What's Really in Your Wine? Unveiling Hidden Ingredients and Natural Processes In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the various additives and processes used in winemaking in the U.S. and Europe. They explore natural additives such as Bentonite Clay, egg whites, and sulfites, as well as techniques like malolactic fermentation and oak aging. They also delve into more controversial practices like the use of Mega Purple for color and texture enhancement. The discussion highlights the natural origins of many modern winemaking techniques and addresses common misconceptions, all while emphasizing practices to ensure safety and quality in wine production.
00:00 Introduction and Surprising Wine Additives
00:45 Historical Wine Additives
01:28 Common Modern Additives
02:39 Fermentation and Flavor Chemistry
04:11 Malolactic Fermentation
06:37 Oak Aging and Flavor Enhancement
09:59 Sulfur and Preservation
11:28 Mega Purple and Wine Manipulation
15:55 Fining, Filtering, and Clarification 2
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Sommelier Secrets
Unveiling Sommelier Secrets: Practical Tips and Restaurant Insights
In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive into the world of sommeliers, peeling back the layers of snobbery and pretentiousness to uncover practical tips and secrets from the trade. The discussion starts with basic skills like properly using a waiter's corkscrew and the significance of pouring techniques. They then explore how to navigate restaurant wine lists, provide insights on how wine lists are structured, and share tips on interacting with sommeliers. A lightning round reveals what's legit and what's not in the wine world, from smelling corks to ordering the second cheapest wine. The episode wraps up with recommendations for further wine education through the National Wine School and the Wine School of Philadelphia.
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School Podcast
00:21 Somali Secrets: Demystifying the Sommelier
01:54 Opening Wine Bottles Like a Pro
06:18 Proper Wine Pouring Techniques
10:40 Communicating Wine Sensations
11:20 Understanding Bitterness and Taste Training
13:44 The Importance of Authenticity in Wine Tasting
14:57 Navigating Restaurant Wine Lists
19:18 Identifying Flaws in Wine
23:07 Lightning Round: Wine Myths and Facts
25:31 Conclusion and Wine School Promotion
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Wine Labels Simplified
Decoding Wine Labels: Old World vs. New World and Common Marketing Terms In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the complexities of wine labels, discussing the differences between Old World and New World labeling conventions. They explore how regions like France emphasize the place of origin, whereas New World regions like the United States focus on grape varieties and location. The hosts also debunk common myths and marketing terms such as 'reserve,' 'old vines,' 'estate bottled,' and the often-misunderstood 'contains sulfites.' Practical tips for selecting quality wine, including looking for smaller appellations and trusted importers, are shared to help listeners make informed wine purchases. The episode wraps up with a quick-fire round on label terms IGT, VdF, and organic or sustainable certifications, offering insights into their real meanings.
00:00 Wine Labels Simplified
00:09 Introduction
01:26 I. French Wine Labels
07:44 II. U.S. Label Terms
08:02 Reserve
09:48 Old Vines
11:54 Estate-Bottled
13:21 Contains Sulfites
17:13 The Back Label
18:11 Dryness
20:16 Blends
22:03 III. Practical Tips for Buying Wine
24:18 Know Your Importers
25:27 Lightening Round
26:49 IV. Conclusion & Final Thoughts
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5 Wine Rules to Break
5 Wine Rules to Break for Better Enjoyment - After Wine School Podcast
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss five common wine rules that deserve to be broken. They explore pairing white wine with fish and red wine with meat, serving red wine at room temperature, decanting only old wines, aging all wines, and saving champagne for special occasions. They provide practical advice and science-based insights to help listeners enjoy wine without adhering to snobbery. The episode also includes a fun lightning round to debunk more myths and encourage listeners to enjoy wine in a more relaxed and enjoyable way. Don't miss these expert tips and secrets from industry professionals!
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:40 Breaking Wine Pairing Rules
05:21 Temperature Tips for Red Wine
07:17 Decanting Myths Debunked
10:11 The Truth About Aging Wines
13:05 Champagne for Everyday Moments
15:10 Lightning Round: Quick Wine Tips
17:52 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
🔔Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel here: /wineschoolUSA
➡️Follow Us:
Instagram: National.wine
Twitter: wineschool
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Five Wine Myths
Debunking Common Wine Myths
In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe from the Wine School of Philadelphia tackle five prevalent wine myths. They debunk misconceptions such as 'expensive wines are always better,' the idea that 'cheap wine is always bad,' and the notion that 'sommelier are gods.' They also discuss the importance of swirling wine and clarify that 'old wine is always better' isn't necessarily true. Throughout the discussion, they provide insights on how to get the best wine deals and how to appreciate a variety of wines without falling for common myths. The episode concludes with a lightning round of quick myth debunking and information about their wine certification programs and classes.
00:00 5 Wine Myths 7.23.2025
00:52 Wine Myth #1: Expensive Wines Are Always Better
09:51 Wine Myth #2: Cheap Wine Is Always Bad
13:28 Wine Myth #3: Swirling Wine Is Snobby
17:27 Myth #4: Sommeliers are Gods
22:18 Myth #5: Old Wine is Better Wine
26:52 Lightning Round: Quick Wine Myths Debunked
28:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
”After Wine School” is an informal and fun podcast where wine school instructors discuss all things wine. You’ll hear stories from their classes, tips for wine tasting, and a touch of wine-inspired philosophy. The podcast is hosted by Keith, the free-spirited lunatic, and Alana, the brilliant and composed academic. Join them as they uncork lively discussions, share insider secrets, and help you find your next favorite bottle. Subscribe now and join the conversation!
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