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

Ep 128

Would you believe that one of the world’s favorite red wines comes from one of the most temperamental grapes on earth?

Today’s episode is a fan request and we’re taking a deep dive into Pinot Noir! This grape is known for being both a challenge to grow but also how it reflects where it’s grown. We’ll talk about where Pinot Noir got its start and how it’s now grown everywhere from Burgundy to Oregon. You'll discover why Pi...

Ep 127

What if the future of wine wasn’t about choosing between tradition and technology, but finding a way to let both thrive together?

In this episode, you’ll hear from John Tan, founder of CorkVision, an AI-powered copilot for wineries. After years in the tech world, John found himself in Napa Valley, blending his expertise with a deep passion for wine. The result? A platform designed to help wineries sell smarter, protect tr...

Ep 126

Can artificial intelligence (AI) really change the way you enjoy wine?

In this episode, you’ll meet John Tan, founder of CorkVision, an AI-powered platform designed to help wineries sell smarter, connect with customers, and streamline operations. John’s story takes us from high-powered client dinners in New York to an unplanned move to Napa Valley after a fateful night of wine tasting and, eventually, to harvest work...

Ep 125

What if the secret to understanding wine wasn’t memorizing grapes or regions but unlocking just three key components?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the building blocks that shape every glass of wine: tannin, acidity, and body. By learning how to identify these elements, you’ll not only know what you like (and don’t like), but also have the words to describe it with confidence.

You’ll discover why tannins create t...

Ep 124

Did you know there’s more to New Zealand wine than just Sauvignon Blanc?

In this episode, we explore the world of New Zealand wine beyond its iconic Sauvignon Blanc. While Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough may have put New Zealand on the map, there’s so much more waiting to be discovered. From Chardonnay and Pinot Gris to Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Bordeaux-style blends, the country produces an incredible range of wines t...

Ep 123

Did you know Germany made top of the line Sparkling wine?

In this episode, I’m diving back in with importer and winemaker Lisa Tupetz to explore the side of German wine most people never hear about. We’re talking about Sekt, Germany’s sparkling wine, and how to tell if you’ve grabbed the real deal made in the traditional Champagne method. You’ll also hear about Elbling, an ancient grape variety that nearly disappeared, and why...

Ep 122

What if everything you thought about German wine was only half the story?

Today I am joined by Lisa Tupetz who is sharing her journey to becoming a winemaker and importer who turned a chance trip to New Zealand into a lifelong passion for wine. From vineyard work to building her own import company, she shares how curiosity, setbacks, and perseverance shaped her career.

We dive into what it really takes to bring wine from German...

Ep 121

What if the magic in your glass could be traced step by step from vineyard to bottle?

In this episode, I’m giving you a beginner-friendly journey through the winemaking process. From planting the vines to harvesting grapes, you’ll learn the essential factors that shape wine long before it reaches your glass. You’ll also hear how grapevines grow and ripen each season from bud break to flowering to véraison before they’re finall...

Ep 120

What comes to mind when you hear the word “hybrid”? Probably a car you can plug in and not a grape growing on the vine! But in the world of wine, hybrid grapes are sparking some of the most important conversations about sustainability, climate change, and the future of winemaking.

In this episode, I’m diving into what hybrid grapes actually are, how they’re different from crosses, mutations, and clones, and why they’...

Ep 119

What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? For this milestone episode, things look a little different and a lot more personal!

In celebration of turning 30, I’m sitting on the other side of the mic while my husband (aka “Mr. Cork & Fizz”) takes over the questions. From how this wine journey began to the lessons I’ve learned running a business, you’ll hear personal stories and reflections I’ve neve...

Ep 118

What if the biggest barrier to wine sustainability isn’t the farming, but the bottle itself?

In part 2 of my conversation with Daniel Rodriguez, CEO of Currently Wine Co., we dive deep into how wine packaging, labeling, and consumer education all play a role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive wine industry. 

We explore Currently’s decision to use aluminum bottles instead of glass, not just for aesthetic appea...

Ep 115

What if the wine industry’s biggest problem isn’t quality, but the connection to the wine?

Today’s guest, Daniel Rodriguez, saw an opportunity to bring fresh energy and better marketing to wine. With a deep passion for wine and a sharp eye on consumer trends, he's building a brand that meets today’s drinkers where they are.

Daniel, the owner and CEO of Currently Wine Co., plans to use his skills in building tech brands to ...

Ep 116

Is Syrah the same as Shiraz?

In today's episode you are getting a sneak peak inside one of my Cork Crew virtual tastings where we compare Syrah and Shiraz, two names for the same grape, grown in very different parts of the world.

This exclusive replay offers a deep dive into the differences between Old World Syrah from France’s Northern Rhône and New World Shiraz from Australia, showing how climate, winemaki...

Ep 115

What if the wine industry’s diversity problem isn’t a lack of people but a lack of acknowledgment?

Today, I have Anaïs and Rachel from AniChe Cellars back on the podcast and they are sharing their honest take on representation in the wine industry. They share why true diversity in wine goes beyond who owns the winery as well as how much of the industry’s skill, labor, and soul is often overlooked. They reflect on Rac...

Ep 114

Can grapes truly thrive in a place shaped by fire, wind and water? These winemakers say yes and they have the wine to prove it!

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Rachel Horn and Anaïs Mehra of AniChe Cellars, a mother-daughter winemaking team based in Washington’s Columbia Gorge. We dive into what it’s like to build a winery from scratch, make wine as a family, and care for the land in a way that supports fu...

Ep 113

When you think about summer wine, is it all about Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc? Think again! In this week’s episode, we are going beyond those two standbys and digging into some more unique and refreshing options.

Today, I’m sharing 13 unique wines that are perfect for those warm summer nights and they might just become your new favorites! 

We’ll explore zesty white wines like Picpoul de Pinet, Roussanne, G...

There is a lot more in your wine glass than you’ve been led to believe, and most of it never makes it onto the label! 

From sulfites and oak chips to egg whites, fish bladders and even additives that require hazmat suits to handle, in the episode, I’m sharing what’s actually in your wine glass and why it matters.

We’ll dig into the difference between common additives that help stabilize and shape wine and the corrective add...

Ep 111

Why are wine tariffs making your favorite bottles of wine more expensive? Do these wine tariffs hurt American businesses and consumers more than our foreign counterparts?

Do the words “wine tariffs” make your eyes glaze over or do you low-key panic because you’re not even sure what a wine tariff is? 

In today’s episode, I have Erik Segelbaum back on the podcast and we are discussing all things wine tari...

Ep 110

Why do millennials and Gen Z approach wine so differently from previous generations and what does that mean for the future of wine? 

And what does it really take to go from line cook to award-winning sommelier and industry leader?

Today’s guest, Erik Segelbaum, is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Food & Wine Magazine 2019 Sommelier of the Year, and 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastema...