The Secret to Drinking Amazing Wine Forever with Tyler Balliet (Part 2)

Are you tired of feeling lost when choosing wine at a restaurant? Wish you had a sommelier’s secret to finding the perfect glass? Well, we are going to find out the one question Tyler Balliet swears by to uncover hidden gems on any wine list. 

Today is part 2 of my chat with Tyler and we are diving into why understanding the story and culture behind each wine region is just as important as knowing the grape varieties or tasting notes. We’re also digging into lesser known wine regions like Michigan, Colorado and Nebraska.

And best of all, Tyler explains her genius wine team strategy that will help you get the best wine for your pallet and the best bargain for your budget. Plus, she shares an insider tip on the one question you should ask a sommelier if you want something delicious, different and usually pretty affordable.

So, if you are ready to step up your wine game, connect with stories and people behind the bottle and build your own wine team, then today’s episode is for you!

This is part 2 of my chat with Tyler. If you missed part one, head back to episode 102 where we talked about the inspiration behind Rebel School of Wine, what’s wrong with how wine is being taught and what wine is really about.

Connect with Tyler

Website: https://rebelschoolofwine.com/

Instagram: @tylerballiet

Instagram: @rebelschoolofwine 

Resources

Go to rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code CORKANDFIZZ to get a signed copy of Tyler’s book and a free pack of wine stickers for only $30. That's $15 off.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of cultural context in wine

• Exploring lesser-known wine region in the US

• Notable regions outside of the US

• Importance of supporting emerging wine regions to help them thrive

• How to build your wine team

• Insider questions for Sommeliers

• The secret question to ask a Sommelier

• How to discover unique, reasonably priced bottles of wine

Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide! - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!

The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!

https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - hailey@corkandfizz.com

Transcript

0:09

Interested in learning about wine, but not sure where to start? You're in the right place. Welcome to the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine podcast. I'm your host, Haley Bullman, and I'm so glad you're here. I'm a wine enthusiast turned wine educator and founder of the Seattle based wine tasting business Cork and Fizz. It is my goal to build your confidence in wine by making it approachable and lots of fun. You can expect to learn everything from how to describe your favorite wine to what to pair with dinner tonight and so much more. Whether you're a casual wine sipper or a total cork dork like myself, this podcast is for you. So, grab yourself a glass and let's dive in! Hello, and welcome back to the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast. Today, you'll be listening to part two of my interview with Tyler Balliet. And if you haven't heard part one, I highly recommend hitting pause on this episode and going to listen to episode one zero two first, the one just before this one. As a reminder, Tyler is an entrepreneur and journalist who's been reshaping how people experience wine since 02/2006. She cofounded Rose Mansion, a massive Rose themed wine playground in New York City that drew 225,000 visitors, and Wine Riot, a touring wine festival with a 50,000 attendees. She's also named to Inc. Magazine's thirty under thirty and wine enthusiasts forty under forty. She's been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, and the New York Times, and now, of course, the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine podcast. Her new book, Rebel School of Wine is a bold, visually driven manifesto for a new generation of wine drinkers. In this