Looking for tabletop game to play with your spouse that’s both fun and won’t wind up with one of you sleeping on the couch? Join Michael and Suzy as they discover new games each week, while tasting a new wine, beer or spirit!
Reading the feed…
Exploring Push-Your-Luck Fun with Quacks and a Crisp California Chardonnay In this episode of Meeples & Wine, Michael and Suzy dive into one of the most entertaining bag-building games around: Quacks (originally released as The Quacks of Quedlinburg). They pair it with the approachable and delicious Decoy Chardonnay 2024 from Duckhorn Vineyards. The game puts you in the role of quack doctors brewing risky potions by drawing ingredient chips from your personal bag. Push your luck to fill your pot for big points, but watch out — too many cherry bombs and your potion explodes! Michael and Suzy di
In this episode of Meeples & Wine, Michael and Suzy review **Hover: A Brutal Game of Hummingbirds**, a fast-paced 2-4 player area movement game full of resource gathering, stealing, attacks, and nest-building. They explain the full rules, including movement, area actions, combat with hidden energy, beauty levels, and the high-stakes courting call to win the game. They also taste the Cherry Kirsche 2024 dessert wine from Von Stiehl Winery and share their thoughts on how it plays with two players, the fun factor, and whether the take-that elements are couple-friendly. A quick, engaging review of
We’re Michael and Suzy, your hosts dishing out honest board game reviews for couples, blending wine (or in this case, beer) tastings with gameplay breakdowns. Got feedback? Hit us up at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. And hey, leave a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 – we love hearing from you! We’re heading to the Midwest Gaming Classic next week outside Tabletop Village. Come say hi! Today we’re tasting the Cult Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 from Cult Vines in Lodi, California. It’s a medium-bodied, easy-drinking Cab with notes of black cherry, raspber
We’re Michael and Suzy, your hosts dishing out honest board game reviews for couples, blending wine (or in this case, beer) tastings with gameplay breakdowns. Got feedback? Hit us up at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. And hey, leave a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 – we love hearing from you! This time around, we’re tasting the Clad & Cordon Cab Sauv from Clad & Cordon Winery (check them out at https://www.cladandcordon.com/). It’s a bold Cabernet Sauvignon hailing from Creal Springs, IL, near Marion and the Shawnee area. Expect flavors like blac
Hey folks, it’s Michael here from Meeples & Wine, your go-to podcast for board game reviews for couples, where we dive into fun tabletop adventures with a tasty drink in hand! If you’re into solo board games, fantasy puzzle books, or just chilling with some craft beer pairings, this episode is for you. I’m cracking open a brew and exploring the epic “Book of Dungeon” – think dungeon crawling, monster slaying, and treasure hunting all in one handy book. Perfect for board game enthusiasts looking for easy-to-learn solo games or couple-friendly activities that won’t wreck the vibe. (*BTW, Suzy is
Here are the show notes for the episode Bosworth and Freakshow Chardonnay from Meeples & Wine—your podcast of board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand! Hosts: Michael & Suzy Wine We’re Tasting Today: Freakshow Chardonnay 2024 by Michael David Winery Location: Lodi Appellation Profile: Golden straw color with aromas of apricot, citrus, and herbaceous notes. Flavors of Asian pear, honeydew, and juicy peach pie, finished with a lasting oak-inspired touch. Details: 50% aged in new French oak for 4 months, 50% stainless steel (no oak), 99% malolactic fermentation (softens that tart mali
🎙️ Episode 97: Beer & Bread & Butter Welcome to Meeples & Wine, the podcast of board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand! I’m Michael and I’m joined by Suzy. Today we are balancing our pallets and our game boards with a “harmonious” pairing. 🍷 The Wine: Bread & Butter California Red Blend We aren’t overthinking it today! Our pick is the Bread & Butter California Red Blend, a classic everyday red that’s all about relaxed vibes. The Vibe: An affordable crowd-pleaser, usually found for $14–$17 per bottle. Style: A plush, velvety, medium-to-full-bodied blend often heavy on Cab and Pet
Hello everyone! We are Michael & Suzy, and welcome to Meeples & Wine—your podcast of board game reviews for couples, always with a drink in hand! What we’re drinking We love exploring different bottles, so what wine are we tasting today? We are sampling the Vin Glogg from the Glunz Family Winery, located in Paso Robles, CA. According to their profile, their Glögg recipe is fairly traditional. They start with a base of high-quality California port and red wine. To this, they have blended oils of citrus fruits, nuts, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a couple of secret ingredients. For
