After Wine School

Latest Episodes:

Missing in America Dec 16, 2025

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Forgotten Wines of America: A Deep Dive into Regional Treasures

In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe embark on a road trip exploring the often overlooked and forgotten wines of America. The discussion spans a variety of regions, starting with Virginia's troubled history with Vitus VRA vineyards and the rise of Norton and Petit Verdot grapes. They move north to highlight Finger Lakes' Riesling and lesser-known Georgian grape Saperavi, then delve into Pennsylvania's history with grapes like Chambourcin and Barbera. The conversation continues with New Jersey's traditional French-inspired wines, Vermont's hybrid grape success stories, Texas' renowned Tempranillo, and several rich yet underappreciated grape varieties in California. The episode wraps up with mentions of emerging wine regions like Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona, encouraging wine enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the diverse and rich heritage of American wines.

00:00 Introduction to Forgotten Wines of America
01:32 Virginia: The Birthplace of American Wine
05:24 Exploring the Finger Lakes Region
07:07 Pennsylvania's Rich Wine History
11:09 New Jersey and Vermont: Hidden Gems
12:46 Texas: The Tempranillo Territory
13:53 California's Forgotten Grapes
19:06 Shoutouts to Other Wine Regions
20:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Northern California: An Irreverent Short History Dec 09, 2025

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The Rise and Fall of California Wine: A Journey Through History

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe dive deep into the rich history of California wine, from its early days under Spanish missionaries to its modern resurgence. They discuss the key figures who shaped the industry, such as Augustine Haraszthy and André Tchelistcheff, the effects of Prohibition, and the rise of iconic wineries like Mondavi.

The episode also covers pivotal moments the Judgment of Paris, the influence of Robert Parker, and the cultural impact of the movie 'Sideways.' Additionally, they highlight the growing prominence of wine regions outside California, like the Finger Lakes and Virginia, signaling a broader transformation in American wine culture.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:13 Early History of California Wine

02:13 The Count and His Legacy 04:56 The Napa-Sonoma Rivalry

06:40 Prohibition and Its Aftermath

08:55 The Jug Wine Era

10:10 Scientific Advancements and UC Davis

18:22 The Judgment of Paris

20:55 The Rise of Napa Valley

24:49 Modern Wine Culture and Sideways Effect

27:08 Emerging Wine Regions Across America

28:22 Conclusion

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Prohibition Dec 02, 2025

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The Impact of Prohibition on American Wine In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the history of American Prohibition and its profound impact on the wine industry. They discuss the rise of the temperance movement, the unexpected enactment of Prohibition in 1920, the cultural and economic fallout, and the rise of organized crime. They also highlight the significant loss of wine knowledge and the evolution of America’s relationship with alcohol post-Prohibition. Additionally, they explore the recovery and resurgence of the wine industry, with a particular focus on California, and the ongoing challenges and regulations that stem from this era.

01:03 The Temperance Movement and Early Prohibition Efforts

03:51 Wine's Early History in America

08:39 Prohibition's Impact on the Wine Industry

12:43 The Rise of Organized Crime and Federal Policing

14:23 The Decline of Prohibition

16:21 Economic and Social Impact of Prohibition

17:08 Post-Prohibition California Wine Industry

18:17 The Three-Tier System Explained

20:30 Cultural Shifts in Alcohol Perception

23:00 Prohibition's Lingering Effects on Science and Society

25:34 Regional Differences in Alcohol Laws

27:35 Reviving America's Wine Heritage

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Ancient Wine Nov 25, 2025

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The History and Evolution of Ancient Wines In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the fascinating history of ancient wines. They discuss the origins of wine in Armenia and Georgia, explore the innovative work of the late Patrick McGovern, and examine various ancient wine practices, including the use of goat skins, clay pottery, and the addition of seawater. The discussion also covers the medicinal and cultural significance of wine in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight how many ancient practices still influence modern winemaking while sharing plenty of historical anecdotes and interesting facts about ancient wines.

00:00 Welcome Back to After Wine School

00:51 Dedication to Patrick McGovern

02:50 The Birthplace of Wine: Armenia and Georgia

07:43 Ancient Egyptian Wine Culture

09:45 Greek Symposiums and Wine

12:47 Roman Wine and Practices

15:17 Modern Practices with Ancient Roots

16:02 Conclusion \

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Medieval Wine Nov 18, 2025

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The Medieval Era of Wine

In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the captivating history of medieval wines, exploring their enduring impact on modern winemaking. They discuss the vital role monks played in wine production, driven by both spiritual quests and practical necessities. The duo examines how wine functioned as medicine and the political maneuvers surrounding Bordeaux during the medieval era. From the meticulous vineyard practices of monks to the medical benefits of wine and the influence of class and politics, the conversation provides a thorough insight into how medieval practices shaped today's wine culture. They also touch upon the role of women in taverns and the social intricacies of the era. To wrap up, they invite listeners to explore more about ancient wines through the National Wine School's programs.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:32 Monks and the Birth of Terroir

07:03 Wine as Medicine Through the Ages

10:20 Political Influence on Wine Trade

13:37 Class and Wine Preferences

17:41 Taverns and Women's Role in Wine History

20:00 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

The Psychology of Wine Nov 11, 2025

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Unveiling the Psychology Behind Wine Tasting