episode, we'll talk more about why it's important to talk about the whole story of each wine region and not just a wine's traits. We'll get to know a fairly unknown wine region or maybe a couple, that you should keep an eye out for and how to build your wine team to drink amazing wine forever. Oh, and I also share a little tidbit. One of my favorite bits of the book. There's a secret, not a secret, really. She tells us all. It's a real it's a question that she has been spending like the last fifteen years putting together, like what question you should ask the sommelier at a restaurant to drink really good wine. So I share that later on. And if you want to win a copy of Tyler's new book, Rebel School of Wine, head to my Instagram and find the post talking about this episode. There you'll find instructions for how to enter the giveaway. Giveaway ends on 05/14/2025. Okay. Let's get into it. I wanna go back to something we talked a little bit about earlier with this idea that, like, culture is important to understand surrounding wine. And and it seems like, you know, as I'm reading your book, I it's clear that, like, you're like, wine is not made in a vacuum. You know, just learning about its traits, where it's grown, it's not enough. Like, we need to learn the story behind each region. And, I loved one example in here is, like, the, typical schedule or an example schedule of a Spaniard, you know, a 30 Spaniard. And it's funny because I'm reading that and I'm like, yep, I relate. I studied abroad for a couple of months in Spain. Yeah. I'm like, that is definitely it, and you understand how wine becomes a part of their life. But can you tell us a little bit more about why, yeah, you think the culture and and putting little things like that in the book were so important? Yeah. So, again, I really believe that if you wanna understand wine, you have to understand the people. And you have to understand why they make this and how it came to be and why they still drink it. And so I wanted to make sure that every single country had I wanted people that lived in those places to read it and be like, how did you know that? And I'm lucky enough that I've gotten to travel a lot in my life, and then I have a lot of friends that are from a lot of different places. You know? Like, how in Australia, the wines that they drink in Australia are very different than the wines they export to us here in The US. They have export wines. They have the wines that they drink. And in Australia, they have all these great fresh produce and all, like, these meats and seafoods, and they're so close to Asia. And so they're they have this style of cooking that is very, like, Asian fusion because they have all these people from all over Asia, and then they have all these amazing ingredients. You smash that all together, and you're just as likely to get a fork at a restaurant as you are chopsticks. And then the wines that they drink match that. They're light. They're crisp. They're clean. And Wait. You mean they don't just drink, like, heavy, big, bold Shiraz all the time? They export that. That's for us. You know? That's for The UK, and that's for us. And, yeah, they have them, but that's not what they're drinking. You know? And with Spain, you know, like, you go to the bar five times a day, which I was like, oh, how do I live here? Like, what am I doing with my life? And then I got to go to Spain with my friend who's a wine like, he's a owns a large wine import company, and I was like, what am I doing? Like, but, yeah, you find out that these wines are made this way because they're having them with these salty little snacks. And they have to be lower alcohol because they're gonna have little sips here and there all day. You know? I don't know know anybody gets anything done, but, you know. I really thought that too when I was, like, when I was in Spain, they're like, yeah. We all take, like, a little siesta around, like, three. You know? We have a massive lunch at, like,

