The Wine Conversation

▻ How You Get The Next Generation Into Fine Wine

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:51:40 +0000

Wine consumption is at its lowest since the early 1960s, and one reason is that the younger generation isn’t drinking wine. One company that is addressing this is Goedhuis Waddesdon, the bluest of blue-chip British wine merchants, who have set up The Goed Wine Collective, a club for under-35-year-olds. Sarah Kemp talks to the company’s Harry Tennant and Tilly Loughton, both in their 20s, on how the club works (spoiler alert – it’s free), how they recruit young members, the events they put on, and the language needed to engage their generation. A fascinating look into the under-35-year-old fine wine mindset.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Drops of God

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:56:24 +0000

Listen in to hear Sebastien Pradal talk to Elin McCoy on how he came to be the wine consultant to the hit Apple TV series “Drops of God”. As the wine consultant, he worked with the script writers and actors to ensure that all the facts and wine details were correct, as well as choosing the wines and winery locations. A fascinating conversation on how this hit wine TV drama came together.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Isole e Olena 2026 New Releases

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:30:32 +0000

John Stimpfig reports on the latest releases from Isole e Olena, one of the great estates of Tuscany.

▻ The 250-Year History Between USA and Bordeaux

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:06:03 +0000

Jane Anson discusses the extraordinary relationship between the USA and Bordeaux as the US begins to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence. Listen in to hear about the Founding Fathers' love of Bordeaux, and why Jane believes that Benjamin Franklin rather than Thomas Jefferson was the true advocate for Bordeaux. Discover the châteaux which had US connections and meet the extraordinary people in Bordeaux who helped the War of Independence.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Barbaresco with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:14:45 +0000

Join David Gleave MW for a deep dive into the wines of Barbaresco in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. Discover the vineyards to look out for on the label, the best producers and the upcoming names to watch. Expert advice from one of Italy’s foremost authorities.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Chassagne-Montrachet with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:18:08 +0000

Listen in for our latest 10-Minute Masterclass on Chassagne-Montrachet with Burgundian guru Jasper Morris MW author of Inside Burgundy and www.insideburgundy.com. Discover the vineyards to know, the producers to watch, the four bands of Premiers Crus, its terroir – and find out why it is frowned upon for producers to marry someone across the main road!

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXXII

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:49:11 +0000

“We are having a reckoning of the US wine industry.” Elin McCoy reports. Vineyards being pulled up, wineries for sale, wineries closing, exports falling, grim news from the US in this month’s Omnibus. There is, however, a bright spot – Taylor Swift’s love of Sancerre has made the wine fly off the shelves. Elsewhere, John Stimpfig reveals that the EU and New Zealand have concluded trade agreements with India (the first took two decades, NZ’s agreement took 9 months), a big market opens up for and Indian wine lovers can look forward to more choice. In Argentina the government has torn up 973 out of 1207 wine regulations. Plus get your running shoes out for the first Napa marathon. Listen in to Omnibus to hear all the latest wine news and views.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ St Estèphe with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:51:18 +0000

“I would say St Estèphe is one of Bordeaux’s most exciting appellations right now” Listen in to our latest 10-Minute Masterclass with Jane Anson to find out why she believes this is an appellation worth looking out for. Find out about its history, the producers and the names to look out for.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Ernst Loosen

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:08:47 +0000

He is known around the world as “Mr Riesling”. He fired the workforce during his first vintage, threw a book of how to make wine at the one person left, and started his mission to restore Riesling’s fine wine reputation. The man, of course, is Ernst Loosen and he talks to Sarah Kemp for our “Great Wine Lives” series. Frank, funny and totally unmissable.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Connoisseur Week in Tuscany

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:42:13 +0000

Discover the amazing people visited and great wines drunk when Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp visited Tuscany on the inaugural Tuscany Connoisseur Week. Find out which wines (and producers) captured their hearts and why Tuscany is now top of the list for wine collectors. Glorious armchair travel to one of the wine world’s most exciting regions.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXXI

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:04:54 +0000

Listen in to our first Omnibus in 2026 for all the latest wine news and views with John Stimpfig, Elin McCoy and Sarah Kemp. This month, we look at Michelin’s new wine guides where they are reviewing producers, not wines, and ask how are they actually going to work? Artificial intelligence has entered the wine world with ChatGPT recommending wineries to visit, with predictable results. Burgundy has had a bumper few months in the auction world, we review the main events of 2025, say goodbye to some great wine names, check out the fraud scene and welcome terroir-driven Chinese wine in the US. A bumper edition to start the New Year!

