Ep 105

What does it really take to become a wine expert and do you need a fancy certification to do it? And is it really necessary to have one of these certifications?

In today’s episode I am breaking down two of the most popular wine certifications, the WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS). I’m laying out how each one is structured, the different levels and what kind of wine roles each one is best for.

And we’ll talk about the 2018 scandal that rocked the CMS which resulted in rescinding the Master Sommelier title from every single person who had passed that year.

And we will dig into the Institute of Masters of wine, the Society of Wine Educators (SWE), the Wine Scholar Guild as well as free resources to help you build your wine confidence!

So, if you are ready to discover which wine certification path is right for you, without feeling overwhelmed by all the options then this episode is for you!

Resources

Tips for Smelling Wine with Cork Dork Author Bianca Bosker - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/tips-for-smelling-wine-with-bianca-bosker

Exploring Australian Wine with Jane Lopes - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-34

The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Wine Tasting Party at Home - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-60

Episode Highlights:

• The value of wine certifications

• Overview of wine certifications

• Deep dive into WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust)

• Deep dive into CMS (court of Master Sommeliers)

• 2018 Controversies in CMS and subsequent fallout

• Deep dive into MW (Institute of Masters of wine)

• Society of Wine Educators (SWE)

• Wine Scholar guild

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 104

What if I told you there’s a white wine that makes “cat pee” an absolute compliment? And you might already have a bottle of it chilling in your fridge!

Today, I am continuing my Grape Deep Dive Mini-Series and it’s all about Sauvignon Blanc. The first wine I really fell in love with was the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Noblio. It’s such a fresh, easy drinking wine!

We are digging deep into the key viticultural and winemaking factors that shape Sauvignon Blanc’s character, as well as soil types and the diverse styles that emerge from different regions.

I’ll touch on Sauvignon Blanc hotspots like France’s Loire Valley and Bordeaux, New Zealand’s Marlborough region, California’s Sonoma Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Casablanca Valley & Leyda Valley, Chile, and Adelaide Hills Australia.

We will finish it off with some tips on what food to pair with Sauvignon Blanc, whether or not Sauvignon Blanc should be aged, and what you should expect to pay for a bottle.

So, if you are ready to discover why Sauvignon Blanc is such a global favorite and find out which regions, winemaking style, and food pairings work best, then this episode is for you!

Types of wine grapes episodes

Chardonnay - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-6

Cabernet Franc - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-14

Chenin Blanc - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-21

Riesling - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-38

Barbera - Episode 45

Merlot - Episode 57

Best Italian Dessert Wines - Episode 101

Episode Highlights:

• Overview of Sauvignon Blanc
• Viticulture and grape characteristics
• Unique aromas and chemical compounds of Sauvignon Blanc
• Structure of Sauvignon Blanc
• Terroir factors affecting Sauvignon Blanc
• Winemaking styles and techniques of Sauvignon Blanc
• Notable Sauvignon Blanc regions and the

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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 tired of feeling lost when choosing wine at a restaurant? Wish you had a sommelier’s secret to finding the perfect glass? Well, we are going to find out the one question Tyler Balliet swears by to uncover hidden gems on any wine list.

Today is part 2 of my chat with Tyler and we are diving into why understanding the story and culture behind each wine region is just as important as knowing the grape varieties or tasting notes. We’re also digging into lesser known wine regions like Michigan, Colorado and Nebraska.

And best of all, Tyler explains her genius wine team strategy that will help you get the best wine for your pallet and the best bargain for your budget. Plus, she shares an insider tip on the one question you should ask a sommelier if you want something delicious, different and usually pretty affordable.

So, if you are ready to step up your wine game, connect with stories and people behind the bottle and build your own wine team, then today’s episode is for you!

This is part 2 of my chat with Tyler. If you missed part one, head back to episode 102 where we talked about the inspiration behind Rebel School of Wine, what’s wrong with how wine is being taught and what wine is really about.

