Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts – Details, episodes & analysis

Ep 76

What is it like to master winemaking in both the historic vineyards of Burgundy and the dynamic terroir of Virginia?

That’s exactly what today's guest, Michael Shaps, has done. Shaps and his daughter, Hanna, are navigating French wine traditions and pioneering diverse varietals in Virginia. 

Maison Shaps is a french-american winery that currently owns four hectares in the Côte de Beaune. Founded by Michael Shaps after his studies at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, Maison Shaps focuses on making low-intervention wines. Currently managed by Hanna Shaps, Michael's daughter, Maison Shaps produces between 25 and 30,000 bottles each year. Michael also owns a winery in Virginia where he is considered one of the key figures in the modern Virginia wine industry. 

In addition to Burgundy traditions and extreme climate changes in Virginia, Michael dives into his excitement around the creativity and innovation of Virginian wine. Hanna shares how she is leading the way in Burgundy with enhanced tasting experiences.

So, if you are ready to learn about the intricacies of Virginia and Burgundy wine production and how Hanna and Michael Shaps are at the forefront of the winemaking industry, press play!

Connect with Hannah and Michael:

Burgundy Website: www.maisonshaps.com

Virginia Website: https://www.virginiawineworks.com

Cheese and Wine Pairing with Hanna: https://www.lactique974.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Meet Hanna and Michael Shaps of Maison Shaps

• Background and growth in the Virginia wine industry

• How Michael Shaps got into winemaking in Burgundy as an American

• Similarities between their region in Burgundy and Virginia

• Differences between their region in Burgundy and Virginia

• Virginia’s extreme weather conditions and the impact on grape growing

• Michael Shaps wine making and philosophy

• Wine tasting in the US vs in France

• Their Virginia wine business model vs their Burgundy business model

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

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 75

Ever wondered how the Melon grape from Burgundy transformed into the acclaimed Muscadet wines of Nantes?

While in France, we visited Nantes! Located in the westernmost part of the Loire Valley, it is also home to the Muscadet region. Muscadet has some of the most intriguing, affordable and delectable grapes, primarily crafted from the Melon grape. 

I’m diving into the grape, Melon, which is known for producing high-acidity wines. We’ll discuss how this grape unexpectedly found its perfect home in Nantes and what gives it a distinctive, refreshing character.

I’m also sharing my personal tasting notes from our amazing tasting experience at historic winery, Domaine Landron. 

So, if you are curious about Muscadet wines, their unique terroir, and the fact that these wines are just stupid good, this episode is for you!

Episode Highlights:

• Where is the Muscadet region

• What grape comes from Muscadet

• Melon’s characteristics

• Overview of subregions of Muscadet - Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, and Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

• How the soil affects the wine

• Sur Lie process

• Why Melon de Bourgogne is now Melon B

• Tasting notes from my trip to France

• History of Domaine Landron

• My tasting notes of Amphibolite 2023, La Louvetrie 2022, Clos la Cariziere 2023, Les Houx 2021, Le Fief du Breil 2020, Haute Tradition 2018, Melonix, and Atmospheres

• What food pairs perfectly with Muscadet 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

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 66

Have you tried a Ukrainian wine? 

Yes Ukraine, as in the country of Ukraine, makes wine!

While Ukrainian wine isn’t in the mainstream wine world yet, they have been making wine for a very long time.

In today’s episode we will dive into the history of Ukrainian wine that dates back to the 8th Century BC. Despite numerous political and historical challenges and the devastating effects of the ongoing war, Ukrainian winemaking has seen an incredible revival since the recent Russian invasion.

I’ll dive into the unique geographical aspects of Ukraine’s wine regions and highlight the diverse grape varieties grown in the Ukraine, including indigenous ones like Odessa Black and Telti Kuruk and so much more.

So, if you are ready to broaden your wine knowledge with a region that’s making waves despite incredible challenges, and whose wines are a true testament to resilience and passion - press play and listen in!

Resources:

Maps:

• Decanter
• Vyno Ukrainy

Where to buy Ukrainian wine

• Bottlerocket (order online in USA) https://bottlerocket.com/pages/corkandfizz
• Artwine (various locations across the USA) https://www.artwine.com/where-to-buy
• US Importer - Vyno Ukrainy
• Wines from Ukraine (order online in EU) https://winesfromukraine.com/
• Sherbrooke Liquor (Edmonton, Canada) https://shop.sherbrookeliquor.com/collections/wines/ukraine

Episode Highlights:

• History of winemaking in Ukraine
• Impact of war on Ukrainian winemaking
• Geography of Ukraine wine regions
• Grape varieties in Ukraine
• Red wines in Ukraine - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinto Noir, Saperavi
• White wines in Ukraine- Aligoté, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Traminer, Rkatsiteli
• 4 indigenous grape varieties in Ukraine
• Odessa Black, Telti Kuruk, Sukholimansky White, Citron Magaracha
• Where to buy Ukrainian 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

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 65 

What if science could perfectly replicate a bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy, so that our grandkids' grandkids could discover exactly what a 2020 vintage tasted like?

