A Wine and Crime Review
Podcast Review: Wine & Crime – Episode 225 “Occult Crimes”
If you like your true crime served with a twist of dark humor, a splash of wine, and a whole lot of chaos, then Wine & Crime is the podcast you’ve been thirsting for. Hosted by three lifelong besties—Amanda, Kenyon, and Lucy—this show is where true crime meets wine night, and things get delightfully unhinged.
For this review, I picked Episode 225: “Occult Crimes.” It’s a classic example of the Wine & Crime experience, blending bone-chilling stories with gut-busting laughter. By this point in the show’s long run, the hosts are seasoned pros, completely in sync and unafraid to dive headfirst into the weird, the wild, and the wine-fueled.
The Hosts: Three Wine-Loving Weirdos You’ll Wish Were Your Friends
Amanda, Kenyon, and Lucy are the beating heart of Wine & Crime, and their chemistry is the secret sauce. These women have been friends forever, and it shows. The vibe is less “true crime documentary” and more “group chat come to life.” Amanda is bold, sarcastic, and usually the loudest (and most unapologetically unfiltered). Kenyon brings the research and the drama, often grounding the conversation with well-organized case details. And Lucy? She’s the wine queen and the wildcard—equal parts informative and delightfully ridiculous.
Their friendship isn’t just background noise; it’s the whole experience. The banter is constant, the in-jokes are endless, and the laughs are frequent. Even when the subject matter is grim, the levity they bring is a breath of fresh air. It’s like hanging out with your smartest, sassiest friends who just happen to be obsessed with murder, cults, and Satanic panic.
The Format: Sip, Gasp, Laugh, Repeat
Each Wine & Crime episode is built around a theme—everything from “Arson Crimes” to “Cults Gone Wrong” to, in this case, “Occult Crimes.” The gals each pick a case that fits the theme, but not before discussing the wine pairing (yes, every episode has one!) and diving into a segment called “This Week in Wine & Crime History,” which is usually a quick detour into something weird and wonderful from the past.
Episode 225 kicks off with Lucy introducing the wine of the week—something red and witchy, naturally. She gives a bit of history, some tasting notes, and, of course, devolves into a mini rant about wine snobs. Then it’s on to Kenyon, who serves up a chilling tale of ritualistic murder with her signature storytelling flair. Amanda wraps it up with a case so bizarre it sounds made up—spoiler: it’s not.
The format is both structured and chaotic, which is exactly the charm. You get history, horror, humor, and vino, all in one buzz-worthy bundle.
The Vibes: Equal Parts Sinister and Silly
Wine & Crime doesn’t pretend to be a straight-laced true crime podcast. It’s messy, loud, opinionated, and completely self-aware. The hosts know they’re not for everyone—and they lean into it. If you want cold, hard facts and a detached narrator, this is not your show. But if you want to laugh at the absurdity of Florida Man stories, hear unfiltered reactions to grisly crimes, and maybe learn a thing or two about wine, you’re in the right place.
In Episode 225, for example, one second the hosts are talking about occult symbolism and ritual sacrifice, and the next they’re screaming about haunted porcelain dolls and Satan’s interior decorating preferences. It’s hilarious and horrifying in equal measure. The blend of spooky and silly somehow works—and it works really well.
The Tangents: Unscripted, Unfiltered, Unstoppable
Let’s be real: the tangents are half the fun. Wine & Crime is the podcast version of “we got distracted and now we’re talking about cheese again.” It’s not uncommon for a story to get derailed by a discussion about cursed Etsy items or the ethics of goat sacrifice. And that’s kind of the point.
In Episode 225, what starts as a serious discussion about Satanic panic quickly becomes a deep dive into 90s pop culture, complete with references to The Craft, Buffy, and Amanda’s very strong opinions about tarot card tattoos. Are the tangents always relevant? No. Are they entertaining? Absolutely.
The Production: Low-Key But Legit
The audio quality is solid—clean, clear, and consistent—but it still feels cozy and homemade, like you’re listening to friends record in a basement over a bottle (or three) of cabernet. There are no fancy sound effects or intense editing tricks here. It’s all about the conversation. That said, the production has definitely tightened up over the years, and by Episode 225, it’s clear the team knows what they’re doing.
There’s also a ton of bonus content for dedicated fans—Patreon episodes, live shows, and even merch that says things like “Covens & Cabernet.” Yes, really.
Should You Listen? (The Answer Is a Drunken “YES”)
If you love true crime but find yourself zoning out during the more clinical, cold-take podcasts, Wine & Crime is a refreshing change of pace. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s unapologetically chaotic. Episode 225 is a great entry point, especially if you’re into the spooky side of crime. The cases are creepy, the hosts are hilarious, and the wine is flowing.
Of course, this isn’t the podcast for everyone. If you hate laughter, wine, or women with opinions, maybe scroll past. But if you’re looking for a show that balances dark content with light-hearted humor and real-deal friendship vibes, then pour yourself a glass and press play.
Where to Listen
You can find Wine & Crime on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or pretty much anywhere you get your audio fix. And if you’re feeling fancy, check out their Patreon for bonus content, virtual wine tastings, and more true crime madness.