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

Hailey Bohlman | Wine Educator
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

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. 2d ago

    What Happens When a Sommelier Loses Her Vision? w/ Amy Yancey (Part 1)

    Ep 170 At 32 years old, Amy Yancey was told it might be time to retire because she was losing her sight. She wasn't ready to walk away from wine. After more than a decade in the wine industry, Amy's retinitis pigmentosa had progressed to the point where working safely on a restaurant floor was no longer possible. But instead of leaving the industry she loved, the Certified Sommelier began figuring out how to build a wine career that could evolve alongside her vision loss. In this episode, Amy shares how her vision loss changed the way she experiences and evaluates wine, what tasting without relying on sight can reveal about our own biases, and why black wine glasses can completely change the tasting experience. She also shares how she created Pocket Somm, built unconventional partnerships that allowed her to stay in the industry, and turned her expertise into private tastings, wine retail, and a subscription wine club. You'll also hear about some of Amy's favorite lesser-known wines, her love of grower Champagne, and why she gravitates toward thoughtfully farmed wines that allow you to taste the grape and the place it came from. Connect with Amy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocketsommgvl/ Website: https://www.pocketsommgvl.com/ Use code CORKFIZZ for $15 off your first order when you sign up for the subscription wine club! https://shop-pocket-somm.myshopify.com/ Episode Highlights: Building a wine career after vision lossHow sight influences the way we taste wineRemoving bias with black wine glass tastingsCreating Pocket Somm and a new career pathHow wine education helped Amy adapt her tasting Discovering lesser-known wines and grape varietiesWhy thoughtfully farmed wines stand outAmy’s love of grower Champagne 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. Aug 12

    How to Figure Out What Wine You Actually Like

    Ep 169 You don’t need to know everything about wine to figure out what you actually like drinking. Maybe you know you love certain wines but have no idea how to explain why. Or you walk into a wine shop and fall back on buying the same bottle because you don’t know what to ask for. In this episode, we’re taking wine tasting back to the basics and learning how to identify the characteristics you actually enjoy in a wine. I break down some of the most common wine terms including tannin, acidity, body, dry, sweet, and fruity and what they actually mean when you’re tasting wine. You’ll also learn how simple side-by-side tastings and a few quick notes can help you recognize patterns in what you like and don’t like. By the end of the episode, you’ll know how to describe your wine preferences and the three things to tell a sommelier or wine shop so they can help you find a bottle you’ll love. Because there’s no wine you should like, a good wine is simply a wine you like drinking. Resources: My 4-Step Wine Tasting Method to Build Your Wine Confidence - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-1  Episode Highlights: What tannin actually feels like in wineDry vs. sweet vs. fruity wineHow to recognize acidity and bodyUnderstanding aromas and tasting notesHow to identify your wine preferencesEasy side-by-side wine tasting experimentsWhy keeping tasting notes helpsThe 3 things to share when asking for a wine recommendation Why your wine preferences can change 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. Aug 5

    Value Hacks for Expensive Wines

    Ep 168 Great wine doesn't have to come with a premium price tag.  Some of the world's most famous wines have become famous for a reason. Sancerre, Burgundy, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Champagne are all incredible wines. But they're also some of the bottles that can make your wallet hurt. The good news? There are plenty of lesser-known wines that offer a similar style without costing you an arm and a leg.  In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite value hacks for expensive wines. You'll learn what to look for instead of the big names, which regions and grape varieties I recommend, and why some of the best values are hiding just outside the world's most famous wine regions. You'll discover that some of the best bottles on the shelf aren't always the ones with the most recognizable names. The next time you're standing in a wine shop or looking over a restaurant wine list, you'll have plenty of new wines to try and the confidence to reach for something different.  Resources: French Wine 101 - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-19 French Wine 101 Part Deux - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-35 All About Sparkling Wine - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-44 Wines mentioned in this episode: Menetou-SalonPouilly-FuméQuincy, ReuillyTouraineCôtes du Rhone BlancSaumur BlancGodelloWhite Rioja ReservaIGT Toscana ChardonnaySpatburgunder (Germany)Pinot Nero (Italy)Santa Barbara Pinot Noir from CaliforniaWillamette Valley Pinot NoirCru BeaujolaisEtna RossaPaso Robles Cabernet SauvignonChilean Cabernet SauvignonPortuguese Touriga NacionalArgentinean MalbecGreek AgiorgitikoCremantCava Episode Highlights: Why famous wine regions often come with higher price tagsWhy famous wines cost more than just what's in the bottle Affordable alternatives to SancerreBudget-friendly swaps for white BurgundyBetter value options for red BurgundyAlternatives to Napa Valley Cabernet SauvignonSparkling wines that rival Champagne for lessHow to shop by style instead of reputation 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. Jul 29

