The Sipping Point: Wine, Food & More!
by Laurie Forster
Learn the recipe for a delicious life each week with Laurie Forster, sought after speaker, certified sommelier and author of the award-winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. Subscribe to The Sipping Point Podcast where each week Laurie will provide a fresh (and fun) look at the world of food, wine, spirits, travel and all that’s delicious in life. Laurie’s witty, no nonsense style is sure to be a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stuffy culinary world. Even though Laurie’s a certified sommelier, an award-winning author and wife to a world class chef, she’s not afraid to admit her first wine came from a box! Prepare to get practical, valuable and down-to-earth information from local and celebrity winemakers, chefs, brewers and more. She’ll also be taking your questions, so if there is something you’ve been dying to know about wine, food or anything else, prepare for an edu-taining answer. Make a note to tune into
Episodes
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Less Scrolling, More Sipping: The Come Over October Movement
What if the best way to enjoy wine isn't about finding the perfect bottle, but finding someone to share it with? This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie welcomes Kimberly Charles, wine industry veteran and co-founder of Come Over October, a movement created with Karen MacNeil and Gino Colangelo to...
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Is a $65 Cabernet as Good as a $200 Bottle? Austin Hope on Wine Scores, Value & Paso Robles
Can a $65 Cabernet really compete with a $200 bottle? And do those 90-plus-point wine scores still matter? This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach, sits down with Austin Hope, winemaker and owner of Hope Family Wines, to talk about what makes Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon...
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The Art of Doing Less: Greg Brewer on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Breaking Wine Rules
What happens when a winemaker stops trying to put his stamp on a wine—and lets the vineyard do the talking? This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie sits down with acclaimed Santa Barbara winemaker Greg Brewer, the force behind Brewer-Clifton and Diatom, to talk Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and why...
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Charles Smith: Breaking the Rules & Making Wine for the People
What happens when a former rock band manager decides to make wine? If you’re Charles Smith, you don’t just join the wine business—you do things your own way. Charles joins Laurie to talk about his unconventional journey from managing indie rock bands in Europe to becoming one of Washington…
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How a Winemaker Turns One Vineyard Into Many Wines: Sarah Wuethrich of Maggy Hawk
What makes Anderson Valley such a special place for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? This week on The Sipping Point, I’m joined by Maggy Hawk winemaker Sarah Wuethrich to explore this cool-climate California wine region and her fascinating approach to winemaking. We taste 4 wines—Aurelia Chardonnay,...
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Tequila 101: What “100% Agave” Really Means with La Tequila Mamacita
Think “100% agave” means there’s nothing else in your tequila? You might be surprised. This week on The Sipping Point, I’m stepping outside the wine glass and into the world of tequila with Heidi Anderson, better known as La Tequila Mamacita. Heidi is a certified tequila educator, spirits judge,...
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50 Years in Wine: Eugenia Keegan on How Oregon Found Its Own Voice
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her Zoom Info Session on 9/23 at 6 PM ET to learn more about her Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. What does five decades in the wine business teach you about wine, leadership, and...
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Tuscany in a Glass: 700 Years of Bindi Sergardi
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her Zoom Info Session on 9/23 at 6 PM ET to learn more about her Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. In this episode, Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi shares her family's rich legacy…
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Wine Is Better Together: Why Experiences May Be the Future of Wine
What if the future of wine is less about teaching people everything they need to know and more about giving them a reason to open a bottle? Laurie sits down with Eric V. Orange, founder of LocalWineEvents.com, to talk about how wine events and wine consumers have changed over the past 26 years…
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From Olympic Sailing & Aerospace to Brunello: Alessandra Angelini of Altesino
What do Olympic sailing, aerospace engineering, and world-class Brunello have in common? More than you might think. This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Alessandra Angelini of Altesino, one of Montalcino's historic Brunello producers. Before returning to Tuscany and her...
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Bordeaux Isn’t What You Think: Wendy Narby on Wine, Wellness & a Region Reinvented
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. Bordeaux may be one of the world’s most famous wine regions—but is our perception of it stuck in the past? Laurie Forster sits...
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Beyond Sauvignon Blanc: Amanda Johnson on the Story of Spy Valley Wines
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Johnson of Spy Valley Wines for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about...
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One Grape, Three Great Regions: Chris Carpenter on Cabernet, Place & Sustainability
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. One grape. Three world-class wine regions. One legendary winemaker. What happens when the same winemaker crafts Cabernet…
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Michigan Wine: Why Traverse City Is America's Next Great Wine Destination
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. Michigan may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of world-class wine—but that may be about to change. In…
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Why Verdicchio Is Italy's Next Great White Wine: Ethica Wines, Villa Bucci & the Rise of Indigenous Grapes
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. Is Verdicchio Italy's best-kept wine secret? In this episode of The Sipping Point Podcast, Laurie Forster sits down with Damiano...
