The Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine

Does a beautiful hand-blown wine glass make a difference when it comes to drinking wine?

Are different glasses good for different kinds of wine? 

Or is it just all a marketing strategy?

Today, I have David Kong, founder of Glasvin Stemware, with me. David is changing the game for wine and cocktail lovers everywhere! And he is giving us all the details on those questions. 

David dives into how a wine glass can or can not impact a wine. He’s sharing what he thinks are marketing tactics when it comes to glassware and what actually matters.

David also dives into his direct to consumer business model that allows him to offer affordable wine glasses as well as his mission to responsibly source his products and why that is so important to him and his company. 

I know after listening to this episode that you will want one of those beautiful hand-blown wine glasses for your collection so head to https://glas.vin/ and use code CORKFIZZ for 10% off your order!

This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Vochill wine chiller - save 15% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Episode Highlights:

• Who is David Kong, founder of Glasvin wine glasses

• Making luxury glassware accessible for everyday use at a lower price point

• Wine selection tips on finding affordable yet quality driven wines

• Importance of choosing wines based on quality rather than branding or marketing

• Versatility of the universal wine glass

• Glasvin’s commitment to responsibly sourcing glassware

• Glasvin’s direct-to-consumer business model for lower prices and better service

• Does the shape and size of a wine glass impact the aroma and taste of wine

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Do you find yourself drinking the same wine all the time? 

Even as a wine enthusiast, I’m guilty of this myself! 

And while I know how easy it is to gravitate towards the same wines, I’m here to help you find some fun and interesting new wines to try!

Today, I’m introducing you to 4 of my favorite wines that aren’t quite as well known…but they must go on your list of new wines to try!

From the spicy Grüner Veltliner and refreshing Soave to the fruity Mencia and earthy Carménère - get ready to discover amazing new flavor profiles! Find out what my go-to bottle of wine when shopping at a wine shop or while out to dinner is, how to pair these wines with food, and so much more!

In a world where it is so easy to stick to the familiar, I hope you will try one of my favorite lesser known wines that I mentioned today. When you do, please send me a DM on Instagram and let me know which one you tried!

This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Repour - save 10% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Episode Highlights:

• My go-to bottle of wine at the store
• What does Grüner Veltliner taste like?
• Where does the Grüner Veltliner grape originate from?
• What food pairs well with Grüner Veltliner?
• What temperature to serve Grüner Veltliner at?
• The wine that blew my mind when I first tried it!
• What does Mencia taste like?
• What temperature to serve Mencia at?
• Does Mencia age well?
• My go-to bottle of wine when out to dinner
• Garganega flavor profile
• What food to pair Soave with
• The wine that was the first topic of my very first virtual wine tasting
• Carménère food pairings
• Carménère flavor profile

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

I love French wine…but I also REALLY love Spanish wine so I knew it was time to do a Spanish Wine 101 episode!

Spain has some of the most budget friendly, age worthy wines and if you aren’t drinking Spanish wine yet you will want to by the end of this episode!

Today, we are diving into the captivating world of Spanish wine. From the rolling vineyards of Rias Baixas to the rugged terrain of Priorat, we are exploring the distinctive flavors, traditions, and classifications that make Spanish wines truly exceptional.

We’ll learn about Spain’s impressive grape varietals, unique labeling system, distinct characteristics of wines and the rich history and transformation of Spain's winemaking industry. 

So, listen in and then send me a message on Instagram, @corkandfizz and let me know what Spanish wine you are excited to try!

This episode of the Cork and Fizz podcast is sponsored by Vochill wine chiller - save 15% off your next order with code CORKANDFIZZ and the Cork Crew Virtual Wine Club - grab your free class pass at www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Episode Highlights:

• The basics of Spanish wine

• How do you read a Spanish wine label

• The Spanish wine classification system

• What does DOP mean in Spanish wine

• What does IGP stand for on a Spanish wine label

• What does vino mean for Spanish wine

• What are 5 famous wine regions in Spain?

• Learn about Rias Baixas, Bierzo, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

What happens when two friends who are passionate about traveling, chemistry, and wine fall in love with each other?

They get married and open a winery together!

Wife and wife team, Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó, are the winemakers and founders of Camins 2 Dreams Winery in Santa Rita Hills, California. Camins 2 Dreams sources their grapes from vineyards in Santa Barbara County with a focus in Santa Rita Hills.

