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

Hailey Bohlman | Wine Educator
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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

  1. 1d ago

    Portuguese Wine: Regions, Grapes & 6 Wines to Try

    Ep 181 Portuguese wine might be one of the best values in the wine aisle, so why are so many of us walking right past it? I even have a habit of overlooking Portuguese wine and reaching for something from Spain or France instead. But every time I open a bottle from Portugal, I'm reminded of just how good these wines are, especially for the price! In this episode, we're heading to Portugal to explore the wine regions, native grapes, and styles that make this country worth paying more attention to. We'll talk about Portugal's winemaking history, explore native grapes like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Encruzado, and uncover why these wines are still surprisingly affordable. I'm also sharing six Portuguese wines worth trying, including Vinho Verde, Encruzado, Douro reds, Baga, Alentejo reds, and Tawny Port. We'll cover what they taste like, what foods to pair them with, how to serve them, and how much you can expect to spend. By the end, I hope you'll be inspired to give Portuguese wine a try the next time you're shopping for a bottle!  Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Episode Highlights: Why Portuguese wine is so often overlookedPortugal’s long and surprising wine historyHow Portugal’s wine regions differWhy native Portuguese grapes matter6 Portuguese wines worth tryingWhat Portuguese wines taste likeHow to serve and pair each styleWhy Portuguese wine is such a great value What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  2. Oct 28

    Are Glass Wine Bottles on Their Way Out?

    Ep 180 Are Glass Wine Bottles on Their Way Out? Could the glass wine bottle eventually become a thing of the past? We've been drinking wine from glass bottles for centuries, but have you ever wondered why? And with so many new ways to package wine popping up, from cans and boxes to paper and aluminum bottles, could glass eventually lose its place as the go-to choice? In this episode, we're taking a look at how glass bottles became the standard for wine, why producing and transporting heavy glass bottles can have such a big environmental impact, and what other alternatives are out there. We'll explore the pros and cons of different wine packaging, including some options you might not even know exist, and how wineries are finding ways to make glass bottles more sustainable. So will we ever say goodbye to the traditional glass wine bottle? Maybe not completely, but the wine aisle could look a whole lot different in the future! Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Episode Highlights: How glass bottles became the standard for wineWhy wine bottles are typically 750 millilitersThe environmental impact of glass wine bottlesWhy canned wine has become more popularThe pros and cons of boxed wine and wine pouchesPaper, plastic, carton, and aluminum wine packagingHow lighter glass bottles could reduce carbon emissionsHow reusable wine bottle programs workWhy glass may no longer be the default for every wine Resources: Sustainability in Winemaking w/ Sipwell’s Hilary Cocalis - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-3 All About Sparkling Wine - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-44 What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  3. Oct 21

    Best Wines to Collect and Age w/ Paul Zitarelli (Part 2)

    Ep 179 Not every bottle of wine is meant to be aged, so how do you know which ones are worth holding onto? In part two of my conversation with Paul Zitarelli, owner of Full Pull Wines, we're talking about the best wines to collect and age. Paul shares why buying more than one bottle can make wine collecting more fun, how to keep track of when your wines are ready to drink, and why you shouldn't overlook white wines when building your collection. We also get into where you can find some really great wine deals right now, including California, Oregon, Washington, and a few European regions you might not have considered. Plus, Paul shares some of his favorite wines and the wine myths he wishes more people would stop believing. Whether you have a few special bottles tucked away or you're starting to build a collection, this conversation will help you feel more confident about what to buy, what to save, and when to finally pop that cork. This is part 2 of my conversation with Paul. If you haven’t heard part 1 go back to episode 178 and listen in! Connect with Paul: Website: https://fullpullwines.com/ Join the Full Pull Mailing List: https://fullpullwines.com/signup.php Author of 36 Bottles of Wine: Less Is More with 3 Recommended Wines per Month Plus Seasonal Recipe Pairings  Episode Highlights: How many bottles of the same wine you should collectWhy drinking a wine young and aged can be so rewardingSimple ways to organize your collection by drinking windowWhy Chardonnay, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc are worth agingWhere to find great deals on collectible winesEuropean wine regions offering excellent valueHow to recognize wines that are better enjoyed youngCommon wine myths that make wine feel more complicated than it needs to be Resources: Mythbusters: What Actually Causes Wine Headaches (It’s Not Sulfites) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-141 What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  4. Oct 14

