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The Wine Enthusiast Podcast takes you on a tantalizing trip into the world of wine, beer and spirits. Drink up engaging, behind-the-scenes stories reported and recorded by Wine Enthusiast’s editors. In each episode, we explore emerging trends, provide educational tidbits, and introduce you to the passionate people who craft, shake, ferment, and pour their beverage of choice. Inside every bottle is a story.
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Wine Guide with Cork & Fizz - Wine education for beginners and enthusiasts
Hailey Bohlman | Wine Educator
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Interested in learning about wine, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place! Here at the Cork & Fizz Guide to Wine, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into the world of wine in a fun and approachable way. Hi! I'm Hailey, wine enthusiast turned wine educator and founder of Cork & Fizz. I’m here to answer all your wine questions, anything from “what the heck is an orange wine?” to “is natural wine really better for me?” I’ll also cover topics such as wine tasting, pairing food a ...
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Wine Educate: WSET Award in Wines, Education Resources and Certifications. Study tips and practical advice for wine Enthusiasts and Professionals. Wine Tasting Techniques, Food Pairing Tips, Wine Education ...
Joanne Close
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Welcome to the Wine Educate Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering wine through the lens of WSET wine courses and certifications. Whether you’re a beginner exploring WSET Level 1 or preparing for the rigorous WSET Level 3 exam, this podcast is packed with insights tailored for every stage of your wine education journey. Learn wine tasting techniques using the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), discover expert strategies for excelling in WSET essay practice, and dive into topics like fo ...
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Interested in trying cannabis-infused drinks but not sure where to start? This week's episode follows two conversations between Digital Managing Editor Sara Ventiera and two leaders in the cannabis beverage space for expert tips and insights into exploring the growing trend, where to get them and, more importantly what they taste like and how they …
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Resources & Links Join the Wine Educate Newsletter for weekly study tips and course updates Learn more about Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course Check out upcoming trips and classes www.wineeducate.com Episode Summary In this episode, Joanne tackles one of the most stressful parts of the WSET Level 3 exam: the tasting portion. As someone who has graded …
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Ep 100 This is my 100th episode of the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine podcast! How cool is that? To celebrate this huge milestone, we are going to talk about Italian sparkling wine! What would you say if I told you there’s more to Italian sparkling wine than just Prosecco? We are going to dive into the differences between Spumante and Frizzante (spoil…
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Resources & Links Learn more about the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course Join the Wine Educate Newsletter for weekly tips & updates Episode Summary In this episode, Joanne explores one of the most effective tools for success in WSET Level 3: the study group. If you're on the fence about joining or starting a study pod, this episode covers the research…
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Resources & Links: Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter How to Contact Us: Email: [email protected] Website: www.wineeducate.com Instagram: @wineeducate Episode Summary: In this episode, Joanne breaks down one of the biggest predictors of success in WSET Level 3: early preparation. While Levels 1 and 2 can be …
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Ep 99 Italy tends to be far more known for their red wines, and if I'm being totally honest with you, I used to not think very highly of the Italian white wines. Admittedly, there are a lot of mass produced boring white wines made in Italy that are shipped to the USA. But on the flip side, there are some really incredible Italian white wines that a…
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Resources & Mentions Free WSET Level 1 Flashcards Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course – Our four-week study support program to help you stay on track Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up here for tips, tools, and new episode updates Episode Summary If you're preparing for WSET Level 3, you're probably wondering: How many hours do I actually need to study? …
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Launchpad: WSET Level 3 Prep - Zoom Course - Next Start Date In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close takes the mystery out of the WSET Level 3 exam. She explains exactly how the tasting and theory sections are structured, how grading works, and what to focus on to earn the most points—whether you’re aiming to pass or go for that distinct…
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Ep 98 Do the countless names and styles of Sangiovese in Tuscany leave you feeling more confused than confident? Today, we are unraveling the complexities of the famed Sangiovese grape. Due to this grape’s many different names and regional variations, it can often be confusing. We are going to dig into the DOCG classification system in Italy. Tusca…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates Launchpad: WSET Level 3 Prep - Zoom Course - May 11th | Wine Educate In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close helps you get ready for WSET Level 3 with a practical, encouraging guide to prep—without the panic. Whether you’ve already signed up or you’re just thi…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates. Connect with Wine Educate: Website: www.wineeducate.comInstagram: @wineeducateEmail: [email protected] Newsletter: Sign up for exclusive content! Thinking about taking WSET Level 3 but not sure what you're signing up for? In this episode, host Joanne Close walks yo…
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This week's episode follows two conversations between writer-at-large Danielle Callegari and an American somm working in Thailand and a Thai somm working in Brooklyn to discuss the burgeoning wine scene in Thailand. While the rest of the world raises concerns over what's to come for the wine industry, Thailand is newly enthused and excited to learn…
