5 Questions with Cokie Ponikvar, Advanced Sommelier & Master of Wine Candidate

In this episode of Five Questions , we sit down with Cokie Ponikvar, Advanced Sommelier, Master of Wine candidate, and wine communicator, for a candid conversation about her journey in wine. Cokie shares what she’s drinking now (including Soldera and Château Rayas), reflects on the thrill of tasting iconic bottles for the first time, and highlights underrated regions like the Chablis and grape varieties like Albariño, Gruner Veltliner, and Melon de Bourgogne (the variety used in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine). She also offers practical tips on temperature’s role in wine enjoyment, from chilling red wines to letting Champagne evolve over dessert, and opens up about the physical and mental demands of preparing for the MW exam.

🎧 In this episode:
• How Cokie uses Instagram to share her study journey and wine insights
• What it’s like tasting legendary wines for the first time with deep knowledge
• Underrated regions she loves—from Chalônais to Montevertine to Muscadet
• Why wine temperature matters more than most people think
• The physical and emotional toll of preparing for the MW exam

Follow Cokie on Instagram @cokiesworldofwine and subscribe to the Vint Wine Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping wine culture today.

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!