Tara and Mireia feel that wine is made in the vineyard and want to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes are sourced from. But, what does that mean?

Camins 2 Dreams’ philosophy is to make handcrafted terroir driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast, minimum amounts of sulfur dioxide, use minimal intervention in the winery, and are unfiltered and unfined.

Listen in as Tara and Mireia share how they started their winery with two barrels of wine and watched their production grow from 90 cases of wine to an impressive 1500 cases!

Discover why they chose Santa Rita Hills, California as the location of their winery and how the diverse microclimate makes it an ideal location for their winemaking endeavors. They also share why they focus on experimenting with and showcasing underrepresented grape varieties and their commitment to bringing diversity to their winemaking process and so much more!

So, if you are ready to hear the remarkable stories of two female winemakers and their dedication to representing underrepresented vineyards, experimenting with diverse grape varieties, and creating exceptional wines–press play and listen in!

Episode Highlights:

• Story behind the two female winemakers of Camins 2 Dreams

• Why Camins 2 dreams uses organic methods when it comes to producing their wine

• Are Camins 2 Dreams wines organic

• Experimentation with underrepresented grape varieties

• How Camins 2 Dreams came to be and what their name stands for

• Camins 2 Dreams winemaking

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Today, I’m sharing with you one of my favorite wine regions in the entire world, Walla Walla, Washington!

To me this region is like a secret little getaway. Like many of you I spend so much of my time feeling stressed out and worrying about everything that needs to get done. And every time I visit Walla Walla I feel so relaxed and chill and it’s like my worries just disappear when I am there.

I want to share this amazing region with you so you can ditch Napa and visit Walla Walla on your next wine trip!

One of the most special places in Walla Walla is a sub-region called The Rocks District. The wines from this region have distinct and diverse flavor profiles, think bacon fat and black pepper but also ripe fruitiness with blackberries and blueberries.

And since this is one of my all time favorite places I’m diving into its history, its unique climate for growing grapes, as well as how to travel to Walla Walla, where to stay while you are there, when is the best time of year to visit, which wineries to visit, and where to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Walla Walla is an ideal destination for wine lovers who are seeking an immersive and authentic wine-tasting adventure so if that sounds like you: press play and get ready to plan your visit to Walla Walla!

And if you would like to enjoy this amazing wine country without having to do any of the planning, come join my April 2024 Walla Walla retreat! I still have a couple spots left! Book your spot here: corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat

Or grab my entire West Coast Wine Guide here!

https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/lqfp4htxut

Related episodes:

Ep 7 - So You Want to be a Winemaker with DamselCellars’ Mari Womack

https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-7

Ep 20 - Creating a Luxury Wine

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

My grape deep dive is back and this time it’s all about the misunderstood Riesling grape!

You may already be thinking: I don’t like Riesling! Either because you think it’s too sweet or it’s too acidic. But here’s where Riesling’s unique characteristics shine…this grape can do both! It can be sweet or acidic and it’s all dependent on where it’s grown and how the winemaker chooses to make the wine!

Today, we are going to take a deep dive into Riesling and dispel the myths of this grape. I’ll share the incredible diversity of this noble and distinctive white grape because it can produce wines across a wide spectrum of sweetness levels from bone dry to lusciously sweet.

And by now you know that I love history, so I’ll dive into the fascinating history of Riesling and its German origins. We’ll also discover how the Blue Nun had a less than positive effect on people’s view of Riesling.

I can’t wait to share the complex aromatics that set Riesling apart from other grapes. Think petrol (oh yes, gasoline), mineral notes, vibrant fruit aromas. You’ll also learn how adaptable and resilient Riesling is when it comes to the climates it’s grown in.

Are you ready to dive into this versatile Riesling grape? If so press play and listen in! And if this episode has inspired you to try Riesling I’d love for you to head over to Instagram and let me know what you think!

Episode Highlights:

• Versatility of Riesling grapes from sweet to acidic
• What is special about Riesling wine?
• What are the characteristics of Riesling wine?
• History of Riesling grapes and it’s German origin
• The curse of the Blue Nun and its impact on Riesling
• The aging potential of Riesling
• Understanding Riesling’s sweetness levels
• Answering the question: is Riesling dry or sweet?
• Is Riesling dry or fruity?
• Unique aromas of Riesling (think petrol)
• Highlighting top regions for Riesling production

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

What’s it like owning a winery in Colorado and growing grapes at 6,000 feet above sea?

