Everyday Sommelier - Wine Stories with Kristi Mayfield
Ever found yourself staring in the wine aisle at your local grocery store or sitting at a restaurant, totally clueless about which wine to choose? You know what you like when you taste it, but when it’s time to pick a bottle for your next dinner party or match it with a meal, you’re scanning labels, Googling wine pairings, and still second-guessing every choice.But here’s the thing: You don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy wine confidently. With the right knowledge and a little guidance to understand wine lingo and unlock your own palate, you’ll b...
Fall Into Fall Wines With Essential Wine and Food Pairings for Autumn Entertaining
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Energize your autumn gatherings and command the room with memorable wine choices that perfectly match cozy fall foods. This episode demystifies fall wine pairings, helping you confidently swap out those summer sippers for wines with the richness and complexity your autumn table deserves.
The conversation focused on why the seasonal shift in foods—think roasted squash, earthy mushrooms, and herb-roasted meats—demands a change in your wine glass as well. Explore exactly what makes fall foods unique, and get actionable advice on choosing wines with the right weight, texture, and juicy flav...
Eliminate Business Dinner Anxiety With Wine and Etiquette
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Crush business dining anxiety and turn every client dinner into an opportunity for meaningful connection and professional influence. My guest, and etiquette consultant Molly Tomlin, joins me to unpack how high-impact women can transform simple wine and dining skills into a commanding business advantage.
Unleash the power of strategic etiquette at the table—from how to never feel awkward about ordering wine to maintaining presence even during spills or uncomfortable questions. Skip the overwhelm: get actionable tips on managing food choices, taking command as host, handling dietary preferences, and never losing yo...
The Strategy and Artistry of Red Wine Blends
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Red wine blends are often misunderstood—are they a last resort for leftover grapes or the winemaker’s secret weapon for crafting unforgettable wines?
In this episode, I dismantle the misconceptions, revealing how blends have shaped the wine world from ancient field blends to today’s Bordeaux and Super Tuscan legends. Explore how intentional blending unlocks consistency, complexity, and a unique expression of terroir in every glass.
Gain wine confidence by understanding why some of the globe’s most celebrated labels rely on blending for superior flavor and stability—think Bord...
Transform Everyday Wine Knowledge Into Empowered Social Capital
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Unlock wine mastery as your hidden leadership skill and social capital advantage! In this episode, I join Cheryl Fischer, host of Mind Your Midlife, to share her journey from defense sales exec to founder of Sip Society Collective, revealing how high-impact women can leverage wine as a strategic power skill. This episode bursts open the gates to accessible wine fluency, breaking free from the elitist, intimidating traditions and replacing them with actionable tools for networking, client dining, and professional presence.
Learn why wine knowledge isn’t reserved for sommeliers—how anyone can...
Alcohol-Free Wine Is Having It's Moment
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Are you curious about non-alcoholic wine but skeptical of the taste, mouthfeel, and overall quality? Wondering why alcohol-free wines seem pricier and how they compare to traditional wines?
This episode of Everyday Sommelier dives deep into the world of low- and no-alcohol wines—answering the burning questions wine lovers have and busting the most common myths.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact science behind de-alcoholized wines, explaining vacuum distillation, spinning cone, and reverse osmosis—revealing how flavor, aromas, and even sugar content are impacted. You’l...
Choosing Your Path From Dry January, Try January, and Mindful Wine Habits
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Struggling with the pressure of Dry January or feeling stuck between social trends and your love of wine? This episode relaunch of Everyday Sommelier with Kristi Mayfield empowers you to rethink restrictive trends like Dry January and Sober October. Dive deep into practical, approachable strategies for creating mindful wine habits—without sacrificing the joy and connection wine brings.
Explore the rise of counter-movements such as Try January and Come Over October, designed for wine lovers who want to explore, not abstain. Kristi Mayfield shares actionable tips for moderating alcohol intake, discovering lo...