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Why Now is Tuscany’s Golden Age

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:12:09 +0000

Sarah Kemp discusses the reasons why Tuscany is outperforming Bordeaux and the rest of the fine wine market.

▻ 2025 Wines of the Year

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:53:46 +0000

Listen in to hear Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp discuss their 2025 Wines of the Year. After a year of travelling the vineyards, going to tastings and dinners, they have both chosen eight wines, and a few are on both of their lists. Jane’s top 50 are on her site www.janeanson.com and full tasting notes of Sarah’s choices are on www.wine-conversation.com From legendary wines to good value wines, find out what has thrilled them this year.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Château Lascombes

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:53:03 +0000

John Stimpfig talks to Axel Heinz, who caused shockwaves last year when he left Ornellaia and Masseto to head back to Bordeaux to run Château Lascombes.

▻ The Best Wine Books 2025

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:04:33 +0000

Time to clear your shelves, or build some more, as Brian St Pierre recommends the best wine books to buy this Christmas. Whether you want to armchair travel, start learning or deepen your knowledge, he has found a great book for everyone. The perfect Christmas present for a wine lover, or even better, yourself. Listen in to hear The Wine Conversation’s best wine books to buy in 2025.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXX

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:04:42 +0000

Another action-packed Omnibus with John Stimpfig and Elin McCoy reporting on the latest news from the wine world. This month we look at the 2025 harvest in Europe and North America, find out why Chablis is selling out in the US, and discover the latest research presented at The Old Vines Conference, plus the industry hits back at the anti-alcohol lobby and much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The 1945 First Growth Bordeaux Tasting

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:07:46 +0000

A very special podcast. Listen in to hear Jane Anson describe the historic tasting of Bordeaux’s 1945 First Growths at Kensington Palace to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 11. Jane was the only journalist present and she gives her impressions of the wines, the background to the vintage, and the extraordinary people who made it (including German prisoners of war). Plus, your chance to taste the 1945s by bidding for the 1945 tasting lot at the Golden Vines Auction taking place on Friday 7th November. Liquid history!

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Alexander Van Beek of Château Giscours

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:42:23 +0000

A 24-year-old Dutchman came to pick some grapes in Bordeaux on an estate belonging to a friend of his father Eric Albada Jelgersma. He ended up staying for 30 years. Listen in to hear the remarkable story of Alexander Van Beek, Estate Director of Château Giscours. In a frank interview, he talks about the highs, the lows and the practices he has introduced to take Giscours to new heights. He also discusses Caiarossa, the Tuscan property he runs and his approach to bio-dynamic farming.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Golden Vine Auction

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 06:14:40 +0000

Dreaming of visiting the world’s most illustrious wine estates, being treated as a VIP with tours and fine wine dinners and then owning large format rare bottles? Well, stop dreaming and start bidding. Romané Basset talks to Sarah Kemp about the Golden Vine Auction which is going live online on 20th October. 110 stellar lots from Château Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Le Pin lunch with Jancis Robinson, Colgin, Bonneau du Martray, Dom Perignon, Krug, Henschke to name a few. Listen in to hear about some of the fabulous lots and discover how the money will benefit hundreds of people through the Gerard Basset Foundation.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ The Latest Wine Books

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:36:20 +0000

Brian St Pierre takes a look at the latest crop of wine books, and picks out the ones he believes should be on every wine lover’s shelf

▻ Where is vineyard sustainability today, with Rodrigo Soto

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:46:51 +0000

Sustainability is the buzzword in the wine industry but where is it today? John Stimpfig talks to Rodrigo Soto, one of the earliest and leading practitioners of organic and biodynamic farming who presents his views on best practice and going forward. Soto worked with some of the pioneers of viticulture in California and now runs his own boutique winery, Far Mountain, in the Moon Mountain appellation in Sonoma.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Making White Burgundy with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:17:11 +0000

Burgundy guru Jasper Morris MW, author of Inside Burgundy, looks at “Making White Burgundy” in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. There are conferences on Pinot Noir but Chardonnay doesn’t get the same attention. Find out why he believes Chardonnay is more of a rugby grape than the ballerina Pinot Noir, and discover his views on when to pick, fermentation and a lot more.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXIX

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:41:22 +0000

Listen in to hear the latest news and views from the wine world in this month’s Omnibus. Stories include harvest updates, wildfires in Europe and US, arrests in Champagne, controversy over To-Kalon name, World Health Organisation anti-alcohol lobby, Pinot Grigio on the rise in Australia, why you should visit the Finger Lakes, plus Coonawarra’s “Wine and Woof Walk” and the great new trend - matching wine to books. Suggestions please of your favourite wine and book matches. Cheers to that!

