America Still Doesn’t Get Wine: Three Wine Biz Owners on Culture, Community, and the Magic We're Missing. Discover why South African wine is poised to win, if America has a problem appreciating wine, and find out which Friulian chardonnay gives sunny, Greek beach vibes! (The Real Wine Show S8E5).

Episode five of season eight opens with a shout-out to sponsor Gabriel Group (www.gabrielgrp.com) and introduces panelists Tommy York (owner of Ann Arbor wine hotspot and cafe, York), Emily Dorr (Flint community developer and owner of Queen’s Provisions), and Lori Herron (founder of Social Vines Vineyard and Winery in Dexter). Their hot takes include Emily calling for a 2026 “Judgment of Paris” redo with South Africa challenging California, Tommy arguing wine’s “magic” is underappreciated versus beer and spirits, and Lori defending Riesling’s range beyond sweetness.

Glass checks include Lalarge-Peugeot Champagne Tradition, Cartell Serena Prosecco, and a Bayernmoor Cellars Pinot Noir from Puget Sound. They discuss a fake “ancient cellar” story and SV Bank’s wine report on hospitality-driven sales and pricing, plus the perils and benefits of NA wine.

Chef Jason Bertold’s triple-blind tasting leads to a French style, spring-vegetable risotto matched to rare Coloma Alarije Dorado from Extremadura, Spain. The Wine Cipher identifies 2016 Lynch-Bages and Andre Cold Duck! Emotive blind tasting surprises with a delicious 2020 Pierpaolo Pecorari Chardonnay from Friuli, and Lori wins the game!

00:00 Welcome And Sponsor

00:53 Meet Tommy York (York Ann Arbor)

04:23 Meet Emily Dorr (Queens Provisions Flint)

08:56 Meet Lori Herron (Social Vines Dexter)

11:20 Riesling’s Reputation

12:41 Glass Check!

15:11 Fake News: Ancient Cellar

21:30 NA Wine Debate

24:14 Wine Industry Future

36:13 Score Update Segment

37:20 Grape to Plate w/ Chef Jason

40:34 Springy White Wine

41:31 French Style Risotto

42:52 Aged Carnaroli Rice

43:47 Risotto Cooking Plan

44:56 Vegetable Garnish Prep

46:11 Wine Reveal: a Spanish Alarije

47:57 Practical Hack: Blanching

50:01 Wine Cipher: Bordeaux

55:09 Candy Sparkler comes to the Cipher

01:00:03 Emotive Blind Tasting

01:08:25 Reveal: Friuli Chardonnay

01:09:35 Wines Of The Show

01:11:23 Scores And Farewell