With its rise in popularity, I had a listener, Sheila, reach out to me wanting to learn more about Txakoli!

I didn’t know a lot about Txakoli until I started researching this episode and what surprised me most was that Txakoli is not a grape! It’s actually a style of wine, usually referring to dry white wine from the Basque Country of Spain. It’s known for being slightly sparkling, fruity, and refreshing.

In today’s episode, we will dive into the historical significance of Txakoli, as well as the winemaking techniques that bring out its acidity, refreshing fruity flavors, and slight effervescence which is perfect for pairing with a variety of foods. I’ll touch on the grape varieties, primarily the Hondarrabi Zuri for whites and Hondarrabi Beltza for reds, and how these grapes contribute to the overall experience of Txakoli.

So, if you are ready to dive into the world of Txakoli and discover what makes this wine so special press play and listen in!

Recommended Wine producers:

Txomin Etxaniz (Getariako Txakolina)

Rezabal (Getariako Txakolina)

Doniene Gorrondona (Bizkaiko Txakolina)

Malkoa (Arabako Txakolina)

Bodega Elizalde (Bizkaiko Txakolina)

Episode Highlights:

• Is Txakoli a grape or a wine?

• Where is Basque Country in Spain?

• Primary grapes Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza

• Different regions of Txakoli - Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina

• Styles of Txakoli wine

• Tasting notes of Txakoli wine

• Recommended producers for Txakoli wine

• What foods pair well with Txakoli

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 ready to go beyond wine from Spain, France, and the United States?

Dale Ott, sommelier turned importer of Mexican and Portuguese wines, is back on the podcast and she is giving us a deep dive into Mexican and Portuguese wines.

Dale is diving into the often overlooked but incredibly fascinating worlds of Mexican and Portuguese wines. She shares how Portuguese wines are reviving ancient winemaking traditions and how regions like Northern Baja and Valle de Parras are overcoming infrastructural challenges to produce exquisite, sustainably-grown wines.

And Dales shares one of her go to producers in Mexico - JC Bravo, where they dry-farm grapes and are making waves with their sustainable practice and exquisite wines.

So, if you are ready to jump into these lesser known wine regions from Portugal and Mexico and discover ancient traditions, complex flavors, and hidden treasures from regions that are capturing international attention, then this episode is for you!

If you missed part 1 of my conversation with Dale, go back to episode 84 where we talk about the intricacies of importing Mexican and Portuguese wines, the dynamic factors impacting wine prices, the detailed journey from vineyard to your table, and the passionate efforts behind NOSSA imports.

Episode Highlights:

• Portuguese wine regions and characteristics

• Quality and affordability of Portuguese wines

• Vino Verde’s acidity and age-improvement potential

• History of Mexican wine

• Varieties of Mexican wine

• Modern growth and experimentation in the Mexican wine industry

• Industry challenges and infrastructure in Mexico

• Future concerns for Mexican wine

• JC Bravo - dry-farmed grapes and native yeast fermentation

• JJ Amargito - Biodynamic and organic production

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

Ever wondered what it takes to bring unique Mexican and Portuguese wines to your local shelves?

Today’s guest, Dale Ott, is giving us a behind the scenes look at what it takes to import wine into the US. We talk about why she chose to import wines from Mexico and Portugal, as well as her meticulous selection process for importing wines - hint it’s all about building strong, trust-based relationships with producers. She places an emphasis on low-intervention wines that genuinely represent their regional lineage.

She also dives into challenges faced by smaller wine producers and importers, like the exorbitant margins taken by distributors and the large increase in shipping costs, all of which contribute to higher consumer costs.

Dale Ott is a sommelier-turned-importer who specializes in Mexican and Portuguese wine. Dale and her husband, Stephone Ott, are the owners of NOSSA imports. They have over 30 years of experience on all three tiers of the alcohol industry and are excited to shed light upon historically-relevant wine regions around the world that are making high quality wines deserving of international visibility.

So, if you are ready to learn about the intricacies of importing Mexican and Portuguese wines, the dynamic factors impacting wine prices, the detailed journey from vineyard to your table, and the passionate efforts behind NOSSA imports, then this episode is for you.