This was the idea that initially sparked today’s guest, author Stephen Laine's, latest novel, Jupiter's Blood. 

Steven Laine, Wine Scholar and author of 'Root Cause,' ‘Dragonvine,’ and 'Jupiter's Blood' is an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier. He's worked two harvests at Canadian wineries as a winemaker-cellarman at Mission Hill Family Estate in 2020 and Trius Winery in 2021. He's the only North American to be invited to join the Champagne Academy in France and is completing his Diploma in Wine with WSET in London.

Steven dives into synthetic wine in this latest novel, making you wonder: Is it possible to replicate wine? You may be surprised by his answer during this interview!

We discuss how he created Jupiter’s Blood and what made him start writing stories centered around the world of wine. He also gives us a sneak peek of his new book coming out next year: Heist Bordeaux.

So, tune in as we unravel the intersection of lab-made wine, storytelling, and real-life experiences in Steven’s novels, and the remarkable stories behind his thrilling books!

Connect with Steven

Website - www.stevenlaine.com 

Purchase Steven’s novels - Root Cause, Dragonvine and Jupiter’s Blood -https://www.stevenlaine.com/books

Episode Highlights:

• Steven shares how he comes up with the plot line for his thrillers

• Introduction to Steven Laine’s upcoming novel, the Heist Bordeaux

• Lab-made wine and it’s prevalence in the winemaking industry

• Potential benefits of synthetic wine

• Concerns about synthetic wine and its character loss

• Exploration of real events threatening the wine industry in Steven’s novels

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

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 64 

Summertime means lots of get-togethers with friends and family and the perfect time to serve some great bottles of wine!

But, how do you properly serve wine? What temperature should wine be served at? Do I have to have special glasses to serve it in? How do I know if I should decant the wine first?

As a wine expert I’ve learned a lot about serving wine and while it’s second nature to me, I know that it’s not for everyone and that is what today’s episode is all about!

We are diving into what type of wine glasses to use and why I use those types of wine glasses.

Why you should not be filing an entire wine glass with wine. Also: what order you should serve the wine in and how many bottles you should buy for a party.

As well as, what is the best temperature to serve wine at and the basics of decanting wine.

So, if you are ready to look like a wine expert at your next get-together press play and listen in!

Episode Highlights:

• What order should you taste your wine in

• How many people to one bottle of wine

• What are the guidelines for the temperature of the wine

• The basics of decanting

• How to preserve an opened bottle of 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

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 63 

There's something undeniably alluring about the aroma of a fine wine, isn't there? It's an experience that can transport us to various places and evoke a myriad of emotions.

Before I really understood wine, I had a glass of Chardonnay and I was convinced that there was pineapple and coconut in it. And when I asked the winemaker if they had added those flavors to the wine she said “no, that’s just the way wine works.”

Ever since then, I’ve been enthralled in the world of wine! 

And one of the things I find absolutely fascinating about wine are the wine aromas.

Today, we are going to get a little bit nerdy and talk about the science behind smells and why you are smelling aromas in your wines and how they got there.

We will also dive into the aroma classification system and expound on the various categories of primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas in wine, shedding light on their origins and significance in shaping the multifaceted bouquet of flavors found in wines. 

So, grab a glass of your favorite wine, give this episode a listen, and get ready to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of wine aromas!

Episode Highlights:

• The challenges of detecting aromas in wine

• Scientific background of the sense of smell

• Classification of wine aromas

• Primary aromas categorized and their different concentrations

• Examples of primary aromas

• Secondary aromas caused during fermentation

• Examples of secondary aromas

• Tertiary aromas, aka aging bouquets

• Examples of tertiary aromas

• Varietal aromas

• How do you describe the aromas of wine

• How many wine aromas are there

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

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 62 

When you walk into a wine shop do you immediately feel intimidated about the selection of wines?

Is wine more expensive at a small wine shop? 

What if you can’t find something in your budget?

According to today’s guest, Desirae Ballard, if the small wine shop is doing their job right then you will absolutely find something within your budget!

And the best part is that with a small wine shop you will be able to get recommendations tailored to exactly what you are looking for!

In today's episode, Desirae is dispelling the misconceptions about small wine shops being too expensive, why you will see a slight price difference between a small wine shop and a big box store like Costco, and how she matches the right wine to a customer.

After this episode you will be excited to visit your local small wine shop! 

And if you missed last week's episode go back and listen to Episode 61! It was Part 1 with Desirae where she talks about how she became the owner of the Grape Choice in Kirkland, WA, how she kept it alive during the pandemic, and how she chooses which wines to sell in her shop.

Connect with Desirae

Website: http://www.thegrapechoice.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegrapechoice

Instagram: @thegrapechoice

Episode Highlights:

• Dispelling misconceptions about small wine shops being expensive

• Pricing difference of wine at small wine shops compared to grocery stores

• Benefits of shopping at small wine shops

• How Desirae matches the right wine to the right customer

• Advice on how to communicate your wine preferences to a shop owner

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

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 61 

From bartender and manager to wine shop owner, Desirae Ballard is on a mission to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all wine lovers at The Grape Choice in Kirkland, WA.