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Château Lafleur Leaving the Pomerol Appellation

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:13:59 +0000

Emergency Bordeaux podcast! Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp discuss the news that has sent seismic waves around the wine world- stellar Château Lafleur will no longer bottle under the Pomerol AOC from the 2025 vintage. Why have they done this, what does it mean for their neighbours, and what does the future hold for the producers of Pomerol. Listen in to hear Jane and Sarah’s views.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Ardfern

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:36:30 +0000

If you are heading to Edinburgh do not miss Ardfern, an all-day café, bottle shop and restaurant with the most brilliant wine list at reasonable prices.

▻ Don St Pierre of ASC Fine Wines

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:51:18 +0000

Don St Pierre Jnr founded ASC Fine Wines in China with his father in 1996, and pioneered the introduction of wine to a nation of Baijiu drinkers. In our “Great Wine Lives” series he talks to Sarah Kemp about the challenges and how he overcame them. It started with teaching people how to use a cork screw, but with a team of passionate local Chinese employees he built a business selling 3 million bottles a year. It wasn’t easy, he even got thrown into jail for 29 days, and while there had to plan Robert Parker’s trip to China a few weeks later! Listen in to hear the story of this remarkable man and find out why after selling his shares in the company in 2014, and heading to California to buy the majority share in Vinfolio, he has returned to China and bought back ASC Fine Wines.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Barolo with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:57:16 +0000

Who are the best producers in Barolo? Who are the up-and-coming producers? What does it taste like young and old? Best vintages? What type of soil? Find out by taking a deep dive into all things Barolo in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass with Italian guru David Gleave MW.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Christian Moueix

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:23:45 +0000

Christian Moueix is the winemaker’s winemaker, the man Hugh Johnson called “a reference point to the Right Bank of Bordeaux”. Usually when you say someone is a legend it is hyperbole, but not in Christian’s case, as he has influenced vintners around the world with the viticultural practices he pioneered. For our series “Great Wine Lives” he talks to Sarah Kemp about his extraordinary life, discussing the influence of his father, being in charge of 38 vintages of Petrus, his work at Bélair-Monange, Trotanoy, La Fleur-Pétrus and Dominus, his life outside the vineyard and his one wish. Listen in to hear the man who has completed 55 vintages on the world’s greatest terroirs.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXVIII

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:00:51 +0000

The FBI, MI6, CIA and a nuclear physicist - all used to find counterfeit wine by Bill Koch, one of the subjects of this month’s Wine Conversation. Plus, the fall-out of the Bordeaux 2024 campaign, aluminium bottles, vintage reports from Chile and Argentina, and much more. Listen in to hear the latest wine news and views.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Hannes Myburgh of Meerlust

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:20:54 +0000

Hannes Myburg talks to John Stimfig for our series “Great Wine Lives” about growing up and then running the iconic South African Meerlust estate, which is celebrating its 50th vintage. Discover how he became a paid clapper at fashion shows in Paris which led to an internship at Château Lafite and how his father was the first to develop Bordeaux blends in South Africa, inspired by a trip to Bordeaux. Meerlust has only had three cellar masters in its history and Hannes discusses their contributions as John Stimpfig reports on a vertical of Meerlust back to 1975.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Connoisseur Week 2025

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:21:51 +0000

Find out why the Connoisseur Week is Sarah Kemp and Jane Anson’s favourite week of the year. Five decades of Haut-Bailly, Ausone 61 in magnum, Haut Brion 98 and Mission 2000, learning about green harvesting with Christian Moueix at Bélair-Monange, matching vintages of Yquem with exquisite dishes, private dinner at the Musée des Beaux-Arts with Liber Pater, the world’s most expensive wine, magnums of Troplong-Mondot 1983, 2005, Clos du Clocher 1947, just some of the memories they look back on. Listen in for armchair wine porn.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Optimism in the Wine World with Adrian Bridge

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:15:51 +0000

Optimism is a rare commodity in the wine world today. Listen in to hear why Adrian Bridge of the Fladgate Partnership is optimistic, and what his belief has created in Porto and the Douro valley. Listen in to hear a fascinating interview on how belief helped create a vibrant tourist industry and after 333 years of Taylor’s port, the company is still innovating. Plus, why he believes you can compete on brands but not climate. In partnership with The Fladgate Partnership.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ 20 years of Barons de Rothschild Champagne