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From Pizza Prodigy to Brooklyn Icon: Chef Al DiMeglio on Sourdough, Natural Wine & Italian Tradition
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. What does it take to turn a family legacy into one of Brooklyn's most beloved Italian restaurants? This week, Laurie sits down...
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From NASA to Award-Winning Brewer: How Soul Mega Won Samuel Adams' Brewing the American Dream
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027. What happens when a NASA budget officer trades spreadsheets for beer? Elliott Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Soul Mega, shares…
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Freemark Abbey & the Judgment of Paris: Kristy Melton on the Winery That Changed American Wine
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary and the 50th anniversary…
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Gigondas, Organic Farming & the Future of Wine with Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. What does it take to lead a family winery that's been making wine for...
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Wine by the Glass: Restaurant Wine Lists, Open That Bottle Night & Wine Wisdom with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. What makes a great restaurant wine list? Should you trust wines by…
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From Bad Company to Barbera: Paul Cullen on Italian Wine, Food Pairing & Reinvention
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. What happens when a rock star trades stadium tours for wine glasses?…
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Behind the Vines: A VIP Look at Maryland Crafted & Crow Vineyard
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. Maryland wine is having a moment, and this episode takes you right to...
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Inside the Wine World of Le Bernardin: Kim Akhtar on Wine Education, Volcanic Wines & AI in Wine
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. On this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie sits down with Kim…
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Is Wine Art or Science? A Master Sommelier & Winemaker Debate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Wine Myths
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM. Is great wine created through science, artistry… or a little bit of...
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From Restaurant Critic to Sommelier: Anthony Giglio’s Flavor Journey
Discover the secrets behind tasting like a pro with Anthony Giglio—sommelier, longtime Food & Wine contributor, restaurant critic, cocktail expert, and creator of SUPERSALT. Anthony shares practical, no-snobbery tips for improving your palate, pairing wine with food, and making everyday eating…
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Share & Pair Sundays: Karen MacNeil on Wine, Food & Connection
In this episode, Laurie Forster and Karen MacNeil discuss the importance of wine and food in fostering connections among people. They introduce the Share and Pair Sundays campaign, emphasizing the joy of sharing simple meals and wines with friends and family. The discussion highlights how wine...
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Inside Willamette Valley Wine: Chehalem Winemaker Katie Santora
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including her Treasures of Tuscany Wine Tour this October. Join us for a conversation with Katie Santora, head winemaker at Chehalem Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Katie shares her...
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Just Add Water (and Maybe Vodka): The Craftmix Cocktail Revolution
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. Cocktails without the stress? Yes, please. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Incropera of...
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From Group Chat to Canned Cocktails: How My5 Vibes Built a Maryland Beverage Brand
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. What happens when a casual group chat turns into a canned cocktail brand? In this episode, Treena...
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Mountain Wines Decoded: Sonoma Terroir with Stonestreet Winemaker Kristina Shideler
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. Think all California wine tastes the same? Not even close. In this episode, I’m joined by Kristina...
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Family, Vines & Vision: The Story Behind Dry Creek Vineyard
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. In this episode, Kim Stare Wallace shares her journey to President of Dry Creek Vineyard, a...
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Ray Isle | Food & Wine Editor on The World in a Wineglass and the Stories Behind Great Wine
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. Step into the stories behind some of the world’s most fascinating wines with Ray Isle, author of The...
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Inside the Restaurant World: Drew Nieporent on Nobu, Tribeca Grill & 40 Years of Hospitality
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. Step behind the scenes of the restaurant world with legendary New York restaurateur Drew Nieporent…
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Let's Talk Orange Wine with Doreen Winkler of Orange Glou
On this episode, Laurie Forster welcomes Doreen Winkler from Orange Glou, a New York City store specializing in orange wine. They explore the history and rising popularity of orange wine, its unique characteristics, and the importance of education in the wine community. Doreen shares insights…
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Carrie Gurule of Gruet Winery: Crafting World-Class Sparkling Wine in New Mexico
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including the Wine Meets its Match tasting at The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD on April 22nd. In this episode of The Sipping Point, I sit down with Carrie Gurule, Head Winemaker at Gruet Winery…
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Inside Napa Valley: Gus Kalaris on Wine Trends, Wine Myths & Building Axios
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including my wine comedy show Wine & Punchlines on 2/27 in Bridgeville, DE. In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie sits down with Gus Kalaris—founder of Constantine Wines and the...
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How Mary Taylor Brings Affordable European Wines to the U.S. | Terroir, Tariffs & Family Growers
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including Sip & Style in Oxford, MD on 2/26 and Wine & Punchlines on 2/27 in Bridgeville, DE. In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Mary Taylor, founder of…
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Sustainable New Zealand Wine with Amanda Johnson of Spy Valley Wines
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including Sip & Style in Oxford, MD on 2/26 and Wine & Punchlines on 2/27 in Bridgeville, DE. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Johnson of Spy Valley Wines for a thoughtful and...
