John Taylor's Blog: The Pairs With Life Podcast, page 7

Pairs With Le Grand Courtage and "Going" Back To School

With August coming to a close, we once again welcome kids returning to school. But they're not really "returning," are they? Not with a global pandemic going on. The challenges that parents and teachers face with Remote Learning are at once unknown and a bit scary, and having to follow-up a summer of lockdown with an autumn of the same, it may seem like we're all experiencing a malady that's all too well known in the wine world...

Pairs With A Trip To The Whole Foods Wine Section

Not just a Meat Market for the Meatless Set, Whole Foods consistently has one of the best wine sections of any major retailer. This week, I take a trip to my local Whole Foods, 401(k) in hand, to do some shopping and explore the best values you can find among their wine shelves. And after finding - and drinking - the Top Four wines from their Imports section, some thoughts and feelings about Jeff Bezos come to the fore...and maybe a soapbox (or two) comes out...

Pairs With Vinum Cellars Chenin Blanc and Catching Up With Christine

Christine Trice, former co-host of the Pairs With Life Podcast, joins us on the mic to catch up on what's been going on in her ass-kicking life. As we sip the delicious Vinum Cellars Chenin Blanc, we talk about everything from her evolving career as a dula to our potential careers as sex workers and all points in between. Christine also shares the news about her cool new T-shirt venture and talks about working together again on the audiobook version of Pairs With Life.

Bonus Episode: More Music Talk With Steve Taylor

As the Louis Bouillot Sparkling Rosé takes its mouth-loosening effect, I and my featured guest from last week, licensed 3rd Mate and Yacht Rock aficionado Steven Taylor, start going off about music, life, and the joys of telling them damn kids to get the hell off our lawn. Does it make for a full episode of noteworthy content? Probably not, but it does make for an awesome Bonus Episode. So, pour some Rosé, kick back on bow, and (yacht) rock on with your bad self.

Pairs With Louis Bouillot Cremant Rosé and Yacht Rock

Yacht Rock: The mere mention of the name brings to mind either mellow vibes of the 70's and 80's or the urge to violently empty the contents of your stomach. This week, I'm joined by musician, writer - and licensed 3rd Mate - Steve Taylor to count down The Top 4 Yacht Rock Songs of All Time. What makes a song Yacht Rock? Which bands are disqualified from the label? And what does this have to do with 70's porn? We discuss it all, while sipping on one of the ultimate Yacht Rock wines, the Louis Bouillot Crement de Bourgogne sparkling rosé. Looks like Muskrat Love...

Pairs With Chapter 1 of the Pairs With Life Audiobook, Part 2

In the second half of the 2-part presentation of the first chapter of the Pairs With Life audiobook, I completely screw up. As it turns out, "Part 1" ended about three pages from the end of chapter 1. So, instead of doing a five-minute podcast, I'm including all of Chapter 2 of the audiobook in this part as well. Enjoy! And if you really enjoy, be sure to pre-order the audiobook from Hurn Publications. You can also order the paperback version there as well!

Pairs With The First Chapter of The Pairs With Life Audiobook, Part 1

Pairs With Life, the debut novel written by host John Taylor, hits the bookshelves on September 15th, but in this special two-part series, John debuts the first chapter, produced for audiobook. You can now pre-order the audiobook exclusively on the Hurn Publications website. Paperback pre-orders are currently available on Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble (which also features the Nook book).

Pairs With Gracianna Rosé & The State Of The Wine Union

These are strange days indeed, and the strangeness has not eluded the wine business. In this episode, we take a look at the "State of The Wine Union," examining the startling developments both in the wine biz and the world at large and how the two affect one another. Friend of The Pod and Master Sommelier Candidate Kat Thomas joins us to give insight to the recent shake-up at the Court of Sommeliers and why it's important to everything from the wine in your glass to the cause of social justice.But worry not: with a hearty glass of the 2019 Gracianna Winery "Arozza" Russian River Valley Rosé - with its 15.4% alcohol -  things can't possibly get too heavy. 

Pairs With The Top 3 BBQ Wines and Destiny

What does destiny and a damn good barbecue have in common? Not much, really, but that's never stopped a podcast before. This week, just in time for the July 4th Holiday, JT counts down the Top 3 Wines that go with barbecue, all the while contemplating whether we are put on this Earth with a destiny to fulfill. It's the kind of shit you talk about when you're drunk anyway, so just roll with it. 

Pairs With The Top Four Alternative White Wines Of The Summer

Summertime and the wine is easy...or at least, easier with a list of the four best alternatives to the usual fare of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio. On this episode, I dig deep into the cellar (aka the fridge) and come up with four cool, refreshing, low-alcohol wines made from some peculiar if not obscure varietals, all of which are easily available to buy. The winemaker for my #1 choice makes an appearance via Skype (no spoilers!), while wine author Kathleen Wilcox shares her Wine Virginity Story.