Goblins, Dice, and 14 Hands Merlot: Episode 96 Recap Welcome back to Meeples & Wine! It’s Michael and Suzy here, bringing you another board game review for couples—always with a drink in hand. In this episode, we are diving into a portable RPG adventure and sipping on a wine that pairs perfectly with a backyard cookout. Let’s get into the notes! 🍷 What We’re Drinking: 14 Hands Merlot Today’s bottle comes from 14 Hands Winery, located in the Columbia Valley of Washington state. The Profile: This vintage offers rich flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry, and mocha. The Pairings: If you
Shaking Things Up with ‘The Mix’ and a Mescalita Hey, and welcome back to Meeples & Wine! We’re Michael and Suzy, and this is your favorite spot for board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand. This week, we went fully thematic. We’re reviewing a cocktail-making board game, so naturally, we had to skip the wine and mix up a cocktail! 🍹 This Week’s “Wine”: The Mescalita We’re sipping on a Mescalita, and it’s a fantastic smoky, citrusy, and spicy combo. If you want to make one at home while you listen, here’s the recipe! What You’ll Need: For the Rim: Tajín Clásico Seasoning (or make y
Unraveling the Mythos with Meeples & Wine Hey board game lovers! Welcome back to Meeples & Wine, your podcast for couples’ board game reviews with a drink in hand. We’re your hosts, Michael & Suzy, and this episode we’re diving deep into a world of Lovecraftian mystery, monsters, and madness! 🍷 What We’re Sipping Today, we’re getting cozy with a glass of Witches Brew Mulled Wine from Leelanau Cellars in Northport, Michigan. The Vibe: It’s got those warming holiday spices—think cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Best Served: We enjoyed it warm/hot! Pairings: We didn’t have any specific pairings lis
Meeples & Wine: Dodging Worms and Sipping Reds in Terror Below Hey there, Meeples & Wine fans! It’s Michael and Suzy, your go-to duo for board game reviews tailored for couples, always with a glass of something tasty in hand. Got a game or wine you think we should try? Shoot us an email at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or leave a message at (707) 572-5282 or via our Speakpipe. Let’s jump into this week’s episode! We’re kicking things off with a bold pour of Dearly Beloved I Thee Red 2023, a red blend from Lodi, California. This wine’s g
Meeples & Wine: A Tactical Sip and Battle Hey there, friends! It’s Michael and Suzy, your hosts of Meeples & Wine, the podcast where we review board games perfect for couples, with a drink in hand to keep things fun. We love hearing from you, so drop us a line at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or leave a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 or via our Speakpipe. Also we’ll be at Lodge Con on November 1st! It’s at Will County Fairgrounds Atrium 710 S. West St., Peotone Illinois! Let’s dive into this week’s episode! Sipping Something Special Today,
First things first—what’s in the glass? We cracked open a bottle of Junmai Ginjo Super-Premium Sake, aka TYKU Black from the TY KU Sake Brewery. Brewed in Japan and bottled in Ewing, NJ (fancy, right?), this bad boy clocks in at 15.5% ABV with a 60% polish ratio—meaning they’ve shaved down the rice to unlock those silky flavors. We’re talking rich texture, hints of natural sweetness, peach, and vanilla on the nose. Over 200 flavor components and higher amino acids make it a killer white wine stand-in. Pairing-wise? Oh man, it’s perfect for full-flavored seafood, marinated proteins, or oven-roa
We’re back and asking; Is Alien Fate of the Nostromo good for two players and how do you actually pronounce “Vinsobres”? For our tasting we’ve got Trader Joe’s Reserve: Vinsobres a French wine from the southern Rhone Valley. The Vinsobres region was given its own special AOC status in 2006, putting it on par with other notable areas like Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The wine is a blend of 52% Grenache and 48% Syrah. You can expect a spicy aroma with notes of dill, cinnamon, and clove, along with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and licorice. Alien: Fate of the Nostromo has been out since 2021, and
Borsao Selección Blanco is a delightful blend of Chardonnay and Macabeo grapes. The Chardonnay brings bright, fruity aromas, while the Macabeo provides structure and body. To preserve its vibrant fruit character, the wine is aged briefly, fermenting in French oak barrels. The Macabeo grape, also known as Viura, is a versatile white wine grape found on both sides of the Pyrenees in Spain and France. Its flavor profile is quite dynamic; when harvested early and aged in stainless steel, it can be fresh, floral, and aromatic. However, when harvested later and aged in oak, it develops a more weight