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Ep 97 From starting her own winery to exploring unique grape varietals rarely known outside of Sardinia, Nikki Dickerson, also known on Instagram as Sip with Nik, is back on the podcast today! Today, Nikki is sharing her passion for unique wine varietals and how her love for Sardinian wine was born when she discovered rare wines like Semidano and N…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates. Connect with Wine Educate: Website: www.wineeducate.comInstagram: @wineeducateEmail: [email protected] Newsletter: Sign up for exclusive content! Episode Summary: In this first episode of a brand-new series, Joanne dives into what makes the leap from WSET Level 2 t…
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26. WSET Level 3 Bootcamp - Lessons from the Vineyard (Part 2) Level 3 Bootcamp 2026 - TRIP DETAILS Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates. Episode Description In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close continues the Lessons from the Vineyard series, focusing on winemaking (vinification) at Château Ca…
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Ep 96 When you think of islands in Italy, you probably think of Sicily, but what about the lesser known island of Sardinia? Today, Nikki and I are diving into the geography of Sardinia which lends itself to a diverse tapestry of wine styles. We’ll introduce you to a variety of grape varietals, including Cannonau, Vermentino, Malvasia and Cagnulari.…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates. WSET Level 3 Bootcamp - Trip Details In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close shares insights from the WSET Level 3 Bootcamp in the South of France. After an incredible week at Château Camplazens, Joanne reflects on key vineyard lessons that bring WSET theory …
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class updates. Episode Description In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close shares the three essential wine books that have been her go-to resources throughout her 20+ years of WSET education. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, these books will help you deepen your…
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Ep 95 Are you ready to uncover why the Piedmont region of Italy, often overshadowed by the famed Tuscan hills, is a hidden gem in the wine world? Would it surprise you to learn that there are many similarities between the famed Burgundy region and the Piedmont region? Today, I’m diving into the intricate geography of Piedmont and rich history that …
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class updates. Episode Description In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close explores the essential primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas and flavors in wine. Identifying and categorizing these aromas is a crucial skill for WSET Level 3 students, as they play a key role in tasti…
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In this installment of the Wine Enthusiast Podcast, spirits reviewer Kara Newman reveals what industry insiders are whispering about as Trump’s tariffs take hold. Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content! Episode Description In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close leads a guided tasting of a full-bodied red wine using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). This episode builds on the Structural Components Series, helping students apply what they’ve learned to a real-world tas…
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Ep 94 Ever felt lost in a sea of Italian wines with their complex names and regions? With their 384,000 wineries, 1.8 million acres of vineyards, and over 590 catalogued grape varieties, it’s no wonder if you do! Over the next several episodes we are going to do a deep dive into Italian wine! And in today’s podcast, we are doing an overview of how …
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content! Episode Description In this episode of Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close wraps up the Structural Components Series with a deep dive into evaluating the finish of a wine using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). Finish, also known as length, is one of the trickiest components …
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content! and class updates! Episode Description: In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close continues the Structural Components Series with an in-depth look at Body in Wine. What makes a wine feel light, medium, or full-bodied? How do alcohol, sugar, tannin, and acidity influence perception? J…
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Every year, Wine Enthusiast releases a new edition of the vintage chart, a tool that's long been critical to collectors. Vintage charts help pinpoint bottles peaking in quality—and those that may be past their prime. The most recent version debuted in the Winter Issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. But in a time when climate chaos—unprecedented perio…
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Ep 93 What do wine and music have in common? More than you think! Today, I have David Britz back on the podcast and he is sharing the synergies between wine and music! We talk about how both worlds are deeply intertwined in capturing unique, unrepeatable moments of magic. Whether it’s the perfect note in a live show or the optimal harvest of grapes…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up to learn about upcoming WSET classes, Wine Trips and study tips! Episode 19: Structural Components in Wine: Alcohol Episode Description: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close continues the Structural Components Series with a deep dive into Alcohol in Wine. She explores how alcohol affects w…
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Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content! Episode Description: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close continues the structural components series with a deep dive into tannin. Learn what tannins are, how they’re perceived on the palate, and the key role they play in wine structure and aging. Joanne shares pract…
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Ep 92 Today’s story is one of taking immense grief and love, and transforming it into a heartwarming initiative that honors a memory while celebrating female entrepreneurs by funding their dreams through wine sales. My guest David tragically lost his mother in 2019. He was driven by a desire to honor her memory and her entrepreneurial achievements …
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Episode Description: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close continues her series on the structural components of wine, focusing on sweet wines. Using a 2019 Orum “Metamorphosis” Tokaji 5 Puttonyos, Joanne breaks down a WSET-style tasting note and dives into the role of Botrytis (noble rot) in sweet wine production. She also …