Connect with Dale:

Shop - https://nossa-imports.myshopify.com

Instagram - @nossaimports

Episode Highlights:

• NOSSA Imports and Dale’s journey

• Various global and local factors that influence wine prices

• Why Dale imports Mexican wine and Portuguese wine

• Less-known wine histories of Mexican wine and Portuguese wine

• Dale’s selection process for importing wines

• Dale’s preference in wine distributors and who she refuses to work with

• Challenges in the market when it comes to imported wines

• Impact of the high margins taken by distributors in the US

• Impact on wine costs due

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 scrambling to find the perfect wine for your holiday gatherings? I’ve got you covered with sparkling, white, red and dessert wines that will be perfect for your Christmas dinner.

In today’s episode I’m sharing with you a cost-effective yet sophisticated alternative to Champagne as well as food-friendly white wines that will add a rich note to your holiday dinner, because we don’t just have to drink red wine for the holidays!

But if you do prefer a red wine, I’m sharing wines that are acidic and have a wonderful flavor profile. And we can’t forget about dessert! I’m sharing 3 amazing dessert wines that will go perfectly with your holiday sweets.

So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by all the endless wine choices for your holiday festivities and you are looking to make your Christmas dinner memorable with the perfect glass of wine, today’s episode is for you!

Grab my FREE Holiday Wine Guide! https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/holidaywineguide

Episode Highlights:

• Wine recommendations for the holiday season

• Alternatives to Champagne

• My go-to white wines

• Cozy, traditional, and unique white wine options

• My go-to red wines for Christmas

• Red wines that pair well with food

• Unique red wine options

• Dessert wines

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

This is one of my favorite episodes of the year! We are diving into my 2024 holiday wine gift guide!

Maybe you’re like my family and you start your holiday shopping in October, or maybe you are like Mr. Cork & Fizz’s family and you start your shopping in December. Either way, I think you will find some amazing gift ideas here as well as some fun stocking stuffer ideas!

This gift guide is specially curated for wine enthusiasts and wine beginners. It includes over 90 meticulously selected items from small businesses, iconic wineries and innovative brands.

Today’s episode includes everything from wine-themed apparel to fun tasting games, books that will help you discover wine regions around the world, and so much more. The guide also includes exclusive discount codes for over 20 items!

So, if you are looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life then today’s episode is for you.

Grab the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide here - https://www.corkandfizz.com/holidaygiftguide

Episode Highlights:

• My favorite gifts from my 2024 Wine Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide

• Unique wine subscriptions

• Ultimate wine book recommendations

• Apparel from the Wino shop and my own Cork & Fizz shirts

• Food and wine pairing gifts

• Wine themed games

• Stocking stuffer ideas for wine lovers

• Beautiful wine-themed art

• Wine advent calendars

• Multiple discounts for holiday shopping

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 curious about the world of Burgundy wines? What makes them so unique and sought after?

Burgundy is a wine lover’s paradise, but diving into its complexities can feel like navigating a maze!

Today, I have Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine back on the podcast and she is diving into the nuances of Burgundy wine. Kim explores the importance of terroir - the distinct environmental factors such as soil, orientation, and climate - that give each parcel its unique characteristics.

Kim shares how to read a Burgundy wine label, discern the quality of wines, and navigate the complexities of Burgundy wine selections. In case you are planning on visiting Burgundy, she shares tips including the best times to go and where to stay. She also gives us a glimpse into her wine tours and how she strives to give you an authentic Burgundy experience.

So, if you are ready to step into Burgundy and understand the magic behind the bottle this episode is for you!

If you missed part 1 of my interview with Kim go back to episode 80 where you can hear Kim’s story of how she ended up in Burgundy, how generational trends are shaping Burgundy’s wine tourism, and how the tastings work in the French wineries.

Resources:

Book a wine tour with Kim Gagne at kim@journeysinwine.com

Episode Highlights:

• Complexity of Burgundy wine due to various parcels making different styles

• Factors influencing wine styles in Burgundy

• Role of soil and terroir in shaping wine characteristics

• Importance of understanding wine labels in Burgundy

• Differences between Old World (Europe) and New World (USA, Australia, etc.)

