Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts
Hailey Bohlman | Wine Educator
139 episodes
2 days ago
Ep 138 What if one of the oldest wine regions in the world is also the one most wine lovers overlook? This conversation with Ioana Bucur, new co-owner of Princess and Bear Wines, dives deep into the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon, the southern French wine regions known for authenticity, history, and an unmatched sense of place. You’ll hear how centuries of tradition, diverse terroir, and small artisanal domaines shape wines that are vibrant, expressive, and surprisingly affordable. From mo...
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Ep 138 What if one of the oldest wine regions in the world is also the one most wine lovers overlook? This conversation with Ioana Bucur, new co-owner of Princess and Bear Wines, dives deep into the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon, the southern French wine regions known for authenticity, history, and an unmatched sense of place. You’ll hear how centuries of tradition, diverse terroir, and small artisanal domaines shape wines that are vibrant, expressive, and surprisingly affordable. From mo...
Ep 138 What if one of the oldest wine regions in the world is also the one most wine lovers overlook? This conversation with Ioana Bucur, new co-owner of Princess and Bear Wines, dives deep into the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon, the southern French wine regions known for authenticity, history, and an unmatched sense of place. You’ll hear how centuries of tradition, diverse terroir, and small artisanal domaines shape wines that are vibrant, expressive, and surprisingly affordable. From mo...
Ep 137 If you're ready to feel more confident about wine but have no idea where to start, this episode breaks the entire process down into five simple steps. You’ll learn my simple five step framework that makes learning about wine feel doable and not overwhelming. From building a consistent tasting habit to knowing which basics actually matter, this roadmap gives you an easy way to try new wines with more intention and a lot less second-guessing. You’ll also hear practical ideas for comparis...
Ep 136 Staring at a wall of wine and wishing someone would just hand you a curated list of bottles actually worth drinking? In this episode I’m sharing my 12 standout wines from 2025 in honor of the 12 days of Christmas. Wines from Washington Chardonnay to Idaho Mourvedre to canned Albariño, Soave from Italy, and a wild, nutty Vin Jaune from France. You’ll hear why each bottle earned a spot on the list, how it tastes, and the stories and memories tied to each one, including travel moments, fa...
Ep 135 What if the easiest way to pick better wine has been sitting on the bottle this whole time? Learning how to read a wine label doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In my conversation with Marie, she breaks down her approachable, beginner-friendly system that she teaches in her new book “How to Read a Wine Label.” It’s a method built around three core concepts that can help anyone predict how a wine will taste before ever pulling the cork. She explains how to spot Old World vs. New World...
Ep 134 What if blind tasting isn’t actually about guessing the wine at all but about learning to trust your palate? In this conversation, author, sommelier, and content creator Marie Cheslik shares an unfiltered look at blind tasting, wine education, and the confidence-building process behind learning what you like. She explains the original purpose of blind tasting, why it’s rooted in regional typicity, and how she now uses the same framework to help everyday drinkers feel less intimidated ...
Ep 133 What if one of wine’s most recognizable symbols, the oak barrel, was never meant to be used for aging wine at all? In this episode, we’re diving into the history and science of oak in winemaking. From the Roman Empire’s accidental discovery of oak barrels to how modern winemakers use them intentionally today, you’ll learn why oak has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping a wine’s flavor, texture, and aroma. We’ll break down what really happens inside the barrel, from how ...
Ep 132 Do you ever feel lost when people start throwing around fancy wine terms like “tannin” or “terroir”? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re going back to the basics with 15 essential wine words that will instantly boost your confidence when talking about wine. You’ll learn how to describe what you’re tasting, from acidity to body, and finally understand what those mysterious words like “minerality,” “dry,” and “complex” actually mean. This is your chance to learn how to speak like ...
Ep 131 What happens when a winemaker challenges tradition, one barrel at a time? In this second part of my interview with South African winemaker Duncan Savage, he shares how he transformed his approach from crafting white wines at Cape Point Vineyards to creating expressive, terroir-driven reds under his own label. He shares how his time crafting white wines at Cape Point Vineyards shaped the philosophy he now brings to his expressive, terroir-driven reds under his own label. Duncan also tak...
Ep 130 You may have heard of Napa and Bordeaux…but the next great wine region might just surprise you. Welcome to South Africa! In this episode, winemaker Duncan Savage joins from Cape Town to share his journey from head winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards to founder of Savage Wines, one of the most exciting and celebrated names in South Africa’s new wave movement. Duncan’s story is filled with humility, humor, and hard-won insight from falling in love with wine by accident to building a small ...
Ep 129 Washington may be known for its big-name wineries, but some of the best bottles are coming from the small, family-run spots you’ve never heard of. In this episode, we’re exploring four boutique wineries that capture the creativity and community behind Washington wine. Discover how a chef’s background in flavor inspires the balanced, aromatic wines at Kinhaven Winery. Learn how Cedergreen Cellars pivoted from restaurant-only sales to a hands-on tasting experience, offering beautifully a...
