The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast

The wine world is evolving. Are you enjoying these trends? White Wines on the Rise – Chenin Blanc and Albariño are stealing the spotlight with crisp, food-friendly versatility. Low & No-Alcohol Wines – Sober-curious drinkers are driving growth, with the category projected to reach $7 billion by 2035. Organic & Sustainable – Gen Z’s eco-focus is fueling growth in biodynamic and solar-powered wineries. Orange Wines – Bold, skin-contact whites from Slovenia and Georgia are capturing attention with earthy, complex flavors. Premium Wines – Consumers are drinking less but better, splurging on higher-quality bottles that tell rich stories.  Whether it’s Albariño with oysters, no-alc bubbly for Dry January, or a premium Napa Cab Franc with steak—this episode will keep you on top of the trends.

The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast is honored to receive the 2025 Earworthy Award for Best Short Form Podcast! In this special episode, Forrest Kelly and Sour Grapes reflect on the recognition, the community of indie podcasters, and the joy of storytelling over wine. From Sour Grapes’ award-winning Chianti spills to mason jar debates, this episode delivers both laughs and heartfelt gratitude. Plus, we thank Frank Racioppi and the Earworthy team for shining a spotlight on authentic indie voices.

Founder/winemaker Onye Ahanotu of Ikenga Wines joins Forrest to unpack the world of palm wine—a millennia-old beverage made from palm sap—and how he’s using a patent-pending, sustainable process to craft a controlled, bottle-ready, Methode ancestrale (pet-nat)–style sparkling palm wine in Berkeley, California.

Guest: Stacy Lee, host of Dark Hearts, a podcast about true crime, cults, and mysteries Story Highlight: In 2005, Mark Anderson deliberately set fire to Wines Central, destroying over $250M in rare wines. Anderson had been embezzling wine from the facility for years before setting the blaze. One victim said: “It felt like someone burned down my family tree.” Dark Hearts: True crime, cults, and conspiracies—episodes every Monday and Wednesday Platforms: Available on all podcast apps and YouTube Follow: @DarkHeartsPodcast

Aaron Vaccaro, CEO of Liquor Lab Former Topgolf exec who helped grow it from 10 to 70+ locations and $1.1B in revenue. 🍸 What You’ll Hear: Aaron’s journey from finance and venture capital to building experience-driven brands The Topgolf transformation—how it evolved from a driving range to an entertainment empire Why Liquor Lab is the “Topgolf of cocktails”—accessible, social, hands-on Cocktail classes: 90 minutes, ~$70, 3 drinks, taught by professionals in Nashville and Louisville Insight into cocktail formulas, mixology tips, and Aaron’s favorite: the Port Manhattan How Liquor Lab is adapting to changing alcohol trends—like low ABV, NA options, and Gen Z habits Why the focus isn’t on drinking—it’s about flavor, education, and connection 🔥 Quotables: “You’re not just mixing cocktails. You’re mixing memories.”“Most cocktails are riffs on six basic templates.”“We want to break down barriers and make aspirational things accessible.” 🥂 Bonus: Learn how Liquor Lab builds brand loyalty through experience Hear how Aaron applies the same strategy he used at Topgolf to transform hospitality at scale 🎧 Learn more: LiquorLab.com Classes in Nashville, TN & Louisville, KY Follow: @LiquorLab | @TheBestWinePod

Topic: Creating palm wine sustainably without harvesting palm trees Guest: Onye, founder of Ikenga Wines Environmental Impact: Avoids traditional palm farming to reduce carbon footprint and forest clearing Production Philosophy: Source-agnostic and rooted in molecular replication of palm sap The Journey: From 2019 epiphany to today’s artistic exploration of flavor and sensory expression Palm Wine Variants: Focus on oil palm chemistry; acknowledges coconut and raphia varietals Wine Styles: Experimental, seasonal, and undefined—exploring a “white space” of winemaking Vision: If money were no object, Onye would open a store with food service and a portfolio of underrepresented global beverages Takeaway: Palm wine is just the beginning of a much bigger adventure in redefining tradition through innovation

Onye shares his pivot from Harvard University to launching a palm wine company Discusses exploring Nigeria’s palm wine culture and production methods Explains how palm wine can be preserved and bottled for U.S. markets Insight into their sparkling palm wine labels and West African food pairings Anecdotes about former classmates, including a researcher 3D printing a human heart Talks about filling the beverage gap in fine dining experiences for African cuisines Website sales live now; restaurant and retail distribution coming soon 💡 Fun Fact: Some say palm wine is good for your eyes—just don’t quote Harvard on that (yet)!

Topic: Palm wine – an ancient, non-grape wine made from palm tree sap What is Palm Wine? Naturally fermenting sap collected from palm trees; typically consumed the same day Traditional Use: Morning (low-alcohol, sweet) vs. evening (higher alcohol); if left too long, it turns to vinegar Innovative Twist: Onye creates a molecular palm sap from plant-based sources, allowing for controlled fermentation Wine Style: Sparkling, pet-nat-inspired, unfiltered and hazy Alcohol Content: Traditional palm wine: ~3–4%, Ikenga Wines: ~8–10% Fun Fact: Palm wine may date back to prehistoric times and is naturally consumed by animals like bats and primates!

