True Crimes Against Wine

CASE 0504: The IT Factor

DEFENDANT: Pennywise the Dancing Clown

EVIDENCE: Manos Special Edition "IT" Cabernet Sauvignon

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Derry, Maine

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Hey friend — pull up a chair (but maybe keep an eye on the storm drain). In this episode we crack open some Manos vino and dive headfirst into Stephen King’s It: the book, the 1990 miniseries, and the 2017/2019 films. We chat about why the various adaptations land so differently, what makes Pennywise terrifying (Tim Curry vs. Bill Skarsgård), and how the story’s big ideas — childhood trauma, memory, and fear — get handled across formats.

We also get candid about the parts that don’t sit right: problematic elements in the book, how King’s worldview shows up in his writing, and why some of his choices (yep, we mean that one scene) feel unnecessary and disturbing. It’s a frank, cozy, and sometimes messy convo — the kind you’d have with your snarkiest, warmest friends over a glass (or three).

If you love horror history, behind-the-scenes casting tea, and judge-y takes on iconic scenes, this episode is for you. And if you’re terrified of clowns or storm drains... we hear you. We’ll hold the light while you walk by the gutter.

People's Court Ep. 02: Trouble in Paradise?

Join the hosts of True Crimes Against Wine as they dive into a heated Am I the A**hole Reddit post: a dad is offered a free family trip to Hawaii but his wife, 7 months pregnant, doesn't want to go. Should he take their toddler and enjoy the rare opportunity, or stay to support his pregnant partner? This episode is equal parts judgment, curiosity, and empathy as the hosts debate medical risks, emotional nuances, and communication in relationships. Expect candid takes, laughs, and real-talk about pregnancy, travel safety, and how to handle tough couple decisions — all delivered with the podcast\'s signature snark and warmth.  

CASE 0503: Friday, Friday, Gotta Get Down on Friday

DEFENDANT: Inconclusive

EVIDENCE: Manos Special Edition Friday 13th Cab Sauv

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Camp Crystal Lake, duh

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 Join Judge Topher and Judge Rachel for a hilariously intimate, wine-soaked chat about the entire Friday the 13th saga. They riff on everything from the original film’s odd pacing and surprise twist to Jason’s evolution (hockey mask, cyborg era, and questionable resurrection logistics). Between sips of Manos Cab and offbeat personal stories (yes, poop tales and mall Freddy sightings included), they debate which sequels make sense, how horror tropes like “sex gets you killed” came to be, and whether Freddy or Jason would actually win. Casual, funny, and warm — it’s like eavesdropping on two friends dissecting slashers, spooky season plans, and the absurdities of genre continuity. Tune in for laughs, nostalgia, and the kind of off-script banter you wish your pals would record.  

Sidebar Ep. 126: Paws & Pinot: Matching Dogs to Their Perfect Pour

Hey friend — welcome back to another cozy, slightly silly episode of True Crimes Against Wine. Today we did what any wine-and-dog-loving friends would do: we matched dog breeds to wines (and one cocktail), riffed on personalities, and learned a few fun facts along the way.

We wandered through some real winners: a graceful Borzoi that felt like mulled wine by a hearth, a tiny-but-mighty Miniature Pinscher who’s totally Napa Valley Cabernet energy, and an every-neighborhood Pitbull that’s basically the reliable, crowd-pleasing Sauvignon Blanc. Then we got into doodles — smart, energetic, sometimes stubborn — which felt like a spicy, cheeky Malbec.

We also paired lab mixes with a California red blend (the kind of bottle you have to investigate online to figure out the exact percentages) and admitted defeat by giving the host’s turbo-then-snoozy puppy an espresso martini because sometimes dogs are straight-up espresso and then instantly a nap.

If you’ve got a breed we didn’t cover (and there are a billion of them), we want to hear what you’d pair your pup with. Hit us up on TikTok, Insta, or via email at True Crimes Against Wine — we might do a part two if you all keep the good ideas coming.

Cheers, and go give your good dog a scratch for us.

CASE 0502: What's Up, Doll Face?

DEFENDANT: Annabelle 

EVIDENCE: Manos Special Edition Annabelle Cabernet Sauvignon

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Hell

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Hey friend — pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass (or two) — we spent the episode diving into Annabelle, Manos' delightfully creepy collector bottles, and a whole lot of supernatural rambling. Expect laughs, movie takes, and some bourbon-powered philosophy about demons, dolls, and the weird stuff that gives you goosebumps.

Whether you’re Team Scared or Team Skeptic, we’re keeping it cozy and a little spooky — like chatting with your most entertainingly weird friend over wine. Come for the horror breakdowns, stay for the ridiculous tangents about haunted lamps, porcelain dolls, and whether priests should just take the damn cursed thing to church.

People's Court Ep. 01: Mother-in-Law Moves In: Family or Fallout?

Hey friend — this episode dives into a tense family showdown: a wife refuses to have her judgmental, purity-culture–pushing mother-in-law move in, while her husband insists it’s his duty. We’re sipping wine, reading Reddit, and delivering a candid verdict about who’s in the wrong — spoiler: it gets heated.

Come for the drama, stay for the spicy takes and listener stories. If you’ve got wild in-law tales, we want to hear them.

CASE 0501: Roll For Reunion!

DEFENDANT: DragonCon

EVIDENCE: Old Fourth Ward Limited Edition DragonCon Bourbon

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Atlanta, Georgia!

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Hey friend — we’re back for Season 5 and we start things off with bourbon, Dragon Con vibes, and the kind of stories you only find when nerd culture meets true crime. Join us for cocktails, cosplay chat, a few messy scandals, and loads of heart.

Grab a drink, get cozy, and let’s catch up like old pals — we’ve missed you.

Sidebar Ep. 125: Season 5 Kick-Off: Wine, Scandals, and Hot Dog Debates

Hey friend — we’re kicking off season five with a cozy, gossip-filled Q&A. Come hang while we spill our first celeb scandals, swap fave (and not-so-fave) wines, and debate whether a hot dog is a sandwich or a taco.

It’s low-key, honest, and full of the kind of banter we’d have over a picnic bottle of Pinot. Got questions? Send them our way — we love answering on the show and sending out swag.

Sidebar Ep. 124: New Fur Babies & Healing Hearts: Meet Sylvan and Marina

Hey friend — quick life update: after some tough losses we brought home two new sweet chaos-makers, Sylvan the snuggly cat and Marina the curious puppy, and they’ve already made the house feel whole again.

Expect loud kibble crunching, surprise ankle ambushes, backyard zoomies, and lots of goofy moments — and yes, we want to see your pet pics because they absolutely make our day.

Sidebar Ep. 123: Breaking Fashion News: The Wedding Style Reveal!

Hey there, lovely listeners! In this episode, we're diving into some serious fashion revelations about my fiancé's wedding outfit. Originally, this episode was all about the accessories for the big day, but guess what? There's been a major update — the suit has finally been chosen! 

My fiancé went on a thrilling sartorial adventure with his brothers, breaking the mold with a stunning plum-colored suit. Trust me, it's not your typical wedding look, ditching the predictable dark blue for something bold and fall-appropriate. But don't worry, no fedoras were harmed in the making of this episode!

We chat through the high-stakes decision-making, have a laugh at past questionable fashion choices, and even take a poll on a certain tie — let's see if I get proven wrong!  Plus, you'll hear all about the perfect accessories to match my floral veil.

So, cozy up, grab a glass of wine, and let us take you on this fun, fashion-forward journey. We'd love to hear your wedding style stories and opinions, so give us a shout and maybe even snag some epic swag from us. Cheers, fashionistas!