What to Drink

Conner Taylor

**NEW EPISODES TUESDAYS** Our podcast reveals What to Drink with different food, holidays, occasions, and seasons. Whether it’s everyday meals or special milestones, we'll help you pair anything & everything. Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Host Conner Taylor is a Certified Sommelier & Cicerone (beer), Certified Specialist of Spirits & Wine, and WSET Level III, and is on a journey to pair the perfect beverage with every moment in life. Producer Bobby Desin is new to all of this with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. read less
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Episodes

What to Drink at your Spritz Off (Cocktail Competition Party) – Ford’s Gin
May 6 2024
What to Drink at your Spritz Off (Cocktail Competition Party) – Ford’s Gin
Ford's Gin Founder Simon Ford and Master Distiller Charles Maxwell join us today to to tell us why their Gin is the perfect pairing for your next themed competition party: The SPRITZ-OFF! The Pairing: You've invited your favorite people to a party with a twist -- or should we say, a spritz? You're hosting a Spritz-Off, which is a party that doubles as a cocktail competition. Your party guests will create Spritz cocktails and submit them to a judge you've chosen. The judge will declare a winner and honorable mention! For this party, you'll want to provide general spritz ingredients, should any of your guests come unprepared. You'll want an array of sparkling sodas, tonics, and liqueurs, and you'll also need Gin. Luckily, Ford's is the most versatile Gin in the market and will compliment any spritz perfectly. It's the Gin of all Trades! What Makes This Gin Special: Built for Cocktails. Simon and Charles reverse-engineered this Gin, starting with the most popular Gin Cocktails and working backwards to find the perfect compliment to each.Simon consulted with hundreds of bartenders and designed the bottle to be a bartender's tool. Indicators on the side of the bottle make easy work of batching cocktails, and the bottle is designed for stability and grip for all hand sizes11th generation Master Distiller Charles Maxwell incorporates 9 Botanicals into this gin to compliment the most popular gin cocktails in the world. The countries of origin are openly shared and show how the Fords Gin flavor profile comes together. Learn more here - one of the best Spirits websites we've encountered: https://www.fordsgin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fordsgin/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with Chicken Mole: The Prisoner Red Blend
Apr 8 2024
What to Drink with Chicken Mole: The Prisoner Red Blend
Drew Schneider, Global Ambassador for The Prisoner Wine Co., joins us today to tell us why The Prisoner Red Blend is the perfect pairing for a Chicken dish featuring Mexican mole sauce! The Pairing: You’re making mole sauce for the first time ever. Your sauce has lots of tantalizing flavors, like cinnamon, cloves, chilis, raisins, and chocolate! You want a wine that is bold enough to hang with these intense flavors, but supple enough to not overpower it. Cue The Prisoner Red Blend’s list of ingredients: Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petit Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Bright, ripe red fruits add an extra layer of flavor to your complex sauce! What Makes This Wine Special: The Prisoner Wine Co. became a cult winery by championing some of the lesser-known grapes that the first Italian immigrants grew in the Napa Valley, like Charbono. They have long-standing contracts with over 100 small growers that ensure these grape varieties will thrive for the foreseeable futureThe brand name and flagship label were inspired by an etching titled Le Petit Prisonnier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Its subtitle translates to “the custody is as barbaric as the crime.” Prisoner Wine Co. releases a series called "Corrections" each year that benefit non-profits that support individuals who are formerly incarcerated or currently navigating the complexities of the prison system. A Family of Wines: Be sure to check out The Prisoner Wine Co.'s other labels: Saldo, Unshackled, Blindfold, & Corrections. Recipe for Chicken Mole: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-mole-recipe-1972934 Learn more here: https://theprisonerwinecompany.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prisonerwineco/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink on Your Home's Back Bar: Old Forester 86 Proof
Mar 25 2024
What to Drink on Your Home's Back Bar: Old Forester 86 Proof
