In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake dive into the wild world of wine trends—from the eyebrow-raising to the industry-shaping. We’re talking jalapeño-infused wines, celebrity-backed bottles, and more.

What drives these trends? Are they just marketing gimmicks or do they reflect deeper shifts in how people connect with wine? Jill and Jake explore the fine line between innovation and absurdity, offering their fringe takes on quality, authenticity, and what makes a trend stick. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a famous actor’s private label or been secretly curious about that spicy rosé, this episode’s for you.

It’s weird, it’s honest, it’s Wine Fringe.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake sit down with Jennifer McCloud, proprietor of Chrysalis Vineyards and longtime champion of Norton, Virginia’s native grape.

From its deep historical roots to the challenges of modern-day vineyard management and winemaking, Jennifer walks us through the evolution of Norton—from overlooked oddity to bold, expressive wine with serious potential. We explore the grape’s unique flavor profile, its sustainability in the vineyard, and why it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about this distinctly American varietal. If you’ve ever wondered why Norton isn’t getting the respect it deserves—or if it’s truly capable of producing world-class wines—this episode brings the facts, the history, and the Fringe perspective to the table. This is Norton’s moment. Don’t miss it.

Wine Fringe – Neoprohibition

In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake unpack the rise of Neoprohibition—modern efforts to demonize alcohol through campaigns like Dry January and No Alcohol November. They explore wine’s 8,000-year history, the month-long abstinence movement, and whether moderate drinking deserves its bad rep. Plus, what do studies actually say about wine’s health benefits? We’ve got the links:

• https://reason.com/2024/12/31/moderate-drinking-linked-to-lower-overall-mortality-rate-says-national-academy-of-sciences/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281