Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts (Hailey Bohlman | Wine Educator)
Explore every episode of Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jun 2023 | Welcome to the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine! | 00:01:29 | |
Are you ready to get ALL of your wine questions answered in a fun and approachable way? What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | My 4-Step Wine Tasting Method to Build Your Wine Confidence | 00:32:46 | |
Ep 1 Have you ever picked up a glass of wine and while everyone around you was tasting something fruity or earthy…all you tasted was just wine? Ever wondered what the heck someone meant when they said they loved a “full bodied wine” or wanted something with “low tannins”? I know I have.
I promise you if you can tell the difference between a cheddar chip and a barbeque chip you can taste the different flavors in wine and I’m going to help you do just that. So, join me as I walk you through my proven 4-step wine tasting method because once you know this method you’ll be able to confidently taste and explore new wines. Grab my wine tasting guide here https://www.corkandfizz.com/winetastingguide.html and a glass of wine and let’s walk through this process together! Episode Highlights:
Mentioned Resources: Wines to Find Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wines-to-find/id1496701365 Catch me on episode 122 of the Wines to Find Podcast - Wine Aromas with Cork & Fizz https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wines-to-find-ep-122-wine-aromas-with-cork-fizz/id1496701365?i=1000560754320 What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | How to Easily Buy Wine on Your Next Shopping Trip | 00:20:44 | |
Ep 2 One of the hardest things to do when it comes to wine is choosing a bottle to purchase. WHY are there so many choices?! If you feel overwhelmed when buying wine, you are not alone. When I first started buying wine I always chose the same bottle because I knew I loved it. It was in my comfort zone. But the thing was. I was missing out on so many amazing options! And I don’t want you to miss out on all of the options because you don’t know what questions to ask. Today, I have tips to share on how to easily buy a great bottle of wine both from a small wine shop and from your local grocery/liquor store or big box store like Total Wine or Bevmo. I’ll share with you scripts that I use when I go into small wine shops to ask for help without feeling overwhelmed! I’ll also teach you what three things you need to know about your wine and how to use those pieces of information to find a new wine you’ll love at your local grocery/liquor store. You can find those scripts here https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/scripts-for-buying-wine-at-a-small-wine-shop Are you ready to branch out from your go-to bottle of wine? If so, grab your wine glass, press play, and let’s do this! Episode Highlights
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | Sustainability in Winemaking with Sipwell’s Hilary Cocalis | 00:31:21 | |
Ep 3 You would love one glass of wine but that means having to open a full bottle. And then once you open that bottle of wine you may feel the pressure to drink the bottle. What if it goes bad? You don’t want to be wasteful. Sound familiar? Well, Hillary Cocalis, founder & chief go-getter of Sipwell Wine Company, a premium award-winning craft wine brand, had the same thought! Why isn’t there a delicious and high quality wine that came in a can so you could enjoy 1-2 glasses without feeling wasteful. And with that Sipwell Wine Company was born! Using her background in beer and marketing, Hilary dove head first into creating a canned wine that was delicious and approachable. In her quest for creating the best canned wine, she developed a new technique for making sparkling canned wine. You’re going to want to hear how she makes “Champagne” in a can! At Sipwell Wine Company they pride themselves on sustainability. And real sustainability. Not sustainability as a marketing tactic (aka “green washing.”) They use the best packaging they possibly can for the environment so they are reducing their carbon footprint, source grapes from certified sustainable vineyards to ensure mother nature is cared for, and more. Not only is Hiliary on a quest to produce the best and most approachable canned wines, but she also hopes to reframe how wine is looked at by encouraging a more positive mindset. Rather than having a glass of wine to cope with life, she encourages pouring a glass of wine (from a Sipwell can of course) to celebrate even the “Tiny Victories” in life. So, grab your favorite glass or can of wine and press play! Interested in trying Sipwell wines? Use code FIZZ to get 15% off your first order
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | Why Rosé Isn’t Just a Summer Wine | 00:39:22 | |
Ep 4 I find in the wine community that Rosé is looked down upon and not seen as a fine wine. Many also make the mistake of thinking it’s always sweet. Well, I LOVE Rosé and I drink it all year round…not just in the summer! Today I’m chatting about the complex and often misunderstood world of Rosé! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 21 Jun 2023 | Tips for Smelling Wine w/ Cork Dork Author Bianca Bosker | 00:47:53 | |
Ep 5 How does someone go from being a tech editor to quitting their job and becoming an expert sommelier?
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 28 Jun 2023 | Types of Wine Grapes: Chardonnay | 00:29:38 | |
Ep 6 Are you a wine lover that gave up Chardonnay during the Anything But Chardonnay, also known as ABC, phase? I find that people often feel strongly about Chardonnay, and usually in the negative direction but I think it’s impossible to hate all Chardonnays!
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 05 Jul 2023 | The Art & Business of Winemaking w/ Mari Womack | 00:44:54 | |
Ep 7 How does a real estate agent with no formal education in the wine industry push past the obstacles of owning her own winery? Well, it starts with saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way and that is exactly what Mari Womack of Damsel Cellars did! Mari was inspired to open her own winery while working in Seattle area restaurants. While working in the hospitality industry she began a gradual interest in the wine space which led to her becoming an assistant winemaker. It was ultimately when she saw the production process of wine, including the fermentation process and sourcing grapes, that she knew she had found her calling. In today’s episode, Mari shares her journey of becoming a winery owner, how building relationships was what helped her through the process of owning a winery and how she leverages relationships in making wine today. She also shares the main challenge she faces as a winemaker (and it’s one that we can actually all relate to), how food and wine pairings are more modern now, and so much more! Be sure to listen until the end because Mari talks about a collaboration with a local restaurant owner and the lead singer of a well known band!
Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 12 Jul 2023 | The Story Behind Cork & Fizz | 00:25:55 | |
Ep 8 I’m so excited to share with you my story of how I came to love wine and how Cork & Fizz came to be! It all began in Spain when I was studying abroad and I would have a glass (or sometimes a bottle - I promise you don’t want to miss that story!) of wine with lunch. My go-to was always “Vino Blanco” (aka “white wine”). Fast forward to a couple years later when I’ve just moved to Seattle with my husband (then boyfriend). We visited some extended family of his and they served Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc which I loved! I would then just always buy myself Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc whenever I was at the grocery store because I knew I liked it. I never really explored other wines beyond that because all the wine choices felt overwhelming, you know? However, that all changed in 2018 during a trip to Willamette Valley. We ended up on a private wine tour where we learned all about the grapes and tried several different wines. The tour guide could tell I was intrigued (likely because of all the questions I asked) so he suggested I read Cork Dork! This book was what really inspired me to learn all about the world of wine. You can listen to my interview with Bianca Bosker, the author of Cork Dork, here. Because I was developing this love of wine I decided to start a wine club with friends. From this wine club I learned that I loved teaching about wine! Two years after creating our wine club the pandemic happened. During the pandemic I was missing the interaction with my friends so I decided to host my first virtual wine tasting! And it was a hit! It was from there that I realized I could share my love of wine with others that were either new to the world of wine or were already wine enthusiasts and I could do it all virtually! It was a great way to bring people together during a challenging time. So it was a rainy weekend in October 2020 when I decided to create Cork & Fizz. I hoped to create a way for people to learn about wine in a fun way and for people to feel like they belonged in this wine community! I really wanted to create a fun and inclusive way for everyone to learn about wine. If you are ready to hear the full and exciting story behind Cork & Fizz grab your favorite glass of wine and listen in! Episode Highlights
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | Chilean Wine: A Hidden Gem - Wine Region Miniseries | 00:32:20 | |
Ep 9 We're diving into one of my favorite regions in this Wine Region Mini Series and that is Chile! Why is Chile one of my favorite wine regions? If you missed last week's episode you can catch it here, but Chilean wines are at the very beginning of Cork & Fizz! During the pandemic I hosted a virtual wine tasting for friends showcasing Chilean wines and that ended up sparking my idea for Cork & Fizz. So I thought what better way to kick off this Mini Series than with the wine region that started it all: Chile! We are going to dive into the history of Chile including how France had such a big influence on Chilean wine–despite being founded by the Spanish. You are going to be amazed at how bad of a reputation Chile started with and how it fought its way to becoming the “Bordeaux of South America.” I’m also jumping into how the geography and climate affect the wine. Did you know that Chile’s active volcanoes (can you guess how many they have!?) also affect the taste of the wine? Stay till the end where I share the five varietals (aka wines) I most recommend you try from Chile. Once you try these head on over to Instagram and DM me to let me know which is your favorite! Ready to do this? Press play and listen about one of my favorite wine regions - Chile!! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 26 Jul 2023 | Embracing Hybrid Grapes & Creating Unique Wines w/ Wisconsin Winemaker Erin Rasmussen | 00:48:03 | |
Ep 10 When you think of wineries I bet you think of the wineries in California, Washington, and maybe even Oregon. Rarely do you ever think about a winery being in Wisconsin! When I think of Wisconsin I think cold, snowy, wet and well.. cheese! However, today’s guest, Erin Rasmussen–the founder of American Wine Project, is flipping the script and bringing Wisconsin produced wines to the forefront. Erin grew up in Wisconsin experiencing the intense pleasures of seasonal produce and handcrafted cheese and it was this interest in flavor that grew into a passion for fermentation and wine. And that passion has ultimately led to Erin being the unique and innovative winemaker that she is today. Listen in as Erin talks about her journey into the wine world, which was not the traditional path by a long shot. She explains the fascinating way she produces wines with hybrid grapes and why her mindset had to change since she was making wine in a wet, cold climate. She’s also diving into how she runs a winery without paid help and big machinery! If you are ready to learn about this different and unique wine from American Wine project grab yourself a glass and let’s dive in!
Are you excited to try a bottle of hybrid wine from American Wine Project? If so, use code WISCO for 15% off through 08/15/2023. Connect with Erin Rasmussen American Wine Project - https://americanwineproject.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/americanwineproject/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | Wine & Food Pairing 101: My Simple 2-Step Signature Process | 00:31:25 | |
Ep 11 Maybe you’re planning a fancy dinner party with a bunch of friends or maybe you’re just grilling some burgers. Either way you want to pair a bottle of wine with your food but how do you know what wine will pair well with your meal? This is one of my most asked questions when it comes to wine! I know that most of us want to enjoy a delicious glass of wine with our meal and I also know many of us have experienced a not so great wine and food pairing and that is something we want to avoid! That is why I’m going to share with you my simple 2-step signature process when it comes to pairing wine and food together! We’ll dive into some wine pairing guidelines that will help you as you navigate through the flavors in the wine and in the food. Listen in as I share the seven food flavors I use in my tasting experiences and discover which style of wine best pairs with each flavor of food! Before listening, head to https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-and-food-pairing-guide.html and grab my free wine and food pairing guide so you can follow along as we go through this episode! Now, are you ready to take your taste buds on a journey? Grab a glass of wine and some snacks and let’s do this! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 09 Aug 2023 | Winemaking Dreams Come True w/ Anna Clifford | 00:48:24 | |
Ep 12 When you were 13 did you know with absolute unwavering certainty what you wanted to do with your life? I know I certainly didn’t! After watching a Meg Ryan rom-com flick at just 13 years old, Anna Clifford, owner of the boutique winery Final Girl wines, knew without a doubt that she would one day be a winemaker! In this episode of the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast, Anna walks us through her journey from majoring in winemaking in college to working in some of the most well-known wineries from Napa Valley all the way to New Zealand. However, there was one turning point in Anna’s career that left her heartbroken and it was at that moment she knew she had to start producing her own bottles of wine. Anna’s dream of bottling her own wines includes many triumphs and struggles along the way. Not only that, she has also been raising her young family with her husband while building her winemaking dream. I’d love to know what you think about where the name Final Girl wines came from! Send me a DM over on Instagram before you listen to the episode to take a guess. Grab a glass of wine and join Anna and me as we discuss pursuing our dreams and making things happen despite the obstacles along the way. Episode Highlights:
Connect with Anna Clifford: Website: https://finalgirlwines.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalgirlwines/
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 16 Aug 2023 | The Ultimate Guide to Wine Tours, Trips, & Retreats | 00:22:25 | |
Ep 13 It’s finally happening! You’ve booked that wine trip that you have always wanted to take, your plane tickets are booked, you found the cutest Airbnb and now you get to choose the wineries you would like to see! Amidst all the excitement you are now feeling a little overwhelmed with the planning stage. What wineries should you visit, how many wineries should you see in a day, and a million more questions are swirling around your head! Luckily for you I’ve planned several wine tasting trips for my husband and I as well as in-person retreats for clients and I have 6 tips that will help you plan your next wine tasting trip! You will go from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident in the wineries you choose with these tips. I’ll also share how you can structure your trip so you have the best time! So, join me as I share my 6 tips that were inspired by my own wine trip planning. My hope is that these will help you plan an enjoyable wine tasting trip. I’d love to know what your favorite tip is! Head to Apple or Spotify and leave a review to let me know what your favorite wine planning tip is! 6VdEv9dzqy0bB3OChFH3 Episode Highlights:
Resources: Book a Private Wine Tasting with me at: https://www.corkandfizz.com/private-wine-tastings.html
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 23 Aug 2023 | Types of Wine Grapes: Cabernet Franc | 00:23:29 | |