Melissa Rift, Master Taster for Old Forester, joins us today to tell us why Old Forester is the *best* Bourbon for your home bar. What is a 'Master Taster?' Melissa trained under legendary distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall of Old Forester & Woodford Reserve and handles much of the quality control for Old Forester whiskies. Melissa also works on innovative projects, like their new 117 series. Why the Pairing Works:  Old Forester is the best bang for your buck on your back bar, but Melissa has also given us a 4-course meal with the "Whiskey Row" series Melissa's 4-Course Pairing Last Supper: Old Forester 1870. The fruits & florals of this whiskey pair perfectly with something citrusy like an arugula salad with parmesan cheeseOld Forester 1897 Bottled- n-Bond . The woodsy, spicy, and earthy notes of this Bourbon will pair perfectly with a fatty cheese course, like burrata, and good crusty bread. The black pepper backbone will go perfectly with any fat, including charcuterie.Old Forester 1920 with prime rib! Going a little out of turn here, but it's time for a protein. This higher proof (115) cask strength whiskey has notes of salted dark chocolate and will pair well with the complexity of rare meat.Old Forester 1910 & banana bread pudding. This double barrel expression goes splendidly with any dessert, but the underlying banana tones of the 1910 will complement each other perfectly! What Makes These "Whiskey Row" Bourbons Special: Each of these whiskies mark a "First:" 1870 - The first whiskey released in a glass bottle 1897 - Old Forester's first Bottled-in-Bond1910 - The first recorded double barrel expression, due to a major fire1920 - the Prohibition bottle, 120 Proof. Learn more here: https://www.oldforester.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldforester/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink Before Date Night: Villa Sandi Prosecco Rosé
Feb 5 2024
What to Drink Before Date Night: Villa Sandi Prosecco Rosé
Diva Moretti Polegato, Export Area Manager & 4th generation Villa Sandi family member, joins us today to tell us why Prosecco Rosé is the perfect beverage to have with your Boo before date night! The Pairing: It's date night! You're getting ready to hit the town with your hot date. Maybe you're cooking for your partner. You put out a small plates of cheeses, meats, and finger foods.. but what could pair with all of these? The Answer: Prosecco Rosé! Why the Pairing Works:  Bubbles bubbles bubbles! Bubbles cleanse the palate and invite you to take another bite. The mouth-watering acidity of this Rosé is the perfect complement to any fare. What Makes This Wine Special: After harvest, Villa Sandi freezes the Must (un-fermented grape juice) and keeps it frozen until they need to produce wine for the market. They are the only Prosecco producer to utilize this "on-demand" method of creating the absolute freshest sparkling wine possible Wines made in the Champagne Method (bottle fermentation) often contain biscuity and toasty notes from lees aging. Prosecco is made using the Charmat, or "Tank Method," and the dead yeast cells are filtered out. This creates a sparkling wine that emphasizes freshness and fruitinessThe relatively new category of Prosecco Rosé includes a minimum 15% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) which adds body, acidity, and delicious red fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. The Villa Sandi Prosecco Rosé is 'Brut' and drier than most styles, making it even easier to pair. Delicious! Diva's Last Supper: Al Dente Spaghetti with homemade red sauce, an entire wheel of Parmesan cheese, and Villa Sandi "Cartizze" Prosecco Learn more here: https://www.villasandi.it/it_en/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villasandi/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with Beef Tenderloin: Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon
Dec 18 2023
What to Drink with Beef Tenderloin: Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon
Legendary winemaker Chris Carpenter (Cardinale, Lokoya, Hickinbotham, La Jota, and Mt. Brave) joins us today to tell us why Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing for beef tenderloin! We also talk all things Mount Veeder and discuss the differences in mountain versus valley floor grapes. Why the Pairing Works:  Mt. Brave has a brightness and acidity that pair beautifully with the fatty richness of tenderloin The blue fruits, violets, and acid in Mt. Brave make the perfect contrast to the savory, fatty, and weighty texture of tenderloinThe tannins of this wine are curved and don't need as much cellar time or decanting What Makes this Cabernet Special:  Chris's specialty is mountain fruit from the Napa Valley, which tends to have more minerality than valley fruit. Mt. Brave is made from Mount Veeder fruit and can live in a cellar for years but is also ready to drink now Compared to some of his other projects, Chris makes Mt. Brave to be a mountain wine with softer tannins, meaning a Somm or consumer could serve it immediately, tableside without cellaringMt. Brave and parent company Jackson Family have invested in creating sustainability in Napa, Sonoma, and all of California. The Napa properties are organic and regenerative. Agriculture produces 30% of the carbon load to the world, so Chris & Jackson Family believe that viticulture must be the leader in carbon reductions Chris's Last Supper: 16 inch pepperoni pizza from Renaldi's and a 9 liter Guinness Song Pairing: Sympathy for the Devil Learn more here: https://www.mtbravewines.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtbravewines/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with Fried Chicken: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte
Dec 4 2023
