Pour & Explore: Wine, Food & Travel Stories from Around The World

Drink What You Like: Breaking the Rules of Wine with Secret Lives of Sommeliers

In the wine world, it’s easy to get caught up in the "gated" feeling of unwritten rules and social anxiety. But here at Pour & Explore, our mantra is simple: Drink what you like. We believe wine is just fermented grape juice meant to be fun, and it's time to leave the snobbery at the door.
In this episode, host Nick sits down with Sage Toomey and Lucrezio, the duo behind the podcast Secret Lives of Sommeliers. They pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the scenes in the industry, from "exploding" service disasters to the art of the career pivot.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
The "Secret" Origin: How a podcast idea born at a bar turned into a platform for a younger, more laid-back generation of wine professionals.
The Great Career Pivot: Lucrezio and Sage share their journeys from engineering and other fields into the "universe of wine," proving it’s never too early or late to find work you love.
Service Horror Stories: A graduation season mishap involving high-end champagne and an accidental "explosion."
Predicting the Pour: Why Sage can often predict a customer's order within 10 seconds based on demographics alone.
Dismantling Wine Snobbery: Why being a "nice person" and using tangible analogies—like comparing wine styles to Coke, Sprite, or Capri Sun—is more effective than using "educated tannins" as a descriptor.
The "Ground-to-Glass" Connection: Nick reflects on his own journey from culinary school to planting vineyards and how that "sweat equity" informs his "no-snobbery" policy.
Food, Wine, & Travel Highlights
The Ultimate Pairing: Lucrezio describes a "duck carnitas chimichanga" with cherry pecan mole, paired perfectly with a chilled Chilean País.
Travel Hacks: Why you should always make reservations (especially in France) and why having a local "friend with a French phone number" is a game-changer.
Destination Spotlight: The accessibility of Oregon wine country and the "royalty" treatment found during car tours in Champagne, France.
The Lightning Round
Orange Wine: A resounding "Yay."
Worst Descriptors: "Afterbirth" and "Sweaty gym socks."
Favorite New Term: Nick’s new favorite descriptor: "Antique Store."
Daily Drink: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or Provence Rosé.
Trends That Should Die: The "scam" of sulfite sticks and the misunderstanding surrounding "natural" wine.
"You won't just drink wine; you'll understand it. It transforms you from a passive consumer into an active storyteller at your own dinner parties." — Nick Elliott, The Wine Guy
Connect with Our Guests
Secret Lives of Sommeliers:
YouTube: @SecretLivesofSommeliers
Email: secretlivesofsommeliers@gmail.com
Follow Sage Toomey:
Instagram: @sage_toomey
TikTok: @sage_toomey
Follow Lucrezio:
Instagram: @lucreziooo
TikTok: @lucreziooo

Wine Faux Pas: What Really Matters (and What Absolutely Doesn’t)

Stop worrying about whether you’re holding your glass "the right way." In this episode, Nick Elliott (The Wine Guy) tears down the velvet ropes of wine culture. We’re separating the "rules" that actually help your wine taste better from the ones that are absolute BS. From the ice cube debate to restaurant anxiety, this is your permission slip to drink what you like, how you like it.
The Myth of "Doing it Wrong": Why your palate is the only critic that matters.
Glassware & Temperature: The two technical things that actually change your experience.
The Ice Cube Incident: Why chilling your Chardonnay isn't a crime
Please subscribe to my new Substack Newsletter! https://nickthewineguy.substack.com/p/why-comfort-food-is-the-ultimate

Small Towns, Big Dates, and Budget-Friendly Escapes!

