Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts

Ep 179

Not every bottle of wine is meant to be aged, so how do you know which ones are worth holding onto?

In part two of my conversation with Paul Zitarelli, owner of Full Pull Wines, we're talking about the best wines to collect and age. Paul shares why buying more than one bottle can make wine collecting more fun, how to keep track of when your wines are ready to drink, and why you shouldn't overlook white wines when building your collection.

We also get into where...

Ep 178 

Starting a wine collection might sound like something reserved for serious collectors with expensive bottles and a fancy cellar, but it can actually start with just one bottle.

In this episode, Paul Zitarelli, owner and editor-in-chief of Full Pull Wines and author of 36 Bottles of Wine, breaks down how to start a wine collection as a beginner and why right now is an especially interesting time to do it. Fun fact: 36 Bottles of Wine was actually one of the books I read when I was first learning about wine, long before I r...

Ep 177

Love Cabernet Sauvignon but want to try something different? I have six wines for you to add to your shopping list.

Cabernet Sauvignon is popular for a reason. It's bold, full of dark fruit, and can have those delicious flavors of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and even a little green pepper. But it can also get expensive, and sometimes you just want to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

In this episode, I’m sharing six wines that have some of the things you already lo...

Ep 176

You see 90, 92, or 95 points on a bottle of wine, but what do those wine scores actually mean and should they influence what you buy?

Wine scores can make choosing a bottle feel easier, but there’s a lot more behind those numbers than you might realize. In this episode, we’re digging into where wine rating systems came from, how Robert Parker’s 100-point scale became the industry standard, and why a wine rated in the 80s can still be considered very good even though you rarely see those scores advertised.

Y...

Ep 175

Carbonic maceration might sound complicated, but the wines it creates can be anything but.

In part two of this conversation with Sage Rat Wine owner and winemaker Dusty Jenkins, we dig into the process behind his Carbonic Nebbiolo and why he uses carbonic maceration across several of his wines to create the fresh, fruit-forward, lighter style he loves. Dusty also shares why keeping wine approachable goes beyond what’s in the bottle. From the beginning, he has intentionally kept his wines in the $20 to $30 range so more people can en...

Ep 174

Washington wine may be known for its big, bold reds, but Yakima Valley has a much more unexpected side.

Winemaker Dusty Jenkins is embracing that side through Sage Rat Wine, where he creates fresh, approachable wines that offer a different perspective on what Washington wine can be. After leaving a career in film and moving to Walla Walla to study winemaking, Dusty eventually found his way back to the Yakima Valley, where the freedom to do things a little differently became the perfect fit for the wines he wanted to make.

Ep 173

Wine tasting is supposed to be fun, but it can feel intimidating when you’re not sure what you’re actually supposed to do.

Do you need a reservation? Are you expected to buy a bottle? Should you tip? And what happens if you don’t like one of the wines? In this episode, I’m answering the practical questions that can make visiting a tasting room feel more complicated than it needs to be. You’ll learn what to expect before you arrive, including what to wear, how much a tas...

Ep 172

Some of the best wines on the shelf are the ones most people overlook.

It's easy to fall into the habit of reaching for the same familiar bottles, but there are so many incredible wines that don't get nearly the attention they deserve. In this episode, I’m sharing underrated wines that offer great flavor, plenty of personality, and often a great value simply because they aren't the names everyone already knows. 

From crisp, salty Muscadet and sparkling red Lambrusco to Chenin Blanc, dry Riesling, Austrian reds, Gre...

Ep 171

Some of the best wines are the ones most people have never heard of. 

In part two of this conversation with Certified Sommelier and Pocket Somm founder Amy Yancey, we dig into how she finds thoughtfully made wines that fly under the radar. Amy explains why she prefers the term agrarian over labels like natural, organic, or biodynamic, what she looks for when choosing producers, and the clues that can lead you toward hidden gem wines you might otherwise overlook.

We also take a deep dive into g...

Ep 170

At 32 years old, Amy Yancey was told it might be time to retire because she was losing her sight. She wasn't ready to walk away from wine.

After more than a decade in the wine industry, Amy's retinitis pigmentosa had progressed to the point where working safely on a restaurant floor was no longer possible. But instead of leaving the industry she loved, the Certified Sommelier began figuring out how to build a wine career that could evolve alongside her vision loss.