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Episode Description: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close continues her series on the structural components of wine, focusing on sweetness. Joanne dives into how residual sugar (RS) creates sweetness in wine, how it’s measured, and how our perception of sweetness can be influenced by acidity and other factors. She also sha…
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Wine’s impact on health has been under the microscope for the past few years, with numerous headlines citing its cancer-causing potential. Sales are down across the industry and consumption has dropped substantially. These stories certainly are fear-inducing, yet many don’t paint the full picture. It seems for every study that claims that a glass (…
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Ever wondered what it's like to sip wine from the real-life King’s Landing from Game of Thrones? Today, I’m diving into the world of Croatian wine. I had never really thought about Croatian wine until last year when Jennifer Kerum attended my Walla Walla retreat. Jennifer is from Croatia and runs a wine tourism business there. She came on the podca…
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Episode Description: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close kicks off a new series exploring the structural components of wine, starting with acidity. Learn how acidity develops in grapes, how it’s measured, and how to detect it on the palate. Joanne breaks it all down in an engaging, easy-to-understand way—drool test includ…
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When you think of Vermouth do you think of it as just a mixer for your martini? Vermouth is actually a wine! Wine must make up at least 75% of the total volume of a Vermouth, so it is very much a wine! From its ancient medicinal roots in 1050 BC China to its evolution in Italy as an aperitif, I’m diving into what Vermouth really is and why it’s so …
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Episode Summary: In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, host Joanne Close welcomes Sal Mortillaro, WSET Beer Educator, to discuss the world of beer education, certifications, and the exciting expansion of WSET’s Beer program. Sal shares his impressive background in beer judging, competitions, and how he became part of the first-ever cohort of…
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It’s likely that in many people’s minds, water resonates as a neutral, possibly the ultimate neutral. However, water does contain quite a bit of nuance—everything from tasting notes to mouthfeel. Knowing that means understanding that the water you’re drinking can affect the taste of whatever you’re enjoying alongside it—and that means your wine, to…
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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dive deep into the world of wine while facing the challenges of online bullying? In today’s episode I have Natalie MacLean back on the podcast and she’s diving into the world of wine through an experiential and personal lens. Natalie shares her unique approach to wine journalism, the emotional and cultural i…
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Summary: In this episode of the Wine Educate podcast, Joanne walks listeners through a detailed WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) analysis of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, showcasing how tasting notes evolve across WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3. Using the 2023 Three Brooms as an example, she explores the differences in structure…
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How does one go from working at Supercomputer company SGI to becoming a renowned wine critic author? Today, we are joined by Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass; Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines; and Wine Witch on Fire. Natalie shares her transformation fr…
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Episode Summary In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close breaks down how the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) evolves from Level 1 to Level 3. Using a 2000 Bordeaux as the example, Joanne demonstrates how tasting notes become progressively more detailed and analytical, helping students understand what to expect as they adv…
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For more than a year now, Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large Michael Alberty has been tracking a story about the Oregon Health Authority and some questionable PSAs it ran at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. At that time, the spots—running widely in Oregon—seemed at the very least heavy-handed and ponderous. At the worst, they indicated a gro…
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When it comes to wine books, which ones are essential for every wine lover’s collection? Well, if you know anything about me, you know I’m a sucker for a good wine book. A wine book is how I actually ended up getting into wine in the first place! Before I was really enthralled by the world of wine, my husband and I took a trip down to Willamette Va…
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Episode 11: What is BLIC and How to Use It to Assess Wine Quality Episode Description: In this episode we break down BLIC, the WSET framework for evaluating wine quality and readiness for drinking. Discover how this structured approach—covering Balance, Length, Intensity, and Complexity—fits into the Standard Approach to Tasting (SAT) and how it he…
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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 k…
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Welcome to the Wine Educate Podcast! In this episode, host Joanne Close dives into the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) and its role in wine education. Joanne also covers the often-overlooked but essential practice of spitting in wine tastings—why it matters and how to do it effectively. Resources SAT Resources: WSET Level 1 SAT WSET Level…
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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 sha…
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Episode Summary: In Episode 9 of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close explores how external factors can significantly impact your wine tasting experience. From lighting and temperature to the glassware you use, creating a proper tasting environment is essential for both objective analysis and enjoyment. Designed especially for WSET students, this…
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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 …
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