🍷 Small Towns, Big Dates, and Budget-Friendly Escapes!
Ready to ditch the tourist traps and find the heart of America? 🇺🇸 In our latest episode, I’m sitting down with Crystal Statskey, the creative mastermind behind Dates in the States. From a five-week "make or break" road trip in a Mustang to becoming a self-published author, Crystal’s journey is all about intentional travel and finding hidden gems.
In this episode, we dive into:
🏙️ The "Must-See" US Trio: Crystal’s top picks for falling in love with the US in just three days (New Orleans is a non-negotiable!).
🏡 The $220 Travel Hack: How she stayed in Costa Rica for eight days for free using home swapping.
🥨 Quirky Festivals: From Lilac-flavored gin in Rochester to the "Pickle Capital" of the world.
📚 Mystery Date Books: How Crystal turned her travel blog into a successful series of self-published date-night guides.
Pro Tip from the Episode: If you want to eat like a local and save your budget, talk to the people who live there—and don’t be afraid to cook breakfast in your Airbnb!
 
 
 
📝 Show Notes & Resources
Explore Crystal’s Guides: Mystery Date Books on Etsy
Travel Like a Local: Dates in the States Official Site
Budget Tools Mentioned:
HomeExchange: Stay with locals worldwide.
Flashfood: Save on groceries while on the road.
Travel App Deep Dive: Watch Crystal’s YouTube breakdown.
 
👇 Join the Adventure!
We want to see where you're headed next! Follow us both on social media for daily travel inspiration, small-town highlights, and the best wine-country secrets.
Follow Crystal Statskey: @DatesInTheStates
Follow The Wine Guy: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.wine.guy/#

Comfort Food from Around the Globe: History, Heritage & A Warm Hug

In this episode of Pour & Explore, we aren't chasing Michelin stars or exotic luxury; we are chasing comfort. Join us as we take a culinary tour of four regions—the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America—to uncover the stories behind the dishes that wrap around us like a warm blanket. We explore how comfort food is defined differently by culture, geography, and history, yet always leads back to memory and resilience.
In This Episode, You’ll Explore:
United States: The Language of Leftovers
How American comfort food reflects resilience and stretching ingredients.
The history of Mac & Cheese, tracing back to Thomas Jefferson and enslaved chefs.
The origins of Fried Chicken and the blend of Mexican spices and cowboy practicality found in Chili.
Europe: Old World Nourishment
Dishes born from peasant traditions that used every scrap, like Shepherd's Pie (leftover meat and potatoes).
How Pizza started as a food for the poor in Naples.
The transformation of tough ingredients into delicacies, like the French Coq au Vin ("rooster with wine").
Asia: Balance & Bowls
Foods that center around broths, rice, and noodles to soothe the spirit.
The evolution of Ramen from student food to art form.
The healing nature of Congee (rice porridge) and the protein-rich tradition of Indian Dal.
Latin America: Hearty & Celebratory
Comfort food as a communal identity tied to family gatherings.
The history of Tamales (ancient Aztec food), Feijoada (Brazil's national dish born from scraps), and the daily staple of Arepas.
Resources Mentioned:
Free Download: Comfort Foods Around the World & Wine Pairings Guide – A curated list of the dishes discussed in this episode paired with recommended wines to make them shine. Click the link for access: https://www.thewineguy.vin/downloads
Memorable Quote: "Comfort food is never just about the ingredients. It’s about memory, family, resilience, and culture."

Nourish & Explore: Finding Peace with Your Plate on the Road

On this episode of Pour & Explore, we sit down with Shelly Najjar, a Nutrition Mindset Coach and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. We move beyond calorie counting to discuss the sensory experience of eating and how to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. Shelly breaks down the "All Foods Fit" philosophy, explains the biological reaction to different macronutrients, and offers practical tips for maintaining mindfulness while traveling. Whether you are a "foodie" documenting every meal or someone looking to break free from food guilt, this conversation is packed with nourishing insights.
 
