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Episodes
Study Methods to Improve Your Blind Tasting Ability
8/20/2024
In our latest blind tasting podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Jonathan EichholzMS about proven study methods that have helped both of them develop the skill to not only pass the Master Sommelier exam but also continue to improve their tasting ability and adapt to evolving wine typicity.
Working with the GuildSomm team, Jonathan keeps the compendium up to date and occasionally teaches classes. He has worked at the acclaimed New York City restaurants The Modern and Aquavit and he passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2023.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!
Duration:00:57:42
Coravin with Greg Lambrecht
8/6/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe connects with Greg Lambrecht, the founder of Coravin, to discuss how the Coravin came to be, the science behind it, and how to maximize its efficiency.
Greg has a background in medical device design and developed the Coravin prototype while drinking solo when expecting his first child. He wanted to reduce waste by having a glass of wine from any bottle without allowing oxygen ingress. Initially intended for consumers, the Coravin has greatly impacted the wine industry by expanding the possibilities of what a by-the-glass program can be at restaurants and wine bars across the world, with some serving hundreds of wines by the ounce or glass.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!
Duration:00:41:19
Bitters and Cocktails with Sother Teague
7/9/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe connects with Sother Teague, a bartender and a founding partner of Overthrow Hospitality, in New York City, to discuss all things bitter and the current state of cocktails. The conversation explores the differences between tinctures and potable bitters, the espresso martini phenomenon, and more.
Sother is the cohost of The Speakeasy, a podcast on Heritage Radio Network, and author of I’m Just Here for the Drinks,: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking and More Than One Hundred Extraordinary Cocktails. He was named mixologist of the year by Wine Enthusiast in 2018 and has been featured in the New York Times, VinePair, and New York Magazine, among other publications.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!
Duration:00:55:43
Tasting with Ally Lanoue and Paul Swanson
6/25/2024
In our latest blind tasting podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with two Seattle sommeliers, each working in a different sector of the business, about how they apply blind tasting skills to their daily routines. They taste a white wine that tends to be a bit tricky!
Ally Lanoue is the assistant wine director at the Canlis restaurant, a Seattle icon that has been open for more than 70 years on Lake Union. Originally from Massachusetts, Ally studied violin at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and found her way into restaurants while attending school. She moved to Washington in 2018 to take a serving job at Canlis and has progressed through the ranks, turning her career focus to wine.
Paul Swanson is the regional account manager for WineBid, where he evaluates and acquires private cellars for the online company. He is also an educator for the wine studies program at South Seattle College. Paul found his passion for wine during college while working at Bern’s Steak House, in Tampa, where he discovered how vast the world of wine is. He moved to Seattle in 2008 and, in 2011, was part of the opening service team of RN74, where he worked with Chris and a team of other talented sommeliers and later became the lead sommelier.
Enjoy the show and leave us a review if you found it helpful in your own pursuit of becoming a better taster and beverage professional!
Duration:00:30:17
Hungary with Tamás Czinki
6/11/2024
In our latest podcast, the host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe explores the diverse wine styles of Hungary, including the iconic and incredibly complex sweet wines of Tokaj as well as lesser-known dry wines from multiple regions. Our guest this month is Hungary’s first Master Sommelier, Tamás Czinki, from Budapest, who is the wine director of the Felix restaurant and consults for Culinaris Wholesale, where he is developing an extensive portfolio of fine wines. Previously, Tamás spent a decade in the UK, where he was the head sommelier for the Northcote hotel in Lancashire and regularly competed in sommelier competitions, placing second in the 2018 Best Sommelier of the United Kingdom event.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!
Duration:00:42:54
Tasting with Barbara Philip and Élyse Lambert
5/28/2024
In our latest blind tasting episode, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with two talented Canadian wine professionals, Barbara Philip and Élyse Lambert. They taste a red wine blind and discuss how they apply blind tasting in their work and why it’s okay to be wrong from time to time. Barbara Philip is a Master of Wine and is currently a category manager for BC Liquor Stores, a role in which she is responsible for buying all sparkling, fortified, and European selections. She was the first Canadian woman to earn the title of MW, in 2007, and is based in Vancouver.