• wine labeling

• Information typically found on Burgundy labels: appellation, region, and sometimes grape varietal

• Explanation of appellation hierarchy: Bourgogne, Village, Premier Cru, Grand Cru

• Factors influencing wine quality: vintage and winemaker

• Challenges of predicting wine quality based purely on labels

• Kim’s criteria for selecting wineries for tours: acceptance of visits, wine quality, willingness to engage with visitors
• Best times to visit Burgundy France

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

Ever dreamed of sipping world-renowned Burgundy wine in the very vineyards they come from?

I did just that on my recent trip to Burgundy! It was made possible by an amazing wine tour from Kim Gagne of Journeys in Wine. The tour was a highlight of my trip so I knew I had to invite Kim on the podcast!

Kim’s career in the wine world originated in California in the late 80s, which enticed her to spend an immersion year in Burgundy, now her permanent home. In 1999 she started Journeys in Wine, creating personalized itineraries for individuals and small groups of wine enthusiasts to discover this renowned wine region. Sharing the insider's knowledge of Burgundy is her passion, along with its wines and rich cultural heritage. Kim’s mission is to make the complexities of the region and its wines more understandable, approachable, and, most especially, more enjoyable!

In today’s episode, we dive into Beaune, often considered the wine capital of Burgundy. We discuss how it offers an unparalleled wine experience compared to Dijon, as well as how generational trends are shaping Burgundy’s wine tourism. We peel back the layers on France’s unique wine sales dynamics, with small family wineries producing limited quantities of wine while marketing often takes a back seat. And we find out how tourists can try to get a coveted tasting at these small wineries.

So, if you are ready to go beyond the typical wine tour handbook, discover hidden gems, learn the nuances that make Burgundy wines stand out, and get insider tips that will transform your next wine adventure, then press play and listen in!

Don’t miss next week’s episode when I have Kim back on the podcast and we dive into demystifying Burgundy wine - how the soil affects the taste of the wine, tips for reading the labels on the bottles, and how Kim selects the wineries that she includes in her tours.

Resources:

Book a wine tour with Kim Gagne at kim@journeysinwine.com

Episode Highlights:

• Kim Gagne’s wine journey from California to Burgundy
• What drew Kim to Burgundy
• Challenges as an American working in the wine tourism industry in France
• Beaune vs Dijon
• The evolution of Burgundy and tourism from 1999 to today
• Why French wineries don’t need to have tastings
• Best day of the week for a tasting
• Generational trends from older to younger gene

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

Ever tasted a wine so unique that you either absolutely love it or completely hate it?

I was first introduced to Jura wine at a French wine shop here in Seattle. I saw a bottle of Savagnin and asked the wine clerk how is this different from Sauvignon Blanc?

The owner said I had to try it and people either love it or hate it! I ended up loving the unique wines of Jura and I knew that Jura would be a stop on my dream vacation trip.

Today, we are exploring Jura’s unique grape varietals, how the phylloxera epidemic shaped today’s Jura vineyards, and the rare winemaking techniques that produce Jura’s distinctive oxidative wines.

I’m also sharing tips for visiting Jura, from must-see subregions to the gorgeous town of Château-Chalon. I'll also share my personal winery experience at Domaine BAUD - Génération 9 and the exceptional wines that left a lasting impression.

So, if you are ready to go on a journey through a lesser known region with unique grapes and age-old winemaking traditions that create some of the most distinctive wines you’ve never heard of, then today’s episode is for you.

Resources:

Rue de Vignerons - https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/en/

Episode Highlights:

• Jura 101 - The basics

• 5 main grapes found in Jura - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Savagnin, Poulsard and Trousseau

• Traditional method of Savagnin and the modern method of Savagnin

• Terroir of Jura

• Subregions of Jura including Côtes du Jura, Arbois, Château-Chalon AOC, L’Etoile, and AOC’s for wine (Crémant du Jura, MacVin du Jura and Marc du Jura)

• The unique wines of Jura (Vin Jaune, Macvin de Jura, and Vin de Paille)

• My personal wine tasting experience in Jura

• Domaine BAUD - Génération 9 experience

• Wine stand outs in Jura - Deux Grains Tradition, 2022 Brut S and Chateau Chalon Grand Cru

• Tips and recommendations for visiting Jura

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