Ep 128 Would you believe that one of the world’s favorite red wines comes from one of the most temperamental grapes on earth? Today’s episode is a fan request and we’re taking a deep dive into Pinot Noir! This grape is known for being both a challenge to grow but also how it reflects where it’s grown. We’ll talk about where Pinot Noir got its start and how it’s now grown everywhere from Burgundy to Oregon. You'll discover why Pinot Noir is called the “heartbreak grape” and why winemakers ever...
Ep 127 What if the future of wine wasn’t about choosing between tradition and technology, but finding a way to let both thrive together? In this episode, you’ll hear from John Tan, founder of CorkVision, an AI-powered copilot for wineries. After years in the tech world, John found himself in Napa Valley, blending his expertise with a deep passion for wine. The result? A platform designed to help wineries sell smarter, protect tradition, and connect more personally with customers. John shar...
Ep 126 Can artificial intelligence (AI) really change the way you enjoy wine? In this episode, you’ll meet John Tan, founder of CorkVision, an AI-powered platform designed to help wineries sell smarter, connect with customers, and streamline operations. John’s story takes us from high-powered client dinners in New York to an unplanned move to Napa Valley after a fateful night of wine tasting and, eventually, to harvest work that reshaped his perspective on wine. You’ll hear how his back...
Ep 125 What if the secret to understanding wine wasn’t memorizing grapes or regions but unlocking just three key components? In this episode, I’m breaking down the building blocks that shape every glass of wine: tannin, acidity, and body. By learning how to identify these elements, you’ll not only know what you like (and don’t like), but also have the words to describe it with confidence. You’ll discover why tannins create that dry “cotton ball” feeling in your mouth, how acidity makes you...
Ep 124 Did you know there’s more to New Zealand wine than just Sauvignon Blanc? In this episode, we explore the world of New Zealand wine beyond its iconic Sauvignon Blanc. While Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough may have put New Zealand on the map, there’s so much more waiting to be discovered. From Chardonnay and Pinot Gris to Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Bordeaux-style blends, the country produces an incredible range of wines that deserve a place on your table. We’ll learn a little bit about...
Ep 123 Did you know Germany made top of the line Sparkling wine? In this episode, I’m diving back in with importer and winemaker Lisa Tupetz to explore the side of German wine most people never hear about. We’re talking about Sekt, Germany’s sparkling wine, and how to tell if you’ve grabbed the real deal made in the traditional Champagne method. You’ll also hear about Elbling, an ancient grape variety that nearly disappeared, and why it should be on your radar the next time you’re wine shoppi...
Ep 122 What if everything you thought about German wine was only half the story? Today I am joined by Lisa Tupetz who is sharing her journey to becoming a winemaker and importer who turned a chance trip to New Zealand into a lifelong passion for wine. From vineyard work to building her own import company, she shares how curiosity, setbacks, and perseverance shaped her career. We dive into what it really takes to bring wine from Germany to your glass in the U.S.- from regulations and shipping ...
Ep 121 What if the magic in your glass could be traced step by step from vineyard to bottle? In this episode, I’m giving you a beginner-friendly journey through the winemaking process. From planting the vines to harvesting grapes, you’ll learn the essential factors that shape wine long before it reaches your glass. You’ll also hear how grapevines grow and ripen each season from bud break to flowering to véraison before they’re finally ready for harvest. Once the grapes are picked we’ll move i...
Ep 120 What comes to mind when you hear the word “hybrid”? Probably a car you can plug in and not a grape growing on the vine! But in the world of wine, hybrid grapes are sparking some of the most important conversations about sustainability, climate change, and the future of winemaking. In this episode, I’m diving into what hybrid grapes actually are, how they’re different from crosses, mutations, and clones, and why they’re gaining more attention than ever before. From their fascinating...
Ep 119 What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? For this milestone episode, things look a little different and a lot more personal! In celebration of turning 30, I’m sitting on the other side of the mic while my husband (aka “Mr. Cork & Fizz”) takes over the questions. From how this wine journey began to the lessons I’ve learned running a business, you’ll hear personal stories and reflections I’ve never talked about on the podcast. You’ll hear how Cork & Fizz w...
Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts
Ep 138 What if one of the oldest wine regions in the world is also the one most wine lovers overlook? This conversation with Ioana Bucur, new co-owner of Princess and Bear Wines, dives deep into the heart of Languedoc and Roussillon, the southern French wine regions known for authenticity, history, and an unmatched sense of place. You’ll hear how centuries of tradition, diverse terroir, and small artisanal domaines shape wines that are vibrant, expressive, and surprisingly affordable. From mo...