    Why This Washington Winery Runs Like a Brewery w/ Andrew Gerow (Part 2)

    Ep 167 What if wineries have been creating the wrong experience all along? For many people, walking into a winery can feel intimidating. Between unfamiliar wine terminology, formal tastings, and the pressure to know what you like, it's easy to feel like wine isn't meant for you. But what if wineries borrowed a page from breweries by creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels comfortable, whether they're a wine expert or simply enjoying a glass with friends? In part two of our conversation, Andrew Gerow shares why his Washington winery, Tirriddis, was intentionally designed to feel more like a brewery than a traditional tasting room. He explains how customer feedback has influenced both the winery experience and the evolution of their sparkling wines, why balance matters more than chasing the driest sparkling wine possible, and how a small amount of sweetness can actually improve traditional method sparkling wine.  If you've ever felt intimidated by wine or wondered what makes a winery experience truly memorable, this episode is for you. Be sure to listen to Part 1 (Episode 166) to learn how traditional method sparkling wine is made and why Washington is uniquely suited to producing world-class sparkling wine.  Connect with Andrew: Website: https://www.tirriddis.com/ Episode Highlights: Why Tirriddis was designed to feel like a breweryCreating a welcoming tasting room experienceWhy balance matters more than ultra dry sparkling wineThe truth about sugar in sparkling wineWhy listening to consumers creates better wine How tasting room feedback shapes better winesAndrew's vision for Washington sparkling wine 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. Jul 22

    What Makes Washington Sparkling Wine So Different w/ Andrew Gerow (Part 1)

    Ep 166 The future of great sparkling wine may not be coming from where you think.  For centuries, traditional method sparkling wine has been defined by regions like Champagne. But a new generation of Washington winemakers is proving that great sparkling wine doesn't have to imitate anyone else. Instead, they're embracing Washington's unique climate, grape varieties, and winemaking philosophy to create wines that are distinctly their own. In this episode, Andrew Gerow, co-founder and general manager of Tirriddis, shares how he and two of his fellow college classmates launched a winery during the pandemic and why they chose one of the most technically challenging styles of winemaking. He explains what traditional method sparkling wine actually is, why Washington is uniquely suited to produce it, and how their philosophy of being "unapologetically Washington" influences every bottle they make. If you've ever wondered how sparkling wine is made, what makes Washington sparkling wine different, or why Washington has become such an exciting place for sparkling wine, this episode is for you.  Connect with Andrew: Website: https://www.tirriddis.com/ Episode Highlights: How three college friends started a sparkling winery during the pandemicWhy Washington is ideal for traditional method sparkling wineHow the balance of art and science shapes great winemaking How tirage, riddling, and disgorging create sparkling wineHow Tirriddis is creating a uniquely Washington style of sparkling wine The philosophy behind making wines that are unapologetically WashingtonThree sparkling wines to try for your first Tirriddis tasting 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. Jul 15

    Columbia Gorge Wine Travel Guide

    Ep 165 What if your next great wine trip is hiding in the Columbia Gorge?  After a recent trip to the Columbia Gorge, I knew I had to share more about this unique wine region. Sitting right on the border of Washington and Oregon, the Columbia Gorge is full of beautiful views, laid-back tasting rooms, and wineries producing everything from red, white, sparkling, orange, and dessert wines to unique grape varieties you may not see in other Washington wine regions.  In this episode, I’m sharing a little bit of the history, geography, and climate that make the Columbia Gorge such an exciting place for wine. I’ll also walk you through some of the wineries I visited, a few spots that are still on my list, and practical tips for planning your own trip, including where to stay, where to eat, and how to map out your tasting itinerary. Whether you're planning a Pacific Northwest vacation or simply looking for your next wine adventure, the Columbia Gorge is a wine region worth adding to your list! Resources: My Trip to France: Jura Wine 101 - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-79 Inside the most underrated Wine Region in Washington w/ AniChe Cellars (Part 1) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-114 A Washington Winery Built on Inclusion w/ AniChe Cellars (Part 2) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-115 Episode Highlights: What makes the Columbia Gorge AVA uniqueWhy the Columbia Gorge is a must-visit wine destinationThe best wineries to add to your itineraryGrape varieties you'll discover throughout the regionWhere to stay during your visitRestaurants, bakeries, and wine bars worth stopping atTips for planning your winery routeTransportation options for a worry-free tasting dayHidden gems throughout the Columbia Gorge How to make the most of a Columbia Gorge wine getaway 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. Jul 8