The Hybrid Grape Revolution for Elevating Sparkling, Fortified, and Dessert Wines
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Hybrid grapes are unlocking new frontiers in American wine, revolutionizing what’s possible from sparkling and dessert wines—especially from cold climate regions.
Join me as I uncork the secrets behind high-acid, aromatic varietals like La Crescent and Frontenac, with winemaker Mark Wedge and wine professional James, at the innovative Dancing Dragonfly winery.
Discover how these "new kids on the block” are shaking up the wine scene with traditional-method sparkling wines boasting vibrant acidity and unique flavor profiles that break away from rigid Champagne and Sauternes norms.
Go behin...
Yes, Hybrid Grapes Do Make Good Wine with Dancing Dragonfly
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Wave goodbye to wine intimidation—this episode of Everyday Sommelier uncorks a future where hybrid grapes and cold climate winemaking take center stage. Yes, you should try them. Now!
Join me as I sits down with James Peterson and Mark Wedge at Dancing Dragonfly Winery in Wisconsin, unlocking the secrets behind critically acclaimed Midwest wines made from grapes like Marquette, Frontenac, La Crescent, and more.
Uncover why traditional vinifera grapes can’t thrive in Wisconsin’s short, icy growing season, and see how innovative hybrid varieties developed by teams like t...
Hidden Cost of Sparkling Wine With Torr Na Lochs Winery
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Forget what you know about Champagne and mass-produced bubbly—Texas is rewriting the rules with grit, creativity, and uncompromising passion. In this episode, Kristi Mayfield goes deep into the real story inside a bottle of Torr Na Loch’s traditional method sparkling wine.
If you’ve ever questioned why some sparkling wines are $10 and others command triple digits, you’ll uncover the true, labor-intensive journey that creates those signature tiny bubbles and creamy texture. Blake DeBerry and Colby O'Brien of Torn Na Loch share how they overcame million-dollar equipment costs, leaning into the...
Rethink Champagne Prestige From Pedestal to Pizza Night with David Afariat
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Ever felt Champagne prestige was out of reach or reserved only for special occasions? This episode dismantles the intimidation factor and reframes Champagne as an approachable drink for any day of the week. Kristi Mayfield is joined by David Aferiat, luxury Champagne importer, who reveals why you should enjoy bubbles with pizza, chips, or even burgers—not just weddings and milestones.
Dig into the secrets behind grower Champagne, what separates it from the big brands, and why sustainable, organic farming makes a difference in taste and headache-free enjoyment. Learn procuring tips, lab...
Are Old Vine Wines Really Better? Separating Fact from Fiction
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What does "Old Vine" on a wine label really promise? Is “Old Vine Zinfandel” truly better, or is it just marketing? In this wine stories episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield uncorks the truth about old vine wine, decoding industry buzzwords and cutting through the confusion surrounding one of wine’s most romantic—yet undefined—labels.
Explore why “Old Vine” isn’t a globally or legally defined term, and how this creates frustration for everyday wine lovers, like you, just trying to sip smarter. Kristi reveals the real impact of vine age on wine...
Wine Fraud Exposed And How to Buy with Confidence
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When even seasoned wine experts and collectors are fooled, how can everyday wine lovers, like you, feel confident that the bottle in their cart (or on their table) is real? This episode of Everyday Sommelier with Kristi Mayfield exposes the unsettling rise of wine fraud—from multimillion-dollar counterfeit scandals to fake wine labels infiltrating mainstream shelves and online retailers.
Learn how major wine regions are fighting back with new authenticity measures, and discover the simple, actionable tips you can use to ensure your wine is the real deal.
Kristi pul...
Coravin’s Greg Lambrecht On Reclaiming Your Wine To Make Every Bottle an Occasion
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Tired of letting half-open bottles of wine go to waste—or waiting years to open a special bottle, only to find it’s past its prime? Wine preservation becomes exhilarating as Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht joins Kristi Mayfield to reveal the transformative power of this breakthrough wine gadget.
