Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 110

How Generations Discover Wine & the Future of Wine w/ Erik Segelbaum (Part 1)

Air Date: Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

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Why do millennials and Gen Z approach wine so differently from previous generations and what does that mean for the future of wine?

And what does it really take to go from line cook to award-winning sommelier and industry leader?

Today’s guest, Erik Segelbaum, is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Food & Wine Magazine 2019 Sommelier of the Year, and 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker with over 3 decades of industry experience. Erik is the founder of GoodSomm–a luxury lifestyle wine club, is the co-owner of Amalfi Beverage Company–luxury RTD cocktails, and SWIG Partners–an import and distribution facilitation agency. Plus, he has been Smithsonian’s national wine educator since 2019, hosting monthly consumer classes!

Erik pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a sommelier in today’s world and candidly shares the realities beyond the glamour, from managing wine lists and training staff to accounting and clogged toilets.

Erik shares his thoughts on the generational differences between millennials and Gen Z in wine consumption and drinking habits. We talk about why these groups are adventurous yet disloyal to brands, and how their priorities, such as sustainability and social ethos, differ from the boomer generation. And, we dig into how the psychology of social media has shaped younger generations' approach to wine, often placing values and image above just the taste itself.

So, if you are ready to dive into the ever-evolving tastes of today’s wine drinkers, then this episode is for you.

Thank you to VoChill for sponsoring this episode. Go to Vochill.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 15% off your order!

Connect with Erik
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik4wine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodsomm/
Website: https://www.thesomlyay.com
Website: https://goodsomm.com/
Skip the waitlist and join GoodSomm: https://goodsomm.com/secret/

Episode Highlights:

• Erik’s diverse roles and experiences in the wine industry
  
• Erik’s journey from chef to Sommelier
  
• Realities of working as a Sommelier
  
• Wine consumer psychology by generation
  
• How different generations select, appreciate and are loyal to wine brands
  
• The natural wine movement and its generational appeal
  
• Wine trends and market changes
  
• The need for clear communication between sommeliers and consumers
  

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

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Connect with me:
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Email - [email protected]