Ep 14 I’m back with the next installment of my Grape Deep Dive Miniseries and this time it’s all about Cabernet Franc. This grape is incredibly versatile and known for its diverse flavors and intriguing history. You may not be super familiar with Cabernet Franc but you likely know one of its offspring: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Carménère. Cabernet Franc is that it is not without its challenges. We’ll start with the debate on where it originated. Then I’ll dive into the importance of vintage and how the weather can impact the harvest (especially in certain regions of the world), ultimately influencing the quality of the wine. I’ll also cover what the heck those green flavors are that Cabernet Franc is known for. I’ll give you a hint, it’s a chemical compound called methozypyrazines and it can create desirable savory aromas or the not-so-great asparagus water flavor! Learn how a winemaker can avoid the bad flavors and incorporate just the good stuff through vineyard management. Join me as we journey through vineyards and explore the different expressions of Cabernet Franc, from its early roots in the Loire Valley to its global influence today. We'll uncover the key factors that shape the flavor profile of this grape and provide insights on what to look for when sampling Cabernet Franc wines. And if this episode has inspired you to try a bottle of Cabernet Franc I’d love for you to head over to Instagram and let me know what you tried! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | Producing Wine in the Rocks District w/ Brooke of Delmas | SJR Vineyard | 01:13:31 | |
Ep 15 From scorching summer heat to freezing winter temperatures, Delmas Wines faces many unique challenges when it comes to growing grapes and producing wine in the unique Rocks District of Walla Walla. This is why I’m so excited to chat with head winemaker and director of wine growing, Brooke Delmas Robertson of Delmas Wines! Brooke has an extensive background in the wine industry, has worked at iconic vineyards and wineries in Napa and Australia, is a viticulturist with a B.A. in philosophy and has her winemaking certificate. So all of this to say Brooke is a wealth of knowledge and we’re so lucky to have her sharing it all with us today! Brooke takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of viticulture, discussing the shape she has trained her grapes to grow in and shedding light on the relationship between the rocks in the vineyard and heat. She shares insights into her winemaking process, which involves open-top fermentation as well as why they add yeast to complete fermentation. If you are as curious as I was to learn all about Delmas Wines then press play and after you listen I’d love it if you would leave a review on Apple or Spotify with your favorite takeaway from this episode with Brooke! Are you interested in trying Delmas Wines? Delmas Wines’ allocation offering will be LIVE Aug 16-Sept 13 2023. This is your chance to purchase 3-packs of individual Delmas wines for Fall Shipping! They only open this opportunity for 1 month and all you have to do is sign up on their website for email notifications via their Newsletter and they will notify you when the offer is LIVE! https://www.delmaswines.com/register Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 06 Sep 2023 | The Best Wine Gadgets, Gifts, & Accessories | 00:38:40 | |
Ep 16 Let me be the first to tell you that while some of those wine gadgets are amazing…some just make me roll my eyes or even make me frustrated at times. A great example: any product that claims it can prevent headaches after drinking wine. The only way to do this is to remove all the alcohol because as well all know it’s the alcohol that most likely causes the headache! So today, we’ve diving into all the best wine gadgets, at least the best and most useful ones that I use all the time at my house! I’m sharing all about the Coravin wine system and how I use a Coravin in my own home. I love that I can enjoy a glass of wine without even opening the bottle of wine! It’s definitely a game changer for those, like myself, that love to explore multiple wines without committing to a whole bottle. So, if you ever wondered, what is the point of the Coravin and how long is wine good for after using a Coravin? I'm answering all those questions and more! Another favorite is the Repour Wine Saver! I love that it can keep my open bottle of wine fresh for months! Crazy right!? I’ll share how that works and how budget friendly it is! And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the best wine gadgets in my life, the VoChill wine chiller! This keeps your wine at the perfect temperature without watering it down like ice cubes would. Listen in as I share 8 of the best wine gadgets that I use all the time! And if you have a wine gadget that you love and think I need to give a try–please message me on Instagram (@corkandfizz) because I would love to hear all about it. Of course, if you try one of my favorite gadgets above please let me know what you think too! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 13 Sep 2023 | A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Life of a Wine Influencer with Paige Comrie | 00:46:12 | |
Ep 17 How easy is it to be a social media influencer? It looks glamorous from the outside - free gifts, trips and such but is it really as easy as it looks? Today, I have digital storyteller, photographer, blogger and social media influencer Paige Comrie from Wine with Paige with me to chat about what life looks like behind the scenes of being a wine influencer. Paige Comrie is the digital storyteller behind the website and wine blog, Wine with Paige. Paige is a certified American Wine Expert, holds her WSET3 and has been featured by Somm Choice Awards as a top wine influencer. Paige weaves together inspiring stories of incredible people and bottles of wine who inspire adventure, take risks, and make this world a more beautiful place. Through photography, wine and storytelling, Paige hopes her blog, Wine with Paige, will inspire you to find your own magic in life… one glass at a time. Join me as Paige sheds light on the amount of work that goes into being an influencer and creating content for social media and her blog. She’ll share the misconceptions surrounding being an influencer, the communication challenges she faces when working with brands, and what the true goal of social media marketing is. And don’t miss out when Paige shares how she uses pinterest and mood boards for her own photo shoots. So, if you are ready to be inspired by Wine with Paige to find your own magic in life… one glass at a time, press play and let’s go! Episode Highlights:
Connect with Paige
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 20 Sep 2023 | What is Orange Wine? | 00:30:56 | |
Ep 18 “What is Orange wine and is it actually made from oranges?” I think that is the first thing that comes to mind when we hear about Orange wine! It is in fact not made from oranges but from white (or green) grapes. It actually gets its name from the orange hue of the wine which is a result of leaving the juice of the white grapes in contact with the skins and the seeds of the grapes (a process usually reserved for red wines)! But does Orange wine taste good? Absolutely! Or at least I certainly think so. Listen in to discover the common aromas and what styles you might want to try. Don’t miss out as I dive into the unique and fascinating history of Orange Wine and why we have recently seen a resurgence of this wine. Because here’s the thing, while it may feel trendy, Orange wine has been around for centuries. We’ll also discuss how exactly Orange Wine gets that distinct color along with the wide range of styles of Orange Wine since they are not all the same. There are A LOT of decisions when it comes to making Orange Wine such as aromatic or non-aromatic grape varietals, what level or ripeness do they want the grapes to be, and how long do they want the maceration and fermentation process to last. Are you ready to be captivated by the unique flavors and centuries-old winemaking techniques of Orange Wine? If so, grab a glass of your favorite wine and press play! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 27 Sep 2023 | French Wine 101: Understanding the Label, Region & Grape Varieties | 00:41:41 | |
Ep 19 When you walk into a wine shop do you walk towards the French wine section or away from it? A friend told me recently that they walk away from the French wine section which I think is crazy because I tend to head right towards it! For starters, it was the French region of Burgundy which made me fall in love with wine to begin with! I think that French wines are absolutely incredible! They are known as the benchmark of wine excellence with other winemakers in the world who will compare their wines to French wines. (Ever heard of a “Burgundian” style Pinot or a “Bordeaux” style blend?) And yes French wines can be expensive, but they also have some amazing budget friendly wines! So, I’m introducing you to the amazing world of French wines. I could talk about the wines of France for hours so today will be a basic introduction to French Wine. This is meant to instill the confidence you need to visit your nearest wine shop and pick up a bottle to try. In this episode I’m diving into 5 of the most popular regions of French wines, how to read the label on the bottle so you can understand what to expect in that bottle of wine and in general making French wines less intimidating and more accessible to you. So, if you have asked yourself where do I start with French wines this episode is for you. Grab a glass and let’s learn together! And don’t forget to head over to https://www.corkandfizz.com/ and scroll all the way to the bottom to join my mailing list where you will then receive my 15 wines for under $15 Guide! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 04 Oct 2023 | Creating a Luxury Wine Experience with NFL Star Sidney Rice & Entrepreneur Tim Lenihan of Dossier Wines | 00:52:37 | |
Ep 20 Dossier wines is a combination of passion and collaboration and is looking to do something a bit different than other wineries. They are building a luxurious wine experience while keeping it approachable for everyone. Co-founders Sidney Rice and Tim Lenihan are chatting all about how Dossier Wines came to be, the unique challenges that celebrity owned wineries face, how the name Dossier came to be and what is most important to them as winery owners. And I’ll give you a hint…it’s all about the customer experience when it comes to drinking their wine. You may know Sidney from his successful career in the NFL playing for the Minnesota Vikings and of course our very own Seattle Seahawks! Sidney has become one of the most active investors and entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest and he brings an incredible wine palate, unique business perspective and a drive to create unique experiences for Dossier guests. As for Tim, Dossier is a return to his roots in Walla Walla and he’s living his dream of being in the wine industry. Tim draws on his real estate experience and construction background to help build Dossier from the ground up. Putting the right pieces in place to create something truly special drives Tim throughout his endeavors. Dossier is a Walla Walla based winery in Washington that offers a modern approach to luxury wine inspired by the region’s great potential, incredible local talent, and distinctive terroir. Dossier Wines goal is to create an elevated and engaging experience for sophisticated wine enthusiasts. Episode Highlights:
Connect with Dossier Wines Dossier Wines - https://dossierwine.com/ Coupon Code Use code CORKFIZZ and receive free ground shipping on 3+ bottles of wine through the end October 2023. What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 11 Oct 2023 | Types of Wine Grapes: Chenin Blanc | 00:32:55 | |
Ep 21 I’m back with the next installment of my Grape Deep Dive Miniseries and this time it’s all about Chenin Blanc. If I could only drink one style of wine for the rest of my life it would be…Chenin Blanc! Why? Because there’s really nothing that this grape can’t do! From really lovely high acid white wines which are perfect for pairing with seafood or full bodied really oaky-rich white wines which are perfect for sipping by the fire, this grape is quite versatile. And Chenin Blanc’s versatility doesn’t end there. It also makes incredible sparkling wines that, to me, rival some of the top Champagnes. And Chenin Blanc goes even further with rich delectable sweet wines that don't cost an arm and a leg! In this episode I’m digging deep into the history of Chenin Blanc. This grape has been around since the 800’s! And no that’s not a typo! It’s believed to have originated back in the 9th century. Join me as I dig into the adaptability of Chenin Blanc, how it can grow in warm and cool climates, and how the temperature affects the taste of Chenin Blanc. The two major challenges when it comes to Chenin Blanc and we will of course dive into the most popular regions where you can find Chenin Blanc! And I’m answering the question that many of you have - is Chenin Blanc similar to Chardonnay? And are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc the same? Episode Highlights:
Related episodes:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | The Truth About Natural Wine with Molly Ringe | 00:50:03 | |
Ep 22 What exactly is natural wine? Does natural wine mean no chemicals or additives whatsoever? Or does it mean they can be added in certain amounts? Are natural wines always “funky?” Are they the same as organic wines? And what are the rules surrounding natural wine and being able to say that this is indeed a natural wine? Today, I’m chatting with Seattle, Washington based natural wine shop owner Molly Ringe of Molly’s Bottle Shop. Molly started her career in the conventional wine world but after a cancer diagnosis at the age of 30, found herself learning about the enchanting world of natural wine. As a natural wine expert, Molly digs into questions like what’s the difference between natural wine, regular wine, and biodynamic wine? How many chemicals are in regular wine and are they really necessary? Molly also talks about our ethical obligations and the importance of no longer supporting unethical practices in the wine industry that go beyond just what chemicals are in our wine. I learned so much from this episode and I’ll definitely be asking more questions about the wine that I drink! So, are you ready to listen to this episode and learn something new? If so press play and listen in as Molly explains the goals of natural wine and why it’s so important! Connect with Molly: Molly’s Bottle Shop has locations in the neighborhoods of Ballard and West Seattle in Seattle, Washington. Check her out online at: https://www.mollysbottleshop.com/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 25 Oct 2023 | 5 Wine Myths You Need to Stop Believing | 00:25:46 | |
Ep 23 If there is one thing I know to be true it’s that the wine world can be incredibly intimidating for beginners. And all the wine myths out there certainly don’t help! I remember it felt incredibly overwhelming to me when I first started learning about all things wine. Turns out, a lot of the things the media and marketing of big time wineries led me to believe about wine simply weren’t true. Which is why I’m going to debunk 5 of the top wine myths that you have most likely heard about! Is it really true that you should enjoy white wine straight out of the fridge? Or that you be drinking red wine at room temperature? And what about screw caps for wine? One of those pesky wine myths has us wondering about the screw cap vs cork debate and if a screw on top of a bottle of wine makes for an inferior wine. Are sulfites causing you to get headaches when drinking wine or is it something else? And what about the wine myth that all wines improve with age? Is that really true? And if a wine has great legs does that mean it’s a high quality wine? What the heck are wine legs even? If you are ready to dispel some of the top wine myths and rumors that have been perpetuated over the years press play and listen in! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | Cork Crew Wine Q&A w/ Texas Winemaker, Andrew Sides | 00:47:54 | |
Ep 24 We are switching things up this week and doing things a little differently! Every month with the Cork Crew I host a virtual community event and in September I had the pleasure of bringing Texas winemaker, Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars, into the Cork Crew for a Q&A! Wait! Texas produces wine?! Yes you read that right! Texas does produce wine and I wanted to share this conversation with you and give you an exclusive sneak peek into the Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club! Join me as I chat with Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars. After earning his civil engineering degree and working his “big boy job,” as he calls it, for a couple years, Andrew found himself being pulled back toward the passion he’d cultivated for growing grapes and making wine. Andrew believes that Texas can produce the highest quality wine, as high quality as anywhere in the world. And once you try his wines, you’ll have a hard time arguing with that. In this episode, Andrew dives into the importance that farming has in Texas winemaking as well as how the continental climate affects the growing conditions in Texas year after year. He also explains how it differs grape growing in different areas of the state from the Hill Country to the High Plains (two of Texas’ AVAs). Discover why Texas is better off growing grapes like Picpoul and Viognier over more popular varieties like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio! Gain insight on the misconceptions surrounding Texas wines. Are they flawed? Are they too sweet? Well, Andrew has all of the answers during this conversation! If you are ready to be inspired to try wines from Texas press play and listen in!
