Ep 152

Sweet wine has been associated with having an unrefined palate or being a beginner in the wine world. But that does not automatically mean you are a wine amateur if you like sweet wine.

In this Mythbusters episode, we are setting the record straight. Sweet wine does not equal low quality. While there are plenty of mass produced sugary bottles out there, sweetness itself is just another attribute of wine, right alongside acidity, tannin, and body. When made with intention and quality grapes, sweet wine can be balanced, complex, and can even rank among the most expensive wines in the world.

You will learn how noble rot works, why ice wine is so rare, how Port is fortified, and why balance between sugar and acidity is everything. From Sauternes in Bordeaux to Tokaji in Hungary, Vin Santo in Italy, Recioto della Valpolicella, Port, and Pedro Ximénez sherry, there are sweet wines being made all over the world that are high quality, traditional, and in many cases some of the most sought after bottles out there. You will also hear why sweet wines are incredible with salty, spicy, and even funky cheeses.

So if you have ever felt like ordering a sweet wine makes you look like a beginner, this episode is for you.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, Last Bubbles, for sponsoring this episode. Download the Last Bubbles app or go to www.lastbubbles.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Resources:

12 Wines I’d Recommend to Any Curious Wine Drinker - https://www.corkandfizz.com/blog/guide-to-wine-podcast-episode-136

Episode Highlights:

• Where the sweet wine stereotype began
• Why sweetness is just another wine attribute
• How noble rot concentrates flavor
• Why Sauternes can cost thousands
• How true ice wine is made and why it is rare
• The difference between Amarone and Recioto
• How Port is fortified and why it is strong
• Why sweet wines pair well with salty and spicy foods
• How sugar helps wine age

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 151

What if the simplest way to support your favorite winery takes less than five minutes?

In part two of our conversation, Heather Daenitz shares how photography, storytelling, and consumer engagement can completely shift the way people experience wine. From highlighting vineyard workers to encouraging thoughtful reviews and rethinking how you shop at your local wine store, she explains how small actions like tagging a winery or naming a tasting room host can have a real impact behind the scenes.

And because we are both pregnant while recording this episode we dig into the topic of non alcoholic wine, sober curiosity, and whether still wine without alcohol can ever truly match the complexity of the original. Heather shares why Germany is ahead when it comes to non-alcoholic wine, why aromatic varieties like Riesling may be key, and what needs to change in the industry to make non-alcoholic wine better.

So if you’ve ever wondered how much power wine lovers really have and what role you play in the industry’s future, this episode will change how you see it.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, Last Bubbles, for sponsoring this episode. Download the Last Bubbles app or go to www.lastbubbles.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Connect with Heather:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftandcluster

The Wine Marketing Field Guide - https://www.winemarketingfieldguide.com/

Pour Memories Podcast - https://www.pourmemories.com/

Episode Highlights:

• Why reviews matter more than you think
• How tagging wineries helps them grow
• The role of user generated content
• The truth about non alcoholic wine
• Why Germany is ahead in NA (non-alcoholic) wine production
• Aromatic grapes and NA potential
• Supporting sober curious consumers
• How to shop smarter at wine stores

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 150

What does it really look like behind those beautiful wine photos you see online?

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Daenitz, a wine industry photographer and marketing strategist based in Santa Barbara wine country. Heather shares how she went from studying viticulture and working in vineyard management to launching her business, Craft & Cluster, where she now helps small wineries connect with their audiences through authentic behind-the-scenes photography and marketing strategies.

Heather shares what harvest actually feels like at 3 a.m., why grapes are picked at night, and the reality behind those dreamy sunrise vineyard shots. She also dives into why she chooses to work with small wineries, what consumers often misunderstand about wine pricing, and how many hands touch the wine before it reaches your glass.

So, if you are ready to see your glass of wine with a little more context and a lot more appreciation then this episode is for you.

Thank you to our exclusive sponsor, Last Bottle, for sponsoring this episode. Go to www.lastbottlewines.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! (And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!)

Connect with Heather:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftandcluster

The Wine Marketing Field Guide - https://www.winemarketingfieldguide.com/

Pour Memories Podcast - https://www.pourmemories.com/

Episode Highlights:

• How Heather found her way into wine
• From vineyard work to wine photography
• How Craft and Cluster began
• Why small wineries need marketing support
• What harvest at 3 a.m. really looks like
• Why grapes are picked at night
• The reality behind romantic wine photos
• The people behind every bottle
• Why wine costs what it does

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