the winemakers who produced this episodes' wine
Music by Half Tail (Click to listen on Spotify)
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com 
 

The War on Cheap Wine: Season 1 Episode 1

In the debut episode of Wine Goblins, Dani, Aaron, and J.R. discuss the war on cheap wine as many famous wine regions confront the reality that quantity over quality might be over - ripped up vines, tipped over trucks, and much more. Hear the Goblins discuss what the future of the wine business might look like - and what is fine wine anyway. 
Note: Correction Corner was recorded with the intention of this being the second episode of season 1. Due to an audio issue, the first episode was not released. This correction addresses a slip up about tannins. 
The Goblins also introduce the Wine List of the Week segment where they discuss the best options (for each of their palates) on the restaurant’s list - and the quality of offerings. This week’s restaurant is Yang’s Kitchen in Los Angeles. Check out the wine list here.
The bottle of the week is Doniene Gorrondona Bizkaiko Txakolina - a white blend from Spain. Next episode’s wine is LaLu Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy. 
Please see our instagram for additional links we discuss!
Music by Half Tail (Click to listen on Spotify)
 
Questions? Comments? Airing of grievances? Send us an email at thewinegoblins@gmail.com