In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the psychology of wine tasting. They explore how context, environment, and expectations can alter our perception of wine. Keith and Alana discuss personal experiences, famous experiments like the Judgment of Paris, and key scientific studies that highlight the power of suggestion in wine appreciation. The episode also covers the impact of social influence, such as the Parker Effect, and offers insights into creating the optimal environment for wine tasting. Finally, they share practical tips for wine enthusiasts to discern genuine quality from marketing hype.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:22 The Psychology of Wine

01:35 Appearance vs. Reality in Wine

04:36 The Power of Perception

05:54 Teaching Wine: Creating the Right Environment

13:23 Cognitive Tricks in Wine Tasting 1

8:28 Designing the Perfect Wine School

20:56 Wine Shops and Consumer Psychology

23:05 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Climate Change & Wine Nov 04, 2025

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Climate Change and Innovations in Winemaking In this episode of After Wine School, hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the impact of climate change on the wine industry. Though the topic is inherently dark, they provide an optimistic look at how winemakers and regions are adapting and innovating. They discuss historical shifts in wine regions due to climate change, current challenges such as extreme weather, and the various innovative strategies being employed to mitigate these changes. Emerging wine regions and the surprising winners benefiting from climate shifts, like England, Tasmania, and Canada, are also highlighted. This informative episode concludes with an encouragement for wine enthusiasts to further their education through the National Wine School and to support the podcast by liking and subscribing.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:33 Climate Change and the Wine Industry

01:49 Historical Climate Changes and Wine Regions

05:34 Impact of Modern Climate Change on Winemaking

14:54 Innovative Solutions in Winemaking

18:44 Emerging Wine Regions and Future Prospects

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

Oak & Wine Oct 28, 2025

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The Impact and Evolution of Oak in Winemaking

In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe delve into the world of oak and its significant role in winemaking. They discuss the historical evolution of oak usage, starting from the Gauls' beer barrels to its modern-day application in winemaking. They highlight different types of oak such as French, American, Baltic, and Croatian, each contributing unique flavors to wine. The duo also discuss the varying impacts of barrel size and toast levels on the wine. They explore the cultural and symbolic importance of oak in luxury wine, the American and Australian trends towards heavily oaked wines in the 20th century, and the subsequent backlash towards subtler flavors. The episode concludes with a hopeful note as they reveal that oak is making a balanced comeback in contemporary winemaking.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:23 The Role of Oak in Winemaking
01:26 Historical Use of Oak
03:27 Types of Oak and Their Characteristics
04:17 Barrel Construction and Toasting
05:15 Impact of Barrel Size on Wine
07:22 Oak's Symbolism and Evolution in Winemaking
10:37 American and Australian Oak Trends
14:25 Backlash and Natural Winemaking Movement
16:53 Current Trends and Conclusion
17:36 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

In Praise of Yeast Oct 21, 2025

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The Fascinating Role of Yeast in Winemaking

In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace, joined by fermentation expert Alana Zerbe, delves deep into the critical role yeast plays in winemaking. They explore why wines have distinct smells, how yeast converts grape sugars into alcohol, and the influence yeast has on flavors, mouthfeel, and terroir. The discussion covers the complexity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, native yeasts, and the impact of fermentation temperatures. They also discuss the nuances of wild yeast fermentations, stuck fermentations, and the presence of Brettanomyces. The episode concludes with a lightning round exploring the yeast characteristics of various wine styles. Wine lovers and aspiring winemakers will gain a thorough understanding of the science behind their favorite wines.

00:00 Introduction
00:43 The Role of Yeast in Wine Making
01:20 Saccharomyces: The Workhorse Yeast
02:02 Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts
02:36 Yeast and Wine Complexity
03:30 Terroir and Yeast
04:41 Sherry and Vin Jaune
05:50 Champagne
06:49 Temperature's Impact on Fermentation
19:08 Wild Yeast
19:35 The Role of Native Yeast in Winemaking
26:07 Brettanomyces: The Double-Edged Sword
28:51 Lightning Round
31:00 Final Thoughts

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub

WTF Is In My Wine? Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

What's Really in Your Wine? Unveiling Hidden Ingredients and Natural Processes In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe discuss the various additives and processes used in winemaking in the U.S. and Europe. They explore natural additives such as Bentonite Clay, egg whites, and sulfites, as well as techniques like malolactic fermentation and oak aging. They also delve into more controversial practices like the use of Mega Purple for color and texture enhancement. The discussion highlights the natural origins of many modern winemaking techniques and addresses common misconceptions, all while emphasizing practices to ensure safety and quality in wine production.

00:00 Introduction and Surprising Wine Additives

00:45 Historical Wine Additives

01:28 Common Modern Additives

02:39 Fermentation and Flavor Chemistry

04:11 Malolactic Fermentation

06:37 Oak Aging and Flavor Enhancement

09:59 Sulfur and Preservation

11:28 Mega Purple and Wine Manipulation

15:55 Fining, Filtering, and Clarification 2

👉 Free wine class + resources: https://wineschool.us/hub