    Carbonic Maceration Explained Simply

    Ep 164 What if one of the biggest wine buzzwords is actually much simpler than it sounds? If you've ever heard the term carbonic maceration and thought, "What in the world does that mean?" trust me, you're not alone. Honestly, I put off covering this topic for a while because I felt the same way. But once I dove into the research, I realized it's actually much simpler than it sounds.  In this episode, you'll learn exactly what carbonic maceration is, how it differs from traditional fermentation, why it became synonymous with Beaujolais, and why so many modern natural winemakers continue to embrace the technique.  You'll also discover the differences between carbonic maceration, semi carbonic maceration, and whole cluster fermentation without getting lost in complicated wine science. So, if you've ever seen "carbonic" on a wine label and wondered what it actually means, this episode will give you the confidence to understand the technique, recognize the flavors it creates, and know exactly what to expect before you open the bottle. Carbonic Wine Recommendations: Beaujolais: The “Gang of Four” - Jean Foillard Morgon, Marcel Lapiere Morgon, Guy Breton Morgon, Jean-Paul Thevenet MorgonBernard Diochon Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes”Nicole Chanrion Côte-de-BrouillyGeorges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (look for it around Thanksgiving time)Washington: Latta Wines 2023 Lucius Wines Carbonic SyrahCOR Cellars Carbonic PrimitivoDevium Wines Dwelley DolcettoSage Rat Carbonic NebbioloCalifornia: Terah Wine Co. Carbonic SangioveseLas Jaras Glou GlouOther: Gran Moraine Flavorscape Gamay Noir (Oregon)Niepoort - Nat'Cool Drink Me Tinto (Portuguese blend)Gevorkian Ariats Kangoun Carbonic KarasiWines of Armenia: https://winesofarmenia.com/ Episode Highlights: What carbonic maceration actually meansWhy carbonic wines are not carbonatedHow carbonic differs from traditional fermentationCarbonic vs semi carbonic macerationWhole cluster fermentation explainedWhy carbonic wines taste so fruity Why Beaujolais became famous for carbonic winesThe history behind the techniqueCommon aromas created through carbonic macerationRecommended wines to try from around the world 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. Jul 1

    The Sommelier Life Most Wine Lovers Never See w/ Mia Martensson (Part 2)

    Ep 163 What does it take to build a world-class wine program on a remote Caribbean island? In part two of this conversation with sommelier Mia Martensson, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how she transformed a resort wine list from just 30 wines into a collection of 620 bottles. She shares the challenges of sourcing wine on an island, creating a destination tasting experience, and launching a wine festival that now attracts hundreds of guests each year. You'll also hear which wine regions and styles have her most excited right now, including Etna, Chablis, Sancerre, grower Champagne, and the wine she believes deserves far more attention from drinkers: Riesling.  Plus, Mia shares unforgettable stories from her years aboard the world's largest privately owned residential yacht, including serving Champagne on a glacier in Antarctica and receiving training on what to do if attacked by a polar bear. If you've ever wondered what life as a sommelier looks like beyond the dining room, this episode is for you. Don’t miss ep 162 which is part 1 of my conversation with Mia! Connect with Mia: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martensson.mia/ Seven Stars Resort: www.sevenstarsgracebay.com Episode Highlights: Building a luxury wine program in Turks & CaicosGrowing a wine list from 30 to 620 winesWhy Etna wines are worth seeking outThe current Chablis and Sancerre boomWhy more people should be drinking Riesling Inside the Flight Club wine experienceThe rise of Grower ChampagneTraveling to Champagne and South AfricaServing Champagne on an Antarctic glacierThe wine myth that bugs Mia the most 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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