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

Contributors

Host

Kristi Mayfield, WSET3

Ever been handed the wine list and felt that familiar twinge of uncertainty? You’re not alone! As your host on EVERYDAY SOMMELIER, I bring over 20 years of corporate experience in sales leadership and international business, where I’ve seen it all—from the intimidating wine menus at corporate dinners to making sense of wine labels at tastings.

In addition to the EVERYDAY SOMMELIER PODCAST, I founded WINE WIZE wine education to help you learn wine your way and feel confident in your wine journey, whether you’re at a work event, a casual dinner, or just choosing a bottle for a night in. Tune in for fun, approachable, no-fuss wine insights that make sense in the real world. From savvy tips to tasting tricks, I'm here to simplify wine, so you can trust your choices, embrace your tastes, and liberate your inner wine enthusiast.

https://wine-wize.com/about/

Guests

Guest

Doug Reed

Doug Reed, based in Overland Park, KS, US, is currently a Western United States Retail Territory Manager at Riedel Crystal of America. Doug Reed brings experience from previous roles at Reed and Associates Inc.. Doug Reed holds a 1984 - 1989 BGS in College of Liberal Arts and Science @ The University of Kansas. With a robust skill set that includes Sales Operations, Management, Sales, Team Building, Key Account Development and more.

Guest

Jenny Hemmer

Hemmer has been named the new executive director of GuildSomm. Hemmer brings over 18 years of industry experience, with an energy, focus, and passion for connecting people to wine and beverage education.

Hemmer is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers-Americas, a Certified Wine Educator and Certified Specialist of Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators, and WSET Diploma.

Hemmer’s breadth of experience began in distributor sales and management, before a long career with E. & J. Gallo Winery. She held leadership roles in regional sales, sales training, talent acquisition, and corporate public relations and communications. Prior to joining GuildSomm, she directed wine and spirits education for Gallo, overseeing advanced education and certification programs for employees, distributors, and customers while also leading Gallo’s digital learning platform.

https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/b/announcements/posts/jenny-hemmer

Guest

Kelsey Kramer

Kelsey Kramer, Dir, of Education at William Chris Wine Company, has been named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list, announced today. Kramer, who’s at the helm of the company’s Hill Country Wine Academy, has an innovative approach to wine education and is dedicated to broadening the awareness and understanding of Texas wines on a national scale.

Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list, recognizes a diverse set of tastemakers bringing the drinks business into the future, including winemakers, educators, sommeliers and other trailblazers in the wine industry, including William Chris Wine Company Co-Founder/Winemaker Chris Brundrett.

Kramer’s efforts in developing the unique wine education programming across all of William Chris Wine Company’s vineyards and brands have significantly contributed to putting Texas Hill Country in front of a national audience, establishing her as one of the industry’s top influences.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-sips/