One of Los Angeles’ best wine bars has just closed its doors for the final time. On today’s episode we speak to Rebecca Phillips about her time behind the bar as the owner of Vintage, a place that defined a neighborhood through bottles and laughter. She shares some of her craziest experiences, and we attempt to understand what disappears when we lose a local watering hole. Today’s episode is brought to you by Wine Paris. If you work in wine, spirits, or beverages in the U.S., you should be at Wine Paris 2026 February 9-11. Register online now and secure your trade badge. February is coming fast.

Link: https://wineparis.com/newfront/page/why-visit?utm_source=lealb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=relais

Today Jason talks the current events happening in Iran with Persian - American winemaker

Darioush Khaledi of Darioush vineyards in Napa. Iran is one of the birth places of civilization and with that had a major hand in discovering and spreading wine across the world. The country is in the middle of generational upheaval that may change everything from geopolitics and freedom to It’s place in the global tourism, food, and wine space and millions hang in the balance. Let’s dig in to the history, the potential, and the “what ifs” of Iran. To watch our brand new episode on the upcoming 2024 Napa vintage free, go to https://sommtv.vhx.tv/videos/napa-valley-vintage-update-2024

The cellar master of Martell Cognac, the oldest of the historic large cognac houses still operating, tells the story of this iconic drink. SOMM TV subscribers can watch this episode right now on SOMMTV.com, not a subscriber? Get 50% off by entering sommtv50 at checkout and enjoy hundreds of episodes on all things food and drink found no where else.

Stéphanie de Boüard grew up in the French medieval village of Saint-Émilion and had a big decision to make when it was time to decide who would take over one of the most famous and respected wineries in the world. She tells the story of what it was like to step into her father’s shoes and why she pursued a different career first. You can watch this episode on SOMMTV.com right now with over 500 hours of the best content on tje culinary world.

Introducing SOMM TV’s top wines of the year. We have argued, laughed, debated, and ultimately agreed—without major injury. Winemakers, sommeliers, writers, and the SOMM TV staff narrowed an entire year of tasting into ten wines that define our shared love of flavor, story, and value. For deeper dives, listen to the podcast, but here are the wines that defined 2025 for us. Congratulations to the wines that made our list!

To learn more about our picks, watch the collection on SOMM TV:
https://sommtv.vhx.tv/top-wines-of-2025

For the full list:
https://www.sommtv.com/2025wines

Egg Nog, that creamy, boozy, sweet drink people either love or hate makes its way down the chimney this time of year to remind us all why we have a gym membership. Where did this drink come from, and why does it hold such a nostalgic place during the holidays? On today’s episode join Jason Wise & Forbes writer Jessica Dupuy as they dive into the story of this holiday drink we call Egg Nog. For the base recipe by Morgan Weller of Marfa Spirit Company (https://www.themarfaspirit.com/) mentioned in the episode go here: https://jeffreymorgenthaler.com/egg-nog/

For Morgan’s Yoakum Egg Nog mentioned in the episode:

5 egg

2 cups bourbon

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup heavy cream

2 oz. sorghum vinegar (2:1 ratio Muddy Pond Sorghum and Steen’s Cane Vinegar)

2 oz. corn husk simple syrup*

Nutmeg to garnish

Be sure to chill all ingredients well before making. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Whisk in remaining ingredients until frosty. Pour into a pitcher and serve with a dash of nutmeg.

*Corn Husk Simple Syrup

Dissolve 2 cups of sugar into 1 cup of hot water in a sauce pan over medium heat to make a rich simple syrup. Remove from heat. Set a dozen dried corn husks into the pan and let steep for thirty minutes. Remove husks and discard. Add 1 tablespoon of Everclear. Chill simple syrup in refrigerator; will keep indefinitely.

Don’t forget to go to www.SOMMTV.com or on any SOMM TV app to watch the 2025 Napa Valley Vintage report for free right now!

We are back with another episode spotting wine that appears in movies and streaming! Jonah Beer of Gabriel glass and Pilcrow wine joins Jason to discuss wines found in: The Sopranos, The Insider, Weekend at Bernie’s, Curb your enthusiasm, The Wire, and the Coen Brother’s film “A serious Man”. To take advantage of our Black Friday deal of 50% off our blind tasting game - go to blindersgame.com and to get an astounding 70% off a year of SOMM TV ~ a year for only 17.99!!! (do not wait on this deal it ends soon!) go to https://watch.sommtv.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=industrysommtv&plan=yearly and don’t forget you can watch this episode right now streaming on SOMM TV

The simple apple - it is in our lunches, on our teacher’s desk, and occasionally made into a delicious alcoholic drink called Cider. Did you know that the apple and the drink made from its fruit is hiding one of the greatest stories ever told? On today’s episode we tell the tale of how America was founded and built using Cider. The incredible origins of the apple, how cider pushed us westward and kept us together as a nation, and how it tore us apart. We also try to find the long lost apples the founding fathers grew hundreds of years ago. Join Jason Wise & author Ben Watson as we tell the story of Cider and the American Dream. If you love this podcast, please be sure to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of our blind tasting card game at blindersgame.com and make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com to watch our films and shows.