03: 5:38

00 and then take a siesta after that. And I'm like, so do you go back to work? Do you not? And then it's like and then we go out and we party and, like, I mean, and dinner isn't until at least I mean, I stayed with an older woman, so we had early dinner at

09: 5:52

30PM. But Early Burton special. I know. Right? I was like, what is this? But it is it is fun to know and and think about, like you said, that, like, yeah, their their wines can't be super heavy, super that because they're and then that's also doesn't match their food. You know, when I went there and I was like, it's potatoes and then salty like ham, cheese, you know, that's kind but it's all very fresh and very, very, you know, maybe fried. There is a lot of fried stuff, but I still want something light to go with it. But they'll take some anchovies. It'll just be Yeah. Anchovy and some olive oil and some salt, and that's it. You know? Or like a shrimp. It's just a shrimp, some olive oil, and some salt, and that's it. They don't do anything to it. It's simple. You know? Yes. Yes. And the wine should match that. It should be simple. Simple to match, and it always wants to match. Lot of it and a lot of it. Because that's, you know, that's why they make so much cava, and that's why it has to be so cheap is because they just drink so much of it. You know? And it that's where the economics comes in too is you have to look at, like, okay. Is this an import market, export market? Where's this wine going? Who's it going to? Who's using who's drinking it? Why are they drinking it? How are they drinking it? You know? Yes. Just a quick reminder. You are not on my mailing list yet. What are you waiting for? I would love for you to join. When you do, you'll get a free shopping guide that has 15 of my favorite wines under $15. Head to korkandfizz.com, scroll down to the bottom, and there'll be a little section where you can join the mailing list. I send out a weekly newsletter filled with wine tips, recommendations, special offers, and so much more. Now let's get back to the show. I I totally agree. And talking about the regions, I don't think I've come across the book, even the wine bible that has as many regions as you cover. What I mean, just in The US, there was, like, mention of Mhmm. Pennsylvania, Virginia, which I feel like should be, like, given more attention in places. What else did we have? Michigan. And then outside of The US, there was Uruguay, Mexico, Canada. Mhmm. So just for fun, I felt like this would be a fun thing for the show. Tell us about an unknown wine region that you think deserves more attention and why. So I think you kind of hit on it. Right? I, absolutely obsessed with US wineries from sea to shining sea. You know? All 50 states make wine. All 50 states have wineries, and there's really cool wine in almost all of them. I've I've been trying to try wines from as many different states as I possibly can and get them. And I think what people forget, right, is they're like, oh, you can't make good wine in Nebraska. I actually had a great Southern New Blanc from Nebraska. And fifty years ago, right, if you said you made wine in California, people laughed at you. They were like, they're not possible. Like, you're just being an idiot. And it takes a while to develop a wine region. It takes money to develop a wine region. And but you can it's happening. Right? Like, after prohibition, FDR wanted to create a regional system like France and have the US government fund it. Right? And so, basically, they were they were funding schools, and they were funding like, wine schools like in France, and they were gonna fund these farms that could experiment in different regions and figure out which grapes grew best. But then part of the ending of prohibition deal is, like, the Republicans killed it and said no money in federal dollars will ever go to US. You know? And so why is France number one? Well, part of the reason is that they spend a hundred million dollars every single year on marketing French wine. The government does. Right? Every ten years, they have an initiative to spend a billion dollars on marketing and PR just alone. And so it's a big huge investment. We don't have that here in The US, but yet we have such cool ones. Arizona. Like, Arizona has some really cool stuff going on. Check that out. I would say Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, like Traverse City makes wrestling. They've been doing it for since '19, like the seventies. Like they've been making exceptional, exceptional Riesling since the seventies. I have a friend in Massachusetts that makes killer sparkling wine. Where else? Regional wine. Ohio has some interesting wines. There's some places. Oh, Colorado. So Yes. Yes. I found it Colorado. Junction, Colorado. Like, I was blown away. I was really, really blown away. And, yeah, they cost a lot of money and they aren't maybe at the price per dollar, but you're supporting the region and you're helping it get there. Without support, it will never get there, you know, because they don't have government money like France, Spain, Italy, or any of these other countries. Yeah. No. I totally agree. There was a I interviewed some winemakers. They're called the Storm Cellar in in Colorado, and they they make white and rose and sparkling. And that's their focus because that's what Colorado in their area does best. And, oh my god, those wines are so so and they're