Connect with Tyler

Website: https://rebelschoolofwine.com/

Instagram: @tylerballiet

Instagram: @rebelschoolofwine

Resources

Go to rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code CORKANDFIZZ to get a signed copy of Tyler’s book and a free pack of wine stickers for only $30. That's $15 off.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of cultural context in wine

• Exploring lesser-known wine region in the US

• Notable regions outside of the US

• Importance of supporting emerging wine regions to help them thrive

• How to build your wine team

• Insider questions for Sommeliers

• The secret question to ask a Sommelier

• How to discover unique, reasonably priced bottles of wine

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 102

How does someone from a beer-loving Wisconsin family end up creating a massive Rosé-themed wine playground in New York City? As well as writing a wine-themed book that is challenging the wine status quo?

Today’s guest, author Tyler Balliet, is sharing her journey on how she’s helping to reshape the wine industry with events like Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, as well as her inspiration behind her book, Rebel School of Wine. We also dig into the heart of what’s wrong with how wine is traditionally taught - think too pretentious, too focused on technical details, and not nearly welcoming (or fun) enough!

Tyler Balliet is an entrepreneur and journalist who’s been reshaping how people experience wine since 2006. She co-founded Rosé Mansion, a massive rosé-themed wine playground in NYC, and Wine Riot, a touring wine festival, and named Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40. Her new book, Rebel School of Wine, is a bold, visually-driven manifesto for a new generation of wine drinkers.

So, if you are ready to break free from stuffy wine stereotypes and lean into Tyler’s take on why wine education should be about fun, stories, and people, then this episode is for you!

This is part 1 of my interview with Tyler so make sure you check out part 2 in episode 103!

Connect with Tyler

Website: https://rebelschoolofwine.com/

Instagram: @tylerballiet

Instagram: @rebelschoolofwine

Resources

Go to rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code CORKANDFIZZ to get a signed copy of Tyler’s book and a free pack of wine stickers for only $30. That's $15 off!

Codeword: Listen to the episode to discover the code word and DM me on Instagram or email me at hailey@corkandfizz.com for your chance to win a copy of Rebel School of Wine!

Episode Highlights:

• Tyler Balliet’s wine journey
• Inspiration behind Tyler’s Rebel School of Wine book
• Tyler’s focus on the “why” and “who” behind wine and not just the “what”
• Exploring wine through people and culture
• Tyler’s frustration with technical, flavor/aroma-focused language
• The disconnect between how wine professi

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 101

This is the last of my Italian wine mini-series and we have to talk about Italian dessert wines! Plus, I’m going to share with you my favorite dessert wine ever!

From the late harvests, noble rot, and even frozen grapes, we will dive into the processes that give these Italian dessert wines their characteristic sweetness. Discover why certain wines retain their residual sugar and how methods like Passito enrich the wine's flavors.

You’ll discover wines like Vin Santo, Moscadello di Montalcino, and Recioto della Valpolicella. Think maraschino cherries and dark chocolate flavors. And if you aren’t a fan of sweet wine, I’ll be sharing some other options that might just make you a fan of dessert wine after all!

So, if you are ready to venture into the amazing world of Italian dessert wines then this episode is for you!

Resources

5 Lesser Known Italian White Wines You Must Try - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-99

Is Vermouth a Wine or a Liquor? https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-90

Trader Joe’s Snack and Wine Pairing Guide https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/dlyr59hlle

Passito Wines

Marche - Verdicchio de Castelli de Jesi Passito, Lacrima di Morro d’Alba Passito

Lombardy - Valcalepio Moscato Passito, Lugana Moscato Passito

Piedmont and Aosta Valley - Moscato d'Asti, Piemonte Moscato Passito

Sicily - Erice Passito

Sardinia - Carignano del Sucis Passito

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding Italian dessert wines

• Methods for making dessert wines - late harvest, drying grapes into raisins, Noble rot, Ice wine

• Vin Santo - flavor profile and pairing recommendations

• Introduction to Passito wines

• Moscadello di Montalcino - history and flavor profile

• Recioto della Valpolicella - history and flavor profile

• Barolo Chinato

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 100

This is my 100th episode of the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine podcast! How cool is that? To celebrate this huge milestone, we are going to talk about Italian sparkling wine!

