The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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. So, if you are ready to reflect on the significance of storytelling, emotional connections, and unexpected pathways within the world of wine, grab a glass of wine and press play! Episode Highlights: Connect with Paul: www.wineisterroir.com Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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! Percentage breakdown for a domestic bottle of wine - source Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz - https://www.wine-blog.org/index.php/2013/09/18/marketing-costs-50-bottle-wine/ Episode Highlights: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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 What is an orange wine? https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-18 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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

I’m back with another grape deep dive and this time it’s Barbera! 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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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 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 free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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.com Instagram: @camins2dreams Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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-wine-podcast-episode-29 Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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 - https://hollyandflora.com/ Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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! Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Australian wine and discover some hidden gems? If so, grab a glass of wine and press play! 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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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: Connect with Sarah & Nate Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide 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: Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/ Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com