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 08 Nov 2023 | 5 Wines Every Thanksgiving Dinner Table Needs | 00:33:37 | |
Ep 25 The air is crisp and Thanksgiving is on its way. You’ve planned your food menu for Thanksgiving but now the question is…what wine do you pair with it? When thinking of the perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner, I think a lot of people reach towards big, powerful red wines. And while you can do that, you also want to think about the food that is on the table. If you have the traditional dinner of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and potatoes like me, none of those foods are overly powerful. Thus you don’t want an overly powerful wine. It’s not like we are having steak for Thanksgiving dinner (unless of course, you are, in which case, please save me a seat so I can join you!) So, let's move beyond those big powerful red wines into something a little more delicate and balanced for a Thanksgiving dinner. Today, I’m sharing with you my 5 favorite wines for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll start with a sparkling wine to toast with, as well as my ultimate wine pick for Thanksgiving dinner. We can’t forget dessert so stick around to the end and I’ll tell you what wine is best to pair with pumpkin pie! I’d love to hear what wine you choose to be on your Thanksgiving table! Take a picture and tag me on Instagram (@corkandfizz) so I don’t miss it! Specific bottles mentioned in this episode:
Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 15 Nov 2023 | Embracing Diversity in the Wine World w/ Desiree Harrison-Brown | 00:45:16 | |
Ep 26 You are in for a real treat today because I’m chatting with Desiree Harrison-Brown, a wine educator and influencer! After working part-time doing tastings at local grocery and liquor stores Desiree left her 9-to-5 corporate career in project management to pursue her love for wine education. It was during these tastings that customers would ask Desiree questions about wine to which she would reply “I literally do not know. You can taste it and if you like it then buy it.” But it was then that Desiree’s interest was piqued and she started researching the wines before the tastings. And that was that, she was officially bitten by the wine bug and hasn’t looked back since! Desiree went on to create WINO NOIRE, a lifestyle brand and community. She uses her platform to make wine accessible to a diverse population and highlight black and woman-owned wine brands. But Desiree didn’t stop there! She is also the owner of The Wino Shop, an online retailer of wine accessories for the modern wine lover. She’s also on her way to receiving her WSET Diploma to soak up as much as she could when it comes to her wine education. If you are ready to hear about Desiree’s inspiring journey, her dedication to diversity in the wine industry, and about her passion for wine education, then grab a glass of wine and press that play button! Be sure to check out The Wino Shop and save 15% off apparel with code CORKANDFIZZ. The code is good through 12/31/2023 Connect with Desiree The Wino Shop - https://thewinoshop.com/ Wino Noire - https://winonoire.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/winonoire/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | Wine Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide 2023 | 00:45:02 | |
Ep 27 ‘Tis the season for giving and what better gift to give than the joy of wine? If you are looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life then this episode is for you! This is my absolute favorite time of year and I have just released my 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers! So, before you go any further go ahead and download the guide here. It’s packed full of all of my favorite wine gifts as well as several discount codes that you can only get inside the gift guide. PLUS there is a very special bonus Black Friday deal in the guide from me as well! In today’s episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite wine gifts and some unique wine gifts as well! I touch on a few of my favorite wine subscriptions such as the Master the World blind tasting kit or the Crunchy Red Fruit wine club. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my amazing virtual tasting club the Cork Crew! The Cork Crew includes several gifting options including 3, 6, or 12 month memberships or a punch card! I share some of my go-to books when it comes to wine such as the Wine Folly: The Master Guide which is a great starter book for those looking to get into wine. And my favorite cookbook - Wine Food! Next up is some of my favorite apparel from shops like The Wino Shop which offers a more sophisticated style of wine apparel and my very own Cork & Fizz Signature Clay Wine Bottle Earrings! If you struggle with stocking stuffer ideas I have several for all of the wine lovers in your life! Gifts like Repour and the WineWash as well as wine gadgets. And more unique gifts like the Wine Calendar from Elysia Myers that includes 12 art prints made by painting with wine! And if you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable wine lover experience I also talk about my private wine tasting vouchers! What’s mentioned here is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is inside the Wine Lover’s Gift Guide. Don’t forget: when you download the guide there are also many discount codes. Go to www.corkandfizz.com/holidaygiftguide to check it out! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Answering Your Most Common Wine Questions | 00:40:54 | |
Ep 28 Today’s episode is a fun one because I’m answering your most common wine questions! I recently posted a question sticker in my Instagram stories asking you to send me all of your wine related questions and boy did you deliver! It makes me really happy to answer your questions so I had so much fun with this! If you missed that question sticker on my Instagram stories I’ll be doing it again soon, so make sure you are following me here so you don’t miss it! So, what are your most common wine questions? Well, in today’s episode I took the top 16 questions I received and we are going to dig into them to help you understand wine a little bit better. Some of the questions include:
And the questions don’t stop there! Get ready to sip and learn because this episode is full of fascinating facts and tips that will elevate your wine game! And don’t forget to head to https://www.corkandfizz.com/ scroll all the way to the bottom and join my mailing list where you will also receive my free shopping guide that has 15 of my favorite wines under $15. Episode Highlights:
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What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 06 Dec 2023 | Ep 29 Cork Crew Q&A with Karen MacNeil, Author of The Wine Bible | 00:34:14 | |
You loved the last exclusive look into my Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club so I’m back with another sneak peek! And this time I’m joined by the infamous Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible! In today’s world we often take for granted the fact that we can walk into a winery and order a glass of wine or that we can join wine classes for tastings, and really learn about wine in so many different ways! But what was it like to be in the wine world back in the 1970’s? Back then the wine world was dominated by white men and it was not an easy feat for a female to be able to gain some footing in that space. That was the hurdle that today's guest Karen MacNeil faced. Karen had to forge her way into a male dominated space in order to learn about wine. And her only way into this wine space required her following a rule set by these men…and you won’t believe what it was. Since that time Karen has gone on to author The Wine Bible, won every major wine award given in the English language including the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. If that isn’t impressive enough, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine” and she has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine.” So listen in on this Q&A held for my Cork Crew Tasting Club as Karen discusses her love for wine as a companion, its transformative nature, and the awe-inspiring mystique of wine that keeps her captivated. And if you are intrigued by what you heard in this sneak peek of the Cork Crew you can become a member by using the code WINE101 to get your first month free! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 13 Dec 2023 | Ep 30 If You Like This…Try That! Alternatives to Your Favorite Wines | 00:33:30 | |
Does this sound familiar? You discover you like a certain style of wine and from that point on you look for that wine at the store or when you go out to eat. And it’s always the same style of wine. But you can see that there are so many other options! You want to try something new but how do you know if you’ll like it? Maybe it’s just safer to stick with what you like because you know you like it. Believe it or not, this used to be me! My go-to was Sauvignon Blanc and that was all I drank. That is until I became interested in wine. And it was then that I found so many delicious varieties and now I want to help you discover your new favorite wine! In this episode I’m going to help you discover new wines based on your current favorites. I’ll be sharing two new wines to try based off of the six most popular wine varieties. For white wine we will talk about alternatives to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. And for the red wines we will talk about alternatives for Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These alternatives will give you a great starting point. This way you’ll know what to try when you are shopping for your next bottle of wine and you can be confident that you’ll like the wine because it’s similar to a style you already drink! After you listen to this episode I know you will be inspired to try a new wine and I hope you’ll head over to @corkandfizz on Instagram and tag me and let me know how much you love the wine you chose! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 20 Dec 2023 | Ep 31 Exploring Virginia Wine with Sarah & Nate of Walsh Family Wine | 00:55:58 | |
Imagine your spouse calling and saying “I may have just signed a lease on a vineyard!" That’s exactly the phone call Sarah received from Nate, the passionate husband and wife duo behind Walsh Family Wine in Virginia! Sarah Walsh comes from a background of fine dining, fine wine sales and wine education. She manages the Northern Virginia sales team for Winebow, a wine importer and distributor and holds a diploma Wine and Spirits Education Trust, an accreditation held by only 9,000 people worldwide. In both 2014 and 2016 she was awarded Winebow’s President Award, the company’s top distinction recognizing excellence, given to only one person each year company-wide. Nate is an English major turned winemaker who’s worked at wineries in Oregon and New Zealand but is proud to be farming grapes in Virginia. Join in as Sarah and Nate share their unconventional path to starting their own winery without a business plan, the diverse geographical features of the region, the unique climate similarities to Bordeaux, and the small batch wines being produced. They also emphasize the strength of direct-to-consumer sales and the potential for Virginia to become a standout region for Cabernet Franc. And don’t miss out on how Walsh Family Wine is committed to creating innovative ways to support and collaborate with other producers in the area. Are you ready to explore everything from vineyard management to winemaking techniques and the unique characteristics of Virginia’s wine regions? If so, grab a glass of wine and press play! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 27 Dec 2023 | Ep 32 Wine Faults 101 - How and Why Does Wine Go Bad? | 00:24:19 | |
Have you ever wondered why that bottle of wine you opened tastes off? A bottle of wine can go bad before you even open! We call the things that make it go bad wine faults. Wine faults are often caused by poor storage and handling however there are other cases where damage happens to the wine through no fault of our own! It’s good to know what these wine faults are and understand what to do when you notice them. Many of us drink faulty wine and just think it’s bad wine, when that’s not the case! We are discussing common wine faults such as cork taint, reduction, oxidation, UV damage and heat damage. We will discuss what causes these wine faults, what these wine faults smell like, and how to remedy these wine faults. We’ll also dive into herbal aromas, aka smells green, and wine diamonds. These are often misunderstood as wine faults, however, they aren't! So, if you are curious about wine faults and how to identify them then this episode is for you! Grab a glass of wine, press play, and enjoy! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 03 Jan 2024 | Ep 33 Non-Alcoholic Wines (Let's Talk About Them) | 00:35:19 | |
Are you participating in Dry January? Or perhaps you simply enjoy non-alcoholic wines? Whatever the reason, you may be curious about some of the most common questions regarding non-alcoholic wines such as: Are they any good? Are they really alcohol free? Is non-alcoholic wine just grape juice? Today, we are diving into the complexities of dealcoholized wine and wine alternatives. How are they different? Are they truly 100% alcohol free? Is a wine alternative really wine? I’ll also share how the alcohol is removed and what research says about drinking non alcoholic wine if you’re pregnant or living a sober lifestyle? And of course one of the most important questions you may have is - do they taste good?! I experimented with 5 non-alcoholic wines and 1 wine alternative and I’m ranking them from my least favorite to my favorite! As well as sharing what I did and did not like about each one. Whether you're participating in Dry January, pursuing a sober lifestyle, or simply intrigued by non-alcoholic wine, this episode offers valuable insights and recommendations for your non-alcoholic wine exploration. And I’d love to have you join the conversation over on Instagram! Send me a DM about your favorite non-alcoholic wine or wine alternative! Additional Resources: Bevzero Dealcoholization Videos: https://bevzero.com/services/dealcoholization/ 2022 Non-Alcoholic Wine Blog Post: https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/a-definitive-ranking-of-non-alcoholic-wine Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 10 Jan 2024 | Ep 34 Exploring Australian Wine with Jane Lopes - Importer, Sommelier and Author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles | 00:57:40 | |
Are you ready to uncork a wealth of knowledge and passion for Australian wine? In today's episode, Nashville-based sommelier, author and importer Jane Lopes takes us on a journey through the lesser known wines of Australia! Jane shares with us what sparked her interest in Australian wine and how that spark led to her and her husband importing Australian wine into the US and the formation of their import business, Legend Jane also shares her passion for education in the wine industry and how that led to her authoring the book Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles and later, the book How to Drink Australian that she co-authored with her husband Jonathan Ross. Her approach to writing these books was to weave wine education with captivating storytelling to make wine knowledge accessible and enjoyable And you won't want to miss when Jane takes us on her journey through her time working in some of the top restaurants where she would get creative in her approach to pairing wines with dishes, including unique combinations like mixing wine with sour beer or sake. She may just inspire you to elevate your dining experiences with out-of-the-box pairings!