Élyse Lambert resides in Montreal and has been working in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years. She became Canada’s second woman Master Sommelier in 2015 and placed fifth in the Best Sommelier of the World competition in Argentina in 2016. She consults for The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, and other private and corporate clients.
Enjoy the show and leave us a review if you found it helpful in your own pursuits of being a better taster and beverage professional!
Duration:00:41:40
Cheese and Wine Pairing with Bronwen and Francis Percival
5/14/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe broaches the complexities of pairing wine with cheese, as it’s often assumed that the two are easily matched, in an interview with Bronwen and Francis Percival. Bronwen selected four cheeses and tasked Chris and Francis with choosing pairings that they thought would elevate the eating experience. Tune in to find out who was victorious in the pairing competition!
Bronwen Percival is the technical director for Neal’s Yard Dairy in the UK and co-authored "Reinventing the Wheel: Milk, Microbes, and the Fight for Real Cheese" with her husband, Francis. She oversees the quality, consistency, and integrity of all the cheeses sold by the famed UK dairy, which was founded in 1979 and works with more than 40 cheesemakers from Britain and Ireland.
Francis Percival is the food editor for "The World of Fine Wine" magazine. In addition to his writing, Francis is a judge in the magazine’s World’s Best Wine Awards and teaches about cheese at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:01:14:25
Tasting with Braithe Tidwell and Sam Bortugno
4/23/2024
In our latest blind tasting episode, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Braithe Tidwell and Sam Bortugno of Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. They talk about their experiences with blind tasting and how they employ blind tasting skills in their current roles.
Braithe Tidwell is the corporate beverage director for the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group in New Orleans. Braithe was the first full-time sommelier at Brennan's Restaurant after its 2015 reopening under new ownership, then became the wine director before transitioning to her current role with the broader restaurant group.
Sam Bortugno is the wine director for Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans. He is an Advanced Sommelier through the CMS-A and is currently working his way through the Master Sommelier examination process. Sam has spent 18 years in the restaurant industry, transitioning into wine and spirits after initially training as a chef.
After their tasting conversations, Braithe and Sam taste the same white wine together. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
Duration:00:28:07
Wine Education with Karen MacNeil
4/9/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with the wine writer and educator Karen MacNeil about the state of wine education today. They cover trends, strategies, innovative approaches, the future of wine education, certifications, and much more.
Karen MacNeil is a wine writer and educator who is best known for her award-winning book, The Wine Bible, now in its third edition. Karen is an instructor at Stanford University's Continuing Studies program and the creator of the Culinary Institute of America's Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies. She leads events and tastings for companies and individual groups around the world. Karen's digital newsletter, Wine Speed, offers fast, authoritative information on wine.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:53:23
Tasting with Cokie Ponikvar and Omar Lima
3/26/2024
In our latest blind tasting episode, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Cokie Ponikvar and Omar Lima. They discuss the importance of blind tasting, the challenges they've faced in their tasting journeys, and how they apply blind tasting skills.
Cokie Ponikvar runs the wine education platform @cokiesworldofwine, which has 299,000 followers on Instagram. She began her wine career while studying at the University of Toronto and working as a sommelier at the Four Seasons Hotel. Today, her approachable wine videos have over 52 million views. Cokie is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Omar Lima is a sommelier at Sushi Note Omakase in Beverly Hills. Previously, he worked at several other Los Angeles restaurants, including Augustine Wine Bar, the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, and Spago Beverly Hills. Omar is a Certified Sommelier through the CMS-A and a Certified Sake Advisor through the Sake School of America, and he has the WSET Level 2 Award in Wine.
After their tasting conversations, Cokie and Omar taste the same red wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:51:30
Wine Chemistry with P.J. Alaimo
3/12/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Dr. P.J. Alaimo, a professor of chemistry and the chemistry department chair at Seattle University. Chris and P.J. dive deep into wine chemistry, discussing the chemical components of wine and why different wines taste, feel, and look the way they do. They also provide some great exercises and tips for anyone looking to improve their tasting skills.
