The Wine CEO Episode #178: What wines are Keto? (And are they actually low sugar or just marketing?)

Today's episode is the first of many wine region spotlights! You all asked for more episodes on specific wine regions and today I'm discussing New Zealand. This 2 part series covers an overview of New Zealand wine history, fun facts and legends, as well as the main wine growing regions on the North and South Islands.  Check out my blog post HERE if you're a visual learner and want to look at a map while you listen to the show. Episode #34 focuses on the North Island wine regions listed below and next week we'll cover the South Island, food pairings, and more! *SPONSOR from today's show: Wash + Wik Candle and Soap Co. Be sure to enter code: THEWINECEO at checkout for 20% off your purchase!* --------------- The North Island is predominantly known for the regions of Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Auckland, and Wairarapa. This whole island is slightly warmer throughout the year than the South Island because it’s closer to the equator. This makes it much easier for the wine makers in this region to grow Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other grapes that require a bit more sunlight. Auckland: Aukland is the most northwestern wine region in New Zealand and is mostly known for Chardonnay and red blends from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There has been an increase in Syrah plantings over the past few years in Auckland as well. The region spreads out all around the city of Aukland and although it doesn’t produce the most wine in New Zealand, it actually has the largest number of wineries in the country. The climate in Aukland is warm, but rainy and humid. There’s a lot of cloud cover in this region that can help moderate sunlight hours, but the intense amount of rain can also create problems with rot. For a smaller region, they are producing some really amazing wines.  Gisborne: Moving clockwise from Auckland we come next to Gisborne. This region sits along the north eastern coast and is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. They’re especially known for their unique Chardonnays that have tropical fruit and honey notes that make for really unique, bold wines. Gisborne gets a lot of rain along the coast, but is still warmer than most New Zealand regions. This weather makes it perfect for chardonnay. Overall it’s a fairly small region and has a lower number of wineries compared to the other North Island regions. Hawke’s Bay: Next up is Hawke’s Bay which is along the central eastern coast of the North Island. It is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and a small amount of Syrah. Hawke’s Bay is actually the second largest wine region in the country and also the driest of all of the regions in the North Island. The leading variety here is Chardonnay, but there’s a long history of red wine as well. Cabernet Sauvignon put this region on the map due to the fertile and gravelly soil that reminded many winemakers of Bordeaux. Today Merlot and Syrah have overtaken Cabernet Sauvignon in the number of vines planted, but all of these red grapes are still used in many delicious blends coming out of this region. Wairarapa: Last but not least is Wairarapa. This region is in the southern tip of the North island, where the country’s capital of Wellington is located. Wairarapa is known for Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and some Pinot Gris. The most important sub region within Wairarapa is by far Martinborough, which has gained world acclaim for outstanding pinot noirs. The region is compared often to Burgundy, which is also known for Pinot Noir, due to their similar climates. There’s a large mountain range that helps create a really dry climate in Martinborough that is perfect for growing Pinot Noir. Overall, there aren’t a ton of wineries here, but the few that are - make really delicious wines.   Great wines to try from the North Island: Palliser Estate: This winery offers Pinot Noir, Sauvignon blanc, and Pinot Gris from Martinborough. Ata Rangi: Amazing Pinot Noirs from Martinborough Dry River: Delicious Pinot Noirs from Martinborough

28 Juli 202119min

In episode #13 my little sister Rebecca joined me on the show to discuss how I got into wine and other random questions. She is back again this week in episode #33 to talk about the top 3 wine tools every kitchen needs, the wine regions I want to travel to, what sparkling wine to use for mimosas and more! Be sure to subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode and check out thewineceo.com to sign up for my free guide to Food & Wine Pairing! ------------- Three wine tools every kitchen needs: 1. Corkscrew Classic Waiter's corkscrew  Rabbit manual corkscrew 2. Champagne buckets Sturdy Stainless Steel Amazon Option My Favorite from Crate & Barrel 3. Good Bottle Stoppers Silicone Rabbit bottle stopper Vaccum Pump with silicone stoppers (pulls oxygen out to help your wine last longer!) Classic Sparkling Wine stopper --------------------------- Check out today's sponsor Wash & Wik Candle and Soap Co. Enter code THEWINECEO at checkout for 20% off your purchase!

