Resources & Links Access the Oak Aroma Kit PDF, wine examples, and tasting group prompts by signing up for the newsletter at www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us Email Joanne directly at [email protected] to share feedback, questions, or episode ideas.

Episode Summary Welcome to Episode 50 of the Wine Educate Podcast. It’s a milestone week—Joanne just had a birthday, and we’ve reached our 50th episode. To mark the occasion, this episode brings you a fun, practical exercise to help improve your tasting vocabulary, especially for those studying for the WSET Level 3 exam.

Today’s topic is oak aromas and flavors—one of the most commonly underdeveloped sections of student tasting notes. Joanne explains why “oak” is not a sufficient descriptor and walks you through how to build your own Oak Aroma Kit using things you likely already have at home. From vanilla extract and baking spices to chocolate, toast, dill, and even suntan lotion, this is a creative way to get those key aromas into your memory before the exam.

She also shares tips for using your new kit in a tasting group and how to tie these aromas back to real wine examples, including wines that clearly express American oak and French oak.

In This Episode

• Why generic terms like “oak” cost you points on the WSET exam

• A walkthrough of each aroma listed under the Oak cluster in the Level 3 SAT

• How to assemble your own oak aroma kit with household items

• How to turn it into a tasting game with friends or classmates

• Where to find wines that highlight oak character for comparison

• A special listener request: Joanne wants to hear from you

Episode Homework

• Sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter to receive the Oak Aroma Kit PDF

• Gather the kit items from around your house and start practicing

• Share the episode with your tasting group and try the recall game

• Taste and compare a wine that shows clear oak character—American and French

• Email Joanne and let her know what episodes or topics you’ve enjoyed most

Looking Ahead The tasting series continues next week with more exercises to strengthen your sensory memory and build confidence for the exam. Stay tuned, and as always, thank you for being part of the Wine Educate community.

Resources & Links: Join the newsletter to get updates on new episodes, study tips, classes, and travel opportunities. www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us: Email: joanne@wineeducate.com Website: www.wineeducate.com Instagram: @wineeducate

In this episode of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne shares practical advice for one of the most common wine anxiety moments: choosing a bottle at a restaurant. Whether you're a casual enthusiast, a corporate host, or the designated wine person in your friend group (because you took one WSET class!), this episode is for you.

What’s in This Episode:

• Bottles > Glasses (Most of the Time): Why ordering by the bottle is often better for a group—and more economical.

• The Sommelier Is Your Friend: How and why to talk to the som ahead of time if you’re hosting a dinner or corporate meal. They want to help.

• Be Mindful of the Group: Consider that not everyone will drink, and people may be eating different dishes—versatile wines are your friend.

• When the Wine List Is Meh: If the restaurant list is uninspired or hard to navigate, go for tried-and-true options: Champagne or dry rosé from Provence are nearly always solid choices.

• Buy Time Gracefully: Not ready to decide? Order a glass of bubbles while you peruse the list without pressure.

• Value Regions to Know: Rhone and Loire Valley often offer great wines at great prices—look there if you're unsure.

• Final Takeaway: Wine is about enjoyment. Have fun, trust your instincts, and take a chance—you might discover something new.

Thanks for Listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a wine-loving friend. And if you have a question you’d like Joanne to answer on a future episode, just reply to the newsletter or leave a voice message!

Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close dives into the bubbly world of sparkling wine—specifically two production methods you’ll encounter in both WSET exams and your favorite wine shops: the Traditional Method and the Ancestral Method (also known as pét-nat).

You’ll learn:

• The step-by-step process of how Traditional Method wines like Champagne and Cava are made

• How pét-nat wines differ, including their natural fizz and sediment (aka fondo)

• Why Limoux might’ve made sparkling wine before Dom Pérignon (controversial, but fun!)

• Tips on what to buy, how to taste, and what to discuss in your study or tasting group

• What “snow globing” a pét-nat means—and whether you should try it

This episode is part of the Wine Tasting Series: Mini Wine Tastings You Can Do at Home!—a fun, educational way to build your sensory memory and tasting confidence.

Resources & Links:

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter to get the Episode 48 tasting worksheet, wine suggestions, and group discussion prompts

• Learn more about WSET classes with Wine Educate

• Explore upcoming 2026 trips

How to Contact Us:

• Website: www.wineeducate.com

• Email: joanne@wineeducate.com

• Instagram: @wineeducate

Resources & Links

• Sign Up for the Wine Educate newsletter, the best way to get tasting PDFs, class updates, and trip info www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

It’s getting hot out there—and it only takes a few hours of high heat to seriously damage a bottle of wine. In this episode, Joanne explains what heat damage actually does to wine, how you can spot it, and what you can do to protect your bottles at every stage—from delivery trucks to the trunk of your car.

