Introvert Wine Podcast by Xeniya

🎙️Episode 21: Dry January 🍷

This episode of the Introvert Wine Podcast is a very personal one.

In January, I did Dry January as a wine professional — not to prove a point, not to demonise wine, but out of curiosity. To explore what sobriety and moderation can realistically look like when wine is your job, your passion, and your culture.

In this episode, I talk about:
 🍺 What actually works in the no- and low-alcohol world (spoiler: beers are winning)
🍷 How zero-alcohol wines are made — and why it’s complicated
🧠 Working in wine while sober (yes, possible… but nuanced)
🧩 The mental and psychological side of alcohol in our industry
✨ The very real physical benefits of drinking less

There’s still a lot of scepticism around no/low alcohol — especially in traditional wine countries — but this category is growing fast. From legislation in France and Italy to expanding no/low sections at wine fairs like Wine Paris, it’s clear: this conversation isn’t going away.

This isn’t a manifesto. It’s an experiment, a reflection, and an invitation to think about balance, mindfulness, and adaptability in wine.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you’re navigating Dry January, moderation, or just questioning your relationship with alcohol — you’re not alone.

#IntrovertWinePodcast #DryJanuary #WineProfessional #MindfulDrinking #NoAlcohol #LowAlcohol #WineLife #WinePodcast #Moderation #WineCulture

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🎙️Episode 20: Wine & Health with Mark DeWolf 🍷✨

As 2025 comes to a close, I’m thrilled to share a very special episode of the Introvert Wine Podcast with Mark DeWolf, wine professional, ADHD advocate, and fellow introvert. @dewolfexperiences @halifaxwinefair 

This episode is all about wine & health — and in more ways than one. Between the holiday season’s pressures, deadlines, and the holiday blues, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and think about our wellbeing.

We dive into:
 🌿 Mindful drinking and creating a healthier relationship with wine
 🧠 Mental health and neurodivergence in the wine industry
 🤝 Inclusivity, accessibility, and support in hospitality
 🎯 Year-end reflections on balance, self-care, and wine culture

Mark also shares his personal journey with ADHD and depression, reminding us that if you’re struggling, reaching out and seeking help is always the right step. 💛

For me, this episode has inspired a personal experiment — trying Dry January in the wine world, and exploring what it’s like to work in wine while taking a pause from alcohol.

🎧 Join in now for a thoughtful, honest, and reflective conversation — a perfect listen to close out the year with care and mindfulness.

#IntrovertWinePodcast #Wine&Health #WineandHealth #HealthinWine #MindfulWine #NeurodiversityInWine #ADHDAndWine #ADHD #DryJanuary #WineAndWellbeing #WinePodcast #HolidaySeason #YearEndReflection

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🎙️ Episode 19 : Wine Without Makeup with Filipa Pato 🇵🇹🍷

I’m thrilled to welcome Filipa Pato — one of Bairrada’s most influential voices — to my Introvert Wine Podcast. 🥳 I’m very grateful to her that we were able to sit together and try to squeeze in years of our conversations and exchanges on the topics that are important to both of us! ❤️

🍇 I talk to Filipa about her path to biodynamic winemaking - the why, hows, ups and downs. How intuition, science, and respect for nature shape her “wines without makeup.”

🌿 We also touched upon the old vines - they do seem a mystery yet to be discovered. And Filipa shared the story of Bairrada’s ancient Baga vines — their resilience, their elegance, and why they matter more than ever.

🌍 And, of course, we couldn’t escape the topic of wine, moderation, no safe dose discussion…  Filipa shares her perspective on the place of wine in human culture in the light of the recent UN discussion around “no safe dose,” and why wine is more than just alcohol — it’s heritage, agriculture, and human connection.🤔

This episode is honest, thoughtful, and full of Filipa’s quiet wisdom.❤️ 
Perfect listening for anyone who loves wine with depth, purpose, and a sense of place. 

✨ Tune in on your favourite podcast platform: links are in bio & in stories! 

@filipa_pato

Let’s also not forget the the hero behind the scenes and at least credit William for the picture for the cover (and, of course, for his passion and love) @williamwouters 

#IntrovertWinePodcast #introvertwine #wine #sommelier #travelthewine #podcast #FilipaPato #Bairrada #Baga #BiodynamicWine #AuthenticWine #OldVines #WinePodcast #WineCulture #Wineswithoutmakeup #Portugal #Portuguesewines #Winetourism #Wineeducation 

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Episode 18: Let’s make Rioja great again with Peter Arijs 🇪🇸🍷

Rioja knows how to impress - my first visit to the region was in the fall time, and as soon as I saw all the purple, yellow, orange and dark green shades of the landscape, I fell in love ❤️ 

I tasted Rioja well ahead visiting the region, and my head was full of stereotypes of mature oaked reds.🍷The more time I spent in the region and more winemakers I met, my perception started to shift. But still I wanted to talk about this region and its recent transformations with someone who loves Rioja equally (or maybe even a bit more)!😉 

Peter Arijs is responsible for Education within the Marketing team of Rioja DOCa, you may know him well as the face behind Rioja Academy 🍷 For me Peter is a person who knows every stone and every vine in the region, and I truly admire his passion for Rioja wine, and Spanish wine overall. Of course, I wouldn’t miss a chance to ask him for some blind tasting tips 🔥

If you want to explore the wines from Rioja and join Rioja Academy, follow them on socials @rioja, @riojawine, visit the page and indulge in this great Spanish wine region https://riojawineacademy.com/en/home 💪🏻🔥

