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Feeling overwhelmed the moment someone starts talking about “lemons, limes, or wet rocks” in your wine glass? You’re not alone. Wine tasting can seem like learning a foreign language—especially if you struggle to put words to what you taste or smell. In this episode of Everyday Sommelier, Kristi Mayfield is joined by neurodiversity educator, Russell Van Broecklen, to reveal revolutionary, science-backed techniques to help you learn how to taste wine, decode aromas, and master wine vocabulary—faster than you ever thought possible.

Learn how the same strategies used to help students with dyslexia can empower any adult wine lover to bypass overwhelm and confidently identify and remember key wine flavors. Discover Kristi’s signature Flavor Decoder (the wine wheel) and how you can personalize wine learning to make it stick—whether you’re learning 12 core flavors or want to master more than 200 wine aroma terms.

From AI hacks for memory retention to practical, approachable steps that work even if you have limited time, this episode breaks down wine tasting for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How to use neuro-based memory techniques (like word analysis + personalized stories) to permanently remember wine aromas and flavors.
• Ways to leverage Kristi’s Flavor Decoder (wine wheel) to simplify complex wine vocabulary—so you can confidently talk about any bottle.
• Simple AI-powered steps to quickly learn and retain 12 essential wine tasting terms (and grow your vocabulary from there).
• The mindset shift and practical process for enjoying wine learning at your own pace—without fear, snobbery, or overwhelm.

TOP TIMESTAMPS:

00:04:16 | From Intimidation to Confidence: The Science-Backed Shortcut to Learning Wine Tasting
Russell recounts feeling lost in a wine conversation and introduces his neuroscience-based method for rapid flavor memory.

00:09:19 | Lemon, But Make It Personal: Building Lifetime Wine Memories With Storytelling
Learn why connecting personal experiences (like your mom’s lemon bars) to wine aromas creates instant flavor recall.

00:12:27 | Mastering the Wine Wheel: Simplifying 200+ Wine Aromas to 12 Core Flavors
How to use the wine wheel and AI prompts to break wine learning into manageable, memorable chunks.

00:17:18 | Unlock Fast Results: Start With Your Favorite Wines and Grow Your Wine Vocabulary Effortlessly
Russell and Kristi reveal how focusing on your own preference—just a handful of flavors—can make wine tasting confidence a reality.

00:20:47 | Why Perfect Wine Talk Isn’t About Memorization—It’s About Authenticity and Enjoyment
Discover why adding your own story makes wine discussions effortless at restaurants, tastings, and with friends.

00:27:19 | Your 3-Step Path to Real Wine Confide

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