Connect with Jane Website - https://janelopes.com/ Import Company - https://legendaustralia.com/ Buy Vignette - http://smarturl.it/VignetteBook Buy How to Drink Australian - https://howtodrinkaustralian.com/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | Ep 35 French Wine 101 Part Deux - The Lesser Known Regions | 00:36:23 | |
I promised you a part two to my French Wine 101 episode and it’s finally here! If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and listen to Episode 19 - French Wine 101. There we talked about the most popular and well known regions of France - Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley. Today, we are going to go off the beaten path to explore six of the lesser known, but just as wonderful (or possibly even more wonderful), regions of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Alsace, Beaujolais, Jura and Corsica! We are discussing the unique characteristics of each region, uncovering the specific grapes grown there, and talking all about the types of wine they produce. You’ll also get a peek into the diverse and historical backgrounds that have shaped the wine production in each region! Are you ready to uncork the mysteries of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Alsace, Jura, Beaujolais, and Corsica? Grab a glass of wine and let’s sip our way through France together! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 24 Jan 2024 | Ep 36 5 Simple Tips for Ordering Wine at a Restaurant | 00:25:53 | |
Does the wine list at your favorite restaurant overwhelm you? Ordering wine at a restaurant can be an overwhelming experience, especially when faced with a lengthy wine list that’s multiple pages long and in a language that seems foreign! If you can relate then you are going to be so excited for today’s episode! I’m sharing my best tips on ordering wine at a restaurant because I know how scary it can be when you sit down to have dinner and have no idea how to choose a wine you’d like. By the end of this episode I want you to be able to confidently open a wine menu and understand how to navigate it and how to best ask for help. I’m covering everything from my 5 top tips that will help you confidently navigate the wine menu as well as how a wine list is organized, how to decide if you should order by the glass or by the bottle and how to utilize a sommelier to get the best wine choice for you. So friend, if you’ve ever looked at a wine list and been insanely overwhelmed then this episode is for you! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | Ep 37 How One Colorado Winery is Navigating Challenges and Crafting Boutique Wines | 01:03:35 | |
What’s it like owning a winery in Colorado and growing grapes at 6,000 feet above sea? For Jayme and Steve it’s been fraught with surprising challenges and extravagant wins! Today I’m talking with Colorado winemakers and founders of The Storm Cellar, Jayme Henderson and Steve Steese. The Storm Cellar is a boutique winery, located in Hotchkiss, Colorado, specializing in high-quality, aromatic White and Rosé wines. They are a husband-and-wife team with a shared goal of showcasing the attributes of their unique, alpine-desert terroir, bringing the West Elks AVA into the national wine spotlight, and becoming a premier destination for an elevated Colorado wine experience. But they’ve certainly run into a couple challenges. When Jayme and Steve purchased their winery they had no way of knowing that 4 months later a Phylloxera infestation would have them replanting their vineyard. Or that two bears would invade their vineyard in 2022 and eat their grapes! But Jayme and Steve managed to turn this into a positive thing because they were able to harvest the remaining grapes early to create a sparkling wine! And of course, they also have to deal with the unique microclimate of Colorado that involves both desert and below freezing temperatures which present unique challenges all on its own! Are you ready to dive in and discover the world of winemaking with Jayme and Steve, and explore the unique characteristics of Colorado wines, their passion for blending and their vision for a thriving wine industry? And if you would like to try the unique wines from The Storm Cellar head to https://stormcellarwine.com and use the discount code STORMLOVE10 for 10% off any three or more bottles! Episode Highlights:
Connect with Jayme and Steve The Storm Cellar - https://stormcellarwine.com Instagram - @stormcellarwine Holly and Flora blog What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 07 Feb 2024 | Types of Wine Grapes: Riesling | 00:29:02 | |
Ep 38 My grape deep dive is back and this time it’s all about the misunderstood Riesling grape! You may already be thinking: I don’t like Riesling! Either because you think it’s too sweet or it’s too acidic. But here’s where Riesling’s unique characteristics shine…this grape can do both! It can be sweet or acidic and it’s all dependent on where it’s grown and how the winemaker chooses to make the wine! Today, we are going to take a deep dive into Riesling and dispel the myths of this grape. I’ll share the incredible diversity of this noble and distinctive white grape because it can produce wines across a wide spectrum of sweetness levels from bone dry to lusciously sweet. And by now you know that I love history, so I’ll dive into the fascinating history of Riesling and its German origins. We’ll also discover how the Blue Nun had a less than positive effect on people’s view of Riesling. I can’t wait to share the complex aromatics that set Riesling apart from other grapes. Think petrol (oh yes, gasoline), mineral notes, vibrant fruit aromas. You’ll also learn how adaptable and resilient Riesling is when it comes to the climates it’s grown in. Are you ready to dive into this versatile Riesling grape? If so press play and listen in! And if this episode has inspired you to try Riesling I’d love for you to head over to Instagram and let me know what you think! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Ep 39 Why You Must Visit Walla Walla on Your Next Wine Trip | 00:44:46 | |
Today, I’m sharing with you one of my favorite wine regions in the entire world, Walla Walla, Washington! To me this region is like a secret little getaway. Like many of you I spend so much of my time feeling stressed out and worrying about everything that needs to get done. And every time I visit Walla Walla I feel so relaxed and chill and it’s like my worries just disappear when I am there. I want to share this amazing region with you so you can ditch Napa and visit Walla Walla on your next wine trip! One of the most special places in Walla Walla is a sub-region called The Rocks District. The wines from this region have distinct and diverse flavor profiles, think bacon fat and black pepper but also ripe fruitiness with blackberries and blueberries. And since this is one of my all time favorite places I’m diving into its history, its unique climate for growing grapes, as well as how to travel to Walla Walla, where to stay while you are there, when is the best time of year to visit, which wineries to visit, and where to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner! Walla Walla is an ideal destination for wine lovers who are seeking an immersive and authentic wine-tasting adventure so if that sounds like you: press play and get ready to plan your visit to Walla Walla! And if you would like to enjoy this amazing wine country without having to do any of the planning, come join my April 2024 Walla Walla retreat! I still have a couple spots left! Book your spot here: corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat Or grab my entire West Coast Wine Guide here! https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/lqfp4htxut Related episodes: Ep 7 - So You Want to be a Winemaker with DamselCellars’ Mari Womack https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-7 Ep 20 - Creating a Luxury Wine Experience with NFL Star Sidney Rice & Entrepreneur Tim Lenihan of Dossier Wines https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-20 Ep 29 - Cork Crew Q&A with Karen MacNeil, Author of The Wine Bible https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-win What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 21 Feb 2024 | Ep 40 What Sets Camins 2 Dreams Apart from other Wineries? | 00:50:59 | |
What happens when two friends who are passionate about traveling, chemistry, and wine fall in love with each other? They get married and open a winery together! Wife and wife team, Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó, are the winemakers and founders of Camins 2 Dreams Winery in Santa Rita Hills, California. Camins 2 Dreams sources their grapes from vineyards in Santa Barbara County with a focus in Santa Rita Hills. Tara and Mireia feel that wine is made in the vineyard and want to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes are sourced from. But, what does that mean? Camins 2 Dreams’ philosophy is to make handcrafted terroir driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast, minimum amounts of sulfur dioxide, use minimal intervention in the winery, and are unfiltered and unfined. Listen in as Tara and Mireia share how they started their winery with two barrels of wine and watched their production grow from 90 cases of wine to an impressive 1500 cases! Discover why they chose Santa Rita Hills, California as the location of their winery and how the diverse microclimate makes it an ideal location for their winemaking endeavors. They also share why they focus on experimenting with and showcasing underrepresented grape varieties and their commitment to bringing diversity to their winemaking process and so much more! So, if you are ready to hear the remarkable stories of two female winemakers and their dedication to representing underrepresented vineyards, experimenting with diverse grape varieties, and creating exceptional wines–press play and listen in! Episode Highlights:
Check out Go There Wines to try Camins 2 Dreams wines along with other wines from around the world! Connect with Mireia and Tara Website: www.camins2dreams.c What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 28 Feb 2024 | Ep 41 Spanish Wine 101 | 00:37:58 | |
I love French wine…but I also REALLY love Spanish wine so I knew it was time to do a Spanish Wine 101 episode! Spain has some of the most budget friendly, age worthy wines and if you aren’t drinking Spanish wine yet you will want to by the end of this episode! Today, we are diving into the captivating world of Spanish wine. From the rolling vineyards of Rias Baixas to the rugged terrain of Priorat, we are exploring the distinctive flavors, traditions, and classifications that make Spanish wines truly exceptional. We’ll learn about Spain’s impressive grape varietals, unique labeling system, distinct characteristics of wines and the rich history and transformation of Spain's winemaking industry. So, listen in and then send me a message on Instagram, @corkandfizz and let me know what Spanish wine you are excited to try! This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Vochill wine chiller - save 15% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 06 Mar 2024 | 4 Underrated Wine Varieties | 00:22:42 | |
Ep 42 Do you find yourself drinking the same wine all the time? Even as a wine enthusiast, I’m guilty of this myself! And while I know how easy it is to gravitate towards the same wines, I’m here to help you find some fun and interesting new wines to try! Today, I’m introducing you to 4 of my favorite wines that aren’t quite as well known…but they must go on your list of new wines to try! From the spicy Grüner Veltliner and refreshing Soave to the fruity Mencia and earthy Carménère - get ready to discover amazing new flavor profiles! Find out what my go-to bottle of wine when shopping at a wine shop or while out to dinner is, how to pair these wines with food, and so much more! In a world where it is so easy to stick to the familiar, I hope you will try one of my favorite lesser known wines that I mentioned today. When you do, please send me a DM on Instagram and let me know which one you tried! This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Repour - save 10% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | Ep 43 Elevating Everyday Wine with Hand-Blown Glasvin Wine Glasses with Founder David Kong | 00:46:56 | |
Does a beautiful hand-blown wine glass make a difference when it comes to drinking wine? Are different glasses good for different kinds of wine? Or is it just all a marketing strategy? Today, I have David Kong, founder of Glasvin Stemware, with me. David is changing the game for wine and cocktail lovers everywhere! And he is giving us all the details on those questions. David dives into how a wine glass can or can not impact a wine. He’s sharing what he thinks are marketing tactics when it comes to glassware and what actually matters. David also dives into his direct to consumer business model that allows him to offer affordable wine glasses as well as his mission to responsibly source his products and why that is so important to him and his company. I know after listening to this episode that you will want one of those beautiful hand-blown wine glasses for your collection so head to https://glas.vin/ and use code CORKFIZZ for 10% off your order! This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Vochill wine chiller - save 15% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 20 Mar 2024 | Ep 44 All About Sparkling Wine (Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and more!) | 00:40:32 | |
Did you know that one of my very favorite styles of wine is sparkling wine?! It’s absolutely delicious and I find the history behind sparkling wine so intriguing….especially since it started as an accident, or more accurately, a HAPPY accident! Today’s episode is essentially my Sparkling Wine 101 Tasting that you would get if you booked a private tasting with me but you are getting exclusive access to this on the podcast! I’m sharing how to open a bottle of sparkling wine (if you’ve ever tried to open one then you know there is a science to it!) To go along with my advice on the pod, you can check out my IG and TikTok @corkandfizz for video clips showing how to open a bottle of sparkling wine. Why was Sparkling Wine once called the devil’s wine? Mostly because of the destruction it caused! Intrigued yet? I’m also diving into how sparkling wine is made, what makes sparkling wine so special, the different levels of dryness to sweetness in sparkling wine, and finally: the different types of sparkling wine! Are you ready to learn all about sparkling wine? If so press play and listen in! And after you have listened, head over to my instagram @corkandfizz and let me know what sparkling wine you are excited to try! Episode Highlights:
Listen to French Wine 101 Part Deux This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Repour - save 10% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 27 Mar 2024 | Types of Wine Grapes: Barbera | 00:22:28 | |
Ep 45 I first fell in love with this grape at my local wine shop and now it’s my go-to for pizza night since they pair so well together! I just love how approachable and fruity this grape is and the fact that you can get an amazing bottle of wine for only $15! Today, I’ll share with you the mysterious origins and scandalous past of the beloved Barbera grape in Piedmont, Italy. From fraudulent winemakers to its transformation in the 1980s, this grape is fascinating and was the catalyst for the more stringent control measures in winemaking that we see today. Learn about the vibrant flavors and food pairings that make Barbera a favorite among locals and a perfect match for your next pizza night. By the end of this episode I know that you will be excited to try Barbera when you are out shopping for your next bottle of wine! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 03 Apr 2024 | Ep 46 Learn About Burgundy Wine with Wine Expert, Alex Lopez | 00:52:18 | |
Located in the heart of France is the renowned region of Burgundy. Burgundy is famed for its vineyards and diverse terroir. From Cote d’Or which is dominated by the Pinot Noir grape to the Cote de Beaune characterized by an abundance of Chardonnay, each sub region holds its own allure and unique varietals. And with such a large region it’s easy to get confused by all the Burgundy has to offer! (Even if it’s mostly only two grapes!) So, I’m so excited to have Burgundy expert Alex Lopez (@drinkswithalexlopez) on the podcast today to teach us all about this region! Alex has focused his career on wine and spirit education while keeping accessibility as key. In addition to his numerous wine certifications, he has recently completed an MBA in Wine and Spirits from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon. Alex dives into the historical evolution of Burgundy, explains the different sub-regions, the classification system, and even touches on tips for buying wine and what to do and where to stay while visiting Burgundy. Are you ready for this deep dive into the French region of Burgundy? If so, grab a glass of your favorite French wine and listen in! Connect with Alex: Instagram - @drinkswithalexlopez Website - www.drinkswithalexlopez.com This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Repour - save 10% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 10 Apr 2024 | Ep 47 4 Up and Coming Wine Regions You Don’t Want to Miss | 00:40:52 | |
I’m so excited for today’s episode on 4 up and coming wine regions! And what I love most about this topic is that a listener proposed this idea! I love chatting about anything you’re interested in hearing about! Now, these regions may not necessarily be new in making wine (in fact some are quite old) but they ARE rising in popularity. Join me as we explore four regions that each have a unique story and distinctive terroir that is catapulting them into the forefront of the wine industry We will learn all about how Armenia is re-building their wine industry and producing wines that are the perfect combo of familiar and unique. Then we’ll head back to the states to talk about wine being made in none other than New Jersey. Finally we’ll discuss the amazing sparkling wines being made in England and why Elim, South Africa is being watched by the wine producing regions of the world due to its geographical location. And you’ll want to listen to the end where I mention 11 more regions that you should be watching! (Because you know I can’t stop at just 4!) So, are you ready to find a new region of wine to fall in love with? If so, press play! Don’t forget to check out Storcia Wines where you can find Armenian wines https://www.storicawines.com/ Related episodes
Embracing hybrid grapes and creating unique wines with Wisconsin winemaker Erin Rasmussen https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-10 Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 17 Apr 2024 | Ep 48 What Factors Influence the Cost of Wine? | 00:25:35 | |
Does price matter when it comes to a bottle of wine? Is a $10 bottle really that different from a $50 bottle of wine? What about a $50 bottle versus a $500 bottle? And what goes into the cost of wine anyway? I’m breaking it all down in today’s episode! From costs involved in grape production and harvesting…to the markups added by distributors, wine shops and restaurants. I’m sharing the many pieces involved that make up that final price of your favorite bottle of wine. I’m also digging into the additional elements that contribute to wine pricing. These include the impact of supply and demand, skill and experience of the winemakers, and prestige associated with different wine regions, among others! So, if you are curious what goes into the cost of your favorite bottle of wine, or you’ve wondered why wines are priced the way that they are, press play and listen in!
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 24 Apr 2024 | Ep 49 Behind the Scenes of the Punk Rock Side of Wine with Paul Greico, Owner of Terroir Tribeca | 00:57:04 | |
What would you do if you were asked to leave your college and your punishment was to work in your parent’s restaurant and go to Italy for 28 days to visit wineries. Would you go? You better believe that is what today’s guest Paul Greico did and it set a chain of events into motion that would ultimately culminate in Paul becoming the founder and owner of the punk inspired wine bar, Terroir Tribeca in New York. Paul is dropping all the tea when it comes to owning a wine bar and running it in an unconventional way. How unconventional? Well, one summer he only served Riesling. Yep that’s it and since then he’s done something Riesling inspired every summer. He’s coined it “The Summer of Riesling”. Paul is going beyond just the glass of wine in this episode. In fact he thinks the whole idea of describing wine by its acidity, body, and aromatics is ridiculous because it’s so subjective! He’s diving into the emotional connections of wine, the historical significance of wine and sharing misconceptions when it comes to wine prices in restaurants.