Key Takeaways:
The "All Foods Fit" Philosophy: Shelly explains that there are no morally "good" or "bad" foods. While a carrot and carrot cake digest differently, choosing one over the other doesn't make you a better or worse person.
The Purple Elephant Effect: Shelly uses a "purple elephant" analogy to demonstrate how trying not to think about a forbidden food (restriction) actually makes you obsess over it more.
Eating with Your Senses: Satisfaction comes from more than just taste. Visuals, textures, and even the environment play a huge role in how satisfied we feel after a meal.
Travel Nutrition Tips: Maintaining routine on the road is hard. Shelly suggests packing snacks like trail mix to avoid sugar crashes and focusing on "satisfaction" when dining out in new places.
Biology 101: We discuss the physiological difference between eating a doughnut (carbs/fats) versus nuts (protein/fats) and why pairing carbs with protein helps prevent energy slumps.
Guest Bio: Shelly Najjar is a Nutrition Mindset Coach who helps people care for themselves and fully enjoy their lives while reaching their goals. She draws on thousands of hours of training as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, holding a Master's degree in Public Health Nutrition. Her specialty is addressing the "why" and "how" we eat, blending mindset with practical tips to make nutrition and self-care easier.
 
Links & Resources:
Website: ConfidentNutritionNow.com
Instagram: @confidentnutritiontravels
Facebook: Confident Nutrition with Shelly Najjar
YouTube: Shelly Najjar
 
Memorable Quote:
"One, you're not alone... and two, that usually happens because of restriction. That out of control feeling is very common. It's not your fault." — Shelly Najjar
 
 
 

Cooking Classes Abroad, Local Markets & Travel Photography Hacks

On this episode of Pour & Explore, we step out of the restaurant and into the kitchen. We are joined by podcaster, photographer, and avid traveler Lorraine Ball to discuss her tradition of taking cooking classes around the world. From the intimate home kitchens of Paris to making "banitsa" in Bulgaria, Lorraine shares why cooking is the ultimate way to understand a new culture. We also geek out over wine (specifically why you might be wrong about Chardonnay), share tips for visiting local markets, and discuss how to capture better travel photos with just your smartphone.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The "Day 1" Rule: Why Lorraine always schedules her cooking classes for the very first day of a trip (and why you should too).
Read the Menu: How to avoid disappointment by checking the fine print—if you don't like fish stew, don't book the standard Portuguese class!
Market Magic: The difference between visiting the famous "tourist" markets (like in Florence) vs. the hidden neighborhood gems.
Wine Revelations: A story from Austria that challenges the "I hate Chardonnay" mindset and the debate between American Oak vs. Stainless Steel.
Mobile Photography Tips: How to transition from a bulky camera to a smartphone without losing quality, plus the one app Lorraine swears by for editing on the go.
Resources & Mentions:
App Mentioned: Snapseed (for photo editing).
Book Mentioned: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.
Guest’s Podcast: More Than a Few Words (Marketing conversations for business owners).
Memorable Quote:
"You don't like fish stew? Maybe you shouldn't go to the fish stew class... Reading the details is really important." — Lorraine Ball

One Dish, Many Stories: How A Single Culinary Idea Turns Global

Food is history, and a dish you love might have traveled centuries and crossed continents to land on your plate. In this episode of Pour & Explore, we dive into the incredible, universal stories of three comfort dishes—dumplings, noodles, and meat pies—and trace how they've been adapted across the globe. From Chinese Jiaozi and Polish Pierogi to Italian Pasta and Vietnamese Pho, these simple foods carry the flavors of migration, resourcefulness, and tradition. You’ll never look at a bowl of ramen or a handheld meat pie the same way again.Key Segments:
The Travel-Ready Plate: Why simple comfort food becomes a global phenomenon.
Dumplings: Little Pockets of History: A tour of the world’s favorite filled dough—including ravioli, empanadas, and chicken & dumplings.
Noodles: The Threads That Connect Us: Tracing the journey of the world’s most versatile starch, from Chinese la mian to Japanese ramen and German spätzle.
Meat Pies: Handheld History: How a practical, simple meal became a national obsession in places like Australia, the UK (Cornish Pasties), and the Caribbean (Jamaican Patties).
The Final Bite: What these dishes tell us about our shared human instinct for comfort and connection.
The Host's Challenge:This week, pick one dish (dumplings, noodles, or meat pies) and try it from a culture you haven't experienced before. As you eat it, reflect on the incredible journey that dish has taken and comment here!Connect with The Wine Guy:Want more food, wine, and travel stories?
Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn: https://www.tiktok.com/@realwineguy, https://www.instagram.com/the.real.wine.guy/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewineguynte/, 
Listen to more episodes of Pour & Explore wherever you get your podcasts!