Uncorking more than preservation, Greg and Kristi dig deep into wine technology and the freedom to taste, explore, and savor every bottle on your terms—without fear of waste, compromise, or missing out on aging potential. This episode breaks down how wine lovers, collec...
Does Wine Get Better With Age? Unlock The 3 Secret Ingredients For A YES!
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Ever wondered if that special bottle in your wine rack is destined to become legendary—or just flat? Let Kristi Mayfield, certified wine expert, arm you with everything you need to confidently answer, “Should I age this wine, or pop it tonight?” Learn why only 1-5% of wines truly benefit from aging, and unravel the confusing myths surrounding vintage dates, price, and label claims.
Kristi reveals the 3 (three) invisible but critical building blocks for wine ageability—acidity, tannins, and sugar—and explains exactly how these shape a wine’s journey from fresh and fr...
These Wine Storage Temperature Enemies Are Ruining Your Wine
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Ever wondered if your prized bottles are safe on that decorative wine rack? This episode of Everyday Sommelier reveals the biggest wine storage mistakes most collectors make (hint: that gorgeous spot on top of your fridge is a disaster for your wine) and gives you the wine storage strategy you need—no cellar required. Kristi Mayfield breaks down how to choose the best wine storage solutions for every type of bottle, from everyday drinkers to legacy investments, so you can stop stressing and start sipping.
Learn how to avoid the worst en...
From Fear to Confidence Unlock the Power of Tannins in Wine
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Ever feel overwhelmed when handed the wine list at a business dinner, worried about making the wrong choice—especially when it comes to tannin in wine? This episode of Everyday Sommelier with Kristi Mayfield dives deep into what tannins really are, why they’re not the enemy of great wine, and how understanding them can become your superpower at any table. Kristi shatters the myth that high-tannin wines are best avoided and empowers you to explore your personal tannin taste spectrum with actionable strategies.
You’ll learn how tannins work, why they m...
Wine On Tap Anxiety: What To Do When There’s No Wine Bottle in Sight
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Ordering wine at a restaurant is changing fast, and traditional glass bottles are no longer the only option on the table. This episode of Everyday Sommelier dives into the hottest restaurant wine trend: alternative wine packaging—from wine on tap and kegs to cans, Bag-in-Box, and eco-friendly recycled bottles.
Kristi Mayfield explores what’s driving this seismic shift, including sustainability, lower costs, and fresher wine by the glass. Plus, learn why restaurants and wine bars are doubling down on non-traditional packaging and how it benefits adventurous wine drinkers looking for variety witho...
3 Tips Beyond The Bottle So You Can Embrace Alternative Wine Packaging
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Cringe at the sight of boxed wine at a party? Think twice. Episode 41 of Everyday Sommelier breaks down everything you know—and don’t—about alternative wine packaging. Host Kristi Mayfield pulls back the curtain on why glass bottles aren’t the only (or best) way to store and enjoy your favorite wines.
Explore the facts behind boxed wine, canned wine, Tetra Pak, paper bottles, lightweight glass, and even reusable bottle programs. Dive into the science of why these formats preserve wine—sometimes even better than glass—and how they offer fresher sips...
Stop Guessing And Start Mastering Your Sauvignon Blanc Wine Style
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Wondering why the Sauvignon Blanc wine style you pick never tastes the same twice? If you’ve ever grabbed a bottle expecting vibrant citrus and got stone fruit—or vice versa—this episode is for you. Kristi Mayfield, host of Everyday Sommelier, unpacks the three major Sauvignon Blanc styles: New Zealand’s zesty citrus, a lush oak-aged warm climate version, and France’s mineral-driven Sancerre.
Unravel how key factors like climate, winemaking method, and blending dramatically change a wine—even when “Sauvignon Blanc” is the only thing on the label. Learn why reading wine...