actually, like, for me, reasonable. I know pricing is different for everybody, but for me, they were, like,$30. So, like Yeah. Totally reasonable. I just meant, like, the price to quality ratio. No. That's fair. You can go to Spain and get a bottle. Yeah. We just have to, like, Europe's in its own world. But you're you're supporting local. It's it's like buying it's like going to the farmer's market or it's like, you know, we need to build these regions. And if we want these in the future, we can support them this way. You know? Yes. No. I totally agree. Okay. This is a perfect tie into the next question. I wanna talk about the section in the book. Well, actually, I'm gonna add to it because you mentioned something in the email, and I'm like, people need to hear this. But I like the section in your book about buying wine. I feel like it does a really good job of encompassing a lot of different pieces, not just here's what to do, you know, at a restaurant or how to order on a wine list. Like, it does. It talks about, you know, like, different ways that wine lists are ordered, why they're like that, what to expect, how to talk to a sommelier. I read this section on the business dinner. I was like, oh my god. That's genius. That's what, like, so many people need to know with wine about, like, what what to order when I'm, yeah, when I'm having a business dinner, or what to say when I'm at a small wine shop, or why maybe the grocery store isn't the place to be, but Costco is a good place to find, you know, good stuff. So I'm gonna encourage folks to, like, in the book, that's obviously one of my favorite sections, so go check it out. But you mentioned in your email, I don't know how you can add to all this, but I think you can, this idea of building your wine team to drink amazing wine forever. What does that mean? Okay. So I got my start in a wine store and I ended up owning a wine store. Right? So I'm partial to wine stores. The wine stores are all about regular customers. Right? A good wine store and a good boutique shop has no intention of ripping you off. They have no intention of upselling you. What? So they make 10 extra bucks today and then you leave mad. They want a regular customer. They need regular customers. Right? And so build your wine team. Right? You don't need to be an expert and you can't, like, I do this. Like you get a really good wine store and let them get to know you. They will. After your third visit, they will remember what you bought, what you liked, and they'll really easily be able to recommend you things that come in. Be dead honest with price, you know? Like, you just have to tell them, be like, I do not wanna spend more than $15 Also, wine store employees know all the best bargains. That's what they drink. Yeah. Like, you think these people are drinking, like, you think wine store employees are drinking $300 bottles every single night? Like, no, like, you know, the deals, right? And that's because like, that's what you're bringing home and that's what you're serving to your friends. So one build your wine team. You need a good wine store. If you can get a cool wine bar and let them get to know you. That's also really great. A friend that is knows more than you and can kind of take you along on that journey is really helpful, you know, and you lucky enough to live near a winery, even if it's there's regional winers everywhere. Right? Make friends. Like, just make friends and everybody's gonna help you. So you don't actually need to know that much about wine. Like when I go into a wine store, I never browse and pick something out myself. I ask them because it's their store. They know the wines. You know? Yes. Yes. And it's like and and the thing that kills me about that, that's like my favorite tip to give people because it's like you get that at no extra cost. Maybe the little 2 or $3 more you're paying for the bottle because you went to a small wine shop, but it's totally worth it because you literally this person is gonna become essentially your personal shopper because they freaking love it. Yeah. We also have algorithms knowing what you like. They will know what you like after your third visit. You know? Like, it's not that complicated for them. It's hard for you, but they know their inventory, and they know what you like done. Yeah. You know? And just be honest with them and, like, don't they're not gonna look down on you. They're just excited you're shopping with them. They're they want you as a customer. You know? But if you do go to a store and, they do not make you feel welcome or good, then just don't go back, you know? Yep. Exactly. That's one of those things where it's like most, like, as we're talking about these types of people, like, we're describing most people. And if you have had the unfortunate experience to meet somebody who is not like that, they are the minority. I promise almost most people in the wine world get into wine because they think it's really cool and they wanna tell you all about how cool it is. And they want you to think it's really cool. Yeah. And so for the most part, most places are gonna be good. If you don't yeah. Like you said, if you run into that, I'm sorry if it's the only wine shop in your area. But like you said, go, you know, find a friend, you know, go go to a local winery. Almost everywhere has local winery somewhere. Or even just like you know, and this is where I will do the one