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:08:00 +0000

Twenty years ago, three branches of the Rothschild family decided to create a brand new Champagne House. Why did they do it, how did they do it? Listen in to hear Philippe Sereys de Rothschild talk to Sarah Kemp about the creation of Champagne Barons de Rothschild, the challenges they faced as outsiders from Bordeaux and what the difference is between running a First Growth Bordeaux and a Champagne House. Also joining Sarah is Guillaume Leté, the Cellar Master, who discusses the work in the vineyards and cellar, all in the pursuit of elegance, balance and quality.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Beaune with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 25 May 2025 07:50:53 +0000

Listen in to hear Jasper Morris MW take a deep dive into the wines of Beaune in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. In this episode, he explores the Premier Crus (there are no Grand Crus), discusses the taste of the reds and whites, reveals the Premier Crus to look out for. He describes Beaune as “the wine lovers’ centre of the universe”, reveals his favourite restaurants and the best places to visit when you are there. Unmissable.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXVII

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 May 2025 16:28:13 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus for this month’s wine news and views and it is fast moving news this month as the roller-coaster tariffs cause chaos in the wine industry;John Stimpfig reports on their effect. The Bordeaux En Primeur campaign is under way and we look at the prices being offered, who is selling, and who isn’t. Big company news from Constellation, Moet Hennessy, and Majestic plus the world’s oldest surviving wine which was harvested at the time of Christ.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Mike Ratcliffe

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 06 May 2025 06:57:24 +0000

Mike Ratcliffe, one of South Africa’s most dynamic producers, talks to John Stimpfig for our series “Great Wine Lives” He discusses growing up at the family’s Warwick Estate where his mother was known as “South Africa’s First Lady of Wine” and how he co-founded Vilafonté with Zelma Long and Phil Freese when he was relatively young. “They took a chance on me” he tells John. Listen in to hear his remarkable story and his quest to make a great red blend, a South African Grand Cru, and why he thinks South Africa needs more premium producers.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2024 – The Verdict

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:08:02 +0000

The verdict is in! Listen in to our final podcast on En Primeur Bordeaux 2024, where after three weeks of tasting Jane Anson delivers her views on the vintage. Discover how it compares to other vintages, and find out her all-important recommendations on whether to buy or not. Also, don’t miss out on her 15% off offer to new subscribers (open until the end of May) where you can read her detailed tasting notes on over 750 wines. Special code EP152025.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2024 Vintage Challenges

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:19:27 +0000

“A challenging year” – total agreement from two of Bordeaux’s most experienced directors, Frédéric Faye of Château Figeac and Alexander Van Beek of Château Giscours. Difficult flowering, rain in September, there was a lot to cope with. They talk to Sarah Kemp about how they approached the 2024 vintage, and why terroir and team work were the keys to success.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2024 Wines – First Impressions

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:00:07 +0000

Listen in for Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp’s first impressions of the Bordeaux 2024 vintage after tasting (Jane has already tasted 500 wines, and Sarah over 250). Both agree this is not a vintage to buy blind, and there is much to discuss, as it is a vintage where generalisations are out of the window. Though only 2/3rds of the way through the mammoth tasting, Jane picks out some good value successes and Sarah names a few of the vintage’s stand-out wines. Jane’s report will be released on the Thursday after Easter but for an early view, tune in now.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Bordeaux Market

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:11:48 +0000

Justin Gibbs, co-founder of Liv-ex, talks to Sarah Kemp about the Bordeaux market and discusses the issues facing En Primeur, and why the pricing of the 2024 campaign is a crucial moment for the Bordelais. Listen in to hear his views and what he thinks needs to happen for Bordeaux En Primeur magic to return.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Who Buys Bordeaux En Primeur

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 08:28:14 +0000

On the eve of the 2024 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign, Sarah Kemp talks to David Thomas of Bordeaux Index, the man responsible for selling millions of pounds of Bordeaux En Primeur worldwide. He discusses who the Bordeaux buyer today is, how and why En Primeur sales have declined dramatically over the last fourteen years. Listen in to the man who really knows what Bordeaux lovers think, and what he believes the châteaux need to do to make the 2024 campaign a success.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ En Primeur Bordeaux 2024 – The Weather

