Ep 160

You’ve probably assumed wine always gets better with age…but not all wine is meant to sit for years.

Aged wine sounds fancy, right? The older the bottle, the better it must be. Right?

Nope. Sure, some wines are meant to age. But a lot of wine you’re buying is already close to its peak and waiting too long doesn’t make it better.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually happens as wine ages and why aging = better doesn’t apply across the board. I’ll walk you through the simple way to think about a wine’s lifespan, how to tell if something is worth aging, and what’s really going on when wine hits its peak and then starts to go downhill.

So if you’ve been saving bottles thinking they’ll get better with time, this might change how you decide when to open them.

Resources:

You Can’t Age White Wine…Or Can You? - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-145

Episode Highlights:

• Why the idea that older wine is better became so common
• The bell curve that explains a wine’s lifespan
• Why many everyday wines are meant to be consumed sooner
• What actually makes a wine age-worthy
• What characteristics actually allow a wine to age well
• Why many wines peak within a year or two of bottling
• How the taste and structure of wine change over time
• How storage impacts whether wine improves or declines
• Why you might not even like aged 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

Ep 159

The region matters. The grape matters. But how the wine is made is what changes everything.

There’s a level of intention happening behind the scenes that most people never see. In this episode with Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co., you’ll hear how winemaking decisions like not crushing grapes, using native yeasts, and limiting intervention completely change the structure, texture, and expression of the wine. In a cold climate like Michigan, even small choices can impact tannins, aromatics, and balance in a big way. This isn’t about doing things a certain way just because that’s how it’s always been done. It’s about making intentional choices that actually impact how the wine tastes.

We also get into what it actually looks like to build a winery from the ground up, from regenerative farming and taking on more vineyard land to navigating sales, distribution, and growth as a small team. Because making the wine is only part of it, getting people to understand it and buy into it is a completely different challenge.

If you’ve ever wondered why some wines feel more expressive, more balanced, or just plain different, this episode will tell you exactly what’s behind that.

Connect with Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co.

Website: https://www.strangerwineco.com/

Episode Highlights:

• How cold climate impacts winemaking decisions
• Why they avoid crushing grapes in production
• The role of sulfur and common misconceptions
• What it takes to build a winery from scratch
• How they divide roles as a small team
• Why selling wine is often the hardest part
• Their approach to minimal intervention winemaking
• 4 wines that best represent the style of Stranger Wine Co.

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

Ep 158

Michigan wine has been underestimated for years, but that’s starting to change.

For a long time, Michigan wine has been known for sweeter styles and honestly, a lot of people wrote it off because of that. But what’s happening now is very different. There’s a new wave of winemakers coming in with experience from other regions, and they’re approaching things with a completely different level of intention and focus on quality.

In this episode, Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co. get into what it actually takes to grow and make wine in Michigan. They talk through the realities of working in a cold climate, from snow and freezing temperatures to the risk that comes with every growing season and how they adapt to it. They also break down how those conditions influence what they plant, why grapes like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Grüner Veltliner, and Kerner are working there, and how those choices are starting to shape a different direction for Michigan wine.

Curious to learn more about Michigan wine? This is a good place to start.

Connect with Maxx and Sidney from Stranger Wine Co.

Website: https://www.strangerwineco.com/

Resources:

Why Blind Tasting Really Matters w/ Marie Cheslik (part 1) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-134

The Simple framework for understanding any wine label w/ Marie Cheslik (part 2) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-135

Episode Highlights:

• Why Michigan wine has been underestimated for so long
• What it actually takes to grow grapes in a cold climate
• How snow and freezing temperatures impact the vines
• The risk winemakers face each growing season
• Why grapes like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc are working in Michigan
• Lesser-known varieties like Grüner Veltliner and Kerner
• How winemakers decide what to plant in this region
• What’s changing in Michigan wine right now
• How a new wave of winemakers is approaching quality differently
• Why more people are starting to pay attention to Michigan 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