Enjoy the episode and also like, share, subscribe to spread the love of wine! 🍷

All links in bio 👌🏻

@peterarijs

#introvertwinepodcast #introvertwine #wine #sommelier #travelthewine #winepodcast #podcast #wineeducation #rioja #riojawine #spanishwine #winetourism

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Episode 17: Wine Tourism with Zhanar Nurlybek ✈️🍷

We live in a funny era, don’t we? While wine consumption is in decline, vineyards are getting pulled out, the wine tourism seems to be growing fast and strong 😅😲

When the pandemic hit (yes, it was 6 years ago, people) we never thought we would travel the same again, without masks or vaccine certificates. But here we are: seeking adventures and memorable experiences more than ever before 🤩💃🏼One of such experiences is definitely wine tourism or gastronomy tourism, if we take a wider approach. 🥂

But what is wine tourism, who are wine tourists, do we travel the same, what do we seek and what do we pay attention to? Is wine tourism the same in Italy and Kazakhstan? What about Spain and Ukraine or France and Georgia? 

I had the best partner in crime: Zhanar has the experience and the knowledge, but also passion and drive to never stop exploring 💪🏻🔥

Enjoy the episode and also like, share, subscribe to spread the love of wine! 🍷

All links in bio 👌🏻

@janarqin

#introvertwinepodcast #introvertwine #wine #sommelier #travelthewine #winepodcast #podcast #wineeducation #winetourism #tourism #tastehunters #experiencetourism #millenials #genz

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Episode 16: Sommellerie in India with Amrita Singh 🍷🇮🇳

A new episode with a talented and passionate wine friend, Amrita Singh, where we speak about where the love for wine can take you and what similarities fashion and retail have in common. Amrita shares her story in wine, that is full of dedication but also has some calculated risks 😉🥂

And, of course, I couldn’t miss this chance to explore the wine world in India - a market that is still appears not fully understood from the outside. Amrita shows with us some trends and insights, and speak about the sommelier profession in the country. An episode not to miss! 🔥🔥🔥

Like, share, subscribe and spread the love of wine! 🍷

All links in bio 👌🏻

@amysingh9 

#introvertwinepodcast #introvertwine #wine #sommelier #travelthewine #winepodcast #podcast #wineeducation #wineinindia #sommellerieinindia #india #indianwine #fashionandwine

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Episode 15: Women in Wine 🍷

Show must go on! We are back for season 2! 🔥 and what a perfect occasion to be back today with an episode on Women in Wine 🍇💃🏼

Happy International Women’s Day! 🥳Celebrate all the amazing women around you, whether they work in wine or not! 🍷

Aside from speaking about the strong, talented and inspiring women in the wine industry, that motivate me every day, let’s also discuss the inconvenient topic of equality, gender bias and harassment 🙄 in a male-dominated industry where alcohol is involved, it has never been easy to be a woman 😤 are we pushing enough for changes to come sooner? 🙄 Tune in and let’s explore the topic in question 💪🏻

Spread the love of wine: like, share & subscribe ❤️ you can also support the podcast by a one-time donation or a monthly subscription 🥂 all the links in bio 🍷 

Welcome to season 2 and stay tuned for what’s to come next! 😉 

#introvertwinepodcast #introvertwine #wine #sommelier #travelthewine #winepodcast #podcast #wineeducation #anotherwinepodcast #womeninwine #womensupportwomen #internationalwomensday

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Episode 14: End of Year Review 🤩 

Yes, it’s that moment of the year when everyone’s sharing their achievements and is making plans for the next year! 😉 even if you are not a fan of this, just deal with it 😂 

In the last episode of 2024 I share the main achievements of Introvert Wine Podcast this season, my personal journey navigating work, start of MW program, being a podcaster and some other things 🥳 

I wouldn’t be myself if I have left you without any geeky educational content! So there’s a bonus part for all of you about PIWIs: some facts, historical background, the trend and the need, my opinion and a few examples. Enjoy! 🤩🍇

Help me to spread the love of wine, like, share & subscribe ❤️ you can also support the podcast by a one-time donation or a monthly subscription 🥂 All the links are in bio 🍷

I’ll see you in 2025, buckle up 🔥

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Episode 13: Future of Spanish Bubbles with Marta Casas 🇪🇸🥂

My love for sparkling wine is infinite 🍾 Paired with my love for Spain it naturally created a topic that is close to my heart - the Spanish bubbles 😍 it’s true that, perhaps, Spanish sparkling wines have lived through very different stages - from the excitement and success of xampany to struggles of cava and creation of Corpinnat as well as Classic Penedès 🤔

Through the eyes of a producer I want to give you an insight of what are the challenges and struggles of Cava now, but also what are the trends and potential it holds - and there is no better person to share her passion and knowledge of the region than Marta Casas, winemaker of Parés Baltà and also Winemaker of the Year 2024 according to Time Atkin 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Like, share, subscribe and spread the love of wine! 🍷

@martacasasjorba @paresbalta

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Episode 12: Art of Negotiations with Claire Berticat 🤝

It is worth the wait, I promise you! 🤩 We take no hostages and dissect everything about negotiations: definitions, stereotypes, strategies, skills, education and a few personal examples 🔥all related to wine, in case you wondered🍷

I have always admired people who know what they are doing when negotiating, since I’ve never considered it to be my strength. 😅 But hey, there’s always room for improvement! 💪🏻 I have asked Claire all the questions you have in mind- what does it take to be good at negotiations, do you have to be an extrovert, do you have to do a masters degree, where to start and what will help you along the way (spoiler- be humble and smile) 🔥🔥🔥 of course, we can’t ignore the stereotypes, and also the fact that we are both female, so that adds some spicy details to our chat 😉

Like, share, subscribe and spread the love of wine! ❤️

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