Episode Highlights:
Connect with Paul: What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 01 May 2024 | Ep 50 My Favorite Picnic Wines for Spring | 00:36:06 | |
As the sun starts to shine brighter and the weather warms up, there's no better way to embrace the beauty of spring than by enjoying a delightful picnic with friends and family. And what better way to elevate your outdoor gathering than by pairing it with the perfect wines? I may not be super outdoorsy but I can definitely appreciate a great picnic and today, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite wines to take on your next picnic. Blaufränkisch is an ideal pairing for intense-flavored foods such as for a BBQ and I bet you probably didn’t think about taking Champagne on your next picnic but it’s a perfect spring picnic pairing! Or maybe you need the perfect wine for your next seafood meal or for some of your favorite fried foods. What about grabbing a bottle of what I call sunshine in a bottle? Or the wine I call lemonade for adults! I mean yum! So, if you are ready to find the next perfect wine for your springtime picnic press play and listen in! And after you listen in I’d love to know which of these you tried on your next picnic! You can message me on Instagram @corkandfizz because I’d love to know what you tried! Related episodes: French Wine 101 - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-19 All about Sparkling Wine - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-44 Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 08 May 2024 | Ep 51 Top 10 Most Common Wine Questions I’m Asked During a Wine Tasting | 00:35:28 | |
As a wine educator I hold a lot of private tastings, virtually and in person, and I’ve noticed the same questions tend to pop up over and over. So, I thought it would be fun to answer the most common wine questions I’m asked because you may have some of these very same questions! Some of the questions I’m asking in this episode include: the connection between smell, taste, and memory in wine perception; how I select the bottles of wine for my tastings; the significance of wine and food pairing; and my personal favorite and least favorite wine at the moment! Ready to hear the most common questions I’m asked? If so, press play and listen in! And if I missed a question that you would love answered, send me a DM on Instagram (@corkandfizz) or send me an email (hailey@corkandfizz.com) because I’d love to answer your questions!
My 4-Step Wine Tasting Method to Build Your Wine Confidence - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-1 Wine and Food Pairing 101: My Simple 2-Step Signature Process - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-11 What Factors Influence the Cost of Wine? - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-48 Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 15 May 2024 | Ep 52 Exploring Australia's Unique Wine Varieties with Kim Chalmers of Chalmers Wine | 00:54:10 | |
The Chalmers family’s wine business is nothing short of extraordinary. They place an emphasis on sustainable practices and family-owned values as well as being advocates for broadening perspectives on Australian wine. Australian wine is more than Shiraz or Sémillon. Chalmers is leading the way with their unique flavor profiles. However, those unique flavor profiles come with their challenges when it comes to growing and introducing new grape varieties and how Australian weather shapes the taste of the grapes. Today’s guest, Kim Chalmers, is a managing director of her family vine, grape and wine business in Victoria, Australia. Kim and her family work to import, promote, propagate, and sustainably grow grape varieties new to Australia. The Chalmers Family has imported more than 50 grape varieties over the past two decades, helping shape the modern face of Australian wine. So, press play and tune in to discover the intricate world of Australian wines, the passion behind the Chalmers family's vineyards, and the hurdles they faced in their pursuit of wine innovation. Connect with Kim: Website: https://www.chalmers.com.au Instagram: @chalmerswine Mother Block: https://motherblock.com.au Related Links: Exploring Australian Wine with Jane Lopes - https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-34 Legend - Australian Wine Imports - https://legendaustralia.com/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 22 May 2024 | Ep 53 Greek Wine: A Hidden Gem - A Wine Region Miniseries | 00:39:16 | |
Even as a wine enthusiast myself, I sometimes find myself drinking the same wines all the time. Lately it’s been a lot of California and Washington wine and while they are absolutely delicious, when Mr. Cork & Fizz suggested going wine shopping for something new, I didn't hesitate to say yes! So, it was that conversation that inspired me to dig deep into Greek wine and to share this inspiration with you, so that if you were looking for something new to try, then maybe you would be inspired to try some Greek wine as well! I’m digging into the history of Greek wine as well as 5 must try Greek wines, from the Assyrtiko which is known for its bone-dry, high-acid, and sometimes salty style to the aromatic Moschofilero - a white wine meant to be enjoyed young, with its floral aromas to the Barolo of Greece: Xinomavro! You’ll also learn about the unique kouloura technique of growing grapes to protect the vines from the powerful sea winds and the unique geographical location of Greece and how that impacts the flavors of the wine. After you listen in, I hope you are inspired to go out and try a bottle of wine from Greece! If you do, head over to instagram (@corkandfizz) and let me know what you tried and what you loved about the wine! Resources: Wine growing method kouloura https://winesofgreece.org/articles/the-santorini-kouloura/ What is an Orange Wine? https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-18 Wine Folly Map of Greece Wine Regions https://media.winefolly.com/Greek-wine-Greece-map-wine-folly.png Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 29 May 2024 | Ep 54 Celebrating One Year! Your Fav Episodes, My Fav Episodes, the Future of this Podcast and more! | 00:48:03 | |
It’s time to raise our wine glasses and celebrate!! The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast is one year old!!!! This episode means so much to me and I’m reflecting on my favorite moments, challenges I’ve encountered along the way, your top 5 favorite episodes to listen to, and my top 5 favorite episodes to record. I’m giving a behind the scenes peek into what the future holds for The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine, and don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere because the future of this podcast is incredibly bright! I have so many ideas that I can’t wait for you to hear them! Thank you so much for being a part of my community and for sharing your enthusiasm for the world of wine with me. As I continue to grow and improve I’d love to hear your feedback on what you would like to hear more about in the future. If you are ready to listen in as I reflect on what the last year has meant to me and where I see us heading in the future press play and listen in. Cheers! Your Top 5 Favorite Episodes Ep 31 Exploring Virginia Wine with Sarah And Nate Walsh Ep 1 My 4-Step Wine Tasting Method Ep 19 French Wine 101 Ep 22 Interview with Natural Wine Expert Molly Ringe Ep 37 Navigating Challenges and Crafting Boutique Wines My Top 5 Favorite Episodes Ep 5 Tips for Smelling Wine Ep 15 Producing Wine in the Rocks District Ep 20 Creating a Luxury Wine Experience Ep 47 4 Up and Coming Wine Regions Ep 8 The Story Behind Cork & Fizz Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 05 Jun 2024 | Ep 55 Esja Wines: A Micro Winery Crafting Wines From Their Garage | 00:54:13 | |
When you think of a winemaker you typically think of wines being produced in a winery, right? Well Esja wines are doing things a bit differently and crafting Washington wines that are funky, fresh, and fun and doing so out of their garage! Today, I’m joined by Tanya Bjornsson, an Icelandic-American winemaker who is the owner of Esja wines, a small batch winery making wines with a light touch that result in lean, elegant, and acid driven wines. Esja sources their fruit from sustainable and organic vineyards, and has a policy of minimal intervention in the winery. Their goal is to produce fun wines that you want to open up and drink! Tanya is diving into challenges of sourcing specific grapes for her wines, her challenges of being a one-person winery and her aim to create light-bodied wines that are approachable and enjoyable for all wine lovers! So, tune in and join us as we explore Tanya’s journey into winemaking and how she crafts her distinctive wines. Want to give Esja wines a try? Head to https://www.esjawines.com/ and receive 10% off Esja wines with the code CORKFIZZ24 Connect with Tanya Website - https://www.esjawines.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esjawines/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 12 Jun 2024 | Ep 56 My Go-To Chillable Red Wines for Summer | 00:27:33 | |
The clouds have started to break. The sun stays out longer. And the weather is getting warmer, which means that summer is finally here! And with summer here, I feel like a lot of people lean towards Rosé and White wines but there is another style of wine that you are not going to want to miss out on…and that is chillable red wines! Chillable red wines typically have higher acidity, are lighter bodied, low in tannins, plus they taste great now so no need to age them. And they are a great value! From the beloved Gamay which is often considered the OG chillable red, to Refosco, which is gaining popularity here in the US with its unique flavors, to Cinsault with its bright red fruit aromas and herbaceous spice notes. I’m sharing 6 of my favorite chillable red wines that you will for sure want to be on the lookout for this summer! So, which of these chillable red wines will you be pouring into your wine glass? I’d love to know! You can send me fan mail with the link above or send me a DM on Instagram @corkandfizz Resources Episodes Mentioned:
Blog Post: Chillable Red Wines (2 Bonus Wines) Cinsault Producers:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 19 Jun 2024 | Types of Wine Grapes: Merlot | 00:34:25 | |
Ep 57 I’m back with another wine grape deep dive and this time it’s Merlot! If I’m being honest, I tend to skip right over Merlot when I see it on the menu. However, after a lot of research, I think I’ve changed my own mind about this grape! Join me as we dive into the rise and fall of the Merlot grape! We’ll get into how Merlot went from being a superstar to shunned, how it is often mistaken for Cabernet Sauvignon, its mysterious parentage, the unique characteristics of Merlot grapes, and its global prominence. We’ll discover the impact terroir has on Merlot from the clay limestone soils of Bordeaux to the mountainous regions where rocky, well-draining soil produces high-quality grapes with concentrated flavors. If you are ready to have your mind blown about this grape and have Merlot back in the spotlight, press play and let’s go! Other Grape Deep Dives
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | Ep 58 Croatian Wine: Exploring Indigenous Grapes and Unique Flavors with Jennifer Kerum | 01:01:25 | |
When we think of wine, countries like France, Italy, and Spain often come to mind as the leading producers of the world's finest vintages. Resources
Offers from Jennifer Kerum:
Connect with Jennifer Kerum
Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 03 Jul 2024 | Ep 59 Santa Barbara Wine Travel Guide! | 00:36:39 | |
Why do I love Santa Barbara wine country so much? Aside from Walla Walla, which you know I love so much, Santa Barbara is my second favorite wine region in the US. It’s not pretentious at all. It’s just a bunch of wine lovers making wine that they love that they then want to share with other people who love wine. Santa Barbara has lots of smaller amazing wineries, top notch restaurants and it’s next to the ocean so those views are ah-mazing!! This is why I’m excited to share all about Santa Barbara wine country with you today. We will dig into the travel logistics - how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, and what restaurants to visit. And of course, the best part, I’m sharing the wineries I visited and what I loved about each one! Are you ready to discover the unparalleled charm of Santa Barbara wine country? If so, press play and listen in and I guarantee at the end of this episode you will be excited to plan your trip to Santa Barbara! Resources:
Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 10 Jul 2024 | Ep 60 The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Wine Tasting Party at Home | 00:26:17 | |
So, you want to host a wine tasting party at home but you have a lot of questions? And the biggest question is where do you even begin!? Plus: How many people should you invite? What kind of wine should you have and what order should you sample it in? I’m answering all of these questions and more on today’s episode! We’ll dive into how to choose a theme, how to set the scene for your party, how to select which wines you will have, how to approach the tasting process with enthusiasm and moderation, and so much more! So, if you are ready to avoid the common mistakes that I often see during a wine tasting party and you are ready to throw a fun and educational event for you and your friends, press play and listen in! Are you ready to host a wine tasting party in your home but don’t want to do it on your own? Book a Cork & Fizz tasting!
Resources:
Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 17 Jul 2024 | Ep 61 Building Community Through Wine at The Grape Choice (Part 1) | 00:37:32 | |
From bartender and manager to wine shop owner, Desirae Ballard is on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all wine lovers at The Grape Choice in Kirkland, WA. Desirae is the owner of The Grape Choice Wine Store and Wine Bar in Kirkland, Washington. Since purchasing The Grape Choice in 2023, Desirae has taken this 40 year old wine store and made it her own! She expanded the food menu to include incredible charcuterie boards that complement the wine selection as well as increased seating and created a welcoming environment for families (plus they’re dog friendly!) Wine and dogs?! Yes please! Today, Desirae is sharing the behind the scenes of what owning a wine shop truly looks like. How did she acquire the wine shop? How does she choose what wine to sell? How did she keep her shop going during the pandemic and make changes to accommodate a new generation? She’s answering all these questions and more today! So, if you are ready to hear about Desirae’s journey, dedication, and ongoing efforts to provide a warm and inclusive space at The Grape Choice and leave us with a deep appreciation for the art of wine and the community it fosters - press play and listen in! Then be sure to tune in next week to hear the second half of our interview! Connect with Desirae Website: http://www.thegrapechoice.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegrapechoice Instagram: @thegrapechoice Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 24 Jul 2024 | Ep 62 Tips for Navigating Small Wine Shops with Desirae Ballard (Part 2) | 00:24:18 | |
When you walk into a wine shop do you immediately feel intimidated about the selection of wines? Is wine more expensive at a small wine shop? What if you can’t find something in your budget? According to today’s guest, Desirae Ballard, if the small wine shop is doing their job right then you will absolutely find something within your budget! And the best part is that with a small wine shop you will be able to get recommendations tailored to exactly what you are looking for! In today's episode, Desirae is dispelling the misconceptions about small wine shops being too expensive, why you will see a slight price difference between a small wine shop and a big box store like Costco, and how she matches the right wine to a customer. After this episode you will be excited to visit your local small wine shop! And if you missed last week's episode go back and listen to Episode 61! It was Part 1 with Desirae where she talks about how she became the owner of the Grape Choice in Kirkland, WA, how she kept it alive during the pandemic, and how she chooses which wines to sell in her shop. Connect with Desirae Website: http://www.thegrapechoice.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegrapechoice Instagram: @thegrapechoice Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 31 Jul 2024 | Ep 63 Wine Aromas 101 | 00:35:31 | |
There's something undeniably alluring about the aroma of a fine wine, isn't there? It's an experience that can transport us to various places and evoke a myriad of emotions. Before I really understood wine, I had a glass of Chardonnay and I was convinced that there was pineapple and coconut in it. And when I asked the winemaker if they had added those flavors to the wine she said “no, that’s just the way wine works.” Ever since then, I’ve been enthralled in the world of wine! And one of the things I find absolutely fascinating about wine are the wine aromas. Today, we are going to get a little bit nerdy and talk about the science behind smells and why you are smelling aromas in your wines and how they got there. We will also dive into the aroma classification system and expound on the various categories of primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas in wine, shedding light on their origins and significance in shaping the multifaceted bouquet of flavors found in wines. So, grab a glass of your favorite wine, give this episode a listen, and get ready to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of wine aromas! Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 07 Aug 2024 | Ep 64 Tips for Serving Wine: From the Temperature, to the Glass, to Decanting | 00:38:46 | |
Summertime means lots of get-togethers with friends and family and the perfect time to serve some great bottles of wine! But, how do you properly serve wine? What temperature should wine be served at? Do I have to have special glasses to serve it in? How do I know if I should decant the wine first? As a wine expert I’ve learned a lot about serving wine and while it’s second nature to me, I know that it’s not for everyone and that is what today’s episode is all about! We are diving into what type of wine glasses to use and why I use those types of wine glasses. Why you should not be filing an entire wine glass with wine. Also: what order you should serve the wine in and how many bottles you should buy for a party. As well as, what is the best temperature to serve wine at and the basics of decanting wine. So, if you are ready to look like a wine expert at your next get-together press play and listen in! Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 14 Aug 2024 | Ep 65 Synthetic Wine and Thrilling Stories with Jupiter’s Blood Author Steven Laine | 00:39:05 | |
What if science could perfectly replicate a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy, so that our grandkids' grandkids could discover exactly what a 2020 vintage tasted like? This was the idea that initially sparked today’s guest, author Stephen Laine's, latest novel, Jupiter's Blood. Steven Laine, Wine Scholar and author of 'Root Cause,' ‘Dragonvine,’ and 'Jupiter's Blood' is an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier. He's worked two harvests at Canadian wineries as a winemaker-cellarman at Mission Hill Family Estate in 2020 and Trius Winery in 2021. He's the only North American to be invited to join the Champagne Academy in France and is completing his Diploma in Wine with WSET in London. Steven dives into synthetic wine in this latest novel, making you wonder: Is it possible to replicate wine? You may be surprised by his answer during this interview! We discuss how he created Jupiter’s Blood and what made him start writing stories centered around the world of wine. He also gives us a sneak peek of his new book coming out next year: Heist Bordeaux. So, tune in as we unravel the intersection of lab-made wine, storytelling, and real-life experiences in Steven’s novels, and the remarkable stories behind his thrilling books!
