Terroir Is A Love Language | Vicki Tomiser | Barrels and Roots

In this episode, I sat down with Vicki Tomiser, a wine consultant, hospitality veteran, and self-described "winosaur" whose love affair with wine started not in a cellar but in a buying room full of middle-aged men in gray suits. Vicki takes us deep into the world of terroir - the idea that the soil, sun, fog, and stress a grapevine experiences shapes everything about the wine in your glass, and she explains it in a way that finally made it click for me. We talked about her wild career arc from Gallo Winery to sourcing Burgundy and Champagne for international airlines, and how a global pandemic sent her pivoting toward something more intimate and personal. Vicki breaks down why the wine industry has spent decades making people feel dumb for not knowing what a black currant tastes like, why your scent memory is actually your greatest wine superpower, and why a good Merlot deserves way more respect than Sideways ever gave it. This one is equal parts education, passion, and a genuine reminder that wine is supposed to be fun.If you were a wine, would you be a "juicy, fireplace-vibe" Merlot or a "zingy, rock n' roll" Riesling? Let me know why in the comments!