Sip with Nikki- the Podcast!
We are live on most podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon.You can find and subscribe/follow HERE or listen below! Transcripts available in each episode.
If you listened to last week’s episode, you heard me dispel some myths around Zinfandel and sing this grape’s praises! This week you’re coming along to a Zinfandel-centric tasting at the beautiful Tres Sabores Winery in St Helena.
When you hear “Zinfandel”, what do you think of? A bubble gum sweet pink wine? A jug wine? Today we’re quickly setting the record straight with what Zinfandel (aka America’s Grape) IS and what it ISN’T and why you need it in your life.
It's our extra- special 50th episode! Listen as Michael and I sit down with Master Sommelier George Miliotes of Wine Bar George at the Disney Springs!
Andrea Lemieux is a Michigan native who found herself on a "temporary" assignment in Istanbul… and 12 years later she is still there championing Turkish wines and the people and the history behind them. 
The 3rd Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which has historically celebrated the end of Harvest. It also means the arrival of super young, fun and flirty red wines made from the Beaujolais region in Central France. But is Beaujolais as a category of wine, just about those bubble gum and grape popsicle tasting wines??? Get the scoop!
Are you really tasting your wine? Like, REALLY? I'm often asked for tips on the best way to experience a wine, including:What temperature should I enjoy my wine?Is swirling really a thing? And Why? What's the best way to actually taste the wine? If you've ever wondered these things... You're going to want to listen in. 
Bold Women Make the Best Wine (Naturally). Marilee Bramhall is the founder of Iola Wines where she sources and direct imports organic wines from top women winemakers in France and Italy. 
Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned travel blogger, content creator, Tedx speaker and author of 5 Amazon best sellers! In her newest book “12 Trips in 12 Months”, she shares how she experiences the world as a solo female traveler and shares how to find your own Travel Magic!
This week, Michael (in his official co-hosting debut) and I are sitting down with Mark McWilliams, Co-Owner of Arista Winery in Healdsburg CA (Sonoma County). Listen to our heartfelt and hilarious conversation about the roller coaster of owning a winery.
If you've ever wondered what people who work in the wine biz drink and eat when they get together, here's your chance to be a fly on the wall! Spoiler alert: There is pumpkin spice chardonnay...In this exciting conversation, I'm joined by two encore guests: Karen MacNeil and Dr. Hoby Wedler. Listen as we share the importance of the Come Over October Movement and what you can do to be a part of it!
Many of us that live in wine country are big fans of Grenache both as a red wine and a rosé... maybe you don't know much about it and if you're not drinking it you're missing out! 
This week I'm dishing on one of my favorite food and wine pairings, why we like sitting at the bar and a very special winery family from Napa Valley.It's Harvest time here in Wine Country! We wait all year for our one chance to create beautiful wine for you...and you're coming along for the day! Ride along with Michael and I for the pick, sorting and extra special crush (hint: STOMP) that happened on September 9th.Been gettin' lots of questions about this newer style of Sparkling wine! So this week I'm filling you in on all things Pét Nat... from what it is to how it's made and most importantly why you need to try it!Something SO COOL happened this past week, that I couldn't NOT record a podcast episode about it! Listen to a crazy story paired with a surprising and awesomely priced wine!If you've ever wondered if screw cap = cheap wine and why there are different types of wine bottle closures, you are not alone! Listen as I help make sense of it for you!I am often asked what "got you into wine"? So I figured it was time to pull up a mic and share with all of you more about what led me to wine and why I'm here for you!Let’s make sense of rosé! Hear Nikki’s tips on why you should be drinking it, how it’s made and why it matters and how to pick the right ones for you!Pull up a chair at Happy Hour with Sally Srok and I as we cover ALL the topics from working in the wine business, to divorce and why we found Improv!Tony Smith of Quinta de Covela Winery in Portugal is a friend and inspiration! Listen as we taste his Avesso wines and talk about all things TERROIR.Listen to the sounds of our exciting day in Mallorca! We discover fantastic food, surprising wine and wonderful new friends!
I'm taking you to Sicily! Savoca for some Godfather stops, Taormina for cannoli and arancini and a beautiful wine tasting and lunch at Murgo!
This week's episode puts you right in the middle of the ACTION on Bottling Day! Listen as we get the 2022 Sangiovese bottled, labeled custom wax topped.