    How to Start a Wine Collection: A Beginner’s Guide w/ Paul Zitarelli (Part 1)

    Ep 178  Starting a wine collection might sound like something reserved for serious collectors with expensive bottles and a fancy cellar, but it can actually start with just one bottle. In this episode, Paul Zitarelli, owner and editor-in-chief of Full Pull Wines and author of 36 Bottles of Wine, breaks down how to start a wine collection as a beginner and why right now is an especially interesting time to do it. Fun fact: 36 Bottles of Wine was actually one of the books I read when I was first learning about wine, long before I realized I would one day be sitting down with Paul for this conversation. Paul explains what actually counts as collecting wine, which wines can be good options to age, and why you do not need a dedicated wine cellar or even a wine fridge to get started. You’ll also learn how temperature affects wine as it ages, why collecting wine is better viewed as a way to enjoy wine rather than a financial investment, and how to figure out whether you actually enjoy the taste of aged wine. Plus, Paul shares one of the biggest mistakes new collectors make and why starting small can help you build a collection you will actually want to drink. Whether you already have a few bottles tucked away for later or you have never considered aging a bottle before, this episode will help you start a wine collection based on what you enjoy and how you actually drink wine. This is part one of my conversation with Paul from Full Pull Wines Connect with Paul: Website: https://fullpullwines.com/ Author of 36 Bottles of Wine: Less Is More with 3 Recommended Wines per Month Episode Highlights: Why right now is a great time to start collecting wineWhat actually counts as a wine collectionHow to start collecting with just one bottleBeginner-friendly wines to consider agingHow to store wine without a dedicated cellarWhy temperature consistency mattersWine collecting versus wine investingHow to discover whether you enjoy aged wineThe biggest mistakes new wine collectors makeWhy you should start small and build slowly What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  5. Oct 7

    Love Cabernet Sauvignon? Try These Wines Next

    Ep 177 Love Cabernet Sauvignon but want to try something different? I have six wines for you to add to your shopping list. Cabernet Sauvignon is popular for a reason. It's bold, full of dark fruit, and can have those delicious flavors of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and even a little green pepper. But it can also get expensive, and sometimes you just want to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. In this episode, I’m sharing six wines that have some of the things you already love about Cabernet Sauvignon while bringing something different to your glass. There's Mourvèdre, which I like to think of as the moodier, emo version of Cabernet, Nero d'Avola if you want something a little lighter and brighter, aged Rioja if you love those smooth oak flavors, and a few more you may not have tried before. So if Cabernet Sauvignon is usually the bottle you reach for, but you're ready to branch out, grab this list and see which one sounds like your next wine to try. Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Episode Highlights: Why Cabernet Sauvignon can be hit or missMourvèdre and Monastrell as a moodier Cabernet alternativeNero d'Avola for a lighter, brighter redDiscovering Portugal's Touriga NacionalWhy aged Rioja can be an alternative to aged CabernetWhat makes Tannat so intensely tannicCarmenère's unique history in ChileHow to choose your next red based on what you love about Cabernet What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  6. Sep 30

    Wine Scores Explained: What Do They Really Mean?

