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June 25, 2025 48 mins

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 Tastemaker with over 3 decades of industry experience. Erik is the founder of GoodSomm–a luxury lifestyle wine club, is the co-owner of Amalfi Beverage Company–luxury RTD cocktails, and SWIG Partners–an import and distribution facilitation agency. Plus, he has been Smithsonian’s national wine educator since 2019, hosting monthly consumer classes!


Erik pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a sommelier in today’s world and candidly shares the realities beyond the glamour, from managing wine lists and training staff to accounting and clogged toilets.


Erik shares his thoughts on the generational differences between millennials and Gen Z in wine consumption and drinking habits. We talk about why these groups are adventurous yet disloyal to brands, and how their priorities, such as sustainability and social ethos, differ from the boomer generation. And, we dig into how the psychology of social media has shaped younger generations' approach to wine, often placing values and image above just the taste itself.


So, if you are ready to dive into the ever-evolving tastes of today’s wine drinkers, then this episode is for you.


Thank you to VoChill for sponsoring this episode. Go to Vochill.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 15% off your order!



Connect with Erik


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik4wine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodsomm/

Website: https://www.thesomlyay.com

Website: https://goodsomm.com/

Skip the waitlist and join GoodSomm: https://goodsomm.com/secret/


Episode Highlights:

  • Erik’s journey from chef to Sommelier
  • Realities of working as a Sommelier
  • Wine consumer psychology by generation
  • How different generations select, app

What did you think of the episode? Text me!


Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community.

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Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

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