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
Everyday Sommelier - Wine Stories with Kristi Mayfield
Stop Guessing And Start Mastering Your Sauvignon Blanc Wine Style
Wondering why the Sauvignon Blanc wine style you pick never tastes the same twice? If you’ve ever grabbed a bottle expecting vibrant citrus and got stone fruit—or vice versa—this episode is for you. Kristi Mayfield, host of Everyday Sommelier, unpacks the three major Sauvignon Blanc styles: New Zealand’s zesty citrus, a lush oak-aged warm climate version, and France’s mineral-driven Sancerre.
Unravel how key factors like climate, winemaking method, and blending dramatically change a wine—even when “Sauvignon Blanc” is the only thing on the label. Learn why reading wine labels is a guessing game and why region often matters more than grape variety. Kristi arms you with simple strategies to crack the code, taste like a pro, and finally choose bottles you’ll love every time—without fear of wasting money or guessing wrong in the wine aisle.
Perfect for anyone seeking real-world wine knowledge—minus the snobbery—this episode is packed with actionable tips, region recommendations, and a roadmap to track your preferences for every grape (not just Sauv Blanc).
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
- Why Sauvignon Blanc can taste radically different depending on region and winemaking—even with the same grape
- The three biggest mistakes wine lovers make when shopping by varietal labels
- How to decode regional clues for your perfect Sauvignon Blanc style (think Sancerre, New Zealand, Napa).
- Kristi’s top strategies to track what you love and avoid wine-buying disappointment.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:01:00 — Wine Label Lies: Why Grape Alone Won’t Tell You the Style
00:03:30 — Unlocking Sauvignon Blanc: Climate, Oak & Blending Explained
00:06:45 — The Pain Points of Wine Shopping: How to Stop Wasting Money on Bottles You Don’t Love
00:09:50 — Taste-Test Like a Pro: The Side-by-Side Sauvignon Blanc Method
00:10:50 — Master Regions, Master Your Palate: Using Geography for Wine Success
00:11:50 — Finding Affordable Alternatives: Sancerre vs. Pouilly Fumé vs. Napa Sauvignon Blanc
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