P.J. Alaimo studied chemistry and philosophy as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, then earned his doctorate in organic chemistry at UC Berkeley. Prior to his studies, he cooked in fine dining restaurants. Since 2004, he has been a chemistry professor at Seattle University, where he teaches organic chemistry as well as a popular class on the science of food and cooking. P.J. also consults with numerous Seattle restaurants.
Listen in to expand your understanding of wine chemistry! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:59:21
Tasting with Marissa Kipp and Tyler Alden
2/27/2024
In our latest blind tasting episode, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Marissa Kipp and MS Tyler Alden. They discuss their blind tasting journeys, the challenges they've faced while honing their tasting abilities, and the role of alcohol in blind tasting.
Marissa Kipp is a sommelier at the retail shop Cru & Domaine in Portland, Oregon. She also works as a consultant, with a focus on hospitality and beverage education. Marissa is an Advanced Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. Tyler Alden is the director of food and beverage at Barking Frog and Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. He has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and became a Master Sommelier in 2022. He is also a Certified Cicerone.
After their tasting conversations, Marissa and Tyler taste the same red wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:43:34
The Evolution of Wine Service
2/13/2024
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe interviews Taylor Parsons of Whole Cluster Hospitality and MS Gareth Ferreira of Core by Clare Smyth. They discuss what constitutes good service, how service has changed over recent decades, and the logistics of running restaurants and wine programs that place a high value on service.
Taylor Parsons has worked as a sommelier and beverage director for a range of celebrated Los Angeles establishments, including République, Campanile Restaurant, Spago Beverly Hills, and the Mozza Restaurant Group. He is a co-founder and partner of Whole Cluster Hospitality, a restaurant investment and development firm with two restaurants, Dunsmoor and Bar Chelou.
Gareth Ferreira is the beverage director at London's three-Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth, where he has worked since the restaurant's opening in 2017. Previously, he was part of the opening team at 67 Pall Mall and worked at hotels around the world. He holds a diploma in tourism and became the first-ever South African Master Sommelier in 2021.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:01:05:58
Tasting with Clara Klein and Jeremy Schwartz
1/30/2024
In our first blind tasting episode of 2024, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Clara Klein and Jeremy Schwartz, lead sommeliers with the Frasca Hospitality Group in Colorado. They talk about the role of blind tasting in their work and studies, then tackle the complex topic of minerality in wine.
Clara is the lead sommelier at Denver’s Sunday Vinyl, which she helped open in 2019 after working at Frasca Food and Wine and Tavernetta. Prior to these roles with the Frasca Hospitality Group, Clara worked at The Little Nell in Aspen and Mourad in San Francisco. She has also worked harvest in Italy and California. Jeremy is part of the team at Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, where he has worked for 17 years. He transitioned to the wine industry from the medical field and worked most front-of-house positions at Frasca before stepping into the lead sommelier role. Jeremy is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
After their tasting conversations, Clara and Jeremy taste the same wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:52:49
Napa Valley with Kelli White
1/18/2024
In the latest GuildSomm podcast, host MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Kelli A. White, director of education for the Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley, author of Napa Valley, Then & Now, and accomplished wine writer. Kelli discusses the history of Napa Valley, its regions, trends, and much more.
Prior to her role at Meadowood, Kelli was the senior staff writer here at GuildSomm, where she wrote articles and expert guides on a wide range of topics and received two Roederer Awards for her work. Her writing has also appeared in World of Fine Wine, Robb Report, Sommelier Journal, Le Pan, and Vinous. Before venturing into writing and education, Kelli was a sommelier at New York City’s Veritas and PRESS in St. Helena. Her acclaimed book, Napa Valley, Then & Now, was originally released in 2015; a reprint was recently issued. Head to GuildSomm.com for links to Kelli’s writing and to learn more about Napa Valley, Then & Now.