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 08:17:21 +0000

In our first En Primeur Bordeaux 2024 podcast Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about the weather conditions that forged the 2024 vintage in Bordeaux. It was a challenging vintage for the producers and Jane discusses which soils she expects will cope best, why it is important to look at the weather conditions and yields before tasting and reveals why she thinks there may be a nice surprise for consumers.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Canadian Wine Industry Post Tariffs

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:41:07 +0000

“Elbows up” in Canada as the Canadian wine industry reacts to the US tariffs. Sarah Kemp talks to Don Ziraldo, leading Canadian vintner who co-founded Inniskillin, and helped establish the Vintners Quality Alliance. He reports on how the tariffs have propelled the creation of VQA Canada, and how it should be in effect by summer. Listen in to the man who says , “We’re not normally this aggressive as Canadians, but this has really riled us up.”

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXVI

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:54:44 +0000

Listen in to our latest Omnibus for all the news and views from the wine world. Elin McCoy reports on Trump’s tariffs, and the negative effect they are having on the industry, while John Stimpfig discusses the exciting new developments on combating smoke taint in grapes. Plus John and Sarah Kemp argue over the launch of Grange La Chapelle. John sees it as a welcome spotlight on Syrah/Shiraz while Sarah questions the environmental impact of flying grapes to Australia, and that’s before she gets to the price! Join us for an hour of strong views and today’s wine news.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Biondi Santi’s New Releases

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:58:47 +0000

John Stimpfig tastes the latest releases from the world-famous Biondi Santi estate.

✒ Gravner – The Road Not Taken

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:00:11 +0000

Sarah Kemp attends a vertical of Gravner, the father of the modern orange wine movement, and asks “are classical wine lovers missing out?”

▻ Côte Chalonnaise with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:48:59 +0000

Discover the Côte Chalonnaise with Jasper Morris MW in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. Find out the differences between the villages of Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry and Montagny. Listen in to learn about this varied region, which still offers value, and find out who are Jasper’s recommended producers to seek out.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Sustainability with Viña Santa Rita

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:38:17 +0000

Elena Carretero of Viña Santa Rita talks to us about how Chile’s premier winery is embracing its sustainable future.

▻ Pruning with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:45:46 +0000

Some producers say that the quality of their wine is down to their pruning methods. Jane Anson looks at the art of pruning in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. Listen in and discover the different types of pruning, when to prune, the rules and regulations and why it makes a difference to the wine in your glass.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXV

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:49:38 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus for all the latest wine news and views. This month John Stimpfig reports on the 2023 Burgundy vintage, Elin McCoy names her top three value Bordeaux 2022, we look at the state of the US wine industry, Trump update on tariffs, modern slavery in the Langhe vineyards. Plus exciting results from an experiment using dogs to detect vine diseases, and Elin’s Sauternes and sushi revelation. This Omnibus is brought to you by our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Wine Estates.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Morey-St-Denis with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:11:32 +0000

Listen in to another great 10-Minute Masterclass with Burgundy expert Jasper Morris MW, author of Inside Burgundy and the brilliant website www.insideburgundy.com. This month he looks at Morey-St-Denis in the Côte d’Or. Find out about its terroir, the producers to know and who he recommends keeping an eye out for. 10 minutes of invaluable Burgundy wisdom.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Kellerei Cantina Terlan Tasting

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:01:08 +0000

Sarah Kemp reports on a historic tasting of Kellerei Cantina Terlan with vintages back to 1955.

▻ Romané Basset of the Gerard Basset Foundation

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:54:46 +0000

Helping military veterans overcome PTSD, giving young disadvantaged people a chance to enter the wine world, scholarships for individuals caught up in geopolitical conflicts, just some of the causes The Gerard Basset Foundation financially supports. Romané Basset talks to Sarah Kemp about the work being done by the Foundation in memory of his father, the late great Gerard Basset, an amazing legacy for an amazing man.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Sicily with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:18:47 +0000

Italian guru David Gleave MW takes a look at Sicily in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. He takes us through its varied landscape and five different wine regions, guides us through its different grape varieties and advises which producers to look out for. A great deep dive into one of Italy’s most exciting regions.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXIV

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:08:53 +0000

Listen in to our special festive edition of Omnibus. John Stimpfig and Sarah Kemp both name their top five wines of the year and Elin McCoy names her top champagnes. Brian St Pierre lists The Wine Conversation’s books of the year, and reveals it is a vintage year for great wine books. We look back at some of our most memorable podcasts and our greatest trips. Sarah has banned bad news, so there is no Weather Watch or Farewell to, just lots of great wine moments to enjoy. Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ The Most Notable Wine Books of The Year 2024

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:22:36 +0000

It has been a vintage year for wine books says Brian St Pierre. Check out our Wine Books of the Year for an assessment of this bounty.

