Wine Situation Final Five (Now With Drunk Dialing!)

The Wine Situation hosts everyone from winemakers to writers to find out what a person’s situation is…with wine. It’s the solo season, as host Ellen Clifford is in quarantine, but listen in with a glass, and nobody is drinking alone! In lieu of guests, at the end of every action packed episode Ellen is phoning a friend with her Final Five questions. This week Ellen talks to Rebecca Rose Phillips, wine director at Los Angeles’ Buvette and Vintage, and host of the fabulous YouTube channel Let’s Taco Bout Wine! Check out the full episode here THE FINAL FIVE (Ever so slightly edited for length!): QUESTION ONE Ellen: Question number one: Whatcha drinking these days? What are you into? Rebecca: You know what I opened the other night, and I actually just added to my wine list was the Meinklang Blaufrankish and it’s so juicy, and it’s one of the natural wines that drinks super smooth and juicy and chuggable so it’s not like too natty-funky. It’s like blueberry Kool-Aid; it’s so good. QUESTION TWO Ellen: Question number two is either what’s the best or most interesting pairing you’ve experienced (any kind of food, any kind of beverage)? Rebecca: I am obsessed with fast food and wine pairings, so I experiment with this a lot. The experimental pairing I did recently that blew my mind was Albariño and candy corn. Candy corn is very controversial. It has, for people who don’t remember, it kinda tastes like butterscotch flavored dried frosting. It has this butterscotch vanilla flavor that I forgot about and that paired with the peachy floral notes of the Albariño and that salty mineral acidity—like the sweetness of the candy and the acidity of the wine didn’t conflict, they added dynamic layers. QUESTION THREE Ellen: I’m a hundred percent trying this next time I find vegetarian candy corn because I love candy corn. Question number three, since you are the taco connoisseur, what’s your favorite taco place? Rebecca: My favorite is this tiny little stand that doesn’t even have a name on York in Highland Park. It’s just a guy and his wife, and not even a cart, just a table that they set up. They fry these potato tacos in this cast iron skillet, and there’s cheese and soft potato, and they’re deep-fried and they hand them to you piping hot, and you add your own salsa and onions and cilantro. Otherwise, you guys, I love Taco Bell. QUESTION FOUR Ellen: Question number four—since you are also a connoisseur of canned wine, were you to make your own canned wine, what style would you want to make and what would you name it? Rebecca: I can’t think of a can pun fast enough, but I’d come up with something punny to name it. But I think sparkling wine and cold lend themselves to the can, so a really great sparkling, a really great rosé. Something light and refreshing with a funny label. QUESTION FIVE Ellen: Question number five, that can be beverage and food-related or not, is just what’s bringing you joy these days? Rebecca: My dog! I’ve always loved my dog but I feel like there are times I fall in love with him all over again. He got a little bit sick over Christmas, and it kind of freaked me out, and he’s totally fine, but I think going through that made me realize he’s getting older, and he’s not going to be around forever and these little naps and snuggles in the morning—he’s just all love and loyalty and comfort. *** You can look for Rebecca (and her dog!) on Instagram as @letstacoboutwine, and Let’s Taco Bout Wine on YouTube, plus buy wine from her at Buvette! Cheers! Check out the previous Wine Situation podcast with Michael Browne here .