In this episode, Amy shares...

Ep 169

You don’t need to know everything about wine to figure out what you actually like drinking.

Maybe you know you love certain wines but have no idea how to explain why. Or you walk into a wine shop and fall back on buying the same bottle because you don’t know what to ask for. In this episode, we’re taking wine tasting back to the basics and learning how to identify the characteristics you actually enjoy in a wine.

I break down some of the most c...

Ep 168

Great wine doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. 

Some of the world's most famous wines have become famous for a reason. Sancerre, Burgundy, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Champagne are all incredible wines. But they're also some of the bottles that can make your wallet hurt. The good news? There are plenty of lesser-known wines that offer a similar style without costing you an arm and a leg. 

In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite value hacks for expensive wines. You'll learn what to look for instead of...

Ep 167

What if wineries have been creating the wrong experience all along?

For many people, walking into a winery can feel intimidating. Between unfamiliar wine terminology, formal tastings, and the pressure to know what you like, it's easy to feel like wine isn't meant for you. But what if wineries borrowed a page from breweries by creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels comfortable, whether they're a wine expert or simply enjoying a glass with friends?

In part two of our conversation, Andrew Gerow shares why his Washington winery...

Ep 166

The future of great sparkling wine may not be coming from where you think. 

For centuries, traditional method sparkling wine has been defined by regions like Champagne. But a new generation of Washington winemakers is proving that great sparkling wine doesn't have to imitate anyone else. Instead, they're embracing Washington's unique climate, grape varieties, and winemaking philosophy to create wines that are distinctly their own.

In this episode, Andrew Gerow, co-founder and general manager of Tirriddis, shares how he and two of his fellow college classmates launched a...

Ep 165

What if your next great wine trip is hiding in the Columbia Gorge? 

After a recent trip to the Columbia Gorge, I knew I had to share more about this unique wine region. Sitting right on the border of Washington and Oregon, the Columbia Gorge is full of beautiful views, laid-back tasting rooms, and wineries producing everything from red, white, sparkling, orange, and dessert wines to unique grape varieties you may not see in other Washington wine regions. 

In this episode, I’m sharing a little bit of the history, geog...

Ep 164

What if one of the biggest wine buzzwords is actually much simpler than it sounds?

If you've ever heard the term carbonic maceration and thought, "What in the world does that mean?" trust me, you're not alone. Honestly, I put off covering this topic for a while because I felt the same way. But once I dove into the research, I realized it's actually much simpler than it sounds. 

In this episode, you'll learn exactly what carbonic maceration is, how it differs from traditional fermentation, why it became synonymous with B...

Ep 163

What does it take to build a world-class wine program on a remote Caribbean island?

In part two of this conversation with sommelier Mia Martensson, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how she transformed a resort wine list from just 30 wines into a collection of 620 bottles. She shares the challenges of sourcing wine on an island, creating a destination tasting experience, and launching a wine festival that now attracts hundreds of guests each year.

You'll also hear which wine regions and styles have her most excited right now, including Etna...

Ep 162

What if the biggest opportunities in your life come from simply saying yes?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with sommelier Mia Martensson, whose impressive wine career has taken her from a teenager working in hospitality to Michelin-starred restaurants, South Africa's wine country, the world's largest privately owned mega yacht, and eventually to becoming the creative force behind the award-winning wine and beverage program at Seven Stars Resort in Turks & Caicos. What’s remarkable is that none of it was part of some carefully mapped-out plan. Instead, each chapter began with an o...

Ep 161

Think decanting is only for expensive red wine? You might be missing out on getting more from wines you already own.

Most wine drinkers associate decanters with fancy restaurants, aged Bordeaux, and special occasions. But the reality is that decanting can benefit everything from an older red to certain white wines and even an affordable bottle from the grocery store. In this episode, we dive into where the decanting myth came from and what decanting actually does to your wine.

You'll learn the two main reasons for decanting, the science...

Ep 160

You’ve probably assumed wine always gets better with age…but not all wine is meant to sit for years.

Aged wine sounds fancy, right? The older the bottle, the better it must be. Right?

Nope. Sure, some wines are meant to age. But a lot of wine you’re buying is already close to its peak and waiting too long doesn’t make it better.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually happens as wine ages and why aging = better doesn’t apply across the board. I’ll...