Listen in for a deep-dive on Napa Valley and great insights into the region. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:01:04:07
2023 Year in Review
12/19/2023
In the last GuildSomm podcast episode of 2023, Master Sommeliers Chris Tanghe and Jonathan Eichholz address myriad topics related to the past year, from the state of hard seltzer to how to make an interesting wine list for 2024.
Jonathan lives and works in New York City. As an educator for GuildSomm, he maintains the Wine Law Compendium and teaches on various subjects. Previously, Jonathan worked at The Modern. Chris is based in Seattle and is GuildSomm's director of education and podcast host. He spent years working in restaurants across the country and has spearheaded GuildSomm's seminars since 2017.
Thank you to all of our listeners for the amazing support of the show in 2023! We'll be working hard to bring you more fun and educational podcasts next year. Happy holidays!
Duration:01:21:34
Tasting with Mark Guillaudeu and Chris Gaither
11/28/2023
In our new tasting episode, host Christopher Tanghe speaks with fellow Master Sommeliers Mark Guillaudeu and Chris Gaither. They discuss their tasting journeys; how they recognize texture and, in particular, phenolic bitterness in wine; and the ways they apply blind tasting skills in their current roles.
Mark Guillaudeu is a sommelier at the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix. Previously, he worked at the two Michelin-starred Commis in Oakland. He won the Best Sommelier USA title in June 2022. In addition to achieving the Master Sommelier certification, Mark holds the WSET Diploma and is currently working through the MW program. Chris Gaither and his wife, Rebecca Fineman, also a Master Sommelier, own Ungrafted and GluGlu in San Francisco. Chris worked at Spruce, Restaurant Gary Danko, Michael Mina, and Octavia prior to opening his own restaurants. He is an adjunct instructor at the San Francisco Wine School.
After their tasting conversations, Mark and Chris taste the same white wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:58:57
Wine Program Philosophy and Pricing
11/14/2023
In the latest GuildSomm podcast, host MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Annie Shi of King and Jupiter restaurants in New York City about her wine program philosophy. Annie discusses key considerations for bottle lists and by-the-glass offerings, how she thinks about pricing, creativity in spirits selection, and the importance of distributor relationships.
Annie Shi opened King in 2016 and Jupiter in 2022 with her partners, Claire de Boer and Jess Shadbolt. She is the beverage director at both restaurants. Prior to opening King, Annie was an associate with J.P. Morgan in New York and London. She is an alum of the James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program and was listed in the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:00:52:09
Tasting with Steven McDonald and Rachael Liggett-Draper
10/31/2023
We're back with a new tasting episode! This week, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe discusses blind tasting practices with MS Steven McDonald and Rachael Liggett-Draper. They explore their tasting challenges, how they have calibrated acid and tannin calls, and the ways they apply blind tasting skills in their everyday work.
Steven McDonald is the executive wine director for the Pappas Bros Steakhouses in Houston and Dallas. He moved to Houston from New York City in 2011 to join the Pappas Bros team. Steven passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2018. Rachael Liggett-Draper has worked as a sommelier at The Little Nell in Aspen since 2021; previously, she worked at several restaurants and wine bars in Vail. Rachael is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
After their tasting conversations, Steven and Rachael taste the same red wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:01:01:12
Coffee & Restaurants
10/17/2023
In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe explores the importance of coffee in restaurant beverage programs by tracking it from farm to cup with special guests from the Washington coffee community. Scott Richardson, the co-owner of Herkimer Coffee, explains sourcing and quality, followed by a live roasting session with Herkimer's head roaster, Brian James, and a discussion of coffee grading and service with Ryan Vigil, the co-owner of Carte Coffee.
Herkimer Coffee is an iconic roaster of specialty coffees that has been operating in Seattle for 20 years. Carte Coffee in Walla Walla was first established as a food truck in 2017 and now has a brick-and-morter shop.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this is a cost-free way to support the show. Cheers!
Duration:01:07:13