Website - www.stevenlaine.com Purchase Steven’s novels - Root Cause, Dragonvine and Jupiter’s Blood -https://www.stevenlaine.com/books Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | Ep 66 Ukrainian Wine 101 | 00:26:48 | |
Have you tried a Ukrainian wine? Yes Ukraine, as in the country of Ukraine, makes wine! While Ukrainian wine isn’t in the mainstream wine world yet, they have been making wine for a very long time. In today’s episode we will dive into the history of Ukrainian wine that dates back to the 8th Century BC. Despite numerous political and historical challenges and the devastating effects of the ongoing war, Ukrainian winemaking has seen an incredible revival since the recent Russian invasion. I’ll dive into the unique geographical aspects of Ukraine’s wine regions and highlight the diverse grape varieties grown in the Ukraine, including indigenous ones like Odessa Black and Telti Kuruk and so much more. So, if you are ready to broaden your wine knowledge with a region that’s making waves despite incredible challenges, and whose wines are a true testament to resilience and passion - press play and listen in! Resources: Maps: Where to buy Ukrainian wine
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 28 Aug 2024 | Ep 67 Tips for Storing Wine at Home | 00:25:58 | |
I’ve always cringed when watching those shows like house hunters when they show homes with kitchen wine storage right above the oven. Spoiler: that's one of the worst places to store wine! So, where should you store your wine at home? Today, we are diving into the best way to store wine at home. I'll guide you through creating the perfect home environment for your wine bottles, emphasizing a cool, dark, and stable setting. You don't need fancy furniture or expensive wine cellars to store your wine – a simple solution like the back of your closet or an unfinished basement can be perfect. And we’ll dive into more advanced options for long-term storage, like wine fridges and off-site wine storage facilities. So, if you are ready to up your wine storage game you will want to tune in! Resources: Ep 32 - Wine Faults 101 - How and Why does wine go bad? Wine bottle tags From Amazon- https://a.co/d/fgsBbVf Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 04 Sep 2024 | Ep 68 A Family Legacy with Spanish Winemaker Pepe Raventos (Part 1) | 00:23:52 | |
I often ask my guests what made them decide to get into wine. However, today’s guest’s family has been in the wine business for five centuries, so I’m going to take a guess and say that has something to do with it. Today, Spanish winemaker, Pepe of Raventós i Blanc, is sharing how his winery has transitioned to producing 100% biodynamic wines, the challenges that he has faced in maintaining his family's traditions. He also shares his story from social work back to the family business and highlighting his deep connection between community and winemaking. Don’t miss out on next week’s episode when Pepe and I resume our conversation and talk about Raventos i Blanc leaving the Cava DO that his grandfather had created, why he chooses to embrace Spanish varietals over the more common French ones, and a grape that had almost been extinct which the winery was able to bring back and has been an absolute jewel in winemaking. So, if you are ready to explore the intricate world of Spanish wine, hear a unique perspective on the evolution of viticulture, the importance of biodynamic farming, and the transformation of Pepe’s family's winery, Raventós i Blanc, press play and listen in! Connect with Pepe: Website: https://www.raventos.com/ Can Sumoi: https://cansumoi.cat/ Mas Del Serral: https://masdelserral.com/?lang=en#wine Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 11 Sep 2024 | Ep 69 Exploring Spanish Sparkling Wine with Pepe Raventos: Breaking Away from Cava (Part 2) | 00:24:44 | |
When you think of Spanish sparkling wine do you think of Cava? Today's guest, Pepe Raventos, is all too familiar with the Cava DO and its regulations because his grandfather was the promoter and creator of the Cava DO. However, Pepe is sharing the rationale behind his family’s bold move to depart from the traditional Cava DO where the standards are too broad and winemaking has shifted to mass production. Pepe and his family are creating a new, more rigorous appellation: Conca del Riu Anoia. This new designation focuses on terroir, indigenous grapes like Xarello and Sumoll, and stringent quality standards. Pepe’s commitment is clear: to offer a sparkling wine reminiscent of the world’s finest, without compromising on the authentic, mineral-driven qualities of the Penedes region and the Xarello grape. So, if you are ready to dive into the world of Spanish sparkling wines, learn why the wines from Raventos i Blanc are not labeled as Cava, and what brought about the creation of a new wine region, press play and listen in! If you haven’t listened to Episode 68 go back and listen! It’s Part 1 of my interview with Pepe Raventos where we talked about his family being in the wine industry for five centuries and the importance of biodynamic farming. Connect with Pepe: Website: https://www.raventos.com/ Can Sumoi: https://cansumoi.cat/ Mas Del Serral: https://masdelserral.com/?lang=en#wine Resources: Raventos i Blanc - https://www.wine.com/list/wine/raventos-i-blanc/7155-104273 Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 18 Sep 2024 | Ep 70 Understanding the Differences: Organic, Biodynamic, Natural and Clean Wines Explained | 00:29:15 | |
There are a lot of buzzwords in the wine world and honestly, some of them are more marketing than anything else. However, there are a few that I think are important to talk about. Today, we are diving into the differences between organic, biodynamic, natural and clean wines? What does it mean when you see that a wine has been made sustainably? I’m breaking down the varying standards and certifications, exploring the unique practices in biodynamic winemaking, such as burying cow horns filled with compost, and clarifying the often misunderstood term “clean” wine. We’ll also explore the role of sustainability in winemaking and how it impacts the environment and communities. So, if you’re ready to demystify the world of organic, biodynamic, natural and clean wines while gaining a deeper understanding of sustainable winemaking practices, press play and listen in! Resources: Ep 22 - Interview with Natural Wine Expert, Molly Ringe of Molly’s Bottle Shop Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | Ep 71 A Guide to Lebanese Wine | 00:21:25 | |
You’ve probably heard of old world and new world wines but have you heard about the ancient world? Lebanon is one of the lesser known winemaking regions, however, historians date Lebanese wine making back to 2700 BC with the Phoenicians! Today, we are going to explore the unique geographical and climatic nuances that make Lebanese wine so special, from its Mediterranean climate to the chalky limestone soils of the Bekkah valley. You will also learn about France’s influence on Lebanese wine and discover local grape varieties, including Merwah and Obaideh. So, if you are ready to take a journey through Lebanese wine, from its ancient origins to its more modern roots, and discover if your favorite wine may be from Lebanon, press play and listen in! Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 02 Oct 2024 | Ep 72 A Unique Path into French Wine Education with French Wine Tutor Katie Melchior (Part 1) | 00:32:08 | |
Who knew a road trip with influencers through the Loire Valley could ignite a passion for making French wine accessible? On this trip through the Loire Valley, Katie noted the poorly translated materials that were being used to educate the influencers. This would ultimately lead to Katie launching the French Wine Tutor! Katie Melchior, the founder of French Wine Tutor, is an American who has studied French since she was 11 years old and lived in France several times. After pursuing use of her French language in the professional world, she noticed that the wine industry had a general lack of understanding on how the French language worked. As a result, fewer people chose French wine to drink. In July of 2019, she started French Wine Tutor to help fellow Americans through her blog and instagram. The goal was to educate everyone, from U.S. consumers to sommeliers, about French wine – notably, how to pronounce all those tricky words on the bottle. Today, Katie is sharing her journey into the wine industry, where she found herself quickly learning to create wine content for social media and educating others about French wine. Katie shares invaluable insights into the art of French wine pronunciation. She notes how it’s more than just getting the names right, it’s about connection and appreciation. She also discusses the differences between how we learn about wine in America and in France. Listen in as Katie and I explore the intersections of language, culture, and wine. And don’t miss next week's episode where Katie shares practical tips on French pronunciation and insights into lesser-known wine regions. Connect with Katie: Website: www.frenchwinetutor.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/frenchwinetutor Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 09 Oct 2024 | Ep 73 Exploring Underrated French Wine Regions & Pronunciations with Katie Melchior (Part 2) | 00:43:13 | |
Are you curious about lesser known French wine regions and mastering tricky pronunciation? Today, I have Katie Melchior back on the podcast with me and she is helping us master French wine region pronunciation. Katie shares how to pronounce regions such as Champagne, Bourgogne and the tricky Languedoc-Roussillon. And how to understand letter combinations to get that French sound. She shares her top 3 regions that she feels deserves more attention, which one she considers the underdog of French wine, and where you want to get your Rosé from (and it’s not Provence). So, if you are ready to explore some lesser known French wine regions and how to pronounce those trickier French wine names then today’s episode is for you! If you haven’t listened to Episode 72, go back and listen in! In Part 1 of my interview with Katie Melchior of the French Wine Tutor, we talked about the intersection of language, culture and wine. Connect with Katie: Website: www.frenchwinetutor.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/frenchwinetutor Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 16 Oct 2024 | Ep 74 My Trip to France: An Overview with Travel & Planning Tips | 00:31:21 | |
I have wanted to visit France since I first fell in love with a white Burgundy. Mr. Cork & Fizz and I planned this bucket list trip in 2020. Of course that didn’t happen and since I don’t love to fly, it kept getting pushed down the list of places to visit. My final push to get this bucket list item back on my calendar came when my Mom and Dad gifted me a basket of wonderful French goodies because they knew how much I wanted to visit France. And I’m so grateful for that push they gave me! So, today I’m sharing my experience of the French wine country. We’ll dive into how I planned our trip and if you are a spreadsheet nerd like myself, you’ll want to check out mine at the link below. We’ll discuss the best time to visit France, how to get around to the different wine regions, and two amazing places to visit in Paris for wine. And I’m sharing all about the different regions we visited, including Nantes, Lyon, Burgundy, and Jura. So, if you are ready to plan a visit to French wine country and want insider tips on planning your perfect wine adventure, press play and listen in! Resources: Ep 19 - French Wine 101 Ep 35 - French Wine 101 Part Deux - The Lesser Known Regions Ep 70 - The difference between Organic, Biodynamic, Natural and Clean Wine Hailey’s Travel Spreadsheet for France - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dlhWkCENNcqWd4XcBqAjcSI7zS_9Y7T6y0VUOcM0EHE/edit?usp=sharing Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 23 Oct 2024 | Ep 75 My Trip to France: Muscadet 101 | 00:36:20 | |
Ever wondered how the Melon grape from Burgundy transformed into the acclaimed Muscadet wines of Nantes? While in France, we visited Nantes! Located in the westernmost part of the Loire Valley, it is also home to the Muscadet region. Muscadet has some of the most intriguing, affordable and delectable grapes, primarily crafted from the Melon grape. I’m diving into the grape, Melon, which is known for producing high-acidity wines. We’ll discuss how this grape unexpectedly found its perfect home in Nantes and what gives it a distinctive, refreshing character. I’m also sharing my personal tasting notes from our amazing tasting experience at historic winery, Domaine Landron. So, if you are curious about Muscadet wines, their unique terroir, and the fact that these wines are just stupid good, this episode is for you! Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 30 Oct 2024 | Ep 76 From Virginia Wine to Burgundy Wine w/ Hanna & Michael Shaps (Part 1) | 00:31:17 | |
What is it like to master winemaking in both the historic vineyards of Burgundy and the dynamic terroir of Virginia? That’s exactly what today's guest, Michael Shaps, has done. Shaps and his daughter, Hanna, are navigating French wine traditions and pioneering diverse varietals in Virginia. Maison Shaps is a french-american winery that currently owns four hectares in the Côte de Beaune. Founded by Michael Shaps after his studies at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, Maison Shaps focuses on making low-intervention wines. Currently managed by Hanna Shaps, Michael's daughter, Maison Shaps produces between 25 and 30,000 bottles each year. Michael also owns a winery in Virginia where he is considered one of the key figures in the modern Virginia wine industry. In addition to Burgundy traditions and extreme climate changes in Virginia, Michael dives into his excitement around the creativity and innovation of Virginian wine. Hanna shares how she is leading the way in Burgundy with enhanced tasting experiences. So, if you are ready to learn about the intricacies of Virginia and Burgundy wine production and how Hanna and Michael Shaps are at the forefront of the winemaking industry, press play! Connect with Hannah and Michael: Burgundy Website: www.maisonshaps.com Virginia Website: https://www.virginiawineworks.com Cheese and Wine Pairing with Hanna: https://www.lactique974.com/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 06 Nov 2024 | Ep 77 What Makes Burgundy Grapes & Wine So Special w/ Maison Shaps Winery (Part 2) | 00:29:05 | |
The world of Burgundy grapes and wine can be incredibly confusing, which is why I have the father-daughter duo, Hanna and Michael Shaps, back on the podcast. Today, they share what you really need to know about Burgundy. So, what should we know about Burgundy? How about the Aligoté grape? Once the underdog of Burgundy, it has now risen to 6% of Burgundy’s wine production. Once considered a lesser varietal, Aligoté is making a remarkable comeback thanks to changing climates and innovative winemaking techniques. We also learn why Hanna thinks the Boozéron appellation is something special to be a part of. Then Michael delves into the importance of Burgundy’s parcellary system, explaining how the unique geographic and climatic conditions significantly influence the wine’s characteristics, even within short distances. So, if you are ready to dive into emerging wine regions, unparalleled wine and cheese pairings, and the fascinating intricacies of Burgundy wine making - press play and listen in! If you haven’t listened to Episode 76 go back and listen! It’s Part 1 of my interview with Hanna and Michael Shaps where we talked about the intricacies of Virginia and Burgundy wine production and how Hanna and Michael Shaps are at the forefront of the winemaking industry. Connect with Hannah and Michael: Burgundy Website: www.maisonshaps.com Virginia Website: https://www.virginiawineworks.com Cheese and Wine Pairing with Hanna: https://www.lactique974.com/ Book the best wine experiences in France: https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 13 Nov 2024 | Ep 78 My Trip to France: Beaujolais & Burgundy 101 | 00:42:10 | |
