Ep 165

What if your next great wine trip is hiding in the Columbia Gorge?

After a recent trip to the Columbia Gorge, I knew I had to share more about this unique wine region. Sitting right on the border of Washington and Oregon, the Columbia Gorge is full of beautiful views, laid-back tasting rooms, and wineries producing everything from red, white, sparkling, orange, and dessert wines to unique grape varieties you may not see in other Washington wine regions.

In this episode, I’m sharing a little bit of the history, geography, and climate that make the Columbia Gorge such an exciting place for wine. I’ll also walk you through some of the wineries I visited, a few spots that are still on my list, and practical tips for planning your own trip, including where to stay, where to eat, and how to map out your tasting itinerary.

Whether you're planning a Pacific Northwest vacation or simply looking for your next wine adventure, the Columbia Gorge is a wine region worth adding to your list!

Resources:

My Trip to France: Jura Wine 101 - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-79

Inside the most underrated Wine Region in Washington w/ AniChe Cellars (Part 1) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-114

A Washington Winery Built on Inclusion w/ AniChe Cellars (Part 2) - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-115

Episode Highlights:

• What makes the Columbia Gorge AVA unique
• Why the Columbia Gorge is a must-visit wine destination
• The best wineries to add to your itinerary
• Grape varieties you'll discover throughout the region
• Where to stay during your visit
• Restaurants, bakeries, and wine bars worth stopping at
• Tips for planning your winery route
• Transportation options for a worry-free tasting day
• Hidden gems throughout the Columbia Gorge
• How to make the most of a Columbia Gorge wine getaway

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

Support the show

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 164

What if one of the biggest wine buzzwords is actually much simpler than it sounds?

If you've ever heard the term carbonic maceration and thought, "What in the world does that mean?" trust me, you're not alone. Honestly, I put off covering this topic for a while because I felt the same way. But once I dove into the research, I realized it's actually much simpler than it sounds.

In this episode, you'll learn exactly what carbonic maceration is, how it differs from traditional fermentation, why it became synonymous with Beaujolais, and why so many modern natural winemakers continue to embrace the technique. You'll also discover the differences between carbonic maceration, semi carbonic maceration, and whole cluster fermentation without getting lost in complicated wine science.

So, if you've ever seen "carbonic" on a wine label and wondered what it actually means, this episode will give you the confidence to understand the technique, recognize the flavors it creates, and know exactly what to expect before you open the bottle.

Carbonic Wine Recommendations:

Beaujolais:

• The “Gang of Four” - Jean Foillard Morgon, Marcel Lapiere Morgon, Guy Breton Morgon, Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon
• Bernard Diochon Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes”
• Nicole Chanrion Côte-de-Brouilly
• Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (look for it around Thanksgiving time)

Washington:

• Latta Wines 2023 Lucius Wines Carbonic Syrah
• COR Cellars Carbonic Primitivo
• Devium Wines Dwelley Dolcetto
• Sage Rat Carbonic Nebbiolo

California:

• Terah Wine Co. Carbonic Sangiovese
• Las Jaras Glou Glou

Other:

• Gran Moraine Flavorscape Gamay Noir (Oregon)
• Niepoort - Nat'Cool Drink Me Tinto (Portuguese blend)
• Gevorkian Ariats Kangoun Carbonic Karasi

Wines of Armenia: https://winesofarmenia.com/

Episode Highlights:

• What carbonic maceration actually means
• Why carbonic wines are not carbonated
• How carbonic differs from traditional fermentation
• Carbonic vs semi carbonic maceration
• Whole cluster fermentation explained
• Why carbonic wines taste so fruity
• Why Beaujolais became famous for carbonic wines
• The history behind the technique
• Common aromas created through carbonic maceration
• Recommended wines to try from around the world

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

Support the show

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 163

What does it take to build a world-class wine program on a remote Caribbean island?

In part two of this conversation with sommelier Mia Martensson, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how she transformed a resort wine list from just 30 wines into a collection of 620 bottles. She shares the challenges of sourcing wine on an island, creating a destination tasting experience, and launching a wine festival that now attracts hundreds of guests each year.

You'll also hear which wine regions and styles have her most excited right now, including Etna, Chablis, Sancerre, grower Champagne, and the wine she believes deserves far more attention from drinkers: Riesling.

Plus, Mia shares unforgettable stories from her years aboard the world's largest privately owned residential yacht, including serving Champagne on a glacier in Antarctica and receiving training on what to do if attacked by a polar bear. If you've ever wondered what life as a sommelier looks like beyond the dining room, this episode is for you.

Don’t miss ep 162 which is part 1 of my conversation with Mia!

Connect with Mia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martensson.mia/
Seven Stars Resort: www.sevenstarsgracebay.com

Episode Highlights:

• Building a luxury wine program in Turks & Caicos
• Growing a wine list from 30 to 620 wines
• Why Etna wines are worth seeking out
• The current Chablis and Sancerre boom
• Why more people should be drinking Riesling
• Inside the Flight Club wine experience
• The rise of Grower Champagne
• Traveling to Champagne and South Africa
• Serving Champagne on an Antarctic glacier
• The wine myth that bugs Mia the most

What did you think of the episode? Text me!

Support the show

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