A New York federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Diageo, which had alleged that its Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas were falsely advertised as 100 percent agave. The court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence of widespread adulteration, citing an inadequate sample size of only five tested bottles. Furthermore, the judge noted that the testing lacked necessary temporal and geographic links to the purchased items, undermining claims of personal injury from misleading labels. While Diageo welcomed the decision and defended the quality and integrity of its spirits, similar legal challenges involving other prominent tequila brands are ongoing across the United States.

The episode, "Heat of 2026 Champagne harvest forces rule-change for region" examines how unprecedented weather patterns disrupted the 2026 growing season in Champagne

This episode explores the traditional etiquette associated with Port and identifies which customs remain relevant for modern drinkers. While historical rituals involve passing the decanter to the left and using specialized glassware, experts suggest that a standard wine glass and a more relaxed atmosphere are perfectly acceptable today. The epsiode provides practical advice on decanting specific styles, such as vintage or crusted varieties, to manage sediment while noting that others require no special preparation. Additionally, the hosts emphasizes serving the wine at cooler temperatures and highlights that high-quality bottles can be enjoyed without extensive aging. Ultimately, it encourages a shift away from rigid formality to make the beverage more accessible for casual consumption.

This episode announces the 2026 launch of the MICHELIN Guide’s inaugural wine selection specifically for the Bordeaux region. This new ranking system utilizes one, two, or three "grapes" to honor estates that demonstrate exceptional technical mastery and consistency. In total, the guide recognizes 83 diverse wine estates across famous appellations such as Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and the Médoc. The highest honor of three grapes was granted to nine prestigious châteaux, including the legendary Château d’Yquem and Petrus. This initiative aims to provide wine enthusiasts with a trusted, independent benchmark based on rigorous evaluations of agronomy and terroir expression. By celebrating both historic labels and a new generation of vintners, Michelin highlights the ongoing evolution and global influence of French winemaking excellence.

This episode is a detailed review of Maximillian Potter’s book, Shadows in the Vineyard, which chronicles a real-life extortion plot targeting the prestigious Domaine Romanée-Conti in Burgundy. The narrative examines how a criminal threatened to poison the world's most famous vines unless a massive ransom was paid, leading to a high-stakes investigation. Beyond the crime, the author explores the rich historical heritage of the vineyard, tracing its origins from medieval monks to royal ownership. While the reviewer suggests the true crime elements could have been more robust, they praise the book as a vivid and evocative tribute to French viticulture. Ultimately, the text highlights the vineyard's status as a cultural treasure that inspires both deep devotion and desperate greed.

On this episode, industry experts recently identified several emerging Spanish wine regions and traditional styles that deserve greater international recognition. The discussion highlights Galician white wines and high-altitude Bobal varieties from La Manchuela as standout examples of regional diversity. Professionals also emphasize the potential of unfortified Sherry styles and the unique bitterness of Xarel·lo grapes from Catalonia. For red wine enthusiasts, refined Mencía and Navarran Garnacha offer more delicate flavor profiles compared to heavier classics. Furthermore, the revival of clarete, a historic co-fermented rosé, is gaining significant traction in high-end culinary circles. Looking toward the future of the prestige market, experts believe Priorat is positioned to join the ranks of Spain's most elite investment-grade wines.

This episode examines the extraordinary 1556 wine harvest in Burgundy, which was recently surpassed by an even earlier picking date in 2026. This historical period was defined by extreme heat and drought that began in the spring, leading to ground temperatures so high they reportedly burned the feet of local residents. Researchers used archival records and climate data to reconstruct these ancient harvest cycles, illustrating how pre-industrial society turned to religious processions to plead for rain. While modern agricultural techniques like canopy management now help vintners mitigate such harsh conditions, the 1556 season remains a critical benchmark for understanding long-term climate shifts. Ultimately, the episode highlights an unsettling parallel between the environmental crises of the sixteenth century and the rapid warming observed in contemporary viticulture.

In this episode, we dive into the world of ultra-high-proof spirits, examining the commercially available drinks that blur the line between liquid courage and industrial alcohol. From record-breaking neutral grain spirits to intense rums and absinthes, we explore why these high-potency bottles exist, how they are actually meant to be consumed, and the legal hurdles they clear just to hit the shelves.