Next Gen Wino: Redefining Wine for Millennials & Gen Z, Katina Burke

Think wine country is all velvet ropes and $175 dinners? Katina Burke is building the opposite—authentic, affordable, actually fun wine trips designed for Millennials and Gen Z.
 
Nick Elliott, The Wine Guy, sits down with Katina Burke, founder of Next Gen Wino, a new platform + white-glove travel service connecting younger wine lovers with welcoming tasting rooms, small producers, and real-deal experiences (not just the glossy postcard stops). They dig into why younger drinkers do love wine—when it’s presented differently—and how curated, people-first itineraries can turn “wine-curious” into lifelong fans.
 
What You’ll Learn
How Next Gen Wino curates wineries with great vibes, kind staff, and crushable wines—no intimidation required.
Why the same 3–4 “influencer” wineries aren’t the best intro to a region—and where the hidden gems live.
The simple pre-trip tasting that boosts confidence before you hit wine country.
Smart swaps for Sauvignon Blanc fans (think Albariño, Vermentino, un-oaked Chardonnay).
Two travel recs Katina can’t stop raving about: Buenos Aires/Mendoza and Sicily/Etna.
 
Connect with Next Gen Wino:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextgenwino
Website: https://www.nextgenwino.com
 
Connect with Nick:
Website + Tastings: thewineguy.vin
Email: cheers@thewineguy.vin
Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @thewineguyvin

Worth the Wait: A Guide to Aging Wine (Even Without a Cellar)

Ever wonder why some wines get better with time while others fall flat? In this episode of Pour and Explore, certified sommelier and former winemaker Nick Elliott breaks down the art—and science—of aging wine. You’ll learn which bottles are worth saving, how to store them without a fancy cellar, and how to know when they’re ready to pop.
Nick explains what’s actually happening inside the bottle as it ages, why acidity and tannin matter, and which wines (like Cabernet, Barolo, and Riesling) evolve beautifully over time. He also shares a few that are better enjoyed young—looking at you, rosé—and how to store bottles properly in a closet, cabinet, or budget-friendly wine fridge.
You’ll even get tips for tasting aged wines, pairing them with food, and avoiding common storage mistakes. Whether you’re a collector or a casual sipper, this episode will help you age wine with confidence—and enjoy it when it’s just right.
In this episode:
Which wines are built to age
What happens inside the bottle over time
Simple storage rules (no cellar required)
When to open that special bottle
Connect with Nick:
Website + Tastings: thewineguy.vin
Email: cheers@thewineguy.vin
Instagram | TikTok | Facebook: @thewineguyvin

Curiosity, Connection, and a Glass (or two) of Wine with Ron Higgs

New to wine or just tired of feeling intimidated by tasting rooms? This one’s for you.
I’m joined by Ron Higgs, Navy veteran, systems engineer, craft-beer lover turned wine volunteer, who went from “I can’t drink wine without making a face” to seven years pouring in a boutique Woodinville winery.
We trace his journey from Monterey (where both of our palates woke up) to Santa Rosa/Healdsburg weekends and Washington wine country, and we share exactly how to start exploring wine without the fuss.
 
In this episode:
How a non-wine drinker became a tasting-room regular—and then a volunteer
Monterey memories: the first “aha” sip and why starting light works
Sonoma & Santa Rosa highlights: seeking small, boutique producers over big names
Woodinville 101: what makes Washington’s tasting rooms special
“Co-opetition” in wine: how small wineries share gear, knowledge, and customers
A practical script for walking into your first tasting room with confidence
Why travel changes your palate—and how to use that to find wines you love
 
Connect with me:
Questions, ideas, or a favorite pairing to share? Email me at cheers@thewineguy.vin or find all my links at thewineguy.vin. If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow Pour and Explore, rate the show, and share it with a friend who loves to cook and travel.