Sugar, Sweet Wine, and Pairing Pitfalls: 3 Tips to Bridge The Knowledge Gap with Richard King
Send us a textIs your favorite red wine suddenly undrinkable when you pair it with dessert? You’re not alone. Sugar in wine and food is one of the biggest sources of wine pairing fails—and most people have no idea why! In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, expert Sommelier, Richard King, joins host Kristi Mayfield. The goal? To decode the complexities of sweet wine pairing and how sugar changes everything you thought you knew about enjoying wine with food.Ever wonder why that big, bold red you loved with steak turns to “tree bark” when paired with cake, how hidden sugars in sauces and cuisines can throw your wine off balance, and why embracing dessert wines is the game changer your palate craves? We've got you covered!Kristi and Richard break down the differences between entry-level sweet wines and complex, intentionally crafted dessert wines, reveal how to choose the right sweet wine (even on a budget), and share why acidity is the unsung hero of the best dessert wines.Plus, get practical tips for trying new wine styles, avoid the classic wine-with-dessert disaster, and discover why dessert wines can be both the finale and the star of your meal.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:Why pairing dry red wines with sweet desserts is a recipe for disappointment—and the science behind itThe difference between everyday sweet wines and true dessert wines (and why it matters for your pairing)How acidity and balance in dessert wines keep them from being sugar bombsfProven strategies to find your favorite dessert wine—and make every pairing a memorable oneTIMESTAMPS & KEY TITLES00:00 – Avoiding Wine and Dessert Fails: Why Your Red Wine Tastes Terrible with Sugar04:00 – Why Most People Hate Sweet Wines (and How to Rethink Them for Food Pairing)11:00 – The Truth About Dessert Wines vs. Sweet Table Wines: What Sets Them Apart17:00 – Top 3 Dessert Wines You Should Know for Perfect End-of-Meal Pairings24:15 – Rule #1 for Pairing Sweet Wines with Food: How to Never Ruin a Dessert Pairing Again27:14 – Unexpected Pairings: Sweet Wines with Spicy and Savory Dishes for Advanced FoodiesUpdated Menu Match by WINE WIZE content to solve wine pairing challenges at restaurantsLiked this episode? Share it and tag me @kristieverydaysommelier Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH KRISTI: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook GroupLove the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER soundtrack? Follow the amazing Raymond Revel on Instagram!Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!
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From Bitter Bombs to Balanced Pairings: Exploring Acidity in Wine with Richard King
Send us a textTired of puckering up when sipping high acidity wines or feeling lost when pairing bright, crisp whites (and reds!) with dinner? You’re not alone. In Episode 35 of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield teams up with wine expert Richard King to break down why acidic wines can taste overpowering and exactly how to make them shine with the perfect culinary match.Get expert, step-by-step strategies to decode wine acidity, recognize those “acid bombs,” and turn them into your menu’s best friend. Find out why that glass of Sauvignon Blanc or zesty Chablis feels like fireworks after brushing your teeth—and what you can do about it. Learn the science behind mouthwatering whites and reds, the #1 pairing mistake even seasoned wine lovers make, and how regional traditions like “what grows together goes together” can save your next dinner party.Whether you’re struggling to make sense of wine tasting reactions, seeking foolproof food and wine pairing formulas, or just want to fearlessly serve high acid wines at your next gathering, this episode delivers practical, no-nonsense answers for real wine lovers.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The simple trick to instantly recognize high acid wines and what your palate is telling youWhy mismatched acidity ruins both food and wine—and how to avoid flat or flabby experiencesClassic and creative food pairings for high acidity wines that work every single timePro-level secrets for prepping your palate, making winning wine choices, and taking notes like a sommelierTIMESTAMPS00:03:26 – Why Acidic Wines Taste “Off”: Avoiding the Number One Food and Wine Pairing Mistake00:06:47 – Reset Your Palate: Sparkling Wine as the Ultimate Acidic Wine Solution00:08:16 – Chardonnay Risks: What Happens When Wine and Food Acid Levels Clash00:12:31 – Pair Like a Pro: “What Grows Together Goes Together” Regional Pairings00:17:34 – Pinot Noir with Wild Game: Surprising High Acid Red Food Pairings00:22:52 – Asian Food & High Acidity Wines: Out-of-the-Box Pairing for Modern PalatesUpdated Menu Match by WINE WIZE content to solve wine pairing challenges at restaurantsLiked this episode? Share it and tag me @kristieverydaysommelier Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH KRISTI: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook GroupLove the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER soundtrack? Follow the amazing Raymond Revel on Instagram!Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!