For Jayme and Steve it’s been fraught with surprising challenges and extravagant wins!

Today I’m talking with Colorado winemakers and founders of The Storm Cellar, Jayme Henderson and Steve Steese.

The Storm Cellar is a boutique winery, located in Hotchkiss, Colorado, specializing in high-quality, aromatic White and Rosé wines. 

They are a husband-and-wife team with a shared goal of showcasing the attributes of their unique, alpine-desert terroir, bringing the West Elks AVA into the national wine spotlight, and becoming a premier destination for an elevated Colorado wine experience.

But they’ve certainly run into a couple challenges. When Jayme and Steve purchased their winery they had no way of knowing that 4 months later a Phylloxera infestation would have them replanting their vineyard.

Or that two bears would invade their vineyard in 2022 and eat their grapes! But Jayme and Steve managed to turn this into a positive thing because they were able to harvest the remaining grapes early to create a sparkling wine!

And of course, they also have to deal with the unique microclimate of Colorado that involves both desert and below freezing temperatures which present unique challenges all on its own!

Are you ready to dive in and discover the world of winemaking with Jayme and Steve, and explore the unique characteristics of Colorado wines, their passion for blending and their vision for a thriving wine industry?

And if you would like to try the unique wines from The Storm Cellar head to https://stormcellarwine.com and use the discount code STORMLOVE10 for 10% off any three or more bottles!

Episode Highlights:

• Colorado’s unique microclimate and narrow growing window which influences grape varieties
• Challenges faced due to the region’s vulnerability at 6,000 feet above sea level
• How they dealt with Phylloxera 4 months after purchasing the winery
• Why they only produce white and Rosé wines
• The one grape they will never blend
• Challenges of working with high acid content in hyb

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Does the wine list at your favorite restaurant overwhelm you? 

Ordering wine at a restaurant can be an overwhelming experience, especially when faced with a lengthy wine list that’s multiple pages long and in a language that seems foreign! 

If you can relate then you are going to be so excited for today’s episode!

I’m sharing my best tips on ordering wine at a restaurant because I know how scary it can be when you sit down to have dinner and have no idea how to choose a wine you’d like. By the end of this episode I want you to be able to confidently open a wine menu and understand how to navigate it and how to best ask for help.

I’m covering everything from my 5 top tips that will help you confidently navigate the wine menu as well as how a wine list is organized, how to decide if you should order by the glass or by the bottle and how to utilize a sommelier to get the best wine choice for you.

So friend, if you’ve ever looked at a wine list and been insanely overwhelmed then this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights:

• Tips for ordering wine at a restaurant

• How to order wine from a wine menu

• Tips for understanding the basics of a restaurant wine list

• Is it less expensive to have a few glasses of wine or a bottle of wine

• Pricing differences and considerations for by the glass and by the bottle selections

• 3 Common ways a wine list is organized

• What is a sommelier

• How can a sommelier help you choose wine

• How do you order good wine at a restaurant

• What wine to order at dinner

• What do you say when ordering wine

• Understanding restaurant wine pricing

• My top 5 tips for ordering wine at a restaurant

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

I promised you a part two to my French Wine 101 episode and it’s finally here!

If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and listen to Episode 19 - French Wine 101. There we talked about the most popular and well known regions of France - Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley.

Today, we are going to go off the beaten path to explore six of the lesser known, but just as wonderful (or possibly even more wonderful), regions of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Alsace, Beaujolais, Jura and Corsica!

We are discussing the unique characteristics of each region, uncovering the specific grapes grown there, and talking all about the types of wine they produce.

You’ll also get a peek into the diverse and historical backgrounds that have shaped the wine production in each region!

Are you ready to uncork the mysteries of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Alsace, Jura, Beaujolais, and Corsica? 

Grab a glass of wine and let’s sip our way through France together!

