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Struggling to choose the perfect red wine? Confused why one Cabernet Sauvignon tastes light and fruity while the next leaves your mouth coated in tannin? On this episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield breaks down the complex world of red wine styles into three easy-to-understand categories: fresh and fruity, dry and dirty, and packed with a punch.

Discover how to go beyond grape varietal or wine region, and instead use taste profile, alcohol level, and even food pairing best practices to select a red wine you’ll love every time. Kristi demystifies red wine selection, exposes the myths of sticking to popular brands or labels, and delivers practical tips on decoding bottle information to match your palate and dinner plans.

Learn which varietals suit each style, how winemaking techniques create such dramatic differences, and why understanding the red wine style spectrum guarantees more confidence at restaurants and bottle shops.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • Exactly which wines fit the fresh and fruity, dry and dirty, and packed with a punch categories—and why those styles matter. • How to confidently describe what you want in a red wine, no matter the occasion or food pairing. • How to avoid the most common mistakes shoppers and wine lovers make when choosing reds. • Simple strategies for pairing red wines with your favorite foods—from creamy pastas to spicy dishes and charcuterie boards.

Key Timestamps & SEO Titles

00:02:33 — Why Your Go-To Wine Style Changes (Understanding Red Wine Complexity)
00:04:21 — Never Make a Bad Choice Again (Spotting Fresh & Fruity Reds by Taste and Label)
00:10:25 — Pair Like a Pro (Best Food Pairings for Every Red Wine Style)
00:12:13 — Cracking the Code on Dry & Dirty Reds (What to Expect & How to Enjoy Them)
00:15:54 — Go Bold or Go Home? (All About Packed with a Punch Reds & Pairings)
00:21:25 — Your Wine Confidence Plan (Applying Red Wine Styles to Real-Life Wine Shopping)

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Confused by all the white wine options at restaurants or the wine shop? Tired of ordering a glass of Chardonnay and never knowing if it’ll taste like lemon zest or buttery popcorn? On this episode of the Everyday Sommelier podcast, Kristi Mayfield breaks down the complicated world of white wine styles into three simple, easy-to-use categories that will help you always get the glass you want—whether you’re craving something fresh and zippy, aromatic and floral, or rich and creamy.

Kristi shares the insider wine tips that sommeliers use to decode wine lists, explains what to say to wine shop staff or servers to get the style you actually love, and reveals how knowing just three styles can totally transform your wine confidence. You’ll hear which grapes belong in each style (Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and more), understand why your favorite Sauvignon Blanc isn’t always the same, and pick up food pairing hacks to make weeknight dinners or special occasions shine.

Plus, Kristi dispels Chardonnay myths, clarifies tricky wine lingo, and gives you a toolkit for exploring new bottles stress-free. No more falling for the “ABC—Anything But Chardonnay” trap!

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • The 3 core white wine styles—Fresh & Crisp, Funky & Floral, Rich & Creamy—and what makes each unique
• How to communicate your ideal wine style in any store or restaurant with simple, sommelier-approved language
• Why not all Chardonnays taste the same and how to get the style you actually enjoy
• Food pairings for each white wine style so you never miss a match

Timestamps & Segment Titles (SEO Optimized):

00:00 – Why Your Chardonnay Never Tastes the Same Twice
00:04:18 – Skip Wine Snobbery: Three White Wine Styles Made Simple
00:05:58 – How to Find Crisp, Dry White Wines at Any Restaurant
00:07:52 – Funky & Floral: Unlocking Aromatic White Varieties
00:10:20 – Creamy, Buttery White Wines Explained—And How To Pair Them
00:14:59 – The One Wine List Trick Every Confident Drinker Needs

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Pairing wine with vegan or vegetarian food challenges even seasoned wine lovers—but not anymore. Chef Amy McNutt, the culinary force behind Maiden in Fort Worth, Texas, joins Everyday Sommelier host Kristi Mayfield to break down the art of vegan wine pairing, bust myths, and provide actionable tips so anyone can master pairing wine with vegetables, vegan proteins, and creative plant-based dishes.

Discover why not all wines are vegan and how animal-based fining agents play a role in winemaking, plus how to easily find vegan-friendly wines. Amy shares industry secrets—from her go-to resource Barnivore to why some surprising wine and vegan food combinations work better than expected. Learn about common pairing mistakes, why you don’t need to overthink your plant-based pairings, and how experimenting with wine can actually make the experience more fun (and delicious).

