Hidden Cost of Sparkling Wine With Torr Na Lochs Winery
Send us a textForget what you know about Champagne and mass-produced bubbly—Texas is rewriting the rules with grit, creativity, and uncompromising passion. In this episode, Kristi Mayfield goes deep into the real story inside a bottle of Torr Na Loch’s traditional method sparkling wine.If you’ve ever questioned why some sparkling wines are $10 and others command triple digits, you’ll uncover the true, labor-intensive journey that creates those signature tiny bubbles and creamy texture. Blake DeBerry and Colby O'Brien of Torn Na Loch share how they overcame million-dollar equipment costs, leaning into their engineering backgrounds to invent a made-in-Texas, hand-riddled approach—cutting startup costs by over 90%—and creating a boutique sparkling you can actually taste the effort in.Learn how Malvasia Bianca grapes are hand-harvested and nurtured for acidity, why every bottle is touched by human hands up to 86 times, and how artisan riddling racks and cattle dosers for dosage dosing become tools of the Texas wine revolution. Understand how manual production and long aging translate to a richer, more meaningful glass (and a much fairer price tag).This episode is a must-listen for wine lovers looking to decode wine pricing, discover Texas craft winemaking, or simply sip with more confidence—knowing exactly what’s gone into their glass.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:Why hand-crafted, traditional method sparkling wine costs more—and why it matters for taste and qualityHow Torn Na Loch engineered their own production revolution for Texas sparkling wine, reducing costs and maximizing flavorThe behind-the-scenes secrets of riddling, aging, and the sheer number of skilled touch points in every bottleHow sparkling wine is far more than just a celebration treat—it's a story of passion, innovation, and Texas grit you can tasteEpisode Timestamps:[00:02:30] “From Red to Bubbles: Why Torn Na Loch Chose the Hardest Wine to Make in Texas”Discover why a Texas winery ditched convention and bet big on traditional sparkling wine, despite the region’s reputation for bold reds.[00:07:14] “Million-Dollar Equipment—Or DIY: How Innovation Slashed Costs & Created a Revolution”Learn how high equipment costs almost ended the dream, and how DIY ingenuity saved the day and changed Texas wine history.[00:15:01] “Hand Riddling and the 86-Touch Process: What Really Sets Artisanal Sparkling Apart”Explore the manual journey—riddling racks, twice-daily turns, and the secret to that creamy bubble mousse you only get from the traditional Champagne method.[00:23:13] “Disgorgement by Design: How Texas Winemakers Freeze, Dosage, and Top Every Bottle”See how custom-built gadgets (and a little farm wisdom) make each bottle absolutely unique, from yeast pucks to precise sugar dosing.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!
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Rethink Champagne Prestige From Pedestal to Pizza Night with David Afariat
Send us a textEver felt Champagne prestige was out of reach or reserved only for special occasions? This episode dismantles the intimidation factor and reframes Champagne as an approachable drink for any day of the week. Kristi Mayfield is joined by David Aferiat, luxury Champagne importer, who reveals why you should enjoy bubbles with pizza, chips, or even burgers—not just weddings and milestones. Dig into the secrets behind grower Champagne, what separates it from the big brands, and why sustainable, organic farming makes a difference in taste and headache-free enjoyment. Learn procuring tips, label-reading strategies, distribution hurdles, and the crucial shipping truth that impacts every bottle. Discover how Champagne’s history shaped its “special occasion only” reputation and actionable steps to unlock your own Champagne journey. As always, sip smarter with Kristi’s top empowering takeaways for high-impact wine fluency.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:Why Champagne’s reputation as “special occasion only” actually holds you back—and how to enjoy bubbles any night.The difference between big brand Champagne and authentic grower Champagne (and how to shop with confidence).Secrets of organic, sustainable farming practices that impact taste, health, and your next wine headache.Actionable steps for sourcing better Champagne, making informed buying choices, and pairing bubbles with everything from steak to potato chips.Episode Timestamps:Unlocking Champagne’s Everyday Charm (00:00:00)Rethink sparkling wine: how to pair Champagne with pizza, burgers, and weekday life.Deconstructing Champagne Intimidation: Price, Perception & Marketing (00:02:31)Why Champagne feels unreachable—and real reasons Americans hesitate to drink it more often.Grower Champagne vs. Big Brands: Taste the Difference (00:08:19)Learn why authentic grower Champagne redefines flavor and experience compared to mass-market bottles.How to Shop Smarter for Champagne (and Avoid a Headache) (00:13:59)Insider tips from a luxury importer on label reading, distribution pitfalls, and shipping risks.A History Lesson: Champagne’s Prestige, Legends & Everyday Reality (00:20:03)How monks, Napoleon, and modern marketing shaped Champagne’s reputation—and why you should reclaim it.Top Tips to Expand Your Champagne Journey—No More Waiting for ‘Someday’ (00:23:27)Five actionable strategies for confident Champagne exploration, making every day worth celebrating.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!
