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

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Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
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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

Ep 157

You’ve probably heard that a glass of red wine is “good for you” but how much of that is actually true?

The idea that red wine is “healthy” has been around for decades: from the French paradox, to antioxidants and longevity claims. It sounds convincing and honestly, it’s something a lot of people want to believe. But when you actually look at the research, most of it comes down to correlation, not causation. And that changes everything.

In this episode, I’m breaking down where this myth came from, what science actually supports, and why wine isn’t something you should ever consider medicine. We’ll also talk about what those “health benefits” really mean, what alcohol is actually doing in your body, and why wine is, at best, a trade-off and not a health strategy.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, First Bottle Wines, for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.firstbottlewines.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Episode Highlights:

• The real origin of the “red wine is healthy” myth
• What the French paradox actually means
• Why correlation is not the same as causation
• The truth about antioxidants in wine
• What alcohol actually does in your body
• Why “clean” and “low sugar” wine claims are misleading

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 156

If you’ve ever assumed that a bottle labeled “red blend” or “white blend” must be lower quality than a single varietal wine, you’re not alone. But that belief leaves out a huge part of how great wine is actually made.

In this Mythbusters episode, I’m breaking down the idea that blended wines are somehow inferior. While it’s true that some inexpensive red blends and white blends can be made with lower quality grapes, blending itself isn’t the problem. In fact, blending has been part of winemaking for centuries and is often what gives a wine its balance, complexity, and structure.

You’ll learn why winemakers blend grapes in the first place, how different grape varieties contribute things like aroma, texture, and tannin, and why even wines labeled as a single varietal often involve blending behind the scenes. We’ll also look at famous blends like GSM and Bordeaux blends and explain why those grapes work so well together.

So the next time you see the word “blend” on a wine label, you might look at that bottle a little differently after you listen to this episode!

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, First Bottle Wines, for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.firstbottlewines.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Episode Highlights:

• Why the myth about blended wines exists
• The difference between cheap blends and quality blends
• Why blending has been used in winemaking for centuries
• How blending improves balance, flavor, and structure
• Why even single varietal wines are often blended
• What makes a GSM blend work so well
• How Bordeaux blends are structured
• What field blends are and why they were historically used
• Why blending is both an art and a science in winemaking

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 155

Most people think they know German wine, but they’re only seeing a small part of it.

If you immediately think of sweet Riesling or those super cheap bottles at the grocery store when you think of German wine, you’re not alone. That’s what most people think. But it’s not the full picture and, honestly, it’s why so many really good wines get overlooked.

In this episode, I’m sitting down again with Lisa Tupetz, importer and founder of Tupetz Wine Connection, along with German winemaker Max from Weingut Greiner, and we’re talking about what’s actually happening with German wine right now. We talk about how winemaking has changed over time, why this lesser-known region in the Black Forest is worth paying attention to, and what makes these wines different from what you might expect. We also get into how wine makes it from a small winery in Germany all the way to a shop or restaurant here in the US, because it’s not nearly as simple as you’d think.

You’ll walk away with a much better understanding of what to look for, what’s worth trying, and why German wine deserves a spot on your radar.

If you’ve been skipping over German wine or assuming it’s all the same, this might change that.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, First Bottle Wines, for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.firstbottlewines.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Connect with Lisa:

Website - www.tupetzwine.com

Instagram - @tupetzwine

Connect with Max:

Website: weingut-greiner.com

Episode Highlights:

• How winemaking evolves from first vintage to today
• Why the Black Forest region creates unique wines
• How forests impact vineyard climate and wine style
• The real process of importing wine into the US
• Why small producers struggle to get distribution
• How German wine perception is shifting in the US
• The difference between sweet and dry Riesling demand
• What “GG” wines actually mean on a label
• What it actually takes to build a wine import business
• Why distribution is one of the biggest challenges in 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 154

You’ve probably seen “biodynamic” on a wine label and assumed it’s just another marketing term.

Most people do. It sounds complicated, a little vague, and honestly it’s easy to ignore. But what’s actually happening in biodynamic vineyards has a direct impact on how wine tastes, how it evolves, and why some wines feel more alive in the glass than others.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Lisa Tupetz, founder of Tupetz Wine Connection, along with German winemaker Max from Weingut Greiner, and we break down why biodynamic wine isn’t just a label and what it actually changes in the glass.

You’ll hear how soil health, farming decisions, and even things like animals in the vineyard all play a role in the final wine and why the real work of great wine happens in the vineyard, not the cellar. Plus, why some winemakers are willing to take on more risk to farm this way and what they believe it does differently compared to organic practices.

We also get into how these wines are being received in the US, why more drinkers are looking beyond familiar grape varieties, and what to pay attention to the next time you see “biodynamic” on a bottle.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether biodynamic wine actually matters or if it’s just another trend, this episode will change how you think about what actually determines the quality of the wine in your glass.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, Last Bubbles, for sponsoring this episode. Download the Last Bubbles app or go to www.lastbubbles.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Connect with Lisa:

Website - www.tupetzwine.com

Instagram - @tupetzwine

Connect with Max:

Website: weingut-greiner.com

Episode Highlights:

• What biodynamic wine actually means
• The difference between organic and biodynamic
• How soil health impacts wine quality
• Why biodynamic wines taste more “alive”
• The role of animals and natural systems in vineyards
• How US consumers are responding to biodynamic wines
• Why lesser-known grape varieties are gaining popularity

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 153

Do you really need a different wine glass for every single varietal you drink?

In this Mythbusters episode, I’m tackling the idea that you need a Pinot Noir glass, a Cabernet glass, a Riesling glass, and basically an entire cabinet dedicated to stemware. Yes, glass shape does matter. There is actual science behind how aroma travels and how the bowl affects flavor. But no, you do not need one glass per varietal.

In this episode, I break down what actually makes a difference, why bowl shape matters more than having a separate glass for every grape, and the simple way to think about choosing a glass. I’ll walk you through the three types of glasses that will cover almost everything you drink, from Bordeaux and Burgundy styles to narrower Riesling glasses and when a universal wine glass makes sense.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re using the “right” wine glass and want to cut through the marketing to what actually matters, this episode is for you.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, Last Bubbles, for sponsoring this episode. Download the Last Bubbles app or go to www.lastbubbles.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Resources:

Elevating Everyday Wine with Hand-Blown Glasvin Wine Glasses w/ David Kong - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-43

Episode Highlights:

• The real science behind wine glass shape
• Why bowl size matters
• Stem vs stemless truth
• The 3 wine glasses that cover everything
• When to use a universal wine glass
• Why you shouldn’t overfill your wine glass

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/
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Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com