Wine Is Never Grown in Ugly Places | Liz Barrett, What's In That Bottle

If you want a better trip, pick a wine region first and build everything else around it. That's the travel philosophy of Liz Barrett, Certified Specialist of Wine and the writer behind What's In That Bottle. In this episode, Liz and I trace her path from a job interview where she admitted she knew nothing about wine, to teaching herself the industry alongside Master Sommeliers, to passing the notoriously difficult CSW exam on her first try. We talk about what wine travel really looks like: researching regional wine consortiums before you fly, booking winery experiences anyone can reserve, walking a mile through the rain in Beaujolais, and coming home with eight bottles in your checked bag. She also shares the underrated regions she wants on your radar — Portugal beyond Vinho Verde, France's Languedoc, Washington State, the Finger Lakes, and the Northern Michigan wines she will personally defend — plus why she went 17 days in New Zealand without a single sip of Sauvignon Blanc. And if you've ever frozen at a wine list or gone quiet in a tasting room, this one's for you. Liz's rule: there are no dumb questions. Curiosity is the only credential you need. Find Liz at whatsinthatbottle.com and on Instagram at @lizbchicago. Read the full post, with photos and links to every wine, region, and shop mentioned, at thegomesguide.substack.com. The Gomes Guide Podcast is hosted by Shannon Gomes, a San Francisco-based travel writer and podcast host. Support the show