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 be able to order at a restaurant without asking for a recommendation or walk into a wine shop and pick a bottle to pair with a meal like a pro. I’m your host, Kristi Mayfield, a certified sommelier who used to be the one staring at the shelf, swapping the bottle I chose for the one someone else recommended because I didn’t trust my own taste. But over the past 5 years, I’ve turned that confusion into expertise, teaching thousands of wine lovers and professionals how to cut through the pretentiousness and complexity of wine so they can confidently choose and enjoy wines they love. In each episode of the podcast, we’ll break down wine into simple, easy-to-understand terms. From regions and styles to winemaking techniques, tasting tips, and wine stories, you’ll get insights from a wine expert, an industry pro, or a wine educator to help you grab a glass and learn wine your way. #Wineeducation #winepodcast #Winetips #Winetasting #Wineregions #Winepairing #Wineknowledge #Wineexperts #Winestories #Wineindustry #Wineculture
Episodes
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 t...
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 a...
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 ...
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) invisibl...
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, f...
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 avoide...
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 freshe...
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...
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 li...
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, ...
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 ...
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, Portuga...
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 abou...
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 acidi...
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 displa...
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 favo...
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, an...
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 some...
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 w...
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 techniqu...
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