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Why Australian Wine Might Surprise You: Inside Elderton Wines & Barossa’s Iconic Reds
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including a few spaces still left in her Tuscany tour this October! In this episode Laurie Forster sits down with Allister Ashmead of Elderton Wines for a conversation that may just change...
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Sip & Shuck 2026: Maryland Wine, Oysters & Local Flavor
This episode of The Sipping Point dives into one of Maryland’s most iconic pairings—wine and oysters—through the lens of the new Sip & Shuck promotion launching February 1st. Joined by Matthew Scales of the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Regina McCarthy, General Manager of The Vineyards…
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Fresh Ingredients & Elevated Cocktails: Inside Fresh Victor with Ken MacKenzie
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including a few spaces still left in her Tuscany tour this October! In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Ken MacKenzie, founder of Fresh Victor, to talk...
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Why Wine Glasses Matter: Inside Glasvin with Founder David Kong
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including a few spaces still left in her Tuscany tour this October! In this episode, David Kong shares how he went from finance to founding Glasvin, the wine glass brand redefining how wine...
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How to Win at Wine with Joe Roberts: Wine Trends, Lighter Reds, and Sparkling Bargains
Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at TheWineCoach.com/events including a few spaces still left in her Tuscany tour this October! In this engaging conversation, Joe Roberts and Laurie Forster unpack the current state of the wine industry, from…
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Champagne Henriot: A Toast to Tradition and Innovation
In this episode, Laurie Forster speaks with Alice Tétienne from the House of Henriot about the rich history of the champagne house, founded by a woman in 1808. They delve into the art of blending different grape varieties and crus to create unique champagnes, including the signature Brut…
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Gearing up for New Year's Eve? Let's Talk Champagne with Garth Hodgdon
In this episode, Garth Hodgdon shares his unexpected path from aspiring college professor to becoming a respected sommelier and Champagne expert. He offers insight into what makes Champagne so unique—from its production process to the wide range of styles available—and highlights the joy of...
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Blackleaf Vodka Founders on Building an Organic, Sustainable Spirits Brand + Holiday Cocktail Ideas
Looking for last minute gift ideas? Visit TheWineCoachClub.com for Laurie's Wine Picks & Packs. Don't forget that experiences last longer than things...check out Laurie's Event Calendar for some great upcoming events in February, March and beyond! In this episode, Laurie sits down with Kevin…
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Holiday Entertaining Made Easy with Chadwick Boyd
Looking for a great holiday gift for the wine lover on your list? Laurie Forster sits down with culinary tastemaker Chadwick Boyd for a festive chat about holiday entertaining that’s joyful, budget-friendly, and blissfully simple. Chadwick shares his journey from farm kid to celebrated food...
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Barbecue, Grit & Great Wine: Inside Corky’s BBQ with CEO Jimmy Stovall
Join Laurie on 12/10 for Bubbly Bash 2025 where she will feature 3 of her favorite bubblies for the holidays and beyond! Register today and invite your friends over for a Sparkling evening. Click HERE for details & Tickets In this episode, Laurie sits down with Jimmy Stovall, the CEO of Corky’s...
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Sollevato Wines & Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster shares her top wine picks for Thanksgiving, including a white wine, a sparkling wine, and a red wine. Laurie Forster also interviews Nikki Lamberti, a former Disney employee turned wine educator and entrepreneur. They discuss Nikki's journey…
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Inside Georges Duboeuf Wines: Andrea Feugueur on Beaujolais Nouveau, Macon Villages & Saint-Amour
Laurie's Bubbly Bash Pack has arrived! Join Laurie Forster as she sits down with Andrea Feugueur for a journey that starts in New York’s wine world and lands in the heart of Paris with the legendary Duboeuf family. Andrea opens up about her path into the French wine industry, the heritage behind...
About this show
Learn the recipe for a delicious life each week with Laurie Forster, sought after speaker, certified sommelier and author of the award-winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. Subscribe to The Sipping Point Podcast where each week Laurie will provide a fresh (and fun) look at the world of food, wine, spirits, travel and all that’s delicious in life.
Laurie’s witty, no nonsense style is sure to be a breath of fresh air in the sometimes stuffy culinary world. Even though Laurie’s a certified sommelier, an award-winning author and wife to a world class chef, she’s not afraid to admit her first wine came from a box!
Prepare to get practical, valuable and down-to-earth information from local and celebrity winemakers, chefs, brewers and more. She’ll also be taking your questions, so if there is something you’ve been dying to know about wine, food or anything else, prepare for an edu-taining answer.
Make a note to tune into
Hosted by
Laurie Forster