Through his investment platform and podcast, Billy Galanko, a wine and spirits specialist and the co-host of the Vint podcast, seeks to make the culture of wine accessible to all.
Through his investment platform and podcast, Billy Galanko, a wine and spirits specialist and the co-host of the Vint podcast, seeks to make the culture of wine accessible to all.
You helped Vint emerge as an investment platform in wine and spirits. Can you tell us more?
At the start, the founders of Vint, Patrick Sanders and Nick King, were new to wine. They were seeking to make wine an investment category in order to make it more accessible in the U.S. There were many people who weren’t interested in wine for what it was but rather as a good investment. The articles I wrote helped them familiarize themselves with the wine industry and understand why certain wines are so special.
Who were some of your most interesting guests?
That’s a tough question, because there have been so many of them! There was the first episode that we rebroadcast as a best-of, with Bartholomew Broadbent, Michael Broadbent’s son. It was fascinating. We talked about everything, from Madeira to Lebanese wine. But one of the best parts was when, at the very end, he brought up how Julia Child talked about pairing Madeira and bananas, and he imitated her. It was hilarious, a truly unforgettable moment!
How would you describe the momentum of podcasts about wine in the U.S.?
It used to be that there was a podcast or two about wine, but they were very technical. Today, it’s a medium that is gaining in popularity. The problem is understanding how to differentiate oneself. Many content themselves with reiterating content that already exists. Others focus on a very specific coterie of sommeliers and winemakers. But I still believe everyone can play a role.
What makes Vint different from other wine podcasts?
We seek out individuals from all areas of the wine industry, not just famous wine critics or restaurateurs. For instance, we spoke with someone who developed an AI solution aimed at helping wine producers. We try to cover all areas of interest and offer an overview of the global wine industry.
Are you looking to educate listeners or to entertain them?
I think we do a little bit of both. An hourlong podcast has to be somewhat entertaining. But I think what really attracts listeners to our podcast is the quality and value of our content. We often look at concepts from a novel point of view, and listeners get to discover the work of sommeliers, critics and producers. It’s this 360° vision of the wine industry that allows them to better understand and appreciate it.
How do you feel about fictional podcasts like those produced by Cos d’Estournel?
The podcast space is quite crowded, so it’s important to stand out. The storytelling concept behind Cos d’Estournel’s podcast is quite interesting in this regard. It embarks listeners on a journey while maintaining familiar cultural references. I think it’s an original, enticing way to share the estate’s story.
Discover the Vint podcast : Raising the Bar: Cos d’Estournel’s Pursuit of Excellence with Dominique Arangoits