plug. I have a virtual tasting club, and and the nice thing about that is that it it is open to people in lots of different places. You know, my family's from a super small town in Wisconsin. We do not have a wine shop. We have a single liquor store in the town, you know? And so maybe finding something virtually if that is your only option, but I will also definitely plus one the finding a wine shop if you can. But yeah, you're part of the wine team then, you know? Yes, exactly. I love being part of people's wine teams. Okay. Oh, one more thing before we talk about buying wine, is it okay if I share there was an amazing question in your book. It was like a little secret question Yeah. To ask a sommelier. Can I share it with folks? Hey, wine lover. Interested in trying new wines, but not sure where to start? Or maybe you've been thinking, I'd love to taste wine live with Haley. I mean, who isn't thinking that? Well, say hello to the court crew, my virtual tasting club where wine meets fun, learning, and the best happy hour you've ever had, all from the comfort of your couch. Every month, we explore a new wine theme together. You'll get expert tips, delicious food pairings, and stories that bring each bottle to life. You can order the feature wines from my partner shop, grab something similar locally, or just sip whatever you've already got. No pressure and no wine purchase required in this club. In 2025, I've made this club even better. You get to choose between two tasting dates each month and everything is recorded so you can catch up any time. We've also just launched our exclusive Court Crew app, where you'll find all of your event info, wine recommendations, community connection, all in one place. It is accessible via your phone or your computer. As a member, you'll also get six free guest passes so you can invite friends, quarterly wine trivia nights, winemaker Q and A's, a private online community, discounts on private tastings, and so much more. And when I say everyone is welcome, I mean everyone. Whether you're brand new to wine or a total cork dork like me, you'll fit right in. Loud or quiet, wine curious, or wine obsessed, this space is for you. Join today and get your first two months for just $8 a month. I mean, heck, that's like a drink at Starbucks. Use code wine special, no spaces, or you can save $80 on the yearly membership. When you sign up for the annual subscription, use code wine special dash year. Head to the courtcrew.com, that's the courtcrew.com, to sign up, and I'll see you at our next tasting. Cheers. Yeah, totally. Okay. So, Tyler, in in the book, this question. So if you're at a place that has a sommelier, so likely if they have a larger wine list or something, they'll have someone there to help kind of walk you through it. And one of the best questions to ask if you wanna try something a little different and you're willing to be a little adventurous is to ask them what is the best wine on the list that no one orders. I thought that was such a great question. I'm like, I don't think I've ever I've like gotten close. I've been the one I I've got to be known as at one restaurant, that girl that comes in that always orders a bottle of white wine because nobody else ordered white wine when they go. And I'm like, oh, white wine is great. It's awesome. So then they started to be like, oh, I think you'd really like this one, you know, or, like, kinda got excited because I was different in grabbing new ones, but I've never asked that. So what is the best wine on the list that no one orders? I workshopped that one for fifteen years until I really kind of, it hit me that those were the exact words. Because the wine buyers, they have these wines that they fell in love with, that they bought, and they're weird. Right? They're from a weird place like Hungary or Croatia or, like, you know, Uruguay or whatever. And there's some grape that nobody's ever heard of, and so it doesn't sell on the list, but it's really exceptional. Also, it's almost always the cheapest bottle on the list. Yeah. Well, because it's not popular. Right? Because they they bought it for themselves, aren't going to be selling a lot of it. So it's obviously not gonna you know, it doesn't have the demand that would bring it up. It also always makes the Psalm really excited. They're like, oh. Like, I have they're all every single time they're like, I have something for you. Well, then my favorite is when you do that, and then they, like, you're drinking that bottle and they're like, okay. Somebody else opened this or I had to open this for a by the glass, and I just thought you would love it. And they come over and, like, hear you a drink. Yeah. Uh-huh. Like, a sales rep dropped these off. We're, you know, and we think Yep. Yep. Exactly. Like, they just, like, because they see that you're interested. And, again, us wine lovers are just, like, obsessed and want to share it with anyone who will listen. