Kelli White has spent her career translating the mystique of wine into something real, personal, and alive. From working the floor at Veritas to writing for GuildSomm and publishing monumental books, she’s seen every side of the industry, and she’s tired of seeing people feel small around a glass of wine.
This episode dives deep into the psychology of taste, the myth of “right and wrong” pairings, and the subtle power that comes from understanding the world’s most romantic beverage. Kelli shares stories from her early days running a wine shop filled with musicians, lessons from Napa’s vineyards, and how one simple glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape changed her life.
Whether you’re a sommelier, a server, or just someone who wants to love wine without the pressure, this is your guide to doing it with grace, intelligence, and joy.
Expect to Learn:
Links:
Service starts now.
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I talk mostly to people in and around the service industry space. I'm looking to hear from the people I wish I could have talked to when I was coming up in restaurants. Said another way: I am trying to make sense of this wild, beautiful mess of a life, and help others that are feeling similarly confused and/or lost. You can find more of my work at my blog, and all my social links are at the bottom of that page.
Classic Episodes You May Like:
-#22:Doug Frost MW MS
-#23:Jeffrey Morgenthaler
-#31:ET: Entrepreneur (and creator of Surfer on Acid)
-#38:Aaron Goldfarb Hunting for Ancient Booze
-#39:Edward Slingerland's Masterful work on Intoxication
As always, I’m just here taking notes, trying to figure out what it all means.
Cheers