So you’re looking for best 2 player board games for couples? Have you come to the right place! Join Michael and Suzy as they delve into finding games that you and your sweetie can play without winding up in counselling over a dice roll, and along with this, you get a review of a new bottle of wine (or other drink) every episode! This week we’re in our 4th dive of the popular Dice Throne series, with Pyromancer vs Shadow Thief! Play either the fireball chucking Pyromancer or the poison-tipped dagger wielding Shadow Thief using your skills and cards to win! From Roxley games, the Dice Throne ser
Welcome to Meeples and Wine! Your podcast of board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand! This week we’re playing Radlands by Roxley Games, a two-player only card game that pits you and your opponent as rival gangs in a post-apocalyptic world! Drawing from the same deck, you’ll defend your three camps with people ranging from the super accurate sniper to the lowly punk (though, remember, PUNKS ARE PEOPLE TOO!) Find synergies and combos to do damage and eventually destroy your opponent’s camps, while launching your raiders to do direct attacks! You can find Radlands at Roxley’s page HE
Welcome to Meeples & Wine, your podcast of board game reviews for couples, with a drink in hand! In today’s episode, we’re tasting Clad & Cordon Vineyard’s Cordon Blue, a blueberry wine from Creal Springs, Illinois. It has a sweet and fruity profile with ripe blueberry notes. This blueberry wine pairs well with creamy desserts, various cheeses, light salads, sandwiches, and even certain meats like chicken or fish. We’re playing Hive, an abstract board game where the goal is to trap your opponent’s Queen Bee. It’s a two-player game designed and illustrated by John Yianni, and published by Gen42
This week we’re celebrating our anniversary by going to the Galena Uncorked wine festival! We’ve come back with the two player game “Genius Square” and are trying Massbach Ridge Winery’s Daffodil sweet white! For the Last Call we’re going to Kickstarter to take a look at Even Deeper Regrets: An Unfortunate Fishing Game Expansion, where you can pledge at here! If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call
This week we play Azul Duel by Michael Kiesling, a two-player only version of the classic Azul, with art by Maëva da Silva! We also taste Anticiclone Tinto Red Blend, that we picked up from Costco, a nice Portuguese blend of Aragonez and Castelao. For our Last Call we have a game with only a week left on Kickstarter, Murder on the Rocks. This Clue/Werewolf social deduction game keeps players in the game even after they have been murdered! We have three Conniption Gin canvas bags to give away! (see image above!) Thanks to Paul out at the distillery! Just give us a call at (707) 572-5282 and an
This episode Michael and Suzy spend their Easter afternoon playing Ruse Game’s recent release Bunny Boom, fresh out of their crowdfunding on Gamefound! Your quiet village is being overrun by hordes of soft and cuddly rabbits and you work to push as many as you can to your opponent’s board! Lay your cards down on the board to build the village, matching suits to close out the space so no more cards can be played, or don’t match suits to play that card that may win you the game, but you’ll get more bunnies as a penalty! Force your opponent to take the carrot, which adds more bunnies, and you can
This week we play PandaSaraus Game’s “Sea Salt & Paper” a nice relaxed set making game with some fantastic aquatic origami images with Sea Glass Winery’s Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc. Lately we’ve been playing some serious “take that” games like Smash Up, we take a 180 turn with Sea Salt & Paper, where you gather shells, octupi and other sea life to gather points to win. But be careful, if your opponent thinks they’ve got more points they can declare “Last Chance” and put all their (and your) points on the line! We’re tasting Sea Glass winery’s Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc, a California whit
Welcome to episode 80! This time around we’re playing the deck-drafting game Smash Up! by Alderac Entertainment Group. This 2-4 player game pits all the teams that you’ve wanted to see fighting against each other to lay claim to bases to score 15 victory points to win. Have you ever wanted to play Zombie Truckers, Kung-Fu Sheep, or Robot 70’s Vigilantes? All possible in Smash Up! This episode we’re also not tasting a wine, but a cocktail, the Whiskey Smash (see the connection?) This simple cocktail with only a few ingredients, whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and mint. It’s easy to make and
Welcome to Meeples and Wine! Your podcast of board game reviews for couples with a drink in hand! This week we’re playing Casting Shadows from Unstable Games, maker of Unstable Unicorns and Happy Little Dinosaurs (you can find our review of that HERE!) We also have a sip of Two Brother’s Cellar Club 2018 Barrel-Aged Barley Wine! For this week’s Last Call we look at two games on the Kickstarter horizon, first is Lewd Dungeon Adventures: A Date to the Grand Ball an “RPG Dating Sim” for…two or more, your mileage may vary. We also eyeball Granfondo, a cycling/racing game where you manage a team of