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's fun. I've I've had some really weird but cool wines that way. You know? Like, that I love weird but cool. That's, like, my jam. Yes. No. It is good. The the one caveat is that you have to be willing to be a little adventurous, I think, and be willing to try something a little a little different. If you, like, only like one or two wines or that's kind of where you're at your palate's at at the moment, Maybe give that caveat to the sommelier before you ask him that question. Yes. Okay. I have one more question for you before we get into the speed round, which isn't like rapid fire question. It's more just like, don't think too hard on the question or else we'll be here all day. But I also have to ask, we've mentioned this in the very beginning, all the fun stuff you've done in the past and you're doing a lot of fun things now, where do you see yourself ten years from now? What are you doing? What have you done? What are some things on that dream list that you'd like to see happen? Yeah. So my life's work. Right? I started when I was 16 years old. I used to throw live music shows. I used to throw, like, hardcore shows. And I didn't even particularly like hardcore music, but all of my friends in high school were in hardcore bands and there was nowhere to play because the clubs are 21 and whatever. So I would rent out the basement of a bowling alley, skip Friday school, and just fly our three high school parking lots and throw, like, 300 person concerts. Right? So, like, bringing people together is, like, it's in my DNA. And the wine festivals moving on to, like, the semipermanent pop up locations, I really want a permanent large scale. I wanna build Italy for wine. Right? I wanna build, like, a giant, fun, immersive, educational place where you can come, taste things, learn things. Just have fun with your friends all around wine, you know, and put them all over the country. I I have small goals. Right? So Well, it's clear. You do small things. Right? Just like this big Yeah. Rose mansion, big wine Right. Festival. Like, yeah, I it it seems just little stuff. Yeah. And this book was really me laying that foundation. I wanted to create the building blocks for it. I've had to teach and train so many people over the years and putting this all into one book. Now it can be like, Here. This is what we're gonna do. We're gonna talk about wine differently, and this is how we're gonna do it. Right. We're gonna tell stories. We're gonna connect the dots. We're gonna start with information people already know and add onto it. You know, wine doesn't exist in a void. Assume people are smart. Let's have some fun. Let's learn some things and let's bring back the romance, you know? Yes. I love it. Okay. I lied. There's one more question before the speed round. I just realized, can you tell folks who are listening in, how can they get their hands on your book? Yeah. So it's available in all the major bookstores, all the big online ones. It's in a lot of small independent book shops, so you can support them. And you can also buy it directly from me. You can get signed copies at rebelschoolwine.com. You can follow on Instagram and TikTok, rebel school wine. And, yeah, it's pretty hard to miss at this point. It's it's actually really cool. It's, like, on a thousand different bookshelves all across the country. That must be so cool, like, seeing it on like, seeing your book on a bookshelf. It's so cool. And it's even more cool because my publisher doesn't tell me where they are, so I just run across them. Once a week, a friend that I haven't talked to in ten years sends me a photo of my book somewhere. I'm like, I don't even know where that is. That's awesome. That's that makes me really excited. Oh, that's so fun. And for folks that are listening around when this drops, I do have a discount code. So if you go on to I do recommend shopping at your local local shop if you can. But, if you go on rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code cork and fizz, all caps altogether, and is spelled out cork and fizz, you can get a signed copy of Tyler's book and a free pack of wine stickers, which are really freaking cooler on my laptop right now. And you can get that for $30 And you get a signed copy too. Yes. And it's a signed copy and it's $15 off and it's such an amazing deal. And if you listen to this podcast, I'm like a % sure you'd like this book. Like, it's like pretty clear that there is there is a connection here between folks listening to this and that would like this book. So And I pack and ship every single one myself. And so that's so, like, I drag them down two plates of stairs all the way to the post office in Chinatown. They love me there. So yeah. I love it. There's there's an act of love going on as well with everybody. Okay. Alright. So like I said, this last bit is what I call my speed round. It's mostly because they're questions that, like, you could have a million answers for, and so I'm just be asking for, like, potentially, like, what's the first thing that pops in your head, or what's the thing you want to share, with folks? So first question is, what is your favorite wine at the moment? Favorite wine at the moment? I love some of the legacy California wineries. Like, I love Ridge Winery, and then I love some of the newer ones. My friend owns this one called Extra Dimensional Wine Co Yeah Hardy, and it's awesome. It's his wines are so good. And yeah. So that's kinda like compare and contrast, but it's all the same. I'm really into California wine right now. Interesting. Okay. I like it. All right. How about, what is like a good go to bottle of wine to bring it to like a dinner party or to share with friends? Bubbles. I always bring bubbles. Lembrusco is really great. It's a talking point. I've never met anybody that dislikes Lembrusco Prosecco. You know, if you really like them, you