Ep 159

The region matters. The grape matters. But how the wine is made is what changes everything.

There’s a level of intention happening behind the scenes that most people never see. In this episode with Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co., you’ll hear how winemaking decisions like not crushing grapes, using native yeasts, and limiting intervention completely change the structure, texture, and expression of the wine. In a cold climate like Michigan, even small choices can impact tannins, aromatics, and balance in a big way. This isn’t about doing things...

Ep 158

Michigan wine has been underestimated for years, but that’s starting to change.

For a long time, Michigan wine has been known for sweeter styles and honestly, a lot of people wrote it off because of that. But what’s happening now is very different. There’s a new wave of winemakers coming in with experience from other regions, and they’re approaching things with a completely different level of intention and focus on quality.

In this episode, Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co. get into what it actually takes to...

Ep 157

You’ve probably heard that a glass of red wine is “good for you” but how much of that is actually true?

The idea that red wine is “healthy” has been around for decades: from the French paradox, to antioxidants and longevity claims. It sounds convincing and honestly, it’s something a lot of people want to believe. But when you actually look at the research, most of it comes down to correlation, not causation. And that changes everything.

In this episode, I’m breaking down where this myth came from, what sci...

Ep 156

If you’ve ever assumed that a bottle labeled “red blend” or “white blend” must be lower quality than a single varietal wine, you’re not alone. But that belief leaves out a huge part of how great wine is actually made.

In this Mythbusters episode, I’m breaking down the idea that blended wines are somehow inferior. While it’s true that some inexpensive red blends and white blends can be made with lower quality grapes, blending itself isn’t the problem. In fact, blending has been part of winemaking for centuries and is o...

Ep 155

Most people think they know German wine, but they’re only seeing a small part of it.

If you immediately think of sweet Riesling or those super cheap bottles at the grocery store when you think of German wine, you’re not alone. That’s what most people think. But it’s not the full picture and, honestly, it’s why so many really good wines get overlooked.

In this episode, I’m sitting down again with Lisa Tupetz, importer and founder of Tupetz Wine Connection, along with German winemaker Max from Wei...

Ep 154

You’ve probably seen “biodynamic” on a wine label and assumed it’s just another marketing term.

Most people do. It sounds complicated, a little vague, and honestly it’s easy to ignore. But what’s actually happening in biodynamic vineyards has a direct impact on how wine tastes, how it evolves, and why some wines feel more alive in the glass than others.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Lisa Tupetz, founder of Tupetz Wine Connection, along with German winemaker Max from Weingut Greiner, and we break down why biody...

Ep 153

Do you really need a different wine glass for every single varietal you drink?

In this Mythbusters episode, I’m tackling the idea that you need a Pinot Noir glass, a Cabernet glass, a Riesling glass, and basically an entire cabinet dedicated to stemware. Yes, glass shape does matter. There is actual science behind how aroma travels and how the bowl affects flavor. But no, you do not need one glass per varietal.

In this episode, I break down what actually makes a difference, why bowl shape matters more than ha...

Ep 152

Sweet wine has been associated with having an unrefined palate or being a beginner in the wine world. But that does not automatically mean you are a wine amateur if you like sweet wine.

In this Mythbusters episode, we are setting the record straight. Sweet wine does not equal low quality. While there are plenty of mass produced sugary bottles out there, sweetness itself is just another attribute of wine, right alongside acidity, tannin, and body. When made with intention and quality grapes, sweet wine can be balanced, complex, and can even...

Ep 151

What if the simplest way to support your favorite winery takes less than five minutes?

In part two of our conversation, Heather Daenitz shares how photography, storytelling, and consumer engagement can completely shift the way people experience wine. From highlighting vineyard workers to encouraging thoughtful reviews and rethinking how you shop at your local wine store, she explains how small actions like tagging a winery or naming a tasting room host can have a real impact behind the scenes.

And because we are both pregnant while recording this episode we...

Ep 150

What does it really look like behind those beautiful wine photos you see online?

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Daenitz, a wine industry photographer and marketing strategist based in Santa Barbara wine country. Heather shares how she went from studying viticulture and working in vineyard management to launching her business, Craft & Cluster, where she now helps small wineries connect with their audiences through authentic behind-the-scenes photography and marketing strategies.