Breaking Down Wine Discovery Barriers For Modern Drinkers
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Struggling to enjoy wine without feeling lost or out of place? Dive into this episode as Kristi Mayfield and sommelier Hennex Vigo confront wine’s intimidation factor and reveal how to make wine approachable for Millennials, Gen Z, women professionals, and curious drinkers. Learn why traditional wine education feels outdated and discover actionable strategies that empower you to discover new wines, trust your palate, and sidestep wine snobbery for good.
Explore how communal tastings, flavor exploration, and wine confidence-building can help even beginners break down barriers. Kristi and Hennex explain why “fail...
Ditch Learning 200+ Wine Tasting Terms! Do This Instead
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Feeling overwhelmed the moment someone starts talking about “lemons, limes, or wet rocks” in your wine glass? You’re not alone. Wine tasting can seem like learning a foreign language—especially if you struggle to put words to what you taste or smell. In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, Kristi Mayfield is joined by neurodiversity educator, Russell Van Broecklen, to reveal revolutionary, science-backed techniques to help you learn how to taste wine, decode aromas, and master wine vocabulary—faster than you ever thought possible.
Learn how the same strategies used to help stude...
Why Dinking Alone Can Be Your Wine Connection Transformation With Tsvety Roo
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Feeling intimidated by the idea of solo travel or dining out alone? Episode 37 of the Everyday Sommelier podcast is your go-to guide for transforming solo wine tasting into a gateway for genuine connection and cultural immersion. Host Kristi Mayfield welcomes seasoned solo traveler Tsvety Roo, who shares her real-world experiences leveraging wine tasting as an effortless “ice breaker” on journeys across Spain, Portugal, South Africa, and beyond.
Learn how to break through the awkwardness of dining solo, shift from loneliness to empowered solitude, and use the communal spirit of w...
Why Pairing Cab Sauv And Bread Pudding Will Always Fail with Richard King
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Is your favorite red wine suddenly undrinkable when you pair it with dessert? You’re not alone. Sugar in wine and food is one of the biggest sources of wine pairing fails—and most people have no idea why!
In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, expert Sommelier, Richard King, joins host Kristi Mayfield. The goal? To decode the complexities of sweet wine pairing and how sugar changes everything you thought you knew about enjoying wine with food.
Ever wonder why that big, bold red you loved with steak turns to “t...
Exploring Acidity in Wine From Bitter Bombs to Balanced Pairings with Richard King
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Tired of puckering up when sipping high acidity wines or feeling lost when pairing bright, crisp whites (and reds!) with dinner? You’re not alone. In Episode 35 of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield teams up with wine expert Richard King to break down why acidic wines can taste overpowering and exactly how to make them shine with the perfect culinary match.
Get expert, step-by-step strategies to decode wine acidity, recognize those “acid bombs,” and turn them into your menu’s best friend. Find out why that glass of Sauvignon Blanc or zesty Ch...
AI And Wine Is Brilliant, And It Is Totally Freaking People Out
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Can artificial intelligence truly enhance your wine experience, for example in food wine pairings? And where does human intuition still reign supreme? This episode dives into the fast-evolving world of AI in wine—from vineyard management and weather prediction to the rise of AI-powered wine recommendations and digital pairing apps like Wine Wize. Kristi Mayfield unpacks real fears about losing authenticity, job displacement, and generic wine content, revealing how to balance smart technology with the irreplaceable human touch that gives wine its soul.
Learn how AI-driven vineyard tools can save harvests an...
Beer, Bubbles, or Bourbon? The Wine Selector Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed (Until Now)
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Feeling overwhelmed by complicated wine lists and want nothing more than your own personal wine selector? Defaulting to cocktails, beers, or seltzers because wine just never seems “right” for your palate? If wine shopping feels as tricky as assembling furniture without instructions, this episode of Everyday Sommelier is for you. Host Kristi Mayfield breaks down the confusion and helps you bridge the gap from your favorite familiar drinks—be that IPAs, margaritas, or citrusy seltzers—right into your perfect glass of wine.
Forget the pressure of loving bold Cabernets or oaky Chardonn...