    Ep 176 You see 90, 92, or 95 points on a bottle of wine, but what do those wine scores actually mean and should they influence what you buy? Wine scores can make choosing a bottle feel easier, but there’s a lot more behind those numbers than you might realize. In this episode, we’re digging into where wine rating systems came from, how Robert Parker’s 100-point scale became the industry standard, and why a wine rated in the 80s can still be considered very good even though you rarely see those scores advertised. You’ll also learn how major wine critics approach scoring differently, why some wines are tasted blind while others aren’t, and why the same wine may not receive the same score every time. Plus, we’ll look at score inflation, Parkerization, and how the pursuit of higher ratings may have influenced the way some wines are made. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what wine scores can tell you, what they can’t, and how to decide whether they deserve a place in the way you choose your next bottle. Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Episode Highlights: What wine scores actually meanHow the 100-point wine scoring system beganWhy you rarely see wine scores below 90 advertised How major wine critics score wines differentlyBlind tasting versus knowing what’s in the glassWhy wine scores may not be as objective as they seem How high scores can influence winemakingWhether wine scores should influence what you buy What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  7. Sep 23

    Carbonic Maceration & Keeping Wine Approachable w/ Dusty Jenkins (Part 2)

    Ep 175 Carbonic maceration might sound complicated, but the wines it creates can be anything but. In part two of this conversation with Sage Rat Wine owner and winemaker Dusty Jenkins, we dig into the process behind his Carbonic Nebbiolo and why he uses carbonic maceration across several of his wines to create the fresh, fruit-forward, lighter style he loves. Dusty also shares why keeping wine approachable goes beyond what’s in the bottle. From the beginning, he has intentionally kept his wines in the $20 to $30 range so more people can enjoy small-production Washington wine. We also talk about why bigger isn’t always better when it comes to running a winery, what’s next for Sage Rat, and the wines Dusty reaches for when he’s drinking with friends. Plus, he shares why he thinks wine drinkers should look beyond mass-produced grocery store bottles and give more small producers a try. If you’re curious about carbonic maceration and want to discover approachable wines from smaller producers, this episode will give you plenty of reasons to rethink what great wine can look like and cost.  Don't miss part one of my conversation with Dusty! Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Connect with Dusty: Website: https://www.sageratwine.com/ Resources: Carbonic Maceration Explained Simply: https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-164 Episode Highlights: How carbonic maceration worksCreating fresh, fruit-forward winesThe story behind the Carbonic NebbioloKeeping small-production wine affordableWhy bigger isn’t always better for a wineryWhat’s next for Sage Rat WineWhy Dusty encourages buying from small wine producers  What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

  8. Sep 16

    The Unexpected Side of Yakima Valley Wine w/ Dusty Jenkins (Part 1)

    Ep 174 Washington wine may be known for its big, bold reds, but Yakima Valley has a much more unexpected side. Winemaker Dusty Jenkins is embracing that side through Sage Rat Wine, where he creates fresh, approachable wines that offer a different perspective on what Washington wine can be. After leaving a career in film and moving to Walla Walla to study winemaking, Dusty eventually found his way back to the Yakima Valley, where the freedom to do things a little differently became the perfect fit for the wines he wanted to make. In this episode, Dusty shares how winning half a ton of grapes unexpectedly led to the creation of Sage Rat, where the unusual name came from, and why he sees Yakima Valley as an underdog in Washington wine. We also get into the diversity of grapes grown throughout the region, his "ready for anything" approach to wine, what sustainability means at Sage Rat, and the three wines he recommends trying for a taste of what he's creating. If your idea of Washington wine starts and ends with big reds, this episode will introduce you to a different side of what the state can produce. Thank you to Full Pull Wines for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.fullpullwines.com to sign up for their FREE mailing list and start discovering delicious wines at ridiculously low prices! Connect with Dusty: Website: https://www.sageratwine.com/ Episode Highlights: Dusty's unexpected path from film to wineThe harvest that changed his approach to winemakingHow winning half a ton of grapes started Sage RatThe story behind the Sage Rat nameDusty's "ready for anything" wine philosophyWhy Yakima Valley is a wine underdogThe diversity of grapes grown in Yakima ValleyMaking lighter, fresher Washington winesWhat sustainable winemaking means at Sage RatThree Sage Rat wines to try What did you think of the episode? Text me! Support the show Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide  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 Podcast production and management by Liz Chapman

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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

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