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 .

Viña Nora

Rías Baixas Albariño 2018

Facing a natural terrace above the river Miño, located in the town of As Neves, within the wine region of Condado do Tea, bordering Portugal. Pale yellow with pronounced fruit and floral aromas. On the palate white flesh fruit flavors, citrus and herb notes with lively acidity and nice balance of minerality. Crisp on the finish ending with lemon zest notes. Nice! — 3 years ago

Dawn, Alex and 4 others liked this

Lila Wines

Bubbly Rosé Blend

Honestly not bad for a canned wine. I would buy this again for concerts in the park or similar events. — 4 years ago

White Girl Wine

Babe Rosé With Bubbles

The texture of this endears it to me. Granted I know whether food or drink I’m very sensitive to texture. So that this is unexpectedly plush. Like the bubbles on this I’d expect on Champagne. The flavor? Not complex. Not interesting, or lasting but really but the texture...I’ve always been a texture fan and this one is like velvet kitties hanging out in your mouth and not bothering you to let them out. They are purring and such. I’m a little mad I wanted to hate this based on name but no...I’m into this. A party swiller true but also sooooo pleasantly textured. — 6 years ago

Paul, Bill and 15 others liked this
Ellen Clifford

Ellen Clifford Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bill Bender it’s pretty mystical here
Paul T- Huntington Beach

Paul T- Huntington Beach

Thats not mystic fog, it’s just LA Smog,

Eighty Four Wines

Napa Valley Albariño 2018

Made by the folks at Shafer, from what I am told is the only (or one of the only) Albariño vineyards in Napa. Just delicious- crisp and more restrained than many Albariño wines I have had. — 3 years ago

Shay, David and 1 other liked this

Meinklang

Burgenland Blaufränkisch 2018

Murky tart red berries. Bright and fresh and plushy. — 4 years ago

Ted, Sharon and 24 others liked this

Meinklang

Burgenland Blaufränkisch

Bold and deep with a solid complex flavor. — 4 years ago

Soc. Coop. Vitivinícola Arousana

Paco & Lola Rías Baixas Albariño 2019

Trademark silliness garnished with lime zest and supported by light white bread. Fun n games but like serious yet fun games. — 3 years ago

Paul, Eric and 15 others liked this

Old Westminster

Skin Contact Piquette White Blend

Stems, skins, leftover grape pulp, polyphenols. Gimme all that and more.

This stuff is perfect to be canned and sold to the masses for beach day gallops and picnic frolics.

Intense, supercharged, lychee on Fast & The Furious NOS. Ludacris and The Rock give their blessings on this whip of a drink. Okay, too much.

But this is such a great way to use the byproduct that would normally go to waste and it’s tasty and extremely drinkable.

(Favorite coffee shop in Orlando featured in the background)
— 4 years ago

Severn, Adam and 9 others liked this

Meinklang

Burgenland Blaufränkisch 2015

Now I definitely need to explore this category more! Very nice slightly chilled. — 6 years ago