Guest: Onye Ahanotu, founder/winemaker at Ikenga Wines Location: Berkeley, California Origins: Grew up in Sonoma County, inspired by the rise of the local wine industry Educational background: Chemical Engineering (UC Irvine) + Materials Science (University of Michigan) Cultural Influence: Nigerian roots, family meals, fufu, and palm wine traditions Philosophy: Wine as a fusion of science, food, travel, and art Fun Fact: Palm wine can be a breakfast drink in Nigeria!

David shares his personal journey from Buffalo to highlighting his culinary influences. The discussion promotes the idea that champagne should be enjoyed regularly, not just on special occasions. Avid Vines aims to elevate everyday dining experiences by pairing organic champagnes with various cuisines. We encourage you to explore the unique flavors of organic champagne and how they complement food. The episode concludes by inviting you to also engage with Avid Vines through their newsletter and wine club.

Forrest Kelly chats with Aaron, CEO of Liquor Lab, about how cocktail culture is evolving — and how Liquor Lab is making mixology approachable, experiential, and social. From the decline of traditional liquor sales to the rise of alcohol alternatives and Gen Z drinking trends, Aaron shares how Liquor Lab is removing the intimidation from cocktail making and turning every class into a memorable moment. Whether you're planning a date night or a corporate event, Liquor Lab is raising the bar — literally and figuratively. Instagram: @LiquorLab @thebestwinepod

The conversation begins with an overview of the class structure, which spans ninety minutes and is generally conducted during the evenings on select days. The cost of participation is articulated as being between $65 to $75, a figure that Vaccaro defends as a reasonable investment when considering the value provided, which includes the crafting and enjoyment of three cocktails along with the social and educational experience facilitated by expert bartenders.

Liquor Lab was established as an experiential marketing platform to enhance consumer engagement with spirits brands. The unique concept behind Liquor Lab involves teaching individuals how to craft cocktails hands-on, thereby facilitating deeper brand loyalty. Each class at Liquor Lab lasts 90 minutes and covers the preparation of three distinct cocktails with various themes.

The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast, we tee off with Aaron Vaccaro, CEO of Liquor Lab and a key player behind the explosive growth of Topgolf. Aaron shares how a career that started in finance took a hard left into the world of immersive entertainment, helping grow Topgolf from 10 locations to over 70 and more than a billion in revenue. From tracking golf balls to tracking consumer experience trends, he breaks down how food, drinks—including wine!—and pure fun became the real draw. We also chat about the surprising psychology of hitting golf balls with a glass of wine in hand, and how letting go of expectations can sometimes lead to your best performance—on the course and in business. Pull up a cocktail and press play

In this chilling episode of The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast, Brenda from Horrifying History returns to reveal the darker, spine-tingling side of bubbly. From exploding bottles to ghostly monks whispering in cellars, we uncork the legend of Dom Perignon — a monk who may have feared the very sparkle he helped perfect. 🎧 Hear how the “devil’s cellar,” black bottles, and lost journals all add up to a wine tale steeped in mystery. 🫧 Was Dom fighting off demons… or inviting them to the party?🥂 Listen if you dare.

In this haunting episode, Forrest is joined by Brenda, the captivating host of Horrifying History, to uncork the terrifying tale of the Great French Wine Blight—a 19th-century disaster that devastated vineyards, ruined fortunes, and almost brought wine culture in France to a tragic end. Brenda brings her signature storytelling style to this real-life horror, revealing how a microscopic invader crossed oceans and left centuries of viticulture in ruin. It’s historical, it’s horrifying, and yes—it has everything to do with wine.

We delve into the profound experiences of Mark Steven Porro, who recounts his journey of living in the world's largest wine region, the south of France. Marc illustrates the challenges he faced in navigating the complexities of the French financial system as a foreigner, culminating in a heartwarming story of his participation in a local vendange, or harvest celebration. He eloquently describes the enchanting atmosphere of Château de Montpezat, where the community gathers to partake in the joyous festivity of wine production, complete with music, delectable food, and camaraderie.

Melissa Aellen, 3rd‑generation Maryland winemaker; Director of Winery Operations at Simple Theory Wine Co. Melissa’s family legacy, winemaking philosophy, and approach to making wine approachable and terroir‑driven.

This episode is a little different—and deeply personal. Forrest welcomes author, actor, and full-time son Mark Steven Porro, whose memoir A Cup of Tea on the Commode tells the moving (and surprisingly hilarious) story of becoming a caregiver to his 90-year-old mother. With Forrest recently saying goodbye to his own beloved mom, this conversation doubles as a tribute to the women who raised us—with sass, grit, and, eventually, a taste for red wine. From Hollywood sets to cobblestone streets in the south of France, Mark shares the unexpected twists that led him from acting to elder care to wine-sipping village life. There’s laughter, there’s love, and there’s a jazz band literally marching through the vineyards.

Melissa Aellen is shaking things up in the wine world with Simple Theory Wines, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer! We dive into her journey of creating a downtown tasting room, which is totally a win for wine lovers everywhere. Melissa shares the fun and not-so-fun challenges she faced, like navigating those pesky alcohol laws in Maryland—seriously, no wine in grocery stores? What is this, the 1950s? Plus, she’s got big plans for the future, including planting some fancy hybrid grapes and even building a wine cave! So grab a glass, sit back, and join us as we sip and chat about all things wine and local business.