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

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

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.

Harvest is here, and it’s the most exciting (and exhausting) time of year in wine country. In this episode, sommelier Nick Elliott is taking you behind the cellar door to show you exactly what happens during harvest from when the grapes are picked, crushed, fermented, and eventually transformed into the wines we love.
In this episode:
How winemakers decide the perfect moment to pick grapes
Why vineyard crews often start working at 4:00 AM
The difference between hand-picking and machine-picking
What really goes on during “the crush” and fermentation
Why visiting a winery during harvest is the best time to experience the true heartbeat of wine country
From sticky cellar floors and sleepless nights to the electric energy of fermenting tanks, harvest is chaotic, beautiful, and unforgettable. Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a full-on wine nerd, this episode will give you a new appreciation for the magic inside your glass.
So grab a glass, get ready to sip smarter, and join me as we celebrate harvest season in all its glory.
 
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.

Ever stared at your spice cabinet and thought, “meh”? Same. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Maloney, founder of Spicy Spuds & Other Stuff, whose clean, sodium-free blends prove you don’t need buckets of salt—or a culinary degree—to cook something craveable. We dig into her origin story advocating for her daughter’s health, how she develops versatile blends that work on almost anything, and simple methods for getting dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor.
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S-HUov_RK-k
 
In this episode:
The personal journey that sparked Spicy Spuds—and what “food as medicine” looks like at home
How to build bold flavor without leaning on salt
The role of acid, fat, and technique (hello, marinades and roasting) in fast weeknight meals
Why most store-bought blends taste salty—and how to season smarter
Sourcing, safety, and quality control in spice production
Where clean blends fit in a professional kitchen without stealing a chef’s signature
Lisa’s upcoming chef dinner in Las Vegas and how she’s expanding into retail and distribution
Recipes I demo in this episode:
Smoky Lime Shrimp Skewers using Chipotle Spice (quick marinade with citrus + olive oil; grill or roast) Wine Paring: Dry Riesling or Albariño
Barbecue Bean & Sausage Casserole with Smoky Barbecue (ten-minute prep; oven or slow cooker) Wine Paring: Zinfandel or Rioja Crianza
Tangy Garlic & Onion Potato Salad (herb-packed, picnic-ready) Wine Paring: Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc
Cinnamon Swirl Dessert Nachos with Dessert Spice (crisp tortillas, warm apple topping) Wine Paring: Tawny Port or late-harvest Riesling
Want any of these? DM me on social or email me and I’ll send the step-by-step.
 
Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://spicyspudsandotherstuff.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LisaMaloney-ug3ql
 
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.

What does it really mean when a bottle says organic, biodynamic, sustainable, or natural? Are these just marketing buzzwords, or is there something deeper in your glass?
In this episode I’m breaking down the world of eco-friendly wines and what sustainability truly looks like in viticulture. From farming practices to bottle weight, from moon cycles to carbon-neutral wineries, I’ll help you navigate the labels, the philosophies, and the flavors behind “green” winemaking.
As a former winemaker, I’ve seen firsthand how viticulture affects the land and why more producers are realizing that great wine starts with taking care of the earth. Eco-friendly wine isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional, understanding the story behind the bottle, and knowing that wine can be both delicious and sustainable.
 
In this episode:
Organic wines: what “no synthetic pesticides” means and why sulfites are misunderstood
Biodynamic wines: mystical calendars, self-sustaining vineyards, and why top producers embrace it
Sustainable wines: going beyond farming to fair labor, renewable energy, water conservation, and packaging
Natural wines: low-intervention, unfiltered, sometimes funky, and why they’re more of a mindset than a legal category
Tips for shopping smarter: what certifications to look for, why supporting local wineries matters, and how your wine choices can reduce environmental impact
 
Stay Connected with Nick
Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @the.real.wine.guy
Subscribe to the Pour and Explore newsletter for travel tips, wine pairings, and upcoming tour info: thewineguy.vin
 

Have you ever wanted to make a cocktail at home but felt totally overwhelmed by the bottles in the liquor store? I know that feeling, and that’s why I was so excited to sit down with today’s guest.
I’m joined by Jennifer Brian, the Cocktail Evangelist and founder of Make & Muddle, a Kentucky-based cocktail company on a mission to simplify mixology and help people create drinks they love—without intimidation. Jennifer also has a brand-new book, The Classic Cocktail Revival, which has been over a decade in the making.
Before launching Make & Muddle, Jennifer worked in catering and event planning, and we swapped plenty of “war stories” from those high-pressure, high-connection environments. Now, she brings that same sense of creativity to her mixers—alcohol-free products designed to work with anything from gimlets to margaritas, and even mocktails. She’s also looking ahead with THC- and CBD-ready cocktails for more mindful sipping.
 
In this episode:
Why Amaro is the unsung hero of cocktails
Her favorite bourbon (and the Kentucky distillery you must visit)
How master recipes can turn anyone into a confident cocktail maker
The philosophy behind her new book, The Classic Cocktail Revival
Why she believes every great drink is about creating connection
 
Connect with Jennifer:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocktail_evangelist/
Learn more about her upcoming book: https://makeandmuddle.com/classic-cocktail-revival-cookbook/
 
Stay Connected with Nick
Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @the.real.wine.guy
Subscribe to the Pour and Explore newsletter for travel tips, wine pairings, and upcoming tour info: thewineguy.vin

What happens when bourbon, cigars, comedy, and real talk about life come together? You get The Cracked Skull Podcast—and today, host Corey Allinder joins me on Pour and Explore to share his story.
Corey’s show is part bourbon lounge, part cigar hangout, part comedy night, and part therapy session with your best friends. Alongside his co-hosts Tony and Allen, Corey has built a space where blue-collar stories, belly laughs, and honest conversations about mental health all come together at the bar.
 