When I was planning my trip to France with Mr. Cork & Fizz, it was an absolute given that we would visit Burgundy! And much to my surprise, I saw that we would have to drive right through Beaujolais to get to Burgundy. You know we had to stop in Beaujolais for a wine tasting and I’m so glad we did! So, for today’s episode we are going to talk about Burgundy and Beaujolais, and what makes each area so special. Beaujolais is actually known as the forgotten part, or black sheep, of Burgundy. We will dive into an overview of Beaujolais, its classification system, what grape comes from here, and the absolutely insane wine that we had at Domaine du “Tane”. Then we will move onto Burgundy with an overview of this region, the classification system here, and what grapes you will find in Burgundy. We discuss what regions house some of the most popular Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the world, and my tasting experience at Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume. So, are you ready for a journey through the heart of France’s most beloved wine regions? If so, grab a glass of wine and tune in! Resources Ep 76 & 77 with Hanna and Michael Shaps of Maison Shaps Winery Ep 75 My trip to France: Muscadet 101 Ep 74 My trip to France: An overview with travel & planning tips Ep 72 & 73 with French Wine Tutor Katie Melchior Ep 70 The Difference Between Organic, Biodynamic, Natural, and Clean Wine Ep 19 French wine 101 Ep 35 French wine part Deux Rue de Vignerons - https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/en/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 20 Nov 2024 | Ep 79 My Trip to France: Jura Wine 101 | 00:29:00 | |
Ever tasted a wine so unique that you either absolutely love it or completely hate it? I was first introduced to Jura wine at a French wine shop here in Seattle. I saw a bottle of Savagnin and asked the wine clerk how is this different from Sauvignon Blanc? The owner said I had to try it and people either love it or hate it! I ended up loving the unique wines of Jura and I knew that Jura would be a stop on my dream vacation trip. Today, we are exploring Jura’s unique grape varietals, how the phylloxera epidemic shaped today’s Jura vineyards, and the rare winemaking techniques that produce Jura’s distinctive oxidative wines. I’m also sharing tips for visiting Jura, from must-see subregions to the gorgeous town of Château-Chalon. I'll also share my personal winery experience at Domaine BAUD - Génération 9 and the exceptional wines that left a lasting impression. So, if you are ready to go on a journey through a lesser known region with unique grapes and age-old winemaking traditions that create some of the most distinctive wines you’ve never heard of, then today’s episode is for you. Resources: Rue de Vignerons - https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/en/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 27 Nov 2024 | Ep 80 Burgundy Wine Adventures w/ Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 1) | 00:36:02 | |
Ever dreamed of sipping world-renowned Burgundy wine in the very vineyards they come from? I did just that on my recent trip to Burgundy! It was made possible by an amazing wine tour from Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine. The tour was a highlight of my trip so I knew I had to invite Kim on the podcast! Kim’s career in the wine world originated in California in the late 80s, which enticed her to spend an immersion year in Burgundy, now her permanent home. In 1999 she started Journeys in Wine, creating personalized itineraries for individuals and small groups of wine enthusiasts to discover this renowned wine region. Sharing the insider's knowledge of Burgundy is her passion, along with its wines and rich cultural heritage. Kim’s mission is to make the complexities of the region and its wines more understandable, approachable, and, most especially, more enjoyable! In today’s episode, we dive into Beaune, often considered the wine capital of Burgundy. We discuss how it offers an unparalleled wine experience compared to Dijon, as well as how generational trends are shaping Burgundy’s wine tourism. We peel back the layers on France’s unique wine sales dynamics, with small family wineries producing limited quantities of wine while marketing often takes a back seat. And we find out how tourists can try to get a coveted tasting at these small wineries. So, if you are ready to go beyond the typical wine tour handbook, discover hidden gems, learn the nuances that make Burgundy wines stand out, and get insider tips that will transform your next wine adventure, then press play and listen in! Don’t miss next week’s episode when I have Kim back on the podcast and we dive into demystifying Burgundy wine - how the soil affects the taste of the wine, tips for reading the labels on the bottles, and how Kim selects the wineries that she includes in her tours. Resources: Book a wine tour with Kim Gagne at kim@journeysinwine.com Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 04 Dec 2024 | Ep 81 Demystifying Burgundy Wine w/Kim of Journeys in Wine (Part 2) | 00:36:53 | |
Are you curious about the world of Burgundy wines? What makes them so unique and sought after? Burgundy is a wine lover’s paradise, but diving into its complexities can feel like navigating a maze! Today, I have Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine back on the podcast and she is diving into the nuances of Burgundy wine. Kim explores the importance of terroir - the distinct environmental factors such as soil, orientation, and climate - that give each parcel its unique characteristics. Kim shares how to read a Burgundy wine label, discern the quality of wines, and navigate the complexities of Burgundy wine selections. In case you are planning on visiting Burgundy, she shares tips including the best times to go and where to stay. She also gives us a glimpse into her wine tours and how she strives to give you an authentic Burgundy experience. So, if you are ready to step into Burgundy and understand the magic behind the bottle this episode is for you! If you missed part 1 of my interview with Kim go back to episode 80 where you can hear Kim’s story of how she ended up in Burgundy, how generational trends are shaping Burgundy’s wine tourism, and how the tastings work in the French wineries. Resources: Book a wine tour with Kim Gagne at kim@journeysinwine.com Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 11 Dec 2024 | Ep 82 Hailey’s Must Have 2024 Holiday Wine Gift Guide | 00:33:44 | |
This is one of my favorite episodes of the year! We are diving into my 2024 holiday wine gift guide! Maybe you’re like my family and you start your holiday shopping in October, or maybe you are like Mr. Cork & Fizz’s family and you start your shopping in December. Either way, I think you will find some amazing gift ideas here as well as some fun stocking stuffer ideas! This gift guide is specially curated for wine enthusiasts and wine beginners. It includes over 90 meticulously selected items from small businesses, iconic wineries and innovative brands. Today’s episode includes everything from wine-themed apparel to fun tasting games, books that will help you discover wine regions around the world, and so much more. The guide also includes exclusive discount codes for over 20 items! So, if you are looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life then today’s episode is for you. Grab the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide here - https://www.corkandfizz.com/holidaygiftguide Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 18 Dec 2024 | Ep 83 Your Guide to the Perfect Christmas Wine for Dinner | 00:29:39 | |
Are you scrambling to find the perfect wine for your holiday gatherings? I’ve got you covered with sparkling, white, red and dessert wines that will be perfect for your Christmas dinner. In today’s episode I’m sharing with you a cost-effective yet sophisticated alternative to Champagne as well as food-friendly white wines that will add a rich note to your holiday dinner, because we don’t just have to drink red wine for the holidays! But if you do prefer a red wine, I’m sharing wines that are acidic and have a wonderful flavor profile. And we can’t forget about dessert! I’m sharing 3 amazing dessert wines that will go perfectly with your holiday sweets. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by all the endless wine choices for your holiday festivities and you are looking to make your Christmas dinner memorable with the perfect glass of wine, today’s episode is for you! Grab my FREE Holiday Wine Guide! https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/holidaywineguide Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 25 Dec 2024 | Ep 84 Navigating Wine Imports with Mexican and Portuguese Wine w/ Dale Ott (Part 1) | 00:33:39 | |
Ever wondered what it takes to bring unique Mexican and Portuguese wines to your local shelves? Today’s guest, Dale Ott, is giving us a behind the scenes look at what it takes to import wine into the US. We talk about why she chose to import wines from Mexico and Portugal, as well as her meticulous selection process for importing wines - hint it’s all about building strong, trust-based relationships with producers. She places an emphasis on low-intervention wines that genuinely represent their regional lineage. She also dives into challenges faced by smaller wine producers and importers, like the exorbitant margins taken by distributors and the large increase in shipping costs, all of which contribute to higher consumer costs. Dale Ott is a sommelier-turned-importer who specializes in Mexican and Portuguese wine. Dale and her husband, Stephone Ott, are the owners of NOSSA imports. They have over 30 years of experience on all three tiers of the alcohol industry and are excited to shed light upon historically-relevant wine regions around the world that are making high quality wines deserving of international visibility. So, if you are ready to learn about the intricacies of importing Mexican and Portuguese wines, the dynamic factors impacting wine prices, the detailed journey from vineyard to your table, and the passionate efforts behind NOSSA imports, then this episode is for you. Connect with Dale: Shop - https://nossa-imports.myshopify.com Instagram - @nossaimports Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 01 Jan 2025 | Ep 85 Exploring Portuguese and Mexican Wines w/ NOSSA Imports (Part 2) | 00:35:03 | |
Are you ready to go beyond wine from Spain, France, and the United States? Dale Ott, sommelier turned importer of Mexican and Portuguese wines, is back on the podcast and she is giving us a deep dive into Mexican and Portuguese wines. Dale is diving into the often overlooked but incredibly fascinating worlds of Mexican and Portuguese wines. She shares how Portuguese wines are reviving ancient winemaking traditions and how regions like Northern Baja and Valle de Parras are overcoming infrastructural challenges to produce exquisite, sustainably-grown wines. And Dales shares one of her go to producers in Mexico - JC Bravo, where they dry-farm grapes and are making waves with their sustainable practice and exquisite wines. So, if you are ready to jump into these lesser known wine regions from Portugal and Mexico and discover ancient traditions, complex flavors, and hidden treasures from regions that are capturing international attention, then this episode is for you! If you missed part 1 of my conversation with Dale, go back to episode 84 where we talk about the intricacies of importing Mexican and Portuguese wines, the dynamic factors impacting wine prices, the detailed journey from vineyard to your table, and the passionate efforts behind NOSSA imports. Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 08 Jan 2025 | Ep 86 Txakoli: Exploring Spain’s Basque Country Signature Wine | 00:28:35 | |
With its rise in popularity, I had a listener, Sheila, reach out to me wanting to learn more about Txakoli! I didn’t know a lot about Txakoli until I started researching this episode and what surprised me most was that Txakoli is not a grape! It’s actually a style of wine, usually referring to dry white wine from the Basque Country of Spain. It’s known for being slightly sparkling, fruity, and refreshing. In today’s episode, we will dive into the historical significance of Txakoli, as well as the winemaking techniques that bring out its acidity, refreshing fruity flavors, and slight effervescence which is perfect for pairing with a variety of foods. I’ll touch on the grape varieties, primarily the Hondarrabi Zuri for whites and Hondarrabi Beltza for reds, and how these grapes contribute to the overall experience of Txakoli. So, if you are ready to dive into the world of Txakoli and discover what makes this wine so special press play and listen in! Recommended Wine producers: Txomin Etxaniz (Getariako Txakolina) Rezabal (Getariako Txakolina) Doniene Gorrondona (Bizkaiko Txakolina) Malkoa (Arabako Txakolina) Bodega Elizalde (Bizkaiko Txakolina) Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 15 Jan 2025 | Ep 87 My Go-To Wine Books for Beginners & Enthusiasts | 00:27:37 | |
When it comes to wine books, which ones are essential for every wine lover’s collection? Well, if you know anything about me, you know I’m a sucker for a good wine book. A wine book is how I actually ended up getting into wine in the first place! Before I was really enthralled by the world of wine, my husband and I took a trip down to Willamette Valley. The tour guide gave us an amazing tour of Archery Summit and recommended this book called Cork Dork for me to read. After reading Cork Dork, it led to a deep dive into countless wine books that have since become cornerstones of my collection. Today, I’m sharing my top 13 wine book recommendations and I’ve grouped them into 4 categories: reference books, personal essays/novel-esque, food pairing guides, and others. Whether it’s deepening your wine knowledge, learning new food and wine pairings, or a thrilling fiction book, there is a book here for everyone! So, if you are ready to dive into the world of wine through the pages of expertly curated books, press play and listen in! Related Episodes: EP 05 - Tips for Smelling Wine with Cork Dork Author Bianca Bosker Ep 29 - Cork Crew Q&A with Karen Mcneil, Author of the Wine Bible Ep 34 - Exploring Australian Win with Jane Lopes Ep 65 - Synthetic Wine & Thrilling Stories with Jupiter’s Blood Author Steven Laine Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 22 Jan 2025 | Ep 88 Wine, Storytelling, and Life Lessons with Natalie MacLean (Part 1) | 00:39:10 | |
How does one go from working at Supercomputer company SGI to becoming a renowned wine critic author? Today, we are joined by Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass; Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines; and Wine Witch on Fire. Natalie shares her transformation from tech to full-time writer, and dives into how storytelling can transform complex topics like wine into engaging and memorable experiences. The conversation turns personal when Natalie opens up about her memoir, Wine Witch on Fire, which blends wine education with deeply personal narratives about overcoming significant life challenges. And we chat about wine reviews; are they really helpful? Natalie is the wine expert on CTV’s The Social, Canada’s largest daytime television show; CTV News; CHCH Morning Live; and CityTV’s Breakfast Television. She was named the World’s Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards, and has won four James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards. She is the only person to have won both the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation and the M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les Dames d’Escoffier International. So, if you are ready to dive into Natalie’s remarkable journey, her wine tasting tips, and the challenges and triumphs of navigating the wine industry then this episode is for you. And don’t miss next week when Natalie is back on the podcast and we chat about her memoir Wine Witch on Fire, her struggles with drinking, and the bullying she endured in the online space. Connect with Natalie: Website: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/ Natalie’s Books: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/blog/books/ Free Pairing Guide& Book Club Guide: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/ Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 29 Jan 2025 | Ep 89 Navigating Wine, Personal Growth, and Online Bullying with Natalie MacLean (Part 2) | 00:37:55 | |