She shares real-world examples from the wine shop (including those dreaded summer deliveries), explains why most wineries won’t ship wine in summer, and offers smart tips for protecting your bottles—including her golden rule: treat wine like you would a side of salmon.

Whether you're a wine student, a collector, or just picking up a few bottles for dinner, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Topics Covered

• What heat damage does to wine (flavor, structure, and cork integrity)

• How quickly heat damage can happen (hint: hours, not days)

• What to look for when receiving wine shipments or shopping retail

• Why wineries pause shipping in summer

• How to safely transport wine in a hot car

• Tips for storage, delivery tracking, and protecting your wine year-round

In this episode, we’re focusing on a simple, sensory-rich exercise: exploring the aromas and flavors of apples and how they show up in wine. This is a foundational tasting skill for both students and casual tasters—green apple, yellow apple, and red apple skin are aroma notes that show up constantly in WSET assessments and real-world wine descriptions.

Whether you're preparing for your WSET Level 3 exam or just want to sharpen your sensory recall, this exercise is for you.

• Why apple aromas are so common in wine (and what influences them)

• How to set up a simple at-home tasting using three apples: green, yellow, and red

• Suggested wine styles that correspond to each apple profile

• A blind tasting method to improve your aroma recognition

• How to log flavor memory and build your personal sensory “data bank”

• Green Apple: Granny Smith

• Yellow Apple: Golden Delicious

• Red Apple: Gala, Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious

• Green Apple Wines: Chablis, NZ Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne (Blanc de Blancs), cool-climate Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner

• Yellow Apple Wines: Warmer-climate Chardonnay (California, Mâcon, southern Burgundy), Alsace Pinot Gris, Viognier

• Red Apple Skin Wines: Cru Beaujolais (Gamay), Pinot Noir, Grenache/Garnacha

To get the downloadable setup guide for this tasting, join the newsletter  www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

• Resources & PDFs: Included in every Tuesday newsletter this summer

• Classes & Trips: You'll find updates on WSET offerings and our 2026 wine trips inside the newsletter

• Have a Question? Just hit reply. The emails come from me directly and I love hearing from you!

Resources & Links:

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter to access free PDFs from the Taste This! series, including setup instructions for each tasting activity: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us: Got a question or topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Send me an email [email protected] I’d love to hear from you!

Episode Overview: Today we’re talking about aroma kits—what they are, how they work, and whether you need one if you're studying for your WSET exams or simply trying to get better at smelling wine.

A listener question from Christine in Bergen, Norway inspired this week’s episode (thank you, Christine!). We'll explore popular aroma kits like Le Nez du Vin, look at their pros and cons, and I’ll share my honest thoughts after revisiting both a brand-new kit and one that's over a decade old.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between wine tasting kits and aroma kits

• How long aroma kits last—and what happens over time

• Why the Le Nez du Vin kit is so popular with students and educators

• What to consider before investing (spoiler: they’re pricey!)

• How to train your nose using everyday items around the house

Plus, I’ll give you some practical ideas for building your own “aroma memory bank” using spices, fruit, flowers, and more. Spoiler: your spice drawer might be more powerful than you think.

Key Takeaway: These kits are beautiful and helpful—but not essential. You already have a powerful tool: your own sense of smell. Training it just takes intention and practice.

If you're enjoying this summer series, don’t forget to subscribe and join our newsletter list for all the free materials mentioned on the show.

Resources & Links – Get the free PDF tasting guide: www.wineeducate.com/tea – Listen to Episode 9: How to Set Up Your Tasting Environment – Listen to Episode 18: What Is Tannin and Why Does It Matter?

How to Contact Us Have a question or want to share how your tasting went? Just hit reply to the newsletter or email [email protected]. Follow along on Instagram or Threads: @wineeducate

Episode Summary Welcome to the first installment of Taste This!, a new DIY mini wine tasting series released every Tuesday throughout the summer. In this episode, Joanne introduces the series and walks listeners through a hands-on tasting exercise designed to explore tannin—that drying sensation in wine that comes from grape skins, seeds, and oak.

You’ll learn how to prepare for your tasting using black tea and how to source three different red wines that represent low, medium, and high tannin levels. Whether you're tasting on your own or with friends, this is an approachable, practical way to build confidence in your palate and learn by doing.