In this episode:
The wild story behind the name Cracked Skull Podcast
Corey’s bourbon journey—from bowling alley beers to building a 112+ bottle collection
His favorite affordable pours (and the bottles he’ll never buy again)
Distillery shoutouts in Ohio and Kentucky that have become part of his whiskey family
Cigar picks (and one budget stick so bad, he made a guest put it out mid-smoke)
Why Corey believes podcasting is less about clicks and more about connection
How men’s mental health became a central theme of his show and why just talking it out can make all the difference
 
Connect with The Cracked Skull Podcast
Watch on YouTube: The Cracked Skull Podcast
Follow on Instagram: @crackedskullpodcast
 
Stay Connected with Nick
Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @the.real.wine.guy
Subscribe to the Pour and Explore newsletter for travel tips, wine pairings, and upcoming tour info: thewineguy.vin

If you’ve ever savored a bold Barolo, stumbled over how to pronounce Xinomavro, or wondered why Turkish wine isn’t already on your radar, this episode is for you.
Nick Elliott sits down with Andrea Lemieux, an Italian Wine Scholar, creator of The Quirky Cork, and author of The Essential Guide to Turkish Wine, to uncork the fascinating stories behind two wine worlds she knows best: Italy and Turkey.
Andrea shares how her pandemic wine studies led her deep into Italy’s complex DOC rules, why Turkey’s native grapes like Emir, Kalecik Karası, and Çalkarası deserve global attention, and how she tracked down wineries across a country where alcohol advertising is banned.
 
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
Why Italian wine law is both mind-boggling and beautiful
The must-try Turkish grapes you can find in the U.S.
How Turkey’s winemakers are balancing foreign varietals with native traditions
The food, travel, and cultural experiences that make Turkey unforgettable
Andrea’s top pick for the one Turkish dish you need to try (spoiler: it’s not kebab)
A peek inside her new book, The Quick and Dirty Guide to Greek Wine
From Cappadocia’s volcanic vineyards to hidden gems along the Aegean coast, Andrea’s passion will have you ready to book a flight, fill your glass, and explore the Eastern Mediterranean one sip at a time.
 
Connect with Andrea
Website: thequirkycork.com
Instagram: @quirkycork
YouTube: The Quirky Cork
Her latest book, The Quick and Dirty Guide to Greek Wine, is available now on Amazon: Get it here
 
Stay Connected with Nick
Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @the.real.wine.guy
Subscribe to the Pour and Explore newsletter for travel tips, wine pairings, and upcoming tour info: thewineguy.vin

What do your favorite wines, cheeses, breads, and even kombucha have in common? Fermentation.
In this episode, Nick Elliott pulls back the curtain on the ancient, global, and totally fascinating process of fermentation. From how your favorite bottle of wine gets its start, to the tangy bite of kimchi and creamy smoothness of yogurt, this episode covers the science, culture, and delicious results of fermentation.
In this episode:
The difference between alcoholic, lactic acid, and malolactic fermentation
How yeast and bacteria transform everyday ingredients into bold flavors
Why wine grapes are ideal for fermentation (and how wild vs. commercial yeast changes the game)
His favorite wine and fermented food pairings—like Riesling + kimchi fried rice
How to host your own “fermentation night” dinner party
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a curious cook, or someone who just wants to geek out over sourdough and blue cheese, this episode is for you.
 
Connect with Nick:
Website: thewineguy.vin
Email: cheers@thewineguy.vin
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook: @thewineguy.vin

Ready to swirl, sip, and jet-set through Australia with fellow wine lovers?
Nick Elliott is joined by down with the powerhouse behind Wine Lovers Travel, Gail Sherman, to share all about the Swirl Through Australia tour, a dream journey happening in March 2026. This isn’t your average wine vacation. We’re talking Tasmanian sparkling wines, gourmet seafood cruises, exclusive vineyard visits, wildlife rescues, private performances, and the kind of curated magic that only Gail can create.
 
In this episode:
Why customized wine travel is worth it (and how it goes way beyond river cruises)
Gail’s journey from corporate software sales to luxury wine experiences
How to eat oysters and watch wombat surgery (yes, really)
What makes Australian wine and food culture so uniquely spectacular
The full itinerary and can't-miss highlights of the Swirl Through Australia tour
 
If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping your way through Australia with like-minded explorers, this is your episode. And your sign to come with us!
 
Book your spot on the Swirl Through Australia Tour: Available through August 31, 2025.  Use discount Code WINEGUY and get $200 off per person/$400 per couple
https://wineloverstravel.com/portfolio/swirl-through-australia/
 
Connect with Gail Sherman:
Wine Lovers Travel: https://wineloverstravel.com/
 
Connect with Nick:
Website: thewineguy.vin
Email: cheers@thewineguy.vin
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook: @thewineguy.vin