Our most-popular videos of 2024 demonstrate our viewers’ insatiable interest in wine knowledge, from exclusive interviews to In The Vineyard chats with winemakers. This year Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken sat down with two iconic vintners, Angelo Gaja and Christian Moueix, for in-depth conversations, diving into the philosophies, legacies and never-before-heard stories of these two titans of the wine world.
When Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona spoke with celebrity chef, author and TV host Guy Fieri, the talk turned from cigars to his love for wine and how he developed his own Sonoma label. Meanwhile, senior editor James Molesworth took viewers out amid the vines at leading California estates to learn more about growing the grapes that go into some of the world’s best wines.
Rounding out this year’s list and providing some lighter juxtaposition were 2024’s Video Contest finalists, tips on pairing Irish cheeses and whiskeys and as always, the reveal of the Top 10 Wines of the Year. Catch up on all the best clips from 2024 now!
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In this countdown to the crown, the Top 10 Wines of 2024 are each introduced by one of our senior editors, leading up to the Wine of the Year. Chosen carefully by our senior editors from over 10,500 wines reviewed in the past year, the Top 10 represent the best of 2024’s releases for their quality, value, availability and exciting backstory. The Top 10 list is one of the most anticipated announcements of the year in the world of wine. Watch to find out why each of these wines won the top spots!
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Three is Steve Jacobson’s lucky number, with his third video contest submission winning Wine Spectator’s annual competition for the third year in a row. Following the successes of his “Cabernet Tonight” entry in 2022 and “Love the Wine You’re With” in 2023, this year’s “I Just Want a Zinfandel,” was a Hamilton-inspired homage to a unique California variety. Jacobson’s musical-theater tribute may have had thousands of viewers singing along, but hot on his heels was runner-up Roman Roth, winemaker for Wölffer Estate, with his playful “The Fresh Prince of Rosé” rap. Close behind was the Martinelli family with their heartfelt “Family Legacy in Sonoma County.” Watch or re-watch these three top finishers as well as all of 2024’s finalists and honorable mentions here!
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When longtime friends Angelo Gaja and Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken sat down for an exclusive interview that was published in the April 30, 2024, issue, we filmed it in full for wine lovers to enjoy on screen as well as on the page. The interview was a wide-ranging discussion of family, legacy and Gaja’s iconic Barbarescos and Barolos. Topics such as traditions and innovations in Piedmont winemaking and building a sustainable future for the region were accompanied by recollections of good times past and legendary vintner friend Robert Mondavi. With so much love for Gaja and his stories, Shanken and Gaja met up again to extend their conversation in front of a live audience for a special seminar at 2024’s New York Wine Experience. Catch up on all of 2024’s Gaja videos now!
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Christian Moueix of both Bordeaux and Napa fame gave an exclusive interview to editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken for Wine Spectator’s Nov. 15, 2024, issue. They discussed Moueix’s deep roots and family ties to winemaking as well as his extensive portfolio ranging across two continents, from châteaus La Fleur-Pétrus and Hosanna in Bordeaux to cult Cabernet house Dominus in Napa. In addition to sharing fond memories of Moueix’s past mentor André Tchelistcheff, they also chatted about the politics of Bordeaux tasting, climate change in California and much more. Watch the full interview here!
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Wine and cheese never fails to please, but what about whiskey? This year for St. Patrick’s Day, Wine Spectator made a special cheese plate to pair with your favorite Irish whiskeys, including a farmhouse cheddar with Jameson’s Black Barrel, and Cashel blue with a Redbreast single-pot still. Have a look at this Gaelic ensemble and get inspired for your next dinner party!
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He may be best known in Flavortown, but did you know chef, author and TV host Guy Fieri also owns a wine label in Sonoma? While chatting with Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona, Fieri quickly turned the conversation to his passion for viticulture, telling Savona about his early experiences with wine while studying as an exchange student in France, how he and his son Hunter built their Hunt & Ryde wine brand and his philosophy on winemaking and branding. Watch the three-part series and get to know wine Guy in his own words.
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In our “In the Vineyard” series, senior editor James Molesworth takes to the road to visit top California winemakers on their home turf. One of 2024’s most-watched episodes has him meeting with Williams Selyem winemaker Jeff Mangahas, who enthusiastically explains how clones help shape Williams Selyem’s high-scoring Pinot Noirs. Two other fan favorites from this year include a tour of Beaulieu Vineyard’s BV1 plot with Trevor Durling where Durling discusses canopy management for Cabernet vines, and a chat with Seavey’s Jim Duane, where Duane shows Molesworth how the team improves the vineyard's soil health and uses a spore catcher to reduce spraying.
