Barrels & Roots
Welcome to Barrels & Roots, a journey through the world of wine and food, where every vineyard, kitchen, and cellar holds a story worth telling. Hosted by Sean Trace, this show explores the passion, tradition, and creativity that turn simple ingredients into art and shared moments into legacy.
From the heart of Napa Valley to the tables and tasting rooms of the world, Sean sits down with winemakers, chefs, and artisans who live by their craft. Each conversation dives into the culture, the community, and the human stories that give flavor to what we create and share.
Whether you are a sommelier, a chef, a storyteller, or someone who simply loves the ritual of a good meal and a better conversation, Barrels & Roots invites you to slow down, listen closely, and taste the stories that connect us all.
Barrels & Roots
Sparkling Wine Unlocked | David Gibson | Barrels and Roots
In this Barrels and Roots episode, I sit down with David Gibson, CEO and founder of Gibson Wine Consulting in Napa Valley, and this is his 4th time coming back on the podcast, which honestly says a lot because every convo with him somehow makes wine feel both smarter and more relaxed.
We break down sparkling wine in a way that actually feels fun and usable, starting with why champagne is only champagne if it comes from Champagne, France, and how the traditional method works, including secondary fermentation in the bottle, aging on lees for those brioche and yeasty notes, and what disgorgement really means. David walks me through the main sparkling wine styles people see in the wild, Prosecco and the Charmat method, Cava from Spain, French cremants, and the wild-card world of pet nat, plus how sweetness levels like brut nature, brut, extra dry, demi-sec, and doux change what you taste. I also share a real-life story about celebrating the end of a brutal day, why bubbles can make regular people feel fancy for a minute, and how I’m trying to bring wine culture back to something lighter, less intimidating, and more human.
We get into the best glassware myths, food pairings like champagne with fried chicken, easy sparkling wine cocktails like an Aperol spritz, New Year’s resolutions we actually might keep, and the bigger point, you don’t need perfect tasting notes or a perfect setup to enjoy great wine, you just need a reason to celebrate being here.