What is it that makes Champagne so magical? Does adding some bubbles to a wine really make it worth all the pomp and circumstance - not to mention the price tag? In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda McCrossin pops the cork on the world’s most iconic sparkling wine, pours her argument for why Champagne is 100% all its cracked up to be and more.

Starting with the story of her own “aha” moment (spoiler: it involves a $400 bottle, a decanter, and a perfectly cooked scallop) and all the lessons that moment taught her, Amanda breaks down the secrets behind Champagne’s legendary status. From the happy accidents in chilly French caves that gave birth to bubbles, to the strict rules (and rebellious traditions) that set Champagne apart from every other sparkling wine. You’ll learn why Champagne is the ultimate food wine (fried chicken, anyone?), how to decode terms like “Blanc de Blancs” and “grower Champagne,” and why the glass you drink from matters way more than you think.

Along the way, Amanda shares her best tips for visiting the region — like why you should skip January, what to wear to fit in with the locals, and how to find hidden gems in the chalky hills of Reims. Whether you’re a Champagne newbie or a seasoned sipper, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for what’s in your glass — and maybe a craving for potato chips and bubbles. Don’t question it. Trust Amanda on this.

So pour yourself something sparkly, press play, and get ready to fall in love - or fall in love all over again - with Champagne

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For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

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Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

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At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Head to www.cercatravel.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking for the chance to live like French Royalty? Does sipping world-class wine on the lawn of a storybook château sound like your idea of the perfect escape? If you answered yes, then Bordeaux — the land of legendary reds, decadent dinners, and a little bit of snobbery (in the best way possible) -- is where you want to go.

In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda spills all about her first-ever Bordeaux trip: from marathon meals that would make a gourmand blush (gout, anyone?) to sweaty bike rides in search of pastries, and the friendships forged over glasses of the region’s finest. But Bordeaux isn’t just about first growths and fancy names — Amanda uncorks the secrets behind the famous 1855 classification, reveals why collectors obsess over these bottles, and shows you how to find hidden gems that won’t break the bank.

You’ll learn why Bordeaux is the birthplace of the iconic blend, how to decode the left bank vs. right bank rivalry, and what makes the region’s sweet wines truly magical (hint: it involves a “noble rot”). Amanda shares her pro tips for planning your own Bordeaux adventure, from must-visit châteaux and Michelin-starred meals to the art of wine shopping and the joy of getting a little lost in Saint-Émilion’s cobblestone streets.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just Bordeaux-curious, Amanda’s got you covered with approachable advice, a dash of history, and plenty of stories that’ll make you want to book a flight — or at least uncork a bottle. So, press play, raise a glass, and get inspired to plan your own adventure. Or just impress your friends at your next wine night. (we did say a little snobbery is a good thing).

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For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

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Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

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At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Head to www.cercatravel.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think you know Oregon wine? Think again. On this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda McCrossin takes you far beyond the tasting room — straight into the heart (and forests) of the Willamette Valley. What starts as a classic Pinot Noir pilgrimage quickly turns into an unexpected adventure, when a winemaker offers Amanda a choice: vineyard tour or mushroom foraging? For the record, when a winemaker asks you if you want to mushroom foraging, you say yes.

Along the way, Amanda uncorks the real story of Oregon wine — where organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming aren’t just buzzwords, but a way of life. You’ll learn why Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive here, how to taste like a local and why the region’s untamed spirit is as important as its grapes.

Plus, Amanda’s best tips for planning your own Oregon wine trip, from must-visit AVAs and hidden tasting rooms to the one festival she’d fly back for every year. And, discover why asking locals for advice (and maybe packing a raincoat) will lead you to the best bottles, bites, and stories.

Whether you’re a Pinot pro or just Pinot-curious, Amanda’s got you covered — with plenty of laughs, zero snobbery, and a few surprises you’ll want to experience for yourself. Pour a glass, press play, and get ready to see Oregon in a whole new light.

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For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

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Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.