Ben Hartman grew up in my same hometown in Central NJ and like me, he chased the dream of making wine... but he's doing it in the Finger Lakes of New York! He and his wife Michelle own and operate Deep Root Vineyard and are doing some really exciting things, including a surprising wine from 100+ year old vines from their property.Let’s build upon the olive oil foundation that Liz Tagami gave you in the last episode! We share tasting notes on her delicious Ascolano and Arbequina oils from California and we answer more burning listener questions.Listen as I sip with Liz Tagami, who has been an olive oil buyer, consultant, judge and now aspiring regenerative farmer and owner of AmericanOliveFarmer.com, the home of Lucero Olive Oil.This is part 1 in a 2 part series and it SO fun and informative!This week I’m interviewing a well known author, wine journalist, teacher and mentor, Karen MacNeil. She’s also the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language!In part 2, You’ll hear if we made it all the way around the world- and what we ate and drank while we did it! And we are joined by a special guest…Drinking around the world at Epcot, in Walt Disney World, is a favorite adventure for many people including me! Listen in as my partner Michael and I tackle (or try to) the first part of the 11 country lineup- sharing our drinks, bites and wisdom (hardly) as we do. My good friend, Heather, says that wine tastes like “Rotten Juice”. Listen as this hysterical and educational conversation unfolds, and as she has some “ah ha” moments in understanding and appreciating wine. This week, I'm sitting down with Travis Ramazzotti, who is a second generation member of the family business. He talks about what it was like growing up surrounded by vineyards and farming in CA.In this week's episode, I'm answering this super thought-provoking question: Why is wine Important? This week I'm sipping and sharing a new (to me) wine that I recently tried and loved! I just couldn't wait to tell you about it!itI's an interesting blend of Malbec and Syrah and at a really affordable price. And it's just De-Licious!
Do you find yourself wondering if you should be seeking out "low sugar" wines? Lately, my social feeds are flooded with brands marketing their wines it this way. Let's talk about sugar and sweetness in wine.
Are you in search of that fireworks moment when you combine the right food and wine together? Or are you uninspired or even frustrated by the whole “Perfect Pairing” hype? Listen in as I share WHY it can truly make a difference and HOW to approach it in a simple but effective way. If you are planning a day (or week) of tasting in a wine growing region near or far, you’re going to want to listen in for some super-helpful tips on how to get the most out of your winery visits!I'm giving you a very quick and easy tool to better approach what’s in the glass, so you can be better at knowing WHAT you like and WHY you like it! (Or why you DON’T!)My guest, Dr. Hoby Wedler, is a chemist, sensory expert, speaker and entrepreneur. Blind since birth, he will inspire you to experiences wines (and the world) though a different lens. Part 2 to answer your questions around what causes such a huge price range in wines!Is there really a difference between a $10 bottle of wine and a $100 bottle of wine? And if so...What the HECK is it? And is is WORTH it?How did a Type 1 Diabetic choose to be a Pastry Chef? And what was it like working in some of the country’s top kitchens with some really famous chefs?My Brooklyn-Italian Aunt is dishing all the family dirt, including who in our family were the Bootleggers. And she shares her coveted Italian Cream Recipe!If you've ever felt a bit (or totally) overwhelmed by all of the wine bottles staring back at you from their store shelves, you’re going to want to listen in as I give you some simple hacks to help you pick the right wine each time.My 2 sisters and I reminisce about growing up on the East Coast, our family gatherings, and the love of wine, food and each other that that keeps us close!
I’ve got the lowdown on all things OXYGEN. When and how to incorporate it and how to protect against by preserving that precious vino after the cork has left the building.So... our Producer, Kathryn, suggested that we turn the tables and someone interview me for this week's episode. This way, you'll get to know me a little and learn about what gets me fired up! (hint: it rhymes with food and wine.)Taking a break from our super fun interviews to give you some quick clarity on a topic that I ALWAYS get so many questions on… Aging Wine!Man did I laugh during this interview with Dan Gora! He manages the Operations and Test Kitchen for One Hope in Napa Valley! He’s also an inspirational writer and always looking for love in Wine Country. I’m talking with Sally Johnson Blum, a well known winemaker from Napa and Sonoma and one of Glamour Magazines “10 Most Bad-ass Women Winemakers!
My guest in our first episode is Dan Richer, a fellow Matawan, NJ born chef and owner of Razza in Jersey City, named Best Pizza in North America by "50 Best". He’s the author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Joy of Pizza”