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

Ep 139 Would you believe me if I said one of the most soulful and historic wine regions in France is also the one most people barely know anything about? This conversation, with Ioana from Princess & Bear Wine, goes deeper into the French regions of Languedoc and Roussillon through the perspective of someone who’s actually walked the vineyards, met the winemakers, and watched small family esta...

Ep 138 What if one of the oldest wine regions in the world is also the one most wine lovers overlook? This conversation with Ioana Bucur, new co-owner of Princess and Bear Wines, dives deep into the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon, the southern French wine regions known for authenticity, history, and an unmatched sense of place. You’ll hear how centuries of tradition, diverse terroir, and small...

Ep 137 If you're ready to feel more confident about wine but have no idea where to start, this episode breaks the entire process down into five simple steps. You’ll learn my simple five step framework that makes learning about wine feel doable and not overwhelming. From building a consistent tasting habit to knowing which basics actually matter, this roadmap gives you an easy way to try new w...

Ep 136 Staring at a wall of wine and wishing someone would just hand you a curated list of bottles actually worth drinking? In this episode I’m sharing my 12 standout wines from 2025 in honor of the 12 days of Christmas. Wines from Washington Chardonnay to Idaho Mourvedre to canned Albariño, Soave from Italy, and a wild, nutty Vin Jaune from France. You’ll hear why each bottle earned a spot on the...

Ep 135 What if the easiest way to pick better wine has been sitting on the bottle this whole time? Learning how to read a wine label doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In my conversation with Marie, she breaks down her approachable, beginner-friendly system that she teaches in her new book “How to Read a Wine Label.” It’s a method built around three core concepts that can help anyone predict how a...

Ep 134 What if blind tasting isn’t actually about guessing the wine at all but about learning to trust your palate? In this conversation, author, sommelier, and content creator Marie Cheslik shares an unfiltered look at blind tasting, wine education, and the confidence-building process behind learning what you like. She explains the original purpose of blind tasting, why it’s rooted in regional ty...

Ep 133 What if one of wine’s most recognizable symbols, the oak barrel, was never meant to be used for aging wine at all? In this episode, we’re diving into the history and science of oak in winemaking. From the Roman Empire’s accidental discovery of oak barrels to how modern winemakers use them intentionally today, you’ll learn why oak has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping a wine’...

Ep 132 Do you ever feel lost when people start throwing around fancy wine terms like “tannin” or “terroir”? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re going back to the basics with 15 essential wine words that will instantly boost your confidence when talking about wine. You’ll learn how to describe what you’re tasting, from acidity to body, and finally understand what those mysterious words like “m...

Ep 131 What happens when a winemaker challenges tradition, one barrel at a time? In this second part of my interview with South African winemaker Duncan Savage, he shares how he transformed his approach from crafting white wines at Cape Point Vineyards to creating expressive, terroir-driven reds under his own label. He shares how his time crafting white wines at Cape Point Vineyards shaped the phi...

Ep 130 You may have heard of Napa and Bordeaux…but the next great wine region might just surprise you. Welcome to South Africa! In this episode, winemaker Duncan Savage joins from Cape Town to share his journey from head winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards to founder of Savage Wines, one of the most exciting and celebrated names in South Africa’s new wave movement. Duncan’s story is filled with humi...

Ep 129 Washington may be known for its big-name wineries, but some of the best bottles are coming from the small, family-run spots you’ve never heard of. In this episode, we’re exploring four boutique wineries that capture the creativity and community behind Washington wine. Discover how a chef’s background in flavor inspires the balanced, aromatic wines at Kinhaven Winery. Learn how Cedergreen Ce...

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 t...

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 w...

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,...

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 d...

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...

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 var...

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...

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 flower...

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...

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 storie...

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,...

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...

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, showin...

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 over...