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Are Old Vine Wines Really Better? Separating Fact from Fiction
Send us a textWhat does "Old Vine" on a wine label really promise? Is “Old Vine Zinfandel” truly better, or is it just marketing? In this wine stories episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield uncorks the truth about old vine wine, decoding industry buzzwords and cutting through the confusion surrounding one of wine’s most romantic—yet undefined—labels.Explore why “Old Vine” isn’t a globally or legally defined term, and how this creates frustration for everyday wine lovers, like you, just trying to sip smarter. Kristi reveals the real impact of vine age on wine quality, aroma, and price, and explains how different wine regions—from California to Spain and Australia—are starting to regulate the term to protect heritage vineyards.Learn how “Old Vine” wines are farmed, the dangers they face, and why you may be paying more for a label rather than superior flavor. You'll gain expert strategies and sommelier tips for decoding everyday wine labels, understanding heritage, and making confident wine choices in a world full of misleading terminology.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The truth about "Old Vine"—why it’s often just a marketing term and not a guarantee of quality. How vine age really affects wine texture, concentration, and style (and when it doesn’t). Proven tips for reading “Old Vine” labels and finding real heritage wines, not hype. What wine regions around the world are doing to protect and define old vine vineyards.Episode Timestamps: 00:04:00 - Why “Old Vine” Means Nothing Without Context00:06:08 - How Old Vines Can Impact Wine Texture and Flavor00:08:21 - Why Many Old Vineyards Get Replanted—And The Risk to Quality00:12:58 - Regions Fighting Back: How Wine Laws Are Changing for Old Vines00:14:19 - Price vs. Age: Don’t Get Fooled by Expensive Old Vine LabelsLiked 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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Wine Fraud Exposed And How to Buy with Confidence
Send us a textWhen even seasoned wine experts and collectors are fooled, how can everyday wine lovers, like you, feel confident that the bottle in their cart (or on their table) is real? This episode of Everyday Sommelier with Kristi Mayfield exposes the unsettling rise of wine fraud—from multimillion-dollar counterfeit scandals to fake wine labels infiltrating mainstream shelves and online retailers. Learn how major wine regions are fighting back with new authenticity measures, and discover the simple, actionable tips you can use to ensure your wine is the real deal.Kristi pulls back the curtain on global wine fraud cases like the notorious Rudy Kurniawan scheme and the widespread Spanish wine scandals, demonstrating how both luxury collectors and casual drinkers are impacted. She arms listeners with a checklist for decoding wine authenticity—covering everything from hologram labels and QR codes to serial numbers and digital tracking tech. Get empowered to verify every glass, protect your investment, and reclaim your wine joy.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How everyday drinkers—not just collectors—can get scammed by counterfeit wineActionable steps to verify the authenticity of any wine bottle (without being a sommelier)The anti-fraud technologies and security features top regions and wineries are using nowWhere to shop (and where not to) when buying wine online or in store—plus warning signs to bewareTIMESTAMPS & EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:01:02 – The $300 Fake: A True Story of Global Wine Fraud ExposedDiscover the infamous Rudy Kurniawan scandal and how it shattered trust in the wine industry.00:02:59 – Counterfeit Wine: Why Everyday Drinkers Are At RiskLearn about recent Spanish wine fraud cases and the global impact on trusted regions and wine buyers.00:07:18 – The Wine Buyer’s Checklist: Spotting Fake BottlesSimple, actionable steps for consumers to check labels, seals, and sourcing to protect against fraud.00:09:21 – High-Tech Protections: How The Wine Industry Fights CounterfeitsHolograms, QR codes, RFID trackers, and even DNA markers—explore how wineries defend authenticity.00:13:20 – Sip Confidently: Quick Tips for Ironclad AuthenticityPull out your existing bottles and put your new skills to the test—what to look for, and how to buy smarter.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!
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Coravin’s Greg Lambrecht On Reclaiming Your Wine To Make Every Bottle an Occasion
Send us a textTired of letting half-open bottles of wine go to waste—or waiting years to open a special bottle, only to find it’s past its prime? Wine preservation becomes exhilarating as Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht joins Kristi Mayfield to reveal the transformative power of this breakthrough wine gadget.Uncorking more than preservation, Greg and Kristi dig deep into wine technology and the freedom to taste, explore, and savor every bottle on your terms—without fear of waste, compromise, or missing out on aging potential. This episode breaks down how wine lovers, collectors, sommeliers, and restaurant owners can leverage Coravin to revolutionize their own wine rituals and unlock new possibilities in wine education, curation, and service.From tackling wine waste and empowering “drink less, drink better” lifestyles to expanding wine-by-the-glass programs at your favorite restaurants, Greg demystifies the economics, cultural shifts, and sustainable impact of Coravin. Plus, learn how this wine tool is primed to intrigue the next generation of wine drinkers—one perfectly preserved glass at a time.Grab your CORAVIN NOW!BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How to taste from any bottle without worrying about spoilage or waste—goodbye, anxiety about opening “special” bottles! Why Coravin means more sustainable wine enjoyment, cutting down on both bottle waste and unfinished pours. How wine lovers at any level can dramatically speed up their wine learning with side-by-side tastings at home, minus guilt or cost. The future of restaurant and wine shop experiences—unlocking high-end wine by the glass and making wine more approachable for everyone.Top 6 Takeaways and Timestamps[00:04:01] Why Wine Goes to Waste—And How Coravin Solves ItDiscover the problem with multi-serving wine bottles, short shelf life, and the real-life frustration that led to Coravin’s creation.[00:07:14] Explore Without Compromise: Never Waste a Glass AgainSee how Coravin lets you compare vintages, regions, and varietals side-by-side, unlocking intentional, guilt-free tasting.[00:12:04] Restaurant Wine Upgraded: By-the-Glass Without LimitsCoravin helps restaurants eliminate wine waste and boost profits—while bringing top bottles by the glass to their menus.[00:18:49] Home Wine Experience: From Preservation to ExplorationHow everyday drinkers can reclaim their cellars, avoid overconsumption, and embrace the “drink less, drink better” movement.[00:23:10] The Sustainability Impact of CoravinShed light on how reducing wine waste contributes to a more sustainable wine culture—plus insights on recyclable capsules and durable design.[00:26:17] The New Generation & Single-Serve WineWhyLiked 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.In each episode of 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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