In this episode: – Why understanding tannin matters for wine students and enthusiasts – How to create a tea-based tasting to feel tannin in a controlled way – Suggested wine styles for each tannin level – How to use this tasting as a starting point for building your own tasting group – Tips for talking to your local bottle shop to source wines – Group discussion prompts to deepen the learning

Don’t forget: Download the free PDF guide that includes supply lists, setup instructions, and group prompts at www.wineeducate.com/tea.

Resources & Links Join the newsletter to stay in the loop about classes, podcast extras, and upcoming wine trips: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us Questions or episode ideas? Email Joanne at [email protected]

Show Notes

It’s summer—WSET Level 3 exams are done, school’s winding down, and it’s time to shift gears. In this episode, Joanne kicks off a new tasting-focused series with something fun and foundational: how to start your own wine tasting group, and why organizing your group around a theme makes it more meaningful (and more fun).

Joanne shares stories from her early wine days in Brooklyn, creative ideas for tasting themes, and encouragement for anyone who’s curious but hesitant. You don’t need to be a wine expert to start a group—you just need a few bottles, a theme, and people who are up for learning (or sipping) together.

In this episode:

• The value of tasting with a group—even if it’s casual

• Classic themes: grape variety, region, winemaking style

• Creative ideas: • Wine & junk food pairings • Wine & poetry • Wine book club (bring what your favorite character would drink)

• How to build consistency into your group (without stressing over scheduling)

• Why summer is the perfect time to explore your palate and have a little fun

This episode is the first in a multi-part series on tasting exercises you can do with your group, a friend, or even solo. Each one is designed to be affordable, accessible, and educational—no pretension required.

Subscribe wherever you listen so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

Resources & Links Join the newsletter to stay in the loop about classes, podcast extras, and upcoming wine trips: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

How to Contact Us Questions or episode ideas? Email Joanne at [email protected] 

Show Notes

In this episode, Joanne breaks down the do’s and don’ts of blind tasting—from how to set up a supportive, productive tasting group to why it matters for both students and enthusiasts. Whether you’re preparing for the WSET exam or just curious about what’s really in your glass, blind tasting sharpens your skills and challenges your assumptions.

You’ll learn how to create the right environment for learning (no “winesplaining” allowed), what makes a good blind tasting wine, and how to organize a group that’s more about insight than intimidation.

Topics covered include:

• The benefits of blind tasting: skill-building, unbiased evaluation, and surprise insights

• Ideal group size and setup tips (hint: 6–8 people is the sweet spot)

• Why everyone should taste the same bottle and use the same glassware

• How to avoid “winesplaining” and foster a more welcoming atmosphere

• Real examples of how blind tasting can challenge expectations (hello, lower-acid Chablis!)

• How we incorporate blind tasting into the Indie Wine Society in New Orleans

If you’ve ever felt unsure about joining a blind tasting—or wanted to make your own more effective—this episode will help you reframe the practice as something thoughtful, fun, and confidence-building.

Next episode, Joanne will share different ways to structure tasting groups and exercises you can use to make the most of your practice.

Subscribe to the newsletter at www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup to stay updated on future episodes, WSET resources, and upcoming 2026 wine trips.

Resources & Links Join the newsletter to stay in the loop about classes, podcast extras, and upcoming wine trips: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup 

How to Contact Us

Questions or episode ideas? Email Joanne at [email protected]

Show Notes

In this episode, Joanne walks you through how to get the most out of a wine trade tasting—whether you’re a buyer, a wine student, or just someone eager to connect more deeply with producers and their wines.

You’ll learn why trade tastings aren’t just for industry pros, what to bring (yes, bring your own spit cup), and how to prepare ahead of time so you don’t end up overwhelmed by a sea of bottles and missed opportunities. Joanne shares real stories, including one from her early days in New York, to show why a plan matters—and how better questions can lead to better connections.

Topics covered include:

• Why trade tastings are valuable for WSET students

• How to prepare before you arrive (research, goal-setting, and more)

• Tips for what to bring with you, from spit cups to clipboards

• How to time your arrival depending on your tasting goals

• The importance of professionalism and respecting producers’ time

• How to organize your notes and track what you’ve tasted

Whether you’re hoping to taste a special bottle, connect with a winemaker, or just sharpen your skills, this episode will help you make the most of every tasting room opportunity.

Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter at wineeducate.com for updates on new classes and our 2026 wine travel experiences.