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AI in Wine: Why It’s Brilliant—and Totally Freaking People Out
Send us a textCan artificial intelligence truly enhance your wine experience, for example in food wine pairings? And where does human intuition still reign supreme? This episode dives into the fast-evolving world of AI in wine—from vineyard management and weather prediction to the rise of AI-powered wine recommendations and digital pairing apps like Wine Wize. Kristi Mayfield unpacks real fears about losing authenticity, job displacement, and generic wine content, revealing how to balance smart technology with the irreplaceable human touch that gives wine its soul.Learn how AI-driven vineyard tools can save harvests and support sustainable farming, while new wine recommendation engines are making food and wine pairing more accessible than ever. Explore the pitfalls of over-relying on automated content and why your palate is still the ultimate authority. Kristi dispels common myths, guiding you through making smarter choices and demystifying the tech, all while keeping your wine journey deeply personal and joy-filled.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • How AI wine pairings can make selecting your next bottle easier without sacrificing authenticity. • The real benefits and limitations of AI-powered vineyard tools and personalized wine apps. • Key mistakes to avoid—like relying solely on AI-generated tasting notes or scores.• Practical strategies to combine AI-driven suggestions with your own palate and preferences for the best food and wine pairings.Top Timestamps & Key Messages:00:01:52 – AI Crushes the Master Sommelier Exam: What This Means for Wine Lovers00:04:37 – Precision Agriculture: How AI Saves Crops and Elevates Sustainability00:07:12 – Personalized AI Recommendations: Can Tech Really Find Your Perfect Food Wine Pairing?00:10:06 – The Downside of Algorithm-Generated Content in Wine00:12:08 – From Overwhelm to Confidence: Making Smart Choices with AI Wine Pairings00:13:19 – Balancing Technology and Tradition: Your Palate Always Comes FirstLiked this episode? Share it and tag me @kristieverydaysommelier Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH KRISTI: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook GroupLove the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER soundtrack? Follow the amazing Raymond Revel on Instagram!Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!
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Beer, Bubbles, or Bourbon? The Wine Selector Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed (Until Now)
Send us a textFeeling overwhelmed by complicated wine lists and want nothing more than your own personal wine selector? Defaulting to cocktails, beers, or seltzers because wine just never seems “right” for your palate? If wine shopping feels as tricky as assembling furniture without instructions, this episode of Everyday Sommelier is for you. Host Kristi Mayfield breaks down the confusion and helps you bridge the gap from your favorite familiar drinks—be that IPAs, margaritas, or citrusy seltzers—right into your perfect glass of wine.Forget the pressure of loving bold Cabernets or oaky Chardonnays. Instead, leverage the flavors you already love. Kristi dives deep into translating your go-to drinks (from sparkling seltzers to craft beers and classic cocktails) into approachable wines you’ll actually enjoy. Discover the best wine recommendations for seltzer lovers, beer aficionados, and cocktail enthusiasts and learn why your taste preferences matter more than tradition.Kristi also shares how to avoid rookie wine mistakes, the power of shopping for wine by flavor and texture (not just by label), and why wine in cans might be the best low-risk way to start your journey. Skip wine snobbery and say yes to finding a wine that finally fits your taste.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:• How to map your favorite cocktails, beers, or seltzers to wines you’re guaranteed to love• The key mistakes beginners make with wine—and how to avoid them• Easy pro tips for shopping confidently at any wine store• Why enjoying wine is about your preferences, not following rules or “developing a taste”TIMESTAMPS & KEY MESSAGE TITLES00:00 – Why Picking the Right Wine Feels Overwhelming (and What You Can Do About It)04:46 – Seltzer Lover? Here Are the Wines That Match Those Flavors09:27 – Beer Fan? These Wines Speak Your Flavor Language13:00 – Love Cocktails? Find Wines That Mirror Your Favorite Drinks18:18 – Canned Wine Revolution: The Low-Risk Way to Expand Your Palate19:58 – Ditch Wine Snobbery & Start With What You LoveLiked this episode? Share it and tag me @kristieverydaysommelier Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH KRISTI: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook GroupLove the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER soundtrack? Follow the amazing Raymond Revel on Instagram!Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!