Episode Highlights:

• Where are the 11 major wine regions in France

• Focusing on the six lesser known wine regions in France

• Learn about wines from Languedoc-Roussillon

• What does Languedoc wine taste like

• What grapes are in Roussillon

• Learn about wines from Provence

• What wine is Provence known for

• Learn about wines from Alsace

• What is the most popular wine in Alsace

• Learn about wines from Beaujolais

• What kind of wine is Beaujolais

• Learn about wines from Jura

• What wine is Jura known for

• What wine is from Jura region

• Learn about wines from Corsica

• What wine is Corsica famous for

• What is

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Are you ready to uncork a wealth of knowledge and passion for Australian wine? 

In today's episode, Nashville-based sommelier, author and importer Jane Lopes takes us on a journey through the lesser known wines of Australia! 

Jane shares with us what sparked her interest in Australian wine and how that spark led to her and her husband importing Australian wine into the US and the formation of their import business, Legend

Jane also shares her passion for education in the wine industry and how that led to her authoring the book Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles and later, the book How to Drink Australian that she co-authored with her husband Jonathan Ross. Her approach to writing these books was to weave wine education with captivating storytelling to make wine knowledge accessible and enjoyable

And you won't want to miss when Jane takes us on her journey through her time working in some of the top restaurants where she would get creative in her approach to pairing wines with dishes, including unique combinations like mixing wine with sour beer or sake. She may just inspire you to elevate your dining experiences with out-of-the-box pairings!

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Australian wine and discover some hidden gems? If so, grab a glass of wine and press play!

Connect with Jane

Website - https://janelopes.com/

Import Company - https://legendaustralia.com/ 

Buy Vignette - http://smarturl.it/VignetteBook

Buy How to Drink Australian - https://howtodrinkaustralian.com/ 

Episode Highlights:

• Meet Jane Lopes - Australian wine importer, sommelier and author

• What sparked Jane’s interest in wine

• What it was like working as a sommelier at top restaurants in the US and Australia

• Why did Jane focus on Australian wine

• Why wine

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Are you participating in Dry January?

Or perhaps you simply enjoy non-alcoholic wines?

Whatever the reason, you may be curious about some of the most common questions regarding non-alcoholic wines such as: Are they any good? Are they really alcohol free? Is non-alcoholic wine just grape juice?

Today, we are diving into the complexities of dealcoholized wine and wine alternatives. How are they different? Are they truly 100% alcohol free? Is a wine alternative really wine? 

I’ll also share how the alcohol is removed and what research says about drinking non alcoholic wine if you’re pregnant or living a sober lifestyle?

And of course one of the most important questions you may have is - do they taste good?!

I experimented with 5 non-alcoholic wines and 1 wine alternative and I’m ranking them from my least favorite to my favorite! As well as sharing what I did and did not like about each one.

Whether you're participating in Dry January, pursuing a sober lifestyle, or simply intrigued by non-alcoholic wine, this episode offers valuable insights and recommendations for your non-alcoholic wine exploration.

And I’d love to have you join the conversation over on Instagram! Send me a DM about your favorite non-alcoholic wine or wine alternative!

Additional Resources:

Bevzero Dealcoholization Videos: https://bevzero.com/services/dealcoholization/

2022 Non-Alcoholic Wine Blog Post: https://www.corkandfizz.com/wine-blog/a-definitive-ranking-of-non-alcoholic-wine 

Episode Highlights:

• Dealcoholized wine vs wine alternative

• What is a dealcoholized wine

• Is there still alcohol in dealcoholized wine

• What is a wine alternative

• Are wine alternatives 100% alcohol f

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Have you ever wondered why that bottle of wine you opened tastes off? 

A bottle of wine can go bad before you even open! We call the things that make it go bad wine faults.

Wine faults are often caused by poor storage and handling however there are other cases where damage happens to the wine through no fault of our own!

It’s good to know what these wine faults are and understand what to do when you notice them. Many of us drink faulty wine and just think it’s bad wine, when that’s not the case!

We are discussing common wine faults such as cork taint, reduction, oxidation, UV damage and heat damage. We will discuss what causes these wine faults, what these wine faults smell like, and how to remedy these wine faults.

We’ll also dive into herbal aromas, aka smells green, and wine diamonds. These are often misunderstood as wine faults, however, they aren't! 

So, if you are curious about wine faults and how to identify them then this episode is for you! Grab a glass of wine, press play, and enjoy!