can bring some champagne. I like it. Okay. How about a favorite wine region that you've visited? Probably the one I went to most recently, which is I went to Jerez in the South Of Spain and where they make sherry. It was so cool. It was so cool. And I also it was so cheap. Didn't pay more than a €2 for a glass of wine. We went to a one star Michelin tapas restaurant, bottles of rose, €17. For a bottle, like, I was like, I was ready to move there. I was just like, I'm I live here now. Oh my god. That's just even more reason. Yeah. If I don't end up in Spain One day Like, what are we doing? Living there. I've visited twice now, and I freaking love it. What are we doing? You know? Okay. What about I'm gonna flip that on its head. What's a wine region you'd like to visit that you have not yet? Australia. I haven't been to Australia ever, and I wanted to go flight spar. It takes I I don't have two weeks that I can go, But pretty much all the regions, like, I wanna go to the ones around Melbourne. I wanna go to the classic ones. I wanna, you know, see the red clay soil. This means a lot because I am terrified of snakes. I'm so like, I have an irrational fear of snakes that I wanna go to Australia and walk around the fields. That's how much I wanna go. You're like, I will risk it for the wine. Like, give it to me. I can't look up pictures of snakes on the Internet. God. I am not. It's it is a fear that I'm fine with. I don't need to get rid of, but I'm willing to go to Australia because I'm not excited about Australian wine right now. Oh, I love it. Okay. How about a favorite wine and food pairing? Like, a go to that you enjoy or a special treat. Oh, I put it in the book. Hear me out. California Chardonnay and chips and guacamole. It is Really? Perfect on a nice warm California day. California food. The foods that are really popular and or were invented in California, like the fast food hamburger invented in California, the mission style burrito, the burrito that we all know is a burrito invented in California. You know, all of these things actually go really, really well with California wine. But Chardonnay, like a slightly oaky Mhmm. Little buttery, but still crisp, refreshing with chips and fresh guacamole. There's the final meal. You know? That's what I'm eating. That's my last bite. Okay. I have to try that because I'll be honest. I've, like, struggled to find a wine that pairs with chips and guacamole. Like, I I always struggle to, like I always end up just, like, having, like, honestly, a margarita. Well, yeah. You can't go with one of those, like, you can't go with one of those, like, light dainty burgundy chardonnays. You gotta go with the California. You know, it doesn't have to be, like, the super punchy in the face like KJ. Like, that's a bit too much. There's a balance, though, because you need that fresh zesty Yes. Ness, but then you also need that kind of, like, the weight and that flavor. Okay. Every Sunday, I wrote half this book while I lived in California, and I was just like, every Sunday, that's what I did. Alright. I'm adding it to my list to try. That sounds that sounds fun. I do love a little little oaky Chardonnay, so that also fits well for me. Okay. Last two questions. If you were given a thousand dollars to spend on wine, what would you buy? Oh, I would go to my favorite wine store, and I'll buy three cases of wine, single bottle from I would just grab all the thing, like, twenty, thirty, 50, up, like, high, low. I'll get three cases of wine, and I would invite everybody I know over and throw a really fun party. Oh my god. But would do. Of course. That that is such a perfect answer. I mean, perfect answer in general and also for you. I'm like, of course, that would be the way Try this one. Let's try this one. What this one tastes like? I don't know. I love I rarely drink the same wine twice. I love trying different things, and I love hanging out with people, and I love bringing people together. And so that's that's exactly, you know, what I would do. Yay. Okay. That's so fun. Last question. What is your top tip for folks who are interested in learning about wine after buying the rebel school of wine, of course, after that? After that. So this was the advice I got when I first got into wine. Right? You want to drink as much wine as you can, and I don't mean, like, you know Get drunk every night. Yes. That's not what we're saying. You wanna try as many different wines There we go. Possibly can, and you wanna read as much as you can. And at first, it's not gonna make sense. What you're tasting, you won't really know. What you're reading, you won't really understand. But then it starts coming together. The moment. The first I remember the first time this ever came together for me, I was working in a wine shop. I didn't have a lot of money. I was just buying$10 12 bottles of wine. And I got a, it was the lawn RioHA Krianza. Right. And I was tasting it, and I'm like, oh, I get this, like kinda tastes like vanilla a little bit. And I was like, that's the American oak because they aged them in. I was like, oh my god. And then I was like, addict. I was like, this is so much fun. Okay. I'm in. I'm in. I'm in. But then, you know, like, I read the story about, like, oh, the American Oak because the money and, like, things and, you know, and they they left out the whole dictator part, but, you know, it's You know, what can you do? But it they try to