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Your Guide to Red Wine Styles: Choose the Right Red Every Time
Send us a textStruggling to choose the perfect red wine? Confused why one Cabernet Sauvignon tastes light and fruity while the next leaves your mouth coated in tannin? On this episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield breaks down the complex world of red wine styles into three easy-to-understand categories: fresh and fruity, dry and dirty, and packed with a punch.Discover how to go beyond grape varietal or wine region, and instead use taste profile, alcohol level, and even food pairing best practices to select a red wine you’ll love every time. Kristi demystifies red wine selection, exposes the myths of sticking to popular brands or labels, and delivers practical tips on decoding bottle information to match your palate and dinner plans.Learn which varietals suit each style, how winemaking techniques create such dramatic differences, and why understanding the red wine style spectrum guarantees more confidence at restaurants and bottle shops.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • Exactly which wines fit the fresh and fruity, dry and dirty, and packed with a punch categories—and why those styles matter. • How to confidently describe what you want in a red wine, no matter the occasion or food pairing. • How to avoid the most common mistakes shoppers and wine lovers make when choosing reds. • Simple strategies for pairing red wines with your favorite foods—from creamy pastas to spicy dishes and charcuterie boards.Key Timestamps & SEO Titles00:02:33 — Why Your Go-To Wine Style Changes (Understanding Red Wine Complexity)00:04:21 — Never Make a Bad Choice Again (Spotting Fresh & Fruity Reds by Taste and Label)00:10:25 — Pair Like a Pro (Best Food Pairings for Every Red Wine Style)00:12:13 — Cracking the Code on Dry & Dirty Reds (What to Expect & How to Enjoy Them)00:15:54 — Go Bold or Go Home? (All About Packed with a Punch Reds & Pairings)00:21:25 — Your Wine Confidence Plan (Applying Red Wine Styles to Real-Life Wine Shopping)Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @kristieverydaysommelier Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH KRISTI: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook GroupLove the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER soundtrack? Follow the amazing Raymond Revel on Instagram!Inspired by our artwork? Follow the uber talented Sophie Metzger on Instagram!
About Everyday Sommelier - Wine Stories with Kristi Mayfield
Ever found yourself staring in the wine aisle at your local grocery store or sitting at a restaurant, totally clueless about which wine to choose? You know what you like when you taste it, but when it’s time to pick a bottle for your next dinner party or match it with a meal, you’re scanning labels, Googling wine pairings, and still second-guessing every choice.But here’s the thing: You don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy wine confidently. With the right knowledge and a little guidance to understand wine lingo and unlock your own palate, you’ll be able to order at a restaurant without asking for a recommendation or walk into a wine shop and pick a bottle to pair with a meal like a pro.I’m your host, Kristi Mayfield, a certified sommelier who used to be the one staring at the shelf, swapping the bottle I chose for the one someone else recommended because I didn’t trust my own taste. But over the past 5 years, I’ve turned that confusion into expertise, teaching thousands of wine lovers and professionals how to cut through the pretentiousness and complexity of wine so they can confidently choose and enjoy wines they love.Each week on the podcast, we’ll break down wine into simple, easy-to-understand terms. From regions and styles to winemaking techniques, tasting tips and wine stories, you’ll get insights from a wine expert, an industry pro, or a wine educator to help you grab a glass and learn wine your way.#Wineeducation #winepodcast #Winetips #Winetasting #Wineregions #Winepairing #Wineknowledge #Wineexperts #Winestories #Wineindustry #Wineculture
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