21 Juli 202125min

If you are in the US and you love fashion, then you probably know that the Nordstrom anniversary sale is happening this week. I love shopping for wine, but my love for shopping doesn’t end there. I am very excited to check out all of the hot sale items that Nordstrom has for this summer and fall. But I’m not a fashion blogger, so I’m not going to give you any details about the sale or the top items I'm hoping to purchase. Nope, we are here for the wine folks! So instead, I am going to tell you what you should be drinking as you do hours and hours of shopping!  And as always, if you love this episode, be sure to subscribe to the show and share this episode on your social media! (don't forget to tag me @thewineceo) *****Today's Sponsor: Wash & Wik Soap and Candle Co. Enter THEWINECEO at checkout for 20% off your purchase! So when you're shopping a long sale, it means spending a few hours online, right? You're perusing dozens of pages of items, reading hundreds of reviews, and adding items to your wish list. So it can take some time and you want to stay focused. You don’t want a high alcohol wine that is going to make you crash and need a nap. You want something you can sip all afternoon or evening as you fill your virtual shopping cart. You also want something light and refreshing, but still fun and flavorful. My recommendation is 10/10 Lambrusco. Lambrusco is a light red wine from Italy that comes from the region of Emilia Romagna, which is in North Eastern Italy. Lambrusco is known for being fruity and acidic, but even better, most Lambrusco is frizzante. Frizzante is the Italian term for fizzy. It’s not enough bubbles to be considered sparkling wine though, so it isn’t like Prosecco or champagne. It's just slightly....well, fizzy! Lambrusco can be dry or sweet and in both cases, the fizz keeps the wine nice and refreshing. With flavor notes of strawberries, blackberries, and flowers this wine makes for an easy summertime red wine, especially when you chill it to around 50F degrees. Because of Lambrusco’s acidity and fizz, it’s also a great food pairing wine. Naturally, this wine is a home run with Italian classics like pizza and pasta, but it really shines with the local Italian products from the Emilia Romagna region like prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano cheese. You’ve heard me say it before, but an easy way to ensure a great food and wine combo is sticking to regional pairings. This is no exception as Lambrusco is a heavenly pairing with prosciutto and parmigiano. But if cheese and salami isn't your preferred snack as you shop, try a little chocolate! Lambrusco's light and fruity flavors make it an amazing combo with milk chocolate. There are 3 levels of sweetness descriptors for Lambrusco wines and various winemakers across the region will produce theirs differently. You will often find these terms on the wine label so you can know if you're purchasing a dry, semi-dry, or sweet version of Lambrusco. Secco is the term for dry Semi-secco is the term for off-dry (slightly sweet) Dolce is the term for sweet I recommend pairing the Secco and Semi-secco versions with savory foods and pair the dolce with sweets and chocolate. Lastly, I think it's important to note that there are  technically 13 different Italian grape varietals with the name Lambrusco in it. All of these grapes are grown in Emilia Romagna and they all make up the family of wines known by the name Lambrusco. Although they are technically different grapes (some are clones of these grapes), they all have the same main flavor profile and they are grouped under the same term "Lambrusco". If you were to taste a few of these side by side, you might be able to determine slight flavor nuances between these grapes, but for the most part, they taste very similar and are all low in alcohol, light in body, and low in tannins. But if you come across some additional names on a wine label for Lambrusco, now you know why! (Three of the most common names you might find are Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco di Salamino, and Lambrusco Grasparossa). And it's this unique flavor profile of being a light and fruity red wine with low alcohol and fizz that makes it a perfect wine to drink as you shop! But don't drink it as you try your clothes on......no one wants to fight to get red wine stains out of a brand new dress! Below are a few of my favorite Lambruscos that you can look for in your local wine shop: Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Ceci Otello Lambrusco Riunite Lambrusco Hope you learned something new about Lambrusco and happy shopping! Instagram: @thewineceo Website: thewineceo.com Email: Sarah@thewineceo.com

14 Juli 202115min

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a winemaker? You might be surprised that it isn't a glamorous life of fine dining and private jets. In today's episode, I interview Karim Mussi, the winemaker from Altocedro Winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Karim and I discuss the challenges of being a winemaker, life in Mendoza, if winemakers only drink their own wines, and so much more! It's an episode that you don't want to miss, so hit play now to hear from Karim on the beautiful wines of Mendoza and Altocedro. And be sure to check out today's blog post on thewineceo.com for pictures, maps, and other behind the scenes info from today's episode! ---------- How to learn more about Karim Mussi: Website: karimmussi.com Instagram: @karim_mussi Facebook: Altocedro.wines ---------- Where to buy Karim's wines: For locals here in Orlando, check out Tim's Wine Market or ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Otherwise, you can buy altocedro and other wines from Karim on vivino and wine.com You can also ask your local wine shop to order in some of Karim's Wines and they can source them for you! ---------- Thank you to Wash & Wik for sponsoring today's podcast show! Be sure to check out their wine scented candles at washandwik.com and use promo code THEWINECEO for 20% off your order!

7 Juli 202141min

Summer is here and folks all around the US are firing up the grill for July 4th weekend. There are a ton of amazing wines that pair perfectly with barbecue and in Episode #30 of The Wine CEO Podcast I dive into these and so much more! Be sure to hit subscribe now so that you never miss an episode and start listening now! You can also check out my free guide to pairing wine and barbecue at The Wine CEO Blog . It's an awesome tool that summarizes everything from today's show and you can easily save it to your phone for the next time you are shopping.  --------------- Thank you to today's podcast sponsor Wash and Wik. Wash and Wik is an amazing candle and soap company in Orlando, Florida. that makes incredible candles, including a few wine scented ones. Where else can you find a wine scented candle that has been mixed and approved by a certified sommelier?!  Exclusively for The Wine CEO Podcast listeners, Wash and Wik has offered a 20% discount when you use the code THEWINECEO at checkout! Be sure to check them out at washandwik.com Sponsor: Washandwik.com Discount Code for 20% off: THEWINECEO -------------- Instagram: @thewineceo Email: Sarah@thewineceo.com Website: thewineceo.com

