Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts
Interested in learning about wine, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place! Here at the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into the world of wine in a fun and approachable way. Hi! I'm Hailey, wine enthusiast turned wine educator and founder of Cork & Fizz. I’m here to answer all your wine questions, anything from “what the heck is an orange wine?” to “is natural wine really better for me?” I’ll also cover topics such as wine tasting, pairing food and wine, how to shop for wine, and so much more! You’ll also get to hear from experts in the wine industry like winemakers and experienced sommeliers. Whether you’re a casual wine sipper or a total cork dork like myself, this podcast is for you! Want to learn even more about wine? Come follow me on Instagram @corkandfizz and check out my website, www.corkandfizz.com to book a private tasting or join my virtual tasting club, the Cork Crew! How to do a wine tasting for beginners. What are the basics of wine? What type of wine should a beginner drink? What wine goes with which food? Wine information for beginners. What is the best way to learn about wine? This is a wine education podcast
Episodes
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...
Ep 109
What makes wine from high altitude mountain vineyards taste so unique? How does elevation, sunlight, and dramatic temperature swings turn an ordinary grape into an amazing bottle of wine?
I was inspired by a recent wine tasting that Mr. Cork & Fizz and I hosted with some friends. We hosted a wine tasting 40 floors up at a high rise in Seattle and the goal was for our friends to try and find wines that were made w...
Ep 108
Curious about which 2025 wine trends are truly worth the hype and which ones might fall flat?
In today’s episode I’m discussing 7 trends in the wine industry and my hot takes on them!
We will dive into questions like are natural and organic wines a passing trend or a lasting movement? Are low and no-alcohol wines really a good idea? What about sustainable and eco-friendly packaging? Is this a good idea and what if it...
Ep 107
Are you curious about how one woman is shaking up the wine world by amplifying underrepresented voices and redefining what it means to be a wine lover?
Today, I’m back with Jamila Conley, the founder of WeRise wines, a wine bar and movement dedicated to amplifying diverse winemakers and challenging the status quo in the wine industry.
Jamila is sharing how she chooses the incredible wines, winemakers that are fea...
Popular Podcasts
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.