What to Drink with Fried Chicken: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte
Lauren King, Senior Manager of Wine Education for Ste Michelle Wine Estates, joins us today to tell us why Fried Chicken and Champagne (specifically, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte) go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly! Join us this episode as we put 3 Fried Chickens to the test: Publix Chicken Tendies, Chic-fil-a Chicken biscuit, and Bojangles Cajun Chicken Filet biscuit! We'll reveal our winning pairing #ChickenOff Why the Pairing Works:  The great news for Champagne lovers: Champagne pretty much pairs with anything. Bubbles will specifically cleanse your palate of the juicy and fatty fried chicken and get you ready for the next bite. Champagne has these three pairing principles working for it: Bubbles - cleanse the palate for another biteAcid - cuts through fat and makes food seem brighterAutolytic notes - These toasty, brioche-like flavors come from aging wine on the lees (dead yeast cells) and complement many flavors in fried chicken and other fares. What Makes this Champagne Special:  Nicolas Feuillatte is a co-op winery, meaning it's a union of small grape growers that all get shares of the revenues. The better the growers do, the better the wines will be! Contrast this to big Champagne houses that solely purchase grapes.Feuillatte Champagnes tend to lead with the red grapes (Pinot Noir and Meunier) for a bit more body, fruitiness, and brightness.Feuillatte uses up to 35-40% of their reserve wines in their Non-Vintage Brut, which is significantly higher than most Champagne houses. Impressive for the #1 wine in France! Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, in Emoji's: 🍐 🍋 🌼 🍑 🥐 🧀 😋 😛 Netflix Pairing: The White Lotus Learn more here: https://www.nicolas-feuillatte.com/us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erathwines/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with Roast Chicken: Neyers Sage Canyon Red Blend
Oct 23 2023
What to Drink with Roast Chicken: Neyers Sage Canyon Red Blend
Road Trip time!! We took What to Drink on the road to the Napa Valley to interview industry legends Barbara & Bruce Neyers, owners & founders of Neyers Vineyards! The married duo recounts the story of their journey into the world of wine, starting in the early 1970's in the Napa Valley. All of their wines are delicious and leave you wondering, "Am I drinking Old World (European) wines right now, or could these indeed be Californian?!" The Sage Canyon Red blend is a delicious Rhône-style blend (Carignan, Mourvèdre, & Grenache) & will pair with most dishes, but we eventually singled out roast chicken because the two mentioned the perfect marriage of these two several times. What makes Neyers Sage Canyon Red special: Winemaker Daniel Brunier of Chateauneuf du Pape winery Vieux Télégraphe remarked that the Central Valley of California was not much different in temperature than the Rhone; why couldn't the Neyers' grow their favorite Rhône grapes in California? Bruce and Barbara started purchasing Carignan, Mourvèdre, & other Rhône-style grapes from Central Valley winemakers with specific instructions: 1. the grower must reduce their grape yields to prioritize quality over quantity, and 2. they had to employ Old World winemaking techniques like pigeage (stomping grapes by foot) & stem-inclusion. Bruce's wines are a perfect example that California & the 'New World' can achieve 'Old World' elegance, savoriness, and body! BONUS RECIPE: Barbara's Couscous Salad with Chicken Breast Recipe (Serves 4) INGREDIENTS: 2 cups dried couscous2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half – Sweet 100 and Sungold tomatoes1-2 Cucumbers, Persian or Armenian — peeled and sliced ¼ to 1/8-inch thick2 chicken breasts, boned and skinless1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed1/3 cup crumbled feta cheeseFresh basil torn into pieces for garnishKosher salt and fresh ground pepper VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS: 1 Tablespoon minced shallot2 Teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice½ Teaspoon paprika½ Teaspoon coriander½ Teaspoon turmeric½ cup extra virgin olive oil PREPARATION: Cook the chicken breasts on a grill using mesquite charcoal.Cook the couscous as directed on the package. Refrigerate the couscous if not using immediately.Combine the vinaigrette ingredients and set aside.Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and then into ½-inch pieces.In a bowl combine the couscous, chicken breasts, chickpeas and vinaigrette.Season with Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.Serve the couscous with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers on top and garnish with basil and feta cheese. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink on a 'Fruit' Day: Gerard Bertrand 'Orange Gold'
Aug 28 2023
What to Drink on a 'Fruit' Day: Gerard Bertrand 'Orange Gold'
