Cranford Man And Sister Host Wine Show On Local TV

CRANFORD, NJ — Brother and sister Corine Mogenis and Ray Mogenis are avid wine lovers. Ray is a Cranford resident who has worked in the wine industry since 1990, currently at a Cranford wine store. Corine has traveled all over the world sampling wine. Now, you can catch their show "Wine-ing Away with Corie & Ray" on Princeton TV.

Other local TV stations have started to air the show regularly, like Piscataway TV and Long Branch TV. It can be shared by anyone in the New Jersey TV industry, Corie said, and recently aired in Iowa.

"We approach wine in a way that is not intimidating," Corie said.

As with most brother and sister duos, there is some playful teasing. Additionally Ray has been a professional comedian for 13 years which brings an element of fun and entertainment while also being educated about wines.

"We are hoping that there is something for everyone on the show while also trying to make wine entertaining," Corie said. "The brother and sister chemistry brings a lot of joking around and giving a lot of digs to one another. We try to bring comedy to all aspects so it is not so serious and brings an aspect of wine that can be fun for everyone."

Cories acquired her love of wine over the last 25 years through research, discussions, wine tastings, educational classes and by having a glass or few. She has traveled to various wine regions and visited wineries in Sonoma, Napa, Temecula, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and even those in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and many other local states.

Ray has been working in the restaurant and retail wine industries since 1990 and has been given certifications in the industry for both Italian varietals and the Napa Valley region as well. He has traveled to close to a dozen countries as a wine professional. He has hosted more than 200 private, and industry, tastings covering wines from all over the globe. And he currently is a Wine Manager and Buyer for a private retail wine shop in Cranford.

Having the two different perspectives brings an interesting take to the show.

"The conversations are all over the place and questions coming from my brother are more educated, while I ask questions that the average person may be thinking," Corie said.

Since kicking off the show they have had guests such as a sommelier from the Peacock Inn, a wine distributor, owners of local New Jersey wineries, and restaurant managers. Guests are booked all the way through March.

There are two shows a month and airs every week on Princeton TV on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday on Comcast Ch. 30, Verizon Fios Ch. 45, Roku, FireTV and Apple TV. Beside Princeton it is seen in Ewing, Hopewell, Hopewell Boro, Lawrence Township, Trenton, West Windsor, South Brunswick, Cranbury, Plainsboro, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Montgomery and Rocky Hill.

For more information on "Wine-ing" Away with Corie & Ray or to see past episodes visit www.princetontv.org or facebook.com/Wine-ing-Away-With-Corie-Ray.

Alexis Tarrazi reported for this story.