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dive deep into the world of wine while facing the challenges of online bullying? In today’s episode I have Natalie MacLean back on the podcast and she’s diving into the world of wine through an experiential and personal lens. Natalie shares her unique approach to wine journalism, the emotional and cultural impact of wine, and challenges within the hospitality industry - from high rates of substance abuse to etiquette norms that stigmatize open discussions about alcohol misuse. Natalie also shares her personal experiences towards alcohol consumption and online bullying. So, if you are ready to dig into the emotional and cultural layers of wine, confront industry challenges like online bullying, and get a taste of Natalie’s adventurous stories this episode is for you! Today's episode is part 2 of my chat with Natalie. If you missed the first part where we chat about Natalie's journey as a wine writer, her memoir Wine Witch on Fire, and if wine reviews are actually helpful, then go back and listen to episode 88! Connect with Natalie: Website: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/ Natalie’s Books: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/blog/books/ Free Pairing Guide& Book Club Guide: https://www.nataliemaclean.com/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 05 Feb 2025 | Ep 90 Is Vermouth a Wine or a Liquor? | 00:33:59 | |
When you think of Vermouth do you think of it as just a mixer for your martini? Vermouth is actually a wine! Wine must make up at least 75% of the total volume of a Vermouth, so it is very much a wine! From its ancient medicinal roots in 1050 BC China to its evolution in Italy as an aperitif, I’m diving into what Vermouth really is and why it’s so significant in the wine world. I’m digging into how Vermouth is crafted, the types of wine involved, and the unique botanicals that give Vermouth its distinctive flavors. Plus, I break down Vermouth from extra dry to sweet. And if you are curious about how to drink Vermouth, I’m covering that as well! So, tune in and get ready to see Vermouth in a whole new way! Top Vermouth Producers: Italy: Antica Formula, Cocchi, Martini, Cinzano, Chazalattes, Del Professore, Mauro Vergano, Punt e Mas, Bonme France: Noilly Prat, Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambery, Quintinye Rouge Vermouth Royal, Harry Lester Spain: El Bandarra, Casa Mariol Vermut Negre, Miro Rojo, Yzaguirre Rojo, Lustau, La Copa, St. Petroni Blanco Vermut, Atxa Germany: Belsazar, Ferdinand’s UK: Sacred, Asterley Bros, Wermod, Albourne Estate USA: Quady Winery, Atsby, Ransom Dry, Imbue Australia: Regal Rogue, Causes and Cures, Maidenii To Learn More About Vermouth Check out “A Spirited Guide to Vermouth” by Jack Adair Bevan Jack is an award-winning food and drink writer and one of the first restaurateurs to make his own vermouth. Includes history, production, how to drink it, and lots of cocktail recipes! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 12 Feb 2025 | Ep 91 Croatia Wine 101: A Guide to Croatian Wine Regions & Grapes | 00:37:28 | |
Ever wondered what it's like to sip wine from the real-life King’s Landing from Game of Thrones? Today, I’m diving into the world of Croatian wine. I had never really thought about Croatian wine until last year when Jennifer Kerum attended my Walla Walla retreat. Jennifer is from Croatia and runs a wine tourism business there. She came on the podcast to talk about all things Croatian wine and it was so fascinating that I knew I needed to dig deeper into this region. I recently highlighted Croatian wine in my Cork Crew and we had so much fun that I wanted to share it with you on the podcast! This week, we’ll talk about the diverse wine regions of Croatia and I’ll share each area’s distinct climates, soils, and grape varietals. We’ll also discuss Croatia’s ancient winemaking roots and the devastating Pylloxera epidemic that has shaped Croatia's wine scene. So, if you’re ready to explore the fascinating world of Croatian wine, from its rich history to its diverse regions and unique grape varietals, press play and listen in! Resources: Ep 58 - Croatian wine episode with Jennifer Kerum - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-58 Croatia Wine Folly Map - https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/introduction-to-croatian-wines/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 19 Feb 2025 | Turning Grief into Good: The Inspirational Story of the DD Project w/ David Britz (Part 1) | 00:40:40 | |
Ep 92 Today’s story is one of taking immense grief and love, and transforming it into a heartwarming initiative that honors a memory while celebrating female entrepreneurs by funding their dreams through wine sales. My guest David tragically lost his mother in 2019. He was driven by a desire to honor her memory and her entrepreneurial achievements through the founding of the DD Project. In this episode, we dive deep into the origin of the DD Project, David’s decision-making process for selecting and producing wines, and some of David’s favorite wines he’s produced for the DD Project. David Britz is the founder of DD Project Wines and the DD Entrepreneurial Foundation. Started in honor of his late mother Diane Rizzo, all of the proceeds from DD Project Wines go toward the foundation’s work of supporting and developing female-owned businesses via grants and educational opportunities. David’s cause celebrates legacy while savoring wines that are much more than what’s in the bottle. So, if you are inspired by the ways passion can transform grief into a powerful mission, click play and listen in on my conversation with David. And don’t miss next week’s episode when David is back on the podcast to chat about his connection between wine and music, how he believes wine can have a positive impact on the world, and which wine myth bugs David the most! Connect with David Britz The DD Project - https://www.ddprojectwines.com/ David’s Production & Management Company - https://www.worksentertainment.com/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 26 Feb 2025 | Exploring the Harmony Between Wine & Music w/ David Britz (Part 2) | 00:35:22 | |
Ep 93 What do wine and music have in common? More than you think! Today, I have David Britz back on the podcast and he is sharing the synergies between wine and music! We talk about how both worlds are deeply intertwined in capturing unique, unrepeatable moments of magic. Whether it’s the perfect note in a live show or the optimal harvest of grapes for a vintage, both processes harness time to create something irreplicable. And don’t miss when David shares his aspirations for expanding the DD Project in honor of his late mother, Diane Rizzo. So, if you are intrigued by how passion for wine, community, and music can truly shape unforgettable experiences, then this episode is for you. Today’s episode is part 2 of my chat with David. If you missed the first part where we chat about the origin and the inspiration behind the DD Wine Project, then go back and listen to episode 92! Connect with David Britz The DD Project - https://www.ddprojectwines.com/ David’s Production & Management Company - https://www.worksentertainment.com/ Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 05 Mar 2025 | Italian Wine 101: Key Regions and Grape Varietals | 00:35:00 | |
Ep 94 Ever felt lost in a sea of Italian wines with their complex names and regions? With their 384,000 wineries, 1.8 million acres of vineyards, and over 590 catalogued grape varieties, it’s no wonder if you do! Over the next several episodes we are going to do a deep dive into Italian wine! And in today’s podcast, we are doing an overview of how to read the labels on Italian wine bottles, the Italian wine classification system, and the 5 key wine regions in Italy. We will dive into the climate, geography, grape varietals and best known wines in Piedmont, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, and Sicily. We will learn about a landscape that is rich with centuries of viticulture, diverse grape varieties, and chaotic flavors. So, if you are ready to dive into the complexities of Italian wine, this episode is for you! Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 12 Mar 2025 | A Guide to Piedmont Wines: From Nebbiolo to Moscato d’Asti | 00:35:34 | |
Ep 95 Are you ready to uncover why the Piedmont region of Italy, often overshadowed by the famed Tuscan hills, is a hidden gem in the wine world? Would it surprise you to learn that there are many similarities between the famed Burgundy region and the Piedmont region? Today, I’m diving into the intricate geography of Piedmont and rich history that makes it such a unique wine region. I share the red wines you have probably heard of such as Barbera, Dolcetto, and the famed Nebbiolo grape, as well as lesser known indigenous varieties like Freisa and Ruché. I’m also digging into the similarities and differences between Barolo and Barbareso. And we can’t skip the white wines! I share about Gavi and Moscato d’Asti. And finally, you simply cannot drink Italian wine without food! So, I touch on the region’s French influences that create a truly unique culinary experience. If you are ready to understand the nuanced differences between Barolo and Barbaresco and learn about the amazing Italian wine beyond the familiar Tuscan landscape then this episode is for you! MGA’s Barolo
Barbaresco
Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 19 Mar 2025 | Exploring Sardinian Wine with Nikki Dickerson (Part 1) | 00:45:08 | |
Ep 96 When you think of islands in Italy, you probably think of Sicily, but what about the lesser known island of Sardinia? Today, Nikki and I are diving into the geography of Sardinia which lends itself to a diverse tapestry of wine styles. We’ll introduce you to a variety of grape varietals, including Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Cagnulari. From being home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, to challenges like navigating Italy’s complex regulations and unpredictable weather that killed 1/3 of her vines, you’ll learn what sets the island's lifestyle apart. Nikki is an international wine marketer turned vigneron, writer, and (if all goes well) soon-to-be wine importer, living between the U.S. and Sardinia, Italy. After a life-changing trip to France in 2018, she left the corporate PR world for wine country, chasing harvests across California, Australia, Burgundy, and beyond. Along the way, she met her husband, an Italian winemaker, and together they planted their first vineyards in Sardinia—laying the foundation for their dream winery. Now, through Sip with Nik, she shares her wine-soaked adventures, from discovering hidden-gem bottles to navigating the wild world of winemaking and wine imports. Whether you're looking for your next favorite wine, dreaming of vineyard life, or just here for a great story, she’s got a glass for you. So, if you are ready to learn about the complexity and richness of Sardinia’s wine culture, dive into the lesser known indigenous grape varieties, and hear Nikki’s first hand insights and passion for Sardinia, then this episode is for you! Resources and Connect with Nikki: 30% off annual Sip with Nik Substack subscription plans - https://sipwithnik.substack.com/corkandfizz Sip with Nik Substack: https://sipwithnik.substack.com/ Sip with Nik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipwithnik/ Vernaccia di Oristano – Sardinia’s Most Fascinating Wine - https://sipwithnik.substack.com/p/vernaccia-di-oristano-sardinias-most?r=43xhvk&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true Geology map of Sardinia - https://www.pconti.net/doc/Sard-Geol-tjom.pdf Episode Highlights:
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Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 26 Mar 2025 | Unique Sardinian Wines & Behind the Scenes in Winemaking w/ Sip with Nik (Part 2) | 00:30:25 | |
Ep 97 From starting her own winery to exploring unique grape varietals rarely known outside of Sardinia, Nikki Dickerson, also known on Instagram as Sip with Nik, is back on the podcast today! Today, Nikki is sharing her passion for unique wine varietals and how her love for Sardinian wine was born when she discovered rare wines like Semidano and Nuragus. Nikki shares her drive to introduce these hidden gems to a larger audience and how her Substack serves as the conduit to this. We also discuss her ambition to import wines that are not just unique but also made with sustainability in mind. She aims to highlight wines that aren’t readily available in the US, with an emphasis on biodynamic and regenerative organic agriculture. Through her work as an international wine marketer, vigneron, and writer, Nikki shares the untold stories behind each bottle. So, if you are ready to dive into lesser known wine varietals, explore the world of Sardinian wines, and hear Nikki’s dream of importing these gems to the US, then today’s episode is for you! This is part 2 of my conversation with Nikki. If you missed part one you can catch that at episode 96 where we talked about the complexity of Sardinia's wine culture, the lesser known indigenous grape varieties, and Nikki’s insights and passion for Sardinia. Resources and Connect with Nikki: 30% off annual Sip with Nik Substack subscription plans - https://sipwithnik.substack.com/corkandfizz Sip with Nik Substack: https://sipwithnik.substack.com/ Sip with Nik Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipwithnik/ Geology map of Sardinia - https://www.pconti.net/doc/Sard-Geol-tjom.pdf Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 02 Apr 2025 | A Guide to Tuscany's Famous Sangiovese Wines | 00:36:44 | |
Ep 98 Do the countless names and styles of Sangiovese in Tuscany leave you feeling more confused than confident? Today, we are unraveling the complexities of the famed Sangiovese grape. Due to this grape’s many different names and regional variations, it can often be confusing. We are going to dig into the DOCG classification system in Italy. Tuscany alone has 11 DOCGs, with 7 requiring that red wines are predominantly Sangiovese. We will also explore Chianti and its resurgence of quality through innovative wine-making techniques. Then we will head south to explore Brunello di Montalcino, the differences between traditional and modern winemaking techniques, and how they affect the wine's flavor profile. I’ll touch on some lesser-known regions like Carmignano, Morelino di Scansano, and smaller areas that often produce exceptional Sangiovese wines at a more affordable price point. So, if you are ready to dive into the heart of Tuscany and unravel the complexities of the Sangiovese grape, then this episode is for you! Resources: Tuscany Wine Map - http://media.winefolly.com/Tuscany-Wine-Map-by-Wine-Folly.jpg Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
| 09 Apr 2025 | 5 Lesser Known Italian White Wines You Must Try | 00:24:28 | |
Ep 99 Italy tends to be far more known for their red wines, and if I'm being totally honest with you, I used to not think very highly of the Italian white wines. Admittedly, there are a lot of mass produced boring white wines made in Italy that are shipped to the USA. But on the flip side, there are some really incredible Italian white wines that are so good and do not break the bank. Today, we're going to talk about five lesser known white wines from Italy! From the fresh, lemony essence of Soave, sourced from Italy's Veneto region, to the mineral-rich crispness of Greco di Tufo, each wine offers a unique perspective on Italy’s white wine potential. Noteworthy mentions like Fiano and Etna Bianco further illustrate the diverse palate of Italian white wines, which can range from citrus-forward to more earthy or nutty profiles. So, if you are ready to try some of Italy’s white wines that are full of incredible value and taste, then today’s episode is for you! Resources: A Guide to Piedmont Wines - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-95 Episode Highlights:
What did you think of the episode? Text me!
Have you Joined the Cork Crew?! The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community. Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing! https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Connect with me: | |||