Get ideas for pairing bold reds with vegan “steak,” discover what to do with tough-to-pair veggies like asparagus, and hear why dynamic whites are key when serving citrus-forward dishes. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, plant-curious, or just want to learn how to choose the best wine for your meatless meal, this episode will empower you to sip smarter and enjoy wine your way.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • Why some wines aren’t vegan and how to confidently identify animal-free options • Top mistakes wine lovers make when pairing with vegan and vegetarian food—and how to avoid them • How to use flavor, texture, and preparation to enhance wine and food matches (even with big, bold reds or tricky vegetables) • Simple, expert-recommended strategies for experimenting and finding your new favorite vegan food and wine combos at home

Top Timestamps & Titles:

00:03:20 – The Truth About Vegan Wine: What’s Really In Your Glass?
00:08:14 – Avoid These Common Mistakes When Pairing Wine With Vegan Meals
00:10:46 – Surprising Vegan Pairings That Actually Work (And Why)
00:16:40 – Mastering Plant-Based Pairings: Tips For Tricky Veggies
00:18:23 – Shortcut To Perfect Pairings: Wine First, Food Second
00:21:07 – Practical Vegan Wine Resources & Amy’s Go-To Guide (Barnivore)

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Explore the hidden world of wine barrels on Everyday Sommelier as Kristi Mayfield sits down with master cooper Guillaume Maugier. Dive into critical insights about barrel aging, oak influence, and how coooperage affects every sip. Discover why barrel maturation is as crucial as vineyard terroir for winemaking, and learn the science behind oak tannins, wood maturation, and evolving wine styles. Maugier reveals techniques used by top winemakers across continents, the surprising parallels between winemaking and barrel-making, and the impact of everything from forest selection to toasting levels.

Go beyond the basics to understand wine barrels’ roles as containers, micro-oxygenators, and flavor transformers. Unlock how barrel size and shape influence taste, why American and French oak produce radically different results, and how practical innovations—like chips and staves—bridge budget gaps. Plus, get an honest look at when barrels can save a flawed wine—and when even the finest oak can’t do the job.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• • The 3 most critical roles wine barrels play in developing wine structure, flavor, and longevity—straight from a master cooper
• How barrel maturation, oak origin, and toasting techniques create unique wine profiles and fix core faults
• The modern science and traditional craftsmanship behind cooperage—plus actionable tips on choosing the right barrel or oak alternative
• Why wine style in the U.S. is shifting from “cocktail culture” boldness to fresher wines highlighting fruit and acidity

00:02:25 — The Quiet Revolution: How Barrels Transform Wine Beyond the Vineyard
00:09:40 — Barrel Maturation Unveiled: Why Outdoor Aging and Fungal Action Matter
00:16:25 — Decoding Oak Tannins: Science of Texture, Acidity, and Balance
00:19:28 — Barrel Size and Shape: Secrets to Structuring and Correcting Wine
00:29:57 — Oak Chips vs. Barrels: Affordable Alternatives or Quality Sacrifice?
00:33:17 — Can Barrels Rescue a Flawed Wine? Craft Solutions from a Master Cooper

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Ever scrolled through dreamy images of private jets landing at hidden wineries or imagined sipping iconic wines in a vineyard villa—but figured it was all out of reach? Luxury wine travel isn’t just for celebrities! In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, hosts Kristi Mayfield and advanced sommelier Andre Boada, founder of VinoCadre and partner at Six Twist Sparkling, pull back the curtain on world-class wine journeys, from Napa Valley and Sonoma all the way to Fredericksburg, Texas.

Andre shares his blueprint for crafting exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences—think helicopter rides to private vineyards, behind-the-scenes barrel tastings with winemakers, and dinners curated by celebrity chefs. He reveals not only what goes into these ultra-premium wine getaways, but actionable tips every listener can use to make even a modest trip feel unforgettable.

Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury wine tour or just want to elevate your next tasting room visit, you’ll get sommelier-approved advice to avoid common mistakes, access hidden gems, and transform your wine travels—on any budget. Kristi’s approachable style ensures you never feel shut out of the wine world, and Andre’s expertise unlocks insider strategies.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Top mistakes wine lovers make when planning DIY luxury trips—and how to avoid them
• Proven strategies to access exclusive tastings, boutique wineries, and unforgettable experiences (even on a limited budget)
• Why the right guide or driver can make or break your wine adventure
• How to incorporate luxury touches—from food pairings to private tastings—into your own travels, anywhere in the world

Don't forget to listen to Everyday Sommelier Episode 23 on Wine Travel to round out your guide to your next magical wine experience!