Heather shares what harvest actually feels like at 3 a.m., why grapes are picked at night, and the re...

Ep 149

What if the red-with-meat, white-with-fish rule isn’t actually a rule at all?

In this Mythbusters episode, I’m sharing where the red-with-meat, white-with-fish idea came from and why it’s more of a simplification than a rule. It worked when wine styles were more predictable, but that’s just not the case anymore.

Instead of color-coding your pairings, this episode walks you through what actually matters: matching the weight and richness of the wine to the weight and richness of the dish. You’ll hear real examples, from grilled salmon wit...

Ep 148

Screw caps have a bad reputation in the wine world, but that reputation is mostly undeserved!

In this episode of my wine mythbusters mini-series I break down the myth that screw caps automatically mean cheap wine and explain where that belief came from in the first place. From the romance of popping a cork to the belief that wine needs it to age, this episode breaks down why cork became the gold standard and why that thinking is outdated.

You’ll learn how cork and screw caps ac...

Ep 147

Most wine drinkers assume the wines they see are the only wines that exist, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In part two of my conversation with Unpinned Wine Club founder, Ashwin Muthiah, he offers insight into how wine discovery actually works, from the systems that favor familiarity to the biases that keep lesser known grapes out of view.

He shares how his own lived experience in wine regions across Europe shaped a different approach to curation, one rooted in storytelling, balance, and drinkability. He uses this un...

Ep 146

You probably learned about wine the same way most people do. A handful of regions, the same familiar grapes, and a lot of unspoken rules about what matters and what does not.

In this episode, Ashwin Muthiah challenges that narrow view and asks a bigger question. What if the wine world has been leaving out entire regions, cultures, and histories all along? He shares how travel shaped his curiosity, why Georgia (the country not the state) is essential to understanding wine’s origins, and how formal wine education often skips over more th...

Ep 145

You can’t age white wine. Or at least that’s what most people think.

In this episode, that assumption gets unpacked and challenged. While it’s true that many white wines are made to be enjoyed young, that doesn’t mean white wine as a category isn’t capable of aging. The difference comes down to how the wine is made and what’s actually in the bottle.

I’m sharing why white wines change color over time, what oxidation really means, and why browning doesn’t automatically signal a bad wine. I also bre...

Ep 144

Thank you to the following brands for sponsoring this podcast:

The outdated rules of drinking red wine at room temperature and white wine straight out of the...

Ep 143

Wine school can teach you the theory, but it cannot teach you what actually happens once the grapes hit the cellar.

Today on the podcast I have Katie Truscott from 1 Mill Road Winery in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada back on the podcast. She talks about the shift from studying wine to making it, and what changes once that knowledge has to be put into practice. From learning cellar basics the hard way to realizing how much of winemaking is practical rather than academic, Katie dives into the steep learning...

Ep 142

What makes wine from the Okanagan Valley so different from anywhere else?

In today’s episode I’m chatting with Katie Truscott from 1 Mill Road where we explore her journey into wine. It began unexpectedly with Chenin Blanc in South Africa and evolved into building a small, family-run winery in the heart of Naramata, British Columbia, Canada with her life (and business) partner, Ben. Katie shares her unconventional path into the wine world, from early curiosity and formal wine education to eventually producing wine full time in the Okanagan Valley.

Kati...

Ep 141

What if the most common belief about wine headaches is actually one of the biggest myths in the entire wine world?

This is the first episode in a new mini series where I unpack some of the biggest wine myths and separate fact from fiction. In this episode, I’m breaking down the long-standing assumption that sulfites in wine cause headaches and uncover why this claim doesn’t hold up. You’ll learn where the belief started, why the “contains sulfites” label leads so many people astray, and what science sa...

Ep 140

Being pregnant forced me into a real-world test of non-alcoholic wine, and the results were not what you might expect.

When I announced I was pregnant, the constant question that followed once wine was off the table was: are there any good non-alcoholic wine options? That curiosity turned into a deep dive for me where I tasted more than 40 non-alcoholic wines, all while continuing to taste traditional wine for comparison.

You’ll hear an honest breakdown of why, in my opinion, non-alcoholic wine does not taste like wine, how alcohol-removed wi...