Episode Highlights:

• What causes cork taint

• What does cork taint smell like

• Can you drink wine with cork taint

• How to remedy a wine with cork taint

• What causes wine reduction

• How do you fix reductive wine

• What does reductive wine smell like

• What is oxidation in wine

• Is oxidized wine safe to drink

• How do you remove oxidation from wine

• What does UV damage to wine smell like

• How does UV damage to wine happen

• How can you remedy UV damage to wine

• What does heat damage to wine smell like

• What causes heat damage to wine

• How can you remedy wine with heat damage

• What is volatile acidity

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Imagine your spouse calling and saying “I may have just signed a lease on a vineyard!"

That’s exactly the phone call Sarah received from Nate, the passionate husband and wife duo behind Walsh Family Wine in Virginia!

Sarah Walsh comes from a background of fine dining, fine wine sales and wine education. She manages the Northern Virginia sales team for Winebow, a wine importer and distributor and holds a diploma Wine and Spirits Education Trust, an accreditation held by only 9,000 people worldwide. In both 2014 and 2016 she was awarded Winebow’s President Award, the company’s top distinction recognizing excellence, given to only one person each year company-wide. Nate is an English major turned winemaker who’s worked at wineries in Oregon and New Zealand but is proud to be farming grapes in Virginia.

Join in as Sarah and Nate share their unconventional path to starting their own winery without a business plan, the diverse geographical features of the region, the unique climate similarities to Bordeaux, and the small batch wines being produced. They also emphasize the strength of direct-to-consumer sales and the potential for Virginia to become a standout region for Cabernet Franc.

And don’t miss out on how Walsh Family Wine is committed to creating innovative ways to support and collaborate with other producers in the area.

Are you ready to explore everything from vineyard management to winemaking techniques and the unique characteristics of Virginia’s wine regions? If so, grab a glass of wine and press play!

Episode Highlights:

• Meet Sarah & Nate Walsh of Walsh Family Wine

• What inspired Sarah & Nate to open their own winery

• Starting a business without a business plan

• Diversity of Virginia wine country

• Similarities in growing grapes in Virginia and in Bordeaux

• Benefits of batching small barrels of wine

• Is the growth of Virginia wine through wholesaler or

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Does this sound familiar?

You discover you like a certain style of wine and from that point on you look for that wine at the store or when you go out to eat. And it’s always the same style of wine.

But you can see that there are so many other options! You want to try something new but how do you know if you’ll like it? Maybe it’s just safer to stick with what you like because you know you like it.

Believe it or not, this used to be me! My go-to was Sauvignon Blanc and that was all I drank. That is until I became interested in wine. And it was then that I found so many delicious varieties and now I want to help you discover your new favorite wine!

In this episode I’m going to help you discover new wines based on your current favorites. I’ll be sharing two new wines to try based off of the six most popular wine varieties.

For white wine we will talk about alternatives to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. And for the red wines we will talk about alternatives for Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

These alternatives will give you a great starting point. This way you’ll know what to try when you are shopping for your next bottle of wine and you can be confident that you’ll like the wine because it’s similar to a style you already drink!

After you listen to this episode I know you will be inspired to try a new wine and I hope you’ll head over to @corkandfizz on Instagram and tag me and let me know how much you love the wine you chose!

Episode Highlights:

• Discover new wines based on your current favorite wine

• 2 alternatives to Sauvignon Blanc

• 2 alternatives to Chardonnay

• 2 alternatives to Pinot Grigio

• 2 alternatives to Pinot Noir

• 2 alternatives to Merlot

• 2 alternatives to Cabernet Sauvignon

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

You loved the last exclusive look into my Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club so I’m back with another sneak peek! And this time I’m joined by the infamous Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible!

In today’s world we often take for granted the fact that we can walk into a winery and order a glass of wine or that we can join wine classes for tastings, and really learn about wine in so many different ways!

But what was it like to be in the wine world back in the 1970’s? Back then the wine world was dominated by white men and it was not an easy feat for a female to be able to gain some footing in that space.

That was the hurdle that today's guest Karen MacNeil faced. Karen had to forge her way into a male dominated space in order to learn about wine. And her only way into this wine space required her following a rule set by these men…and you won’t believe what it was.

Since that time Karen has gone on to author The Wine Bible, won every major wine award given in the English language including the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. If that isn’t impressive enough, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine” and she has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine.”