Know Your Red Wine Styles And Never Pick The Wrong Bottle Again
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Struggling to choose the perfect red wine? Confused why one Cabernet Sauvignon tastes light and fruity while the next leaves your mouth coated in tannin? On this episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield breaks down the complex world of red wine styles into three easy-to-understand categories: fresh and fruity, dry and dirty, and packed with a punch.
Discover how to go beyond grape varietal or wine region, and instead use taste profile, alcohol level, and even food pairing best practices to select a red wine you’ll love every time. Kr...
Break The White Wine Code With These Three Simple Styles
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Confused by all the white wine options at restaurants or the wine shop? Tired of ordering a glass of Chardonnay and never knowing if it’ll taste like lemon zest or buttery popcorn? On this episode of the Everyday Sommelier podcast, Kristi Mayfield breaks down the complicated world of white wine styles into three simple, easy-to-use categories that will help you always get the glass you want—whether you’re craving something fresh and zippy, aromatic and floral, or rich and creamy.
Kristi shares the insider wine tips that sommeliers use to dec...
Mastering Vegan Food and Wine Pairing with Amy McNutt of Maiden Fort Worth
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Pairing wine with vegan or vegetarian food challenges even seasoned wine lovers—but not anymore. Chef Amy McNutt, the culinary force behind Maiden in Fort Worth, Texas, joins Everyday Sommelier host Kristi Mayfield to break down the art of vegan wine pairing, bust myths, and provide actionable tips so anyone can master pairing wine with vegetables, vegan proteins, and creative plant-based dishes.
Discover why not all wines are vegan and how animal-based fining agents play a role in winemaking, plus how to easily find vegan-friendly wines. Amy shares industry secrets—from her...
Still Guessing What Wine Barrels Do? Learn the Real Impact from the Source with Guillaume Maugeais
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Explore the hidden world of wine barrels on Everyday Sommelier as Kristi Mayfield sits down with master cooper Guillaume Maugier. Dive into critical insights about barrel aging, oak influence, and how coooperage affects every sip. Discover why barrel maturation is as crucial as vineyard terroir for winemaking, and learn the science behind oak tannins, wood maturation, and evolving wine styles. Maugier reveals techniques used by top winemakers across continents, the surprising parallels between winemaking and barrel-making, and the impact of everything from forest selection to toasting levels.
Go beyond the basics...
Think Luxury Wine Experiences Are Beyond Reach? Think Again! with Andre Boada
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Ever scrolled through dreamy images of private jets landing at hidden wineries or imagined sipping iconic wines in a vineyard villa—but figured it was all out of reach? Luxury wine travel isn’t just for celebrities! In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, hosts Kristi Mayfield and advanced sommelier Andre Boada, founder of VinoCadre and partner at Six Twist Sparkling, pull back the curtain on world-class wine journeys, from Napa Valley and Sonoma all the way to Fredericksburg, Texas.
Andre shares his blueprint for crafting exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences—think helicopter rides to pri...
Love or Hate Oak In Wine? Here's the Truth No One Tells You
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Demystify the myth of “oaky wine” and gain insider secrets to how oak barrels shape the flavor, texture, and style of your favorite wines. Kristi Mayfield breaks down everything from new versus used oak, barrel origins (French vs. American oak), and the truth about those buttery chardonnays.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into why some “oaked” wines taste rich and vanilla-laced while others remain crisp and subtle. Kristi shares tips on reading wine labels, asking smart questions at the wine shop, and what to expect from wines aged in small bar...
Real Struggles and Small Wins For Wine Beginners with Anna Mpinga
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Ever felt out of place swirling a glass of dry white at a business event, wishing you could just order something sweet you actually love—without feeling judged? You’re not alone. In this episode, we're tackling the real-world awkwardness of beginner wine drinkers, especially when surrounded by colleagues who seem to know their stuff.
Host Kristi Mayfield (Everyday Sommelier) sits down with Anna Mpinga, a financial services professional who loves Moscato but finds herself forced to sip dry wines at networking mixers. They get real about the anxi...
