What makes a good sommelier? Encyclopedic knowledge of the wine world? The ability to sell anything to anyone? Or something more empathetic and human? If anyone knows it’s Claire Paparazzo, Wine Director for Sunday Hospitality Group and the Hotel Chelsea. Drawing on her knowledge from such iconic places as Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Claire chats with Greg about the challenge of running four properties under one roof, the art of making wine approachable, and why the fad for natural wine and orange wine probably springs from somewhere deep and sick and wonderful in our collective psyche. And, she talks about the time she almost got mauled by a pig.

PLUS, are AI somms coming for our jobs? Greg offers an oddly hopeful take on whether that industry’s days are numbered

Follow Claire at @clairepaparazzo

Follow her documentary work at @wineifyouwantto

Follow her art at @jasperheart2021

LINKS

• Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
• For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
• Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
• The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
• Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

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

In another Boomerang! episode from Raleigh, North Carolina Greg sits down with Patrick Shanahan in his new bar space Rosebud to talk about the space, the buildout, and what it took to incorporate influences ranging from Japanese hi-fi lounges to spaghetti westerns to midcentury modern aesthetic. Then, they dive into the vibe and culture of North Carolina’s capital city to discuss where it’s been and where it’s going next.

PLUS, are savory cocktails the new mezcal? Greg and Patrick discuss.

Follow Patrick at @pmshanahan

Follow Rosebud at @rosebudraleigh

LINKS

• Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
• The Business Insider article about Zoomers and dive bars: businessinsider.com/gen-z-exclusive-restaurants-regularmaxxing-central-perk-2026-1
• For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
• Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
• The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
• Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

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

What is Texification, and why do it to Kentucky whiskey? Heather Greene, Master Blender of Milam & Greene hops on with Greg and Sother to answer that very question. She delves into what the unique climate of Texas does to a barrel of bourbon (or rye), what place whiskey occupies in our lives these days, and how she met the partners in her whiskey supergroup in the first place.

PLUS, the kids are alright, but the way journalists cover them still sucks. Greg and Sother break down a recent piece about how Zoomers have “discovered” dive bars and discuss what it might mean for the “Gen Z doesn’t drink” narrative.

Follow Milam & Greene at @milamandgreenewhiskey

Follow Heather at @thewhiskeyauthority

LINKS

• Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
• The Business Insider article about Zoomers and dive bars: businessinsider.com/gen-z-exclusive-restaurants-regularmaxxing-central-perk-2026-1
• For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
• Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
• The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
• Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

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