Emma is joined by her long-time best friend, other Emma, who is definitely a real person, to discuss the first of the most seminal books of their childhood, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (or Philosopher's) Stone. This is the first episode in our HP & New World Wine Series, in which Emma S-Z pairs the Harry Potter novels with different major New World Wine regions. The Emmas talk about what it was like discovering the magic of these books as kids, and how dark they really are. Listen to the episode to hear what we think is problematic about goblins, and why the books are so important for kids (and adults) to read. Plus: South Pacific, Monty Python references, Chilean winemaking wizards, The Magicians: Harry Potter for old people, favorite Dumbledores, the return of Phylloxera, the divisive Carmenère, "eau de antisemitism", and not-too-thinly-veiled metaphors.
Episode 22: Honeymoon Part Two- Italy
Winston and Emma relay tales of their gastronomical, cultural, and artistic adventures while on the Italian leg of their Honeymoon. We relive our favorite experiences in Cinque Terre, Florence, and Rome this month, including seeing the David, the Coliseum, and eating lots of pasta. Listen to hear us misremember Italian Renaissance history, where the best sandwiches are in Florence, and be basic Americans and talk about Under the Tuscan Sun and Gladiator. Plus: the "Alias Grape", pesto, Fellini, the Duomo, the Roman Forum, Leather, Hapsburg Princes running restaurants, the Medici, Caravaggio the fighting painter, queer Italian Renaissance artists, bathroom rants, Ennio Morricone, and Sexy Show!
Episode 21: Honeymoon Part One- Spain
Winston and Emma relay tales of their gastronomical, cultural, and artistic adventures while on the Spanish leg of their Honeymoon. Recorded in Barcelona on Emma's iPhone, they remember their favorite experiences in San Sebastián, Granada, and Madrid. Listen to hear about the best pintxo bars in San Sebastián, the astonishing Alhambra in Granada, and the miracle of tapas. Plus: the Grandad Cocktail, Txakoli, raptors, gatitas, Minotaurs (who are always librarians, as everyone knows), Goya, Flamenco, Anthony Bourdain, the coexistence of cultures and traditions in Spain, and jamón. Always jamón. Warning: this episode may not be the favorite of vegetarians, vegans, and non-meat eaters... Listen at your own discretion!
Episode 20: The Princess Bride
In honor of the release of our 20th episode, Emma and Winston got married last weekend! So, we decided to talk about the film that first made us realize we were in love, the cult classic The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner and based on the book by William Goldman. This episode is mostly a glimpse into what our daily life is like, i.e. us quoting the film and giggling at each other. Listen to find out what wine Vizzini, Fezzik, Inigo, and the rest would drink, and how much of the film was included in our wedding ceremony. Plus: drinking rubies, what scenes Emma skipped as a child, farmboy DJ's, the search for queer winemakers, Humperdinck and Noble Rot, Tom Stoppard, and Pink Unicorn Onesies.
Episode 19: Thor (with Julia Schifini)
Emma is joined by mythology and podcasting guru Julia Schifini to discuss everyone's favorite goofy hunky Norse god, Thor! The general consensus is that whatever Thor would drink, he'd drink a lot of it (so we did). Julia is not only a mythology expert but also knows a ton about the Marvel comics, and enlightens Emma on how much better Natalie Portman's character was originally. Listen to hear us discuss gender politics, why mead fell out of fashion, and cheese! Plus: gender-queer Loki, Joss Whedon, iambic pentameter, New Zealand Chardonnay, Gaelic pronunciation, Kenneth Branagh v. Taika Waititi and Josh Dallas v. Zachary Levi, bad hammer puns, Jeff Goldblum, and Metheglin, the second in our wine-term turned Marvel villain.
Episode 18: Spider-Man (with Mike Schubert)
Emma and Winston are joined by Mike Schubert of Potterless to discuss our favorite friendly neighborhood superhero: Spider-Man! This is the second episode in our Marvel series, and we touch on a lot of topics that we covered in the Captain America episode, and so much more! Mike, Winston, and Emma enjoy dwelling in some nostalgia while they talk about Spider-Man through the ages. Listen to hear who our favorite cinematic Spider-Man is, why Spidey villains are the best, and which New York wines to look out for. Plus: the Mad Hungarian, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Scarlett Johansson as everyone, the science of wine, video games, hipster winemakers, good accents, Rice v. Wesleyan, working-class heroes, and unnoticed puns.
Episode 17: Captain America (with Lauren Shippen)
Welcome to the first in a series of Marvel-themed episodes! We're kicking it off with a discussion of none other than the First Avenger, Captain America (aka Steve Rogers) with the amazing podcasting guru Lauren Shippen (The Bright Sessions). Lauren and Emma talk about how Cap is actually a character with a lot of darkness and needs to practice more self-care while he saves the world. Listen to find out how rosé is made, why we love Chris Evans, and who is, objectively, the best Avenger. Plus: the Great Phylloxera, villains, pettiness, ice wine/eiswein, $20,000 wine vs. frosé, Cap's deathwish, maceration & phenols, PSAs, and our new official slogan: Like what you like, and have a good time. Also featuring: Loki the Cat!
Episode 16: His Dark Materials (with Gabriel Urbina)
Emma is joined by friend & collaborator Gabriel Urbina, the inestimable creator and head writer for Wolf 359, to discuss His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Gabriel explains why these are his favorite books of all time, and Emma gets excited to re-read them, as they discuss this "Hippie Acid Trip of a Book." Listen to hear Emma and Gabriel bond over being pretentious teenagers, winemaking as an art form, and not liking what your idols like. Plus: backflips, orange wine, Sancho Panza, cats!, daemons (and demons), Harry Potter and the Patronus Quiz, Pixar, "Schrodinger-esque", cookie-dough, and the silliness police.