30 Juni 202117min

Have you ever wondered what Sommeliers do? What jobs are out there for sommeliers and what does a day in the life look like? In episode 29, I chat with my friend and fellow Certified Sommelier Ariel Bruckner. Ariel has been in the beverage industry for over a decade and has been beverage director for a major Orlando resort with over 17 restaurants and a large convention business. We chat about what it's like to be a female in the industry, how she became a beverage director, and what she drinks regularly! We also discussed the right questions to ask when ordering wine in a restaurant and how to properly send a bottle back. It's an episode that you don't want to miss, so be sure to hit play now to start listening!  Ariel is also co-founder of Wash and Wik, an amazing candle and soap company in Orlando, Florida. They make incredible candles, including a few wine scented. Where else can you find a wine scented candle that has been mixed and approved by a certified sommelier?! Wash and Wik is actually the sponsor of today's show and for The Wine CEO Podcast listeners, Wash and Wik has offered a 20% discount when you use the code THEWINECEO at checkout! Be sure to check them out at washandwik.com Sponsor: Washandwik.com Discount Code for 20% off: THEWINECEO --------------------- Show Notes While recording the show, Ariel and I were drinking Campo Viejo Rosé Cava (around $10 at most grocery stores - sommeliers don't drink fancy wine every night! I promise we're regular people too!) Ariel & I discussed ordering aged wines and how they can taste different from fresh, young wines. For more information on proper aging and how a few years can affect a wine, be sure to check out The Wine CEO Podcast Episode #12, "Is Age Just a Number?". Ariel's go-to wines: 1. Joel Gott: This family of wines tends to range from $12-$20  at most grocery stores. Despite the inexpensive price tag, these wines are really consistent and a perfect pick for a mid week bottle! 2. Chalk Hill: These wines have a large price range with bottles anywhere from $15-$55, but all of them are consistently delicious.

23 Juni 202140min

Navigating work luncheons and dinners can be intimidating. You're networking to get that next promotion, trying to be funny but not too funny, and trying not to spill any food on yourself. Adding alcohol into that equation only makes things more complicated. Is it always okay to drink at a company event? How many glasses is too many when the company is paying? What do you do if the server keeps topping you off, but you're afraid you're getting tipsy? In today's episode I chat about these questions and more to help you feel prepared for your next professional lunch, dinner, happy hour, or company whatever! And be sure to hit subscribe so that you never miss an episode! thewineceo.com Instagram: @thewineceo

16 Juni 202119min

In episode #27 my friend Samantha joins me on the show to chat all about poolside sippers. From rosè and refreshing white wines to light reds and bubbles, we cover it all! We even discuss what glassware and cooling options you have to keep tour pool day simple and care free. You also get a sneak peek into how Samantha set me up with my boyfriend Cris, so it’s an episode you don’t want to miss! Listen now and don’t forget to hit subscribe so that you never miss an episode! ———— Episode Show notes: Great poolside sippers for wine this summer: Rosè: look for lighter colored dry rosè (sugar isn’t quite as refreshing on a hot day, so i usually stay away from sweeter options!) Try one of these: Bertrand Cotes de Rose, Chateau de La Noblesse Rose from Bandol, and Sonoma Cutrer White: I love white wines that are light, crisp, and acidic in the hot summer. So Sauvignon blanc and Albariño are two top picks! Try one of the below wines: Martin Codax Albariño, Burgans Albariño, or Licia Albariño Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (A classic New Zealand SB), Domaine Fournier Sancerre (Sancerre is from France and delicious Sauvignon Blanc!), and Duckhorn SB from California Red: lighter red wines can be a good option on a cooler evening or if you chill the bottle more than normal (45-50F degrees). Look for Gamay, Pinot Noir, from the U.S., or even a Lambrusco. Bubbles: you can’t beat cava. This inexpensive Spanish sparkling wine is made in the same method as champagne for a fraction of the cost! Try one of my favorites below: Villa Conchi Cava Brut, Campo Viejo, or Borrasca If you want to learn more about canned wines, check out my episode #18 HERE.  Tips for poolside wines: Temperatures: A large corkcicle or thermos is great to keep wines cold by the pool! (Keep in mind that a normal sized bottle of wine is 750mL or 25oz.) Don’t add ice or this will water down your wine! Pour wine in small amounts into your glass because the wine will warm up faster in your glass than in the corkcicle. Glassware: If you can’t bring glass to your pool, invest in small insulated thermos cups from corkcicle, yeti, or another company. I love my Rifle Paper Co one HERE. You can also try these plastic reusable stemmed wine glasses that look like real glass from Amazon (I love them and they are great quality!!). I hope today’s episode was helpful! Please write a review if you learned something new and don’t forget to tell your friends about the show!

9 Juni 202123min