Is wine actually healthier than beer, seltzers, or cocktails, or is that just good marketing? In this episode of Taste Toast Travel, we’re diving into one of the most debated questions in food and drink culture: can wine fit into a healthy lifestyle?  With John’s background as a Certified Sommelier and both of our experience […]

Tara is taking the lead on this episode of Taste Toast Travel as she chats with Isabelle Lesschaeve, a distinguished sensory scientist and wine expert. Isabelle shares her inspiring journey through sensory science to the wine and non-alcoholic beverage industries, drawing from her academic and professional experiences in the US and Canada. We dig into:🍷 […]

In this crime lovers episode of Taste Toast Travel, we’re unpacking two shocking true crime stories from Northern California’s wine country in Napa. First, we investigate the infamous French Laundry wine heist in Yountville, CA, where thieves made off with over $300,000 in rare, high-end wine—a burglary of a Thomas Keller restaurantthat rocked the food […]

Struggling to choose the right bottle of wine without spending a fortune? In this episode, Certified Sommelier John shares expert wine buying tips to help you shop smart—whether you’re browsing the aisles of Trader Joe’s, Costco, or your favorite wine shop. We break down exactly how to choose a great bottle of wine on a […]

Today we’re welcoming Gemma Soley, a freelance social media marketer specializing in the UK wine industry. From this conversation you’ll gain insights into various facets of the wine landscape, focusing on the differences between the UK and US markets, cultural perceptions of wine, the influence of Gen Z on the alc/bev industry, and the importance […]

We’re going back to our roots (working in the wine industry) and digging into the world of wine and food pairings! We’re chatting about the fundamental principles of pairing wine with food, both from a theoretical and a practical perspective. John shares his expertise as a certified sommelier, explaining why certain wines enhance specific dishes […]

We’re digging into one of John’s most FAQ’s: what it was like to become a Certified Sommelier! John, with over 10 years of experience in the wine and hospitality industry, shares his unexpected beginnings with a criminology degree and his transformation into a wine expert, of sorts. We’ll chat about the details of the Sommelier […]