Desirae is the owner of The Grape Choice Wine Store and Wine Bar in Kirkland, Washington. Since purchasing The Grape Choice in 2023, Desirae has taken this 40 year old wine store and made it her own! She expanded the food menu to include incredible charcuterie boards that complement the wine selection as well as increased seating and created a welcoming environment for families (plus they’re dog friendly!) 

Wine and dogs?! Yes please! 

Today, Desirae is sharing the behind the scenes of what owning a wine shop truly looks like. 

How did she acquire the wine shop? How does she choose what wine to sell? How did she keep her shop going during the pandemic and make changes to accommodate a new generation? She’s answering all these questions and more today!

So, if you are ready to hear about Desirae’s journey, dedication, and ongoing efforts to provide a warm and inclusive space at The Grape Choice and leave us with a deep appreciation for the art of wine and the community it fosters - press play and listen in! 

Then be sure to tune in next week to hear the second half of our interview!

Connect with Desirae

Website: http://www.thegrapechoice.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegrapechoice

Instagram: @thegrapechoice

Episode Highlights:

• Desirae’s story on how she acquired The Grape Choice

• Inclusivity at The Grape Choice

• Desirae’s approach to marketing at The Grape Choice

• Challenges faced by small wine shops

• How Desirae chooses wine for The Grape Choice

• How she caters to a younger generation

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

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 60 

So, you want to host a wine tasting party at home but you have a lot of questions? And the biggest question is where do you even begin!? Plus:

How many people should you invite?

What kind of wine should you have and what order should you sample it in?

I’m answering all of these questions and more on today’s episode! We’ll dive into how to choose a theme, how to set the scene for your party, how to select which wines you will have, how to approach the tasting process with enthusiasm and moderation, and so much more!

So, if you are ready to avoid the common mistakes that I often see during a wine tasting party and you are ready to throw a fun and educational event for you and your friends, press play and listen in!

Are you ready to host a wine tasting party in your home but don’t want to do it on your own? Book a Cork & Fizz tasting!

1. In-person wine tastings - https://www.corkandfizz.com/in-person-tastings.html
2. Virtual wine tastings - https://www.corkandfizz.com/virtual-tastings.html
3. Blind wine tastings - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blind-tastings.html

Resources:

• Free Wine Tasting Guide - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide.html 
• DIY Wine Tasting Club Kit (digital download) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/store/p35/diy-wine-tasting-club-downloadable-kit.html
• Custom Wine Tasting Placemat (digital download) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/store/p34/custom-wine-tasting-placemat.html
• Ep 1 - My 4-Step Wine Tasting Method to Build your Wine Confidence

Episode Highlights:

• My first experience with hosting a wine tasting party
• What is the optimal group size for a wine tasting party
• Who should you invite to your wine tasting party
• When is the best time to host your wine tasting party
• Should you have a theme for your wine tasting party
• What supplies you need for your party
• Food and palate cleansers
• Setting the scene
• What order to taste the wine in

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

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 59 

Why do I love Santa Barbara wine country so much?

Aside from Walla Walla, which you know I love so much, Santa Barbara is my second favorite wine region in the US.

It’s not pretentious at all. It’s just a bunch of wine lovers making wine that they love that they then want to share with other people who love wine. 

Santa Barbara has lots of smaller amazing wineries, top notch restaurants and it’s next to the ocean so those views are ah-mazing!!

This is why I’m excited to share all about Santa Barbara wine country with you today.

We will dig into the travel logistics - how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, and what restaurants to visit. 

And of course, the best part, I’m sharing the wineries I visited and what I loved about each one!

Are you ready to discover the unparalleled charm of Santa Barbara wine country? If so, press play and listen in and I guarantee at the end of this episode you will be excited to plan your trip to Santa Barbara!

Resources:

• Free West Coast Wine Travel Guide - https://corkandfizz.myflodesk.com/lqfp4htxut

• Santa Barbara Wine Country Map - https://media.winefolly.com/USA-CA-SantaBarbara-Wine-Country-Map.jpg

• Ep 12 - Interview with Anna Clifford of Final Girl Wines

• Ep 39 - Walla Walla Travel Guide

Episode Highlights:

• Geography and climate of Santa Barbara Wine
• Sub-regions of Santa Barbara including Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon and Happy Canyon
• What makes Santa Barbara wine country so special
• How to get to Santa Barbara wine country
• How to get around Santa Barbara wine country
• Where to stay in Santa Barbara wine country
• When to visit Santa Barbara wine country
• Tatomer Winery
• Story of Soil Winery
• Final Girl Wines
• Beckmen Winery
• Presqu’ile Winery
• Demetria Estate
• Margerum Winery
• Brick Barn Winery
• Where to eat in Santa Barbara wine country
• How to plan your route in Santa Barbara wine country

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

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