Top Mistakes Holding Back Your Best Wine Tasting Skills —And How to Fix Them Fast
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Feeling left out at wine tastings because you can't detect “forest floor” or “hints of violet”? You’re not alone. Everyday Sommelier host Kristi Mayfield shares no-snobbery, fast-acting techniques to unlock your best wine tasting skills—no superhuman palate required. Ditch the intimidation and learn how everyday wine lovers can confidently identify flavors, build a solid wine vocabulary, and truly taste the difference between bottles with approachable strategies.
This episode reveals the top five ways to improve how you taste wine: from the power of side-by-side comparisons for recognizing what makes each wine un...
From Myths to Mastery: Selecting the Best Rosé Wine
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Navigating the diverse world of Rosé wine can feel overwhelming with its spectrum of colors and flavors. Many mistakenly judge Rosés by their hue, believing deeper pinks to be sweet and lighter shades to denote quality.
This episode of Everyday Sommelier unravels these myths and guides you through the complexities of choosing a Rosé that suits your palate. From understanding the significance of grape varieties to identifying the best styles from regions like Provence, this episode empowers you with the knowledge to enjoy Rosé with confidence. Dive into the making proce...
Your Perfect Wine Travel Getaway: Turning Snags Into Successes
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Planning winery travel via a trip to wine country can be a dream—or a nightmare—without the right strategy. Discover how Kristi Mayfield transforms a chaotic wine tour with friends into a memorable journey, emphasizing the importance of structure and planning. Learn from her missteps as she unveils five essential tips to ensure your wine adventures are smooth, enriching, and full of flavor.
Whether you're visiting popular hotspots like Napa Valley or exploring lesser-known wine regions, these insights will help you maximize every tasting and tour. Dive into the vibrant world...
From Fear to Fun: Navigating a Wine List with Ease
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Discover how to approach wine lists with newfound confidence by understanding how they’re structured by color, varietal, region, or style.
In this episode we’ll break down simple strategies, such as researching the restaurant's wine list online, understanding wine styles, and setting a budget. We’re also exploring how to evaluate wine pricing and pairings to ensure a satisfying dining experience.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed at a restaurant, these tips will empower you to make informed choices and perhaps even find a hidden gem!
Chardonnay Lovers and Skeptics Unite: Exploring Wine Diversity and Trends with Bibiana González Rave
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Join us for an engaging discussion on the Everyday Sommelier Podcast as Kristi Mayfield welcomes renowned winemaker Bibiana González Rave, Cattleya Wines, to unravel the complexities of Chardonnay.
Known as the "chameleon" of wines, Chardonnay has become a conversation starter in the wine world, and Bibiana’s international experience brings a fresh perspective to its varied expressions.
By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:
How the winemaking processes influence Chardonnay styles and what specific qualities contribute to its buttery notes. The evolving trends and the...Wine Varietals Uncovered: What 'Varietal' Labels Really Mean for Your Glass with Reid Patterson
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Join Kristi Mayfield and guest Reid Patterson from Mount Eden Vineyards as they delve into the nuanced world of wine varietals. Explore wine labeling complexities comparing Bordeaux blends to California's Cabernet Sauvignon and other nuances. You’ll uncover why a wine labeled as one varietal might contain more than just one grape in the mix.
Reid shares his family’s legacy in wine production, offering insight into varietal labeling and its impact on wine quality. Understand why certain wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are rarely blended, while others embrace...
Beyond the 100-Point Scale: Making Sense of Scores and Choosing Your Perfect Bottle
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Ever picked up a bottle just because it had a 90+ rating—only to be disappointed? You’re not alone. In Episode 19 of the Everyday Sommelier Podcast, host Kristi Mayfield uncorks the truth about wine ratings and whether they actually help or hinder your wine-buying confidence.
By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:
How wine ratings are determined and who the critics areWhy a high score doesn’t guarantee you’ll love the wineThe biggest misconceptions about relying on ratingsSimple strategies to choose wines base...