forget. Yeah. And you don't have to just read wine books. When I wrote this book, I really stopped. There's a couple wine books references that I use, but then I stopped reading wine books, and I just started reading history books and science books and then matching dates up. And when you start doing that, it's like, Nice. Like, you know, like yeah. Sure. The phylloxera, like, epidemic during in France was in the eighteen hundreds, and that was a major problem. But what was really a big problem was the, like, Franco Prussian war when one in three men in France died, and they didn't have enough manual labor to replant. You know? And so, like, you don't have to just read wine books to understand wine. You know? You can read about history and science and, you know, culture and, you know Yes. No. I I and read and drink. Yes. And I like I like that you called out too that you're like, it's okay if it doesn't make sense right away or if you're not like, if you're just like, I'm I'm gathering all this information, but it just seems to be, like, kinda sitting in these little ponds in my brain, and and they're not connecting you together. And it's like, don't worry. Everybody starts there. That's how it happens. And at some point, you'll, you know, you'll dig a little a little well between two ponds. You'll be like, oh, crap. That is that that oh, yeah. That makes sense. And and you just you just have to wait for that to happen. But as you, you know, try more things and like you said, read more things, I really love that because I think I struggle with that at first, but then that's what made so cool was it was just like, I'm just gonna keep gathering information. Yeah. And then when somebody says something, I'm gonna be like, I know that. I know something that's connected to that. And the longer you get into it, the more some of these things click, like, ten years later. Like, it takes a minute. It takes a minute, but you just have to keep swimming. You have to keep doing both, and it's just gonna keep coming together. You know? But, yeah, don't get frustrated. Like, if you don't know what you're tasting, that's fine. If you don't know what you're reading, that's fine. You will. Yeah. And just enjoy it. I mean, heck, learn half of learning about wine is tasting it. And if you don't know what you're tasting, you can just also enjoy what's in the glass and just, like, go with that. Yeah. Absolutely. You better enjoy it because, like, what else is the point? Like, what else are we doing? Oh, I love it. Alright. Well, this has been an amazing interview. Thank you so much again for for joining and for, sharing your amazing book. And like I said, for folks listening, be sure so this is the second part of the interview. So go on Instagram, where you will see a giveaway for two of Tyler's books, and you can go there. Or you can just get your own Rebel School of Wine, get a signed copy with stickers. They're amazing. Rebelschoolofwine.com. But awesome. Thank you so much again for joining, Tyler. Thank you so much. This is so much fun. Yes. Alright. Cheers. I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Cork and Fizz Guide to Wine Podcast. If you'd like to purchase your own copy of Tyler's book, Rebel School of Wine, go to rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code cork and fizz to get a signed copy of her book and a free pack of wine stickers for only $30 That is$15 off. That promo code again is cork and fizz. The and is spelled out and it is all one word. And I'll have everything in the show notes for you, so if you're like, I still don't know, just go check the show notes. And be sure to follow rebel school of wine on Instagram and TikTok to learn more from Instagram and TikTok to learn more from Tyler. And if you love this episode as much as I did, I would so appreciate it if you have not had a chance yet to please rate the podcast and leave a review if you're listening on Apple Podcasts. I know, I know it's a lot to ask because you're probably, like, driving right now or you're walking and you can't grab your phone out. So if that's the case, just put it in your mind and say, I'm gonna do this for Haley because it would really, really help her out. But if you are somewhere where you're just sitting and listening to the podcast, please go and leave it a review, a rating. You can also leave comments, I believe, on Spotify now. So let me know what you thought of the interview. In next week's episode, I'm hoping to have a really exciting interview set up for you with a sommelier who I met at Taste Washington. The plan is to talk about the wine tariff situation that's going on and just in general what they are, talk more about the consumers, wine consumers, and the different generations. It's gonna be an interesting conversation, and I am so looking forward to it. I'm just hoping we get it planned in time so it can be released. If not, I think I'll fill in with a little solo episode on wine certification. So it'll be a surprise to all of us what comes next week. Thanks again for listening. And if you wanna learn more about wine, come follow me at cork and fizz on Instagram. And if you're interested in exploring new wines and joining an incredible community of wine lovers, be sure to sign up for my virtual tasting club, The Court Crew. Head to thecourtcrew.com to learn more and use code wine special to get your first two months for just $8 a month. Cheers.