Gerard Bertrand, founder & owner of his eponymous wine label, joins us today to teach us about Biodynamic principles, the Lunar Calendar, and his new orange wine, 'Orange Gold.' What is a 'Fruit Day?' The lunar calendar has been used in farming for centuries, but recently people have noted the moon’s effect on wine tasting. According to the lunar calendar, every day is either a 'Fruit,' 'Root,' 'Flower,' or 'Leaf' day. 'Fruit' days are the most auspicious days to drink most wines, while white aromatic wines really seem to sing on a “flower day.” The idea behind root days, fruit days, leaf days, and flower days was inspired by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher who defined biodynamic farming for the 20th century. Gerard Bertrand embraces biodynamic farming in his vineyards and is a huge advocate for the process. OK, but what is 'Orange' wine? Gerard explains it like this: "We have two kinds of grapes in the world -- we have white grapes and red grapes. When you make rosé, you use red grapes and you use the winemaking process of white wines. When you make orange wines, you use white grapes, but use the winemaking process of red wines." 'Orange' wines are white grapes left to macerate on their skins for extended times, the same way we make red wine. What makes Orange Gold special: Gerard and his team are paying tribute to the first 'Orange' wine styles of Georgia, over 4,500 years ago, but with an emphasis on freshness.It is an exceptional blend of seven grape varieties,  Chardonnay, Chenin and Viognier add volume and Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Muscat enrich the aromatic complexity of the wine. Pairs perfectly with cheese platters.Gerard's Organic and Biodynamic vineyards are helping catch thousands of pounds of carbon waste per acre. If 1% of all vineyards on the planet were biodynamic, we'd catch enough carbon to slow global warming to a halt! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerardbertrandofficial/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with your Potential Father-In-Law: Bardstown Bourbon
Jul 10 2023
What to Drink with your Potential Father-In-Law: Bardstown Bourbon
Steve Nally, Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and Master Distiller for Bardstown Bourbon, joins us today to explain why Origin Series whiskeys pair perfectly with asking your potential in-law the 'big' question! Paint the Paring:  You've been dating your significant other for some time and you're considering the next step. You're nervous to ask your potential mother or father-in-law for their child's hand in marriage. Why not soothe your nerves and break the ice with a delicious, interesting whiskey?! What Makes Bardstown Bourbon Special:  Bardstown Bourbon makes over 60 grain bills for some of the best whiskey brands in the world. They've used that knowledge to produce their own incredible whiskeys.The "Origin Series" are 'Grain to Glass', 100% estate-distilled whiskeys. Master Distiller Steve Nally is a legend in the world of whiskey (literally! He's in the Bourbon Hall of Fame). On this episode, we try the Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon, Rye, & Wheated Bottled-in-Bond. Grab a bottle (if you can find one!) and taste along. More About Steve: Steve Nally has over 51 years of experience in the whiskey industry, serving as Master Distiller for Maker's Mark, Wyoming Whiskey, and Bardstown Bourbon, where he became 'Employee #1' in 2014. Learn more here: https://www.bardstownbourbon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bardstownbourbonco/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message
What to Drink with Sushi: Laurenz V "Singing" Grüner Veltliner
Jun 26 2023
What to Drink with Sushi: Laurenz V "Singing" Grüner Veltliner
Calling all GRÜN GOONS! Dieter Hübler, Founder of Laurenz V, joins us this week to tell us about his mission to Grünerize the entire world! If you've never tried a Grüner Veltliner before, this episode is a great place to start. Grab a bottle and learn about the bright and elegant style of Grüner Dieter makes, with an emphasis on lees aging (aging the wine on the dead yeast cells in stainless steel, to add beautiful complexity and a creamy mouthfeel). Why the Pairing Works:  You've boldly chosen to take a first date to a nice Sushi restaurant. Taking your date to get sushi shows your dedication, sophistication, and spare-no-expense attitude. Add a bottle of Laurenz V Grüner Veltliner to all of that sophistication, with its distinctive flavor profile of green apple, pear, citrus, and white pepper. The wine delivers a refreshing and harmonious taste experience that pairs beautifully with any roll, even those with capsaicin heat. What Makes this Grüner Special: In 2004, winemaking legend Robert Mondavi yelled "Grüner is YOUR grape: just F*!?NG do it!" at Dieter & his partners. Ever since, the Laurenz V have been on a mission to share their Austrian grape, Grüner Veltliner, with the world. The winery only produces this grape, and the main difference in their 3 main offerings ("Singing," "Friendly," and "Charming") is the length of time the grapes spend on the lees. Tasting all 3 is a great exercise in the way lees aging adds complexity, creaminess, and elegance to wine. Laurenz V "Singing" in Emoji's: 🤩🍋🍏🍐🍍🧂🪨 Learn more here: https://www.laurenzfive.com/en/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenzv.wine/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what2drink/message