What would you say if I told you there’s more to Italian sparkling wine than just Prosecco?

We are going to dive into the differences between Spumante and Frizzante (spoiler it’s all about the bubbles!) and I’m breaking down the different methods of making sparkling wine like Metodo Classico and the Charmat method. We’ll even hit on the sugar classifications when it comes to sparkling wine because it can be confusing!

We’ll discuss Prosecco as well as lesser known Italian sparkling wines like Franciacorta (otherwise known as the “Champagne of Italy”), Trento DOC, Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumanti, Brachetto d’Acqui and I’m going to bust some myths around Lambrusco as well!

So, if you are curious about Italian sparkling wine that goes beyond Prosecco, this episode is for you!

All About Sparkling Wine https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-44

Episode Highlights:

• Celebrating the 100th episode of the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine podcast!

• Overview of Italian sparkling wine

• Methods of sparkling wine production

• Metodo Classico

• Charmat Method

• Partial fermentation

• Sugar levels in sparkling wine

• Prosecco - history and characteristics

• Franciacorta - known as the “Champagne of Italy”

• Trento DOC

• Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumanti

• Brachetto d’Acqui

• Lambrusco

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 99

Italy tends to be far more known for their red wines, and if I'm being totally honest with you, I used to not think very highly of the Italian white wines.

Admittedly, there are a lot of mass produced boring white wines made in Italy that are shipped to the USA. But on the flip side, there are some really incredible Italian white wines that are so good and do not break the bank.

Today, we're going to talk about five lesser known white wines from Italy! From the fresh, lemony essence of Soave, sourced from Italy's Veneto region, to the mineral-rich crispness of Greco di Tufo, each wine offers a unique perspective on Italy’s white wine potential. Noteworthy mentions like Fiano and Etna Bianco further illustrate the diverse palate of Italian white wines, which can range from citrus-forward to more earthy or nutty profiles.

So, if you are ready to try some of Italy’s white wines that are full of incredible value and taste, then today’s episode is for you!

Resources:

A Guide to Piedmont Wines - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-95

Episode Highlights:

• Geographical location of Soave

• Tasting notes of the Garganega grape

• Verdicchio tasting notes

• Etna Bianco geographical location

• Carricante grape tasting notes

• Fiano as an alternative to a low acidic wine and tasting notes

• Greco di Tufo tasting notes

• Friulano tasting notes

• Ribolla Gialla tasting notes

• Malvasia tasting notes

• Pecorino (the wine, not cheese!) tasting notes

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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

Ep 98

Do the countless names and styles of Sangiovese in Tuscany leave you feeling more confused than confident?

Today, we are unraveling the complexities of the famed Sangiovese grape. Due to this grape’s many different names and regional variations, it can often be confusing.

We are going to dig into the DOCG classification system in Italy. Tuscany alone has 11 DOCGs, with 7 requiring that red wines are predominantly Sangiovese. We will also explore Chianti and its resurgence of quality through innovative wine-making techniques. Then we will head south to explore Brunello di Montalcino, the differences between traditional and modern winemaking techniques, and how they affect the wine's flavor profile. I’ll touch on some lesser-known regions like Carmignano, Morelino di Scansano, and smaller areas that often produce exceptional Sangiovese wines at a more affordable price point.

So, if you are ready to dive into the heart of Tuscany and unravel the complexities of the Sangiovese grape, then this episode is for you!

Resources:

Tuscany Wine Map - http://media.winefolly.com/Tuscany-Wine-Map-by-Wine-Folly.jpg

Episode Highlights:

• The surprising origins and spread of Sangiovese across Tuscany

• Understanding DOCG and DOC classifications

• Italian wine labeling by variety and region

• Characteristics of Sangiovese wines

• Key wine regions within Tuscany

• Chianti's journey from region to renowned wine style

• Exploring Brunello di Montalcino’s modern and traditional styles

• The complex identity of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

• Discovering Tuscany's hidden Sangiovese gems

• Lesser known wine regions in Tuscany

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

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

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

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

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