So listen in on this Q&A held for my Cork Crew Tasting Club as Karen discusses her love for wine as a companion, its transformative nature, and the awe-inspiring mystique of wine that keeps her captivated.

And if you are intrigued by what you heard in this sneak peek of the Cork Crew you can become a member by using the code WINE101 to get your first month free!

Episode Highlights:

• Who is Karen MacNeil

• Forging her way into the male dominated wine world in the 1970’s

• What it was like to be the first woman in the world of wine

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Today’s episode is a fun one because I’m answering your most common wine questions! 

I recently posted a question sticker in my Instagram stories asking you to send me all of your wine related questions and boy did you deliver! It makes me really happy to answer your questions so I had so much fun with this! If you missed that question sticker on my Instagram stories I’ll be doing it again soon, so make sure you are following me here so you don’t miss it!

So, what are your most common wine questions? Well, in today’s episode I took the top 16 questions I received and we are going to dig into them to help you understand wine a little bit better.

Some of the questions include:

• I smell my wine before sipping but I don’t know why I do this. What exactly should I be smelling?
• How can I figure out what wine I like?
• Does red wine really have health benefits?

And the questions don’t stop there! 

Get ready to sip and learn because this episode is full of fascinating facts and tips that will elevate your wine game!

And don’t forget to head to https://www.corkandfizz.com/ scroll all the way to the bottom and join my mailing list where you will also receive my free shopping guide that has 15 of my favorite wines under $15.

Episode Highlights:

• Answering your most common wine questions
• What’s the best way to learn about wine and develop the ability to describe wine flavors?
• I smell my wine before sipping, but what am I supposed to be smelling?
• How can I determine what wine I like?
• How can I properly store wine at home?
• What are the basics of pairing food and wine together?
• Do I eat and then sip wine or do I sip wine and then eat?
• Are wine clubs a good investment?
• How long does wine last once it’s open?
• Are there health benefits from drinking red wine?
• Why are some wines specific to some regions?

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

‘Tis the season for giving and what better gift to give than the joy of wine? 

If you are looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life then this episode is for you!

This is my absolute favorite time of year and I have just released my 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers! So, before you go any further go ahead and download the guide here. It’s packed full of all of my favorite wine gifts as well as several discount codes that you can only get inside the gift guide. PLUS there is a very special bonus Black Friday deal in the guide from me as well!

In today’s episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite wine gifts and some unique wine gifts as well! 

I touch on a few of my favorite wine subscriptions such as the Master the World blind tasting kit or the Crunchy Red Fruit wine club. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my amazing virtual tasting club the Cork Crew! The Cork Crew includes several gifting options including 3, 6, or 12 month memberships or a punch card!

I share some of my go-to books when it comes to wine such as the Wine Folly: The Master Guide which is a great starter book for those looking to get into wine. And my favorite cookbook - Wine Food!

Next up is some of my favorite apparel from shops like The Wino Shop which offers a more sophisticated style of wine apparel and my very own Cork & Fizz Signature Clay Wine Bottle Earrings! 

If you struggle with stocking stuffer ideas I have several for all of the wine lovers in your life! Gifts like Repour and the WineWash as well as wine gadgets. And more unique gifts like the Wine Calendar from Elysia Myers that includes 12 art prints made by painting with wine! And if you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable wine lover experience I also talk about my private wine tasting vouchers!

What’s mentioned here is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is inside the Wine Lover’s Gift Guide. Don’t forget: when you download the g

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

You are in for a real treat today because I’m chatting with Desiree Harrison-Brown, a wine educator and influencer!

After working part-time doing tastings at local grocery and liquor stores Desiree left her 9-to-5 corporate career in project management to pursue her love for wine education. 

It was during these tastings that customers would ask Desiree questions about wine to which she would reply “I literally do not know. You can taste it and if you like it then buy it.”

But it was then that Desiree’s interest was piqued and she started researching the wines before the tastings. And that was that, she was officially bitten by the wine bug and hasn’t looked back since!

Desiree went on to create WINO NOIRE, a lifestyle brand and community. She uses her platform to make wine accessible to a diverse population and highlight black and woman-owned wine brands. 

