Port comes in many styles, but Vintage Port sits at the pinnacle -- but it isn't made every year. In this episode, Adrian Bridge of Taylor Fladgate explains what it means to "declare" a Vintage Port, how houses decide whether a year is worthy, and what all this has to do with St. George. You'll also hear how fortification works, the importance of the otherwise "neutral" grape spirit, what separates a classic declaration from Single Quinta and other vintage-dated bottlings, and you'll get a few unexpected food-pairing ideas. If you ever wanted to know how Port wine is made and why it can last for decades, then this is the episode for you. SPOILER ALERT: 2024 is a declared vintage for Port!

Key Topics

• When to drink classic Vintage Port
• Why you'd want to buy a Vintage Port on release, rather than later.
• How the declaration process works.
• What you can expect from 2024 vintage Port.
• Why the declaration is made on St. George's Day.
• What foods you can pair with Vintage Port.

Key Takeaways

• "Declared" means a house has chosen to release a classic Vintage Port from a specific year
• Vintage Port is rare. (~1.5% of total Port production—small volume, highest prestige)
• Vintage Port is built to age. (50–60+ years in good storage)
• Fortification is key to Port's style.
• The declaration decision takes time, and it happens on St. George's Day.

Connect with Adrian Bridge

• Taylor Fladgate website: https://www.taylor.pt/
• Taylor Fladgate Instagram: @taylorsportwine (https://www.instagram.com/taylorsportwine/)

Learn more about wine in general at https://Wine365.com

Why You Should Be Drinking More California Sparkling Wine with Remi Cohen (Domaine Carneros)

What's the difference between Champagne, Prosecco, and California sparkling wine — and why should you care?

In this episode of Inside Wine Podcast, Joe Janish sits down with Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, to break down everything you need to know about sparkling wine. From traditional‑method winemaking and fine bubbles to sweetness levels, aging on the lees, sustainability, and food pairings, this conversation will change how you think about bubbles forever.

• Sparkling wine vs. Champagne: what legally and stylistically separates them
• The traditional (méthode champenoise) process explained simply
• Why Chardonnay plays such a critical role in elite sparkling wines
• What "tête de cuvée," "Brut," "Extra Brut," and "Demi‑Sec" really mean
• Why California sparkling wine offers exceptional value
• Domaine Carneros' Champagne roots with the Taittinger family
• Sustainability leadership, solar power, and water reuse
• Why sparkling wine pairs with almost everything

Remi Cohen
CEO, Domaine Carneros

• Domaine Carneros website: https://www.domainecarneros.com
• Follow Domaine Carneros on Instagram: @domainecarneros (https://www.instagram.com/domainecarneros/)
• Follow Domaine Carneros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DomaineCarnerosWinery
• Book your visit at Domaine Carneros on Tock
• Learn more about wine at: https://www.wine365.com

In this episode of the Inside Wine Podcast, host Joe Janish interviews Jane Dunkley, the Western Australia–born winemaker behind Bezel Wines in Paso Robles, California. Jane shares her unconventional path into winemaking, what makes Paso Robles such a dynamic and "Wild West" wine region, and how Bezel is creating wines that are Cakebread‑inspired yet distinctly their own.

• Growing up on a beef cattle farm in Western Australia
• Early exposure to wineries and viticulture
• Coming to California for a "three‑month" harvest and never leaving
• Finding a home—and creative freedom—in Paso Robles

• A pioneering, still‑evolving wine region
• Wide range of grape varieties thanks to diverse microclimates
• Dramatic day‑night temperature swings creating fresh, balanced wines
• A collaborative, community‑driven winemaking culture
• The celebrated Women in Wine tasting group Jane is part of

• A new brand created by the Cakebread family
• Inspired by Cakebread's freshness and balance, but with a distinct identity
• Focused on four varietals:
  • Paso Robles: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
  • SLO Coast: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Wines priced accessibly ($25–$30) to welcome younger and newer wine drinkers

• Philly cheesesteak → Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pepperoni pizza → Syrah/Shiraz
• Anything rich & fatty → Riesling (her personal favorite pairing variety)

• A growing tourism and culinary scene
• Boutique hotels and renovated mid‑century motels
• "Tin City" — a must‑visit hub of small wineries, breweries, and food spots
• A fun, cowboy‑country atmosphere (plus Boot Barn adventures!)
• Why now is the perfect time to visit before the region gets too crowded

Jane emphasizes that Bezel has "something for everyone"—fresh, energetic whites, cool‑climate Pinot Noir, and Paso Cabernets that lean slightly off the expected path. Above all, Bezel aims to make wine approachable, food‑friendly, and free of pretense.

Instagram: @janemakeswine

Bezel wines website: https://bezelwines.com/

For more wine education—with zero snobbery—visit wine365.com.