Ep 109

What makes wine from high altitude mountain vineyards taste so unique? How does elevation, sunlight, and dramatic temperature swings turn an ordinary grape into an amazing bottle of wine?

I was inspired by a recent wine tasting that Mr. Cork & Fizz and I hosted with some friends. We hosted a wine tasting 40 floors up at a high rise in Seattle and the goal was for our friends to try and find wines that were made with grapes grown at higher altitudes. And what was really interesting was that everybody loved almost all of the wines and this does not always happen. Interestingly, there was somewhere there that is not usually a big fan of red wine but she loved all of the higher altitude red wines!

This got me thinking, what is it about these wines that makes them different from wines that she’s possibly had before? So, today we are diving into how altitude impacts grape growing and winemaking as well as the 4 key elements that affect grapes at higher elevations. And I’ll share fun facts such as where you’ll find the world's highest vineyard (and it’s not where you might expect it to be).

So, if you are ready to take your wine to new heights, learn which grapes and regions excel at high altitudes, and how elements like thick grape skins and diurnal shifts affect the taste of wines, then this episode is for you!

Thank you to VoChill for sponsoring this episode. Go to Vochill.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 15% off your order!

Episode Highlights:

• Do high altitudes always produce better wine?

• Where high elevation works best for wine

• Defining high altitude vineyards

• Where is the highest vineyard in the world

• 4 elements of high altitude vineyards

• Major challenges of high altitude vineyards

• Effects of high altitude on wine 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

Ep 108

Curious about which 2025 wine trends are truly worth the hype and which ones might fall flat?

In today’s episode I’m discussing 7 trends in the wine industry and my hot takes on them!

We will dive into questions like are natural and organic wines a passing trend or a lasting movement? Are low and no-alcohol wines really a good idea? What about sustainable and eco-friendly packaging? Is this a good idea and what if it compromises the wine? And wine lovers are moving away from faceless wine brands and craving connections through stories and hands-on-learning.

So, if you are excited to stay ahead of what’s trending in wine and want to hear my hot takes on these current trends then this episode is for you!

Resources

Understanding the Differences: Organic, Biodynamic, Natural and Clean Wines Explained - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-70

Exploring Sardinian Wine with Nikki Dickerson (Part 1) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-96

Unique Sardinian Wines with Sip with Nik (Part 2) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-97

Embracing Hybrid Grapes & Creating Unique Wines w/ Erin Rasmussen - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-10

Episode Highlights:

• Why the natural and organic wines are trending upwards

• My feelings about low and no alcohol wines

• Trend towards sustainability, waste reduction and practicality

• Reasons for increased interest in regional and lesser-known wines

• Hybrid and experimental varieties

• Younger generations seeking depth, stories and human connection through wine

• Debate over oversimplification versus making wine accessible

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

Ep 107

Are you curious about how one woman is shaking up the wine world by amplifying underrepresented voices and redefining what it means to be a wine lover?

Today, I’m back with Jamila Conley, the founder of WeRise wines, a wine bar and movement dedicated to amplifying diverse winemakers and challenging the status quo in the wine industry.

Jamila is sharing how she chooses the incredible wines, winemakers that are featured at WeRise wines, and four talented winemakers from Washington and South Africa.

Jamila dives into what she looks for when partnering with wineries. Hint: It’s not solely about diversity but it’s also about quality and amazing stories. She also shares her ambitious dream for the future of WeRise wines.

So, if you are ready to discover some incredibly diverse winemakers, learn what it takes to curate an inclusive wine selection, and get inspired by Jamila’s vision for the future of WeRise wines, then today’s episode is for you!

This is part 2 of my conversation with Jamila so make sure you don’t miss part 1!

Resources

So You Want to be a Winemaker with Damsel Cellars’ May Womack - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-7

Connect with Jamila

WeRise Wines - https://www.werisewines.com/wine-bar

Instagram - @werisewines

Facebook - @werisewine

Episode Highlights:

• WeRise wines mission

• Jamila features 4 winemakers focusing on diversity and style

• How to access wines from WeRise wines

• Jamila’s criteria and philosophy behind the wine she selects

• Future goals and vision for WeRise wine

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