But Desiree didn’t stop there! She is also the owner of The Wino Shop, an online retailer of wine accessories for the modern wine lover. She’s also on her way to receiving her WSET Diploma to soak up as much as she could when it comes to her wine education.

If you are ready to hear about Desiree’s inspiring journey, her dedication to diversity in the wine industry, and about her passion for wine education, then grab a glass of wine and press that play button!

Be sure to check out The Wino Shop and save 15% off apparel with code CORKANDFIZZ. The code is good through 12/31/2023

Connect with Desiree

The Wino Shop - https://thewinoshop.com/

Wino Noire - https://winonoire.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/winonoire/

Episode Highlights:

• Meet wine educator and wine influencer Desiree Harrison-Brown
• What is WINO NOIRE
• The key pillars of WINO NOIRE
• Why Desiree created The Wino Shop
• The un

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

The air is crisp and Thanksgiving is on its way. You’ve planned your food menu for Thanksgiving but now the question is…what wine do you pair with it?

When thinking of the perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner, I think a lot of people reach towards big, powerful red wines.

And while you can do that, you also want to think about the food that is on the table. If you have the traditional dinner of turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and potatoes like me, none of those foods are overly powerful. Thus you don’t want an overly powerful wine.

It’s not like we are having steak for Thanksgiving dinner (unless of course, you are, in which case, please save me a seat so I can join you!)

So, let's move beyond those big powerful red wines into something a little more delicate and balanced for a Thanksgiving dinner.

Today, I’m sharing with you my 5 favorite wines for Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll start with a sparkling wine to toast with, as well as my ultimate wine pick for Thanksgiving dinner. We can’t forget dessert so stick around to the end and I’ll tell you what wine is best to pair with pumpkin pie!

I’d love to hear what wine you choose to be on your Thanksgiving table! Take a picture and tag me on Instagram (@corkandfizz) so I don’t miss it!

Specific bottles mentioned in this episode:

• Keswick Vineyards 100% Cabernet Franc

• Early Mountain Madison County Cabernet Franc

• Arnaud Lambert Breze Clos Mazurique Saumur Rouge

• Arnaud Lambert Saumur-Champigny Terres Rouges

• DeLille Cellars Chaluer Blanc

• Franklin Tate Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc

• Chateau Haut Guillebot White Bordeaux

Episode Highlights:

• My top picks on the best wine for Thanksgiving dinner

• What wines pair well with Thanksgiving dinner

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

We are switching things up this week and doing things a little differently! 

Every month with the Cork Crew I host a virtual community event and in September I had the pleasure of bringing Texas winemaker, Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars, into the Cork Crew for a Q&A!

Wait! Texas produces wine?!

Yes you read that right! Texas does produce wine and I wanted to share this conversation with you and give you an exclusive sneak peek into the Cork Crew Virtual Tasting Club!

Join me as I chat with Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars. After earning his civil engineering degree and working his “big boy job,” as he calls it, for a couple years, Andrew found himself being pulled back toward the passion he’d cultivated for growing grapes and making wine. 

Andrew believes that Texas can produce the highest quality wine, as high quality as anywhere in the world. And once you try his wines, you’ll have a hard time arguing with that.

In this episode, Andrew dives into the importance that farming has in Texas winemaking as well as how the continental climate affects the growing conditions in Texas year after year. He also explains how it differs grape growing in different areas of the state from the Hill Country to the High Plains (two of Texas’ AVAs).

Discover why Texas is better off growing grapes like Picpoul and Viognier over more popular varieties like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio! Gain insight on the misconceptions surrounding Texas wines. Are they flawed? Are they too sweet? Well, Andrew has all of the answers during this conversation!

If you are ready to be inspired to try wines from Texas press play and listen in!

Episode Highlights:

• Who is Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Cellars

• How Andrew went from a civil engineering graduate to founder of Lost Draw Cellars

• Importance of farming in Texas winemaking

• Challenges of Texas weather on growing grapes

• Is Texas wine any

I’m so excited to be leading my 2nd wine retreat to Walla Walla WA this April and I want you to come with me!

3 1/2 days, over 8 unique wine tasting experiences, 2 extravagant dinners, special welcome bag full of goodies, new friendships and a lot of laughter and fun awaits you on this can’t miss retreat. Learn more and sign up here www.corkandfizz.com/2024-walla-walla-wine-retreat 

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.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com