For more information regarding Andre's upcoming Luxury Wine Experiences go to VINOCADRE's Website?

Transportation by Bloom Wine Tours and aviation by Wine Flights VIP.

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Demystify the myth of “oaky wine” and gain insider secrets to how oak barrels shape the flavor, texture, and style of your favorite wines. Kristi Mayfield breaks down everything from new versus used oak, barrel origins (French vs. American oak), and the truth about those buttery chardonnays.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into why some “oaked” wines taste rich and vanilla-laced while others remain crisp and subtle. Kristi shares tips on reading wine labels, asking smart questions at the wine shop, and what to expect from wines aged in small barriques versus massive foudres.

Plus, learn about inexpensive “oak flavor hacks” (hello, oak chips!) and how to spot them in the wine aisle.

If you’ve ever avoided, misunderstood, or felt let down by “oak in wine,” Kristi’s myth-busting approach will help you gain confidence and satisfaction in your wine selections. No more guessing or wasting money on bottles that miss the mark—unlock your perfect pour, every time.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why oak in wine is misunderstood and what key questions to ask about barrel age and type

• How new vs. neutral oak, barrel size, and species (French vs. American) dramatically change flavor and mouthfeel

• The truth about buttery Chardonnay and the role of malolactic fermentation—not just oak

• How inexpensive wines get “oak flavor” with chips and staves—and why it tastes different from barrel aging

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Ever felt out of place swirling a glass of dry white at a business event, wishing you could just order something sweet you actually love—without feeling judged? You’re not alone. In this episode, we're tackling the real-world awkwardness of beginner wine drinkers, especially when surrounded by colleagues who seem to know their stuff.

Host Kristi Mayfield (Everyday Sommelier) sits down with Anna Mpinga, a financial services professional who loves Moscato but finds herself forced to sip dry wines at networking mixers. They get real about the anxiety, imposter syndrome, and misconceptions that come with wine in business and social settings.

If you’re a beginner wine drinker (or know one!), worried about fitting in, or want to confidently order a wine you’ll actually enjoy at your next event—this episode is for you. Kristi delivers approachable, non-snobby wine education that empowers you to explore new wines, break free from elitist norms, and use wine as a powerful networking tool. You’ll also get easy wine recommendations, fun conversation starters, and practical hacks for blending, pairing, and growing beyond “sweet vs. dry.”

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why you don’t need to fake liking dry or bold wines at business events—and how to confidently order what you enjoy
• Powerful questions and conversation starters to break the ice using wine—even if you know nothing about it
• How to transition from sweeter wines (like Moscato) to exploring new varieties at your own pace
• Hacks for getting the most out of any event wine list, from wine spritzers to nonalcoholic options that let you shine

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Feeling left out at wine tastings because you can't detect “forest floor” or “hints of violet”? You’re not alone. Everyday Sommelier host Kristi Mayfield shares no-snobbery, fast-acting techniques to unlock your best wine tasting skills—no superhuman palate required. Ditch the intimidation and learn how everyday wine lovers can confidently identify flavors, build a solid wine vocabulary, and truly taste the difference between bottles with approachable strategies.

This episode reveals the top five ways to improve how you taste wine: from the power of side-by-side comparisons for recognizing what makes each wine unique, to engaging all your senses with the Six S’s method, building an easy-to-use flavor vocabulary, maintaining a tasting journal, and minimizing distractions (goodbye, cologne and post-brush toothpaste!). Christy’s simple, actionable steps ensure you can experience wine more fully—at tastings, at home, or anywhere you enjoy a glass.

Skip the pressure, forget about “getting it wrong,” and learn to savor every sip your way. Whether you're new to wine or looking to boost your tasting confidence, these tips will fast-track your journey to enjoying wine with knowledge, clarity, and joy.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The biggest mistakes holding you back from developing wine tasting skills—and how to overcome them
• Kristi’s five fastest, approachable strategies to identify more wine flavors and aromas
• Why building a simple wine vocabulary and keeping tasting notes are game changers
• Pro-level tips to minimize distractions and maximize every wine tasting experience

Want to take your wine tasting skills next level? Check out THE FLAVOR DECODER and transform wine forever!

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Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!