▻ Marc Hochar

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:01:36 +0000

As war in the Lebanon yet again fills our news channels Sarah Kemp talks to Marc Hochar of Chateau Musar for our series “Great Wine Lives”. Listen in to hear his earliest memories of Chateau Musar, the conversations he had with his father Serge and Musar’s philosophy of non-intervention. Discover what it is like to farm in the Beka’a Valley, and the responsibility he feels every time he sends workers out.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXIII

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 08:51:04 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 33 to hear all the latest news and views from the world of wine. This month we start by looking at three great wine-friendly restaurants definitely worth a visit. Astonishing news comes in the report of the theft of an entire vineyard crop in the Jura just before harvest (spoiler alert- it happened in the Jura last year too). Over in the US Elin McCoy discusses what Donald Trump could mean for the wine world and reports on major news from Virginia. It has been a busy month at The Wine Conversation with everyone on planes and trains. John heads to Italy for the Old Vine Conference, Sarah flies to Dublin to celebrate Terroir’s 30th anniversary and Elin is in Italy for a 2-day extravaganza celebrating cashmere king Bruno Cucinelli’s new wines. All this plus Chinese wine influencer Lady Penguin’s latest news, Weather Watch, People News and much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Asian Wine Market

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:10:00 +0000

Which country in Asia is going to be the next hot spot for fine wine? Listen in to hear Timothy Goh of Vinum Fine Wines talk to Sarah Kemp about the dynamic fine wine market in South-East Asia. Discover his tip for the region he believes has the best future and find out which South-East Asian country has as many women collectors as men – plus his view on the future of Hong Kong and Singapore as key wine hubs.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Masseto Vertical Tasting

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 09:55:18 +0000

John Stimpfig reports on a rare vertical of Masseto, the Marchesi Frescobali family’s renowned wine which is known as “the Petrus of Italy”.

▻ Chablis Premiers Crus with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:51:51 +0000

Listen in to another brilliant 10-Minute Masterclass from Jasper Morris MW. In this episode, he looks at Chablis premiers crus and discusses its history, the different styles depending on which bank of the river you are on. Find out who he recommends, where to find value and the best up-and-coming producers.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Sebastian Zuccardi’s New Releases

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:07:52 +0000

Sebastian Zuccardi is one of South America’s most dynamic winemakers. Sarah Kemp meets up with him to taste his new vintages and finds out from him the four new revolutions happening in Argentina’s vineyards.

▻ Philippe Guigal

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:07:45 +0000

Philippe Guigal is the third generation of the illustrious Guigal wine family from the Rhône. He talks to Sarah Kemp for our series “Great Wine Lives” about growing up in Ampuis with his grandfather Etienne who started the company in 1946 and his father Marcel who took over at 17 years old when his father became blind. Philippe discusses the “La Las”, of which there is about to be a fourth, why he believes in the future of the Rhône despite climate change and his excitement about Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape which the family bought in 2017. He tastes every lunchtime with his father and he is delighted that his twin sons both are interested in wine, one wants to be an oenologist, the other wants to run a company. A fascinating interview with one of France’s most dynamic producers, whose family is at the heart of everything.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXII

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:53:32 +0000

John Stimpfig reports on how vintners are coping in the Bekaa Valley, Elin McCoy discusses the sale of Duckhorn Portfolio for 1.95 billion dollars, plus Weather Watch and North Hemisphere Harvest reports. We also report on the launch of Taittinger’s English Sparkling wine, Berry Brothers entering the auction world and the chance for all of us to buy a little bit of Burgundian history when the BIVB road signs go up for auction this November. This Omnibus is brought to you by our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Wine Estates.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Montalcino with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 08:25:24 +0000

Join us for a 10-Minute Masterclass on Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello di Montalcino. Italian expert David Gleave MW guides us through the region’s diverse terroir and explains the different wine styles from north to south, where picking can differ by up-to 10 days. He recommends the top producers as well as his hot tips for producers to watch out for and where to find value. Unmissable listening for any wine lover.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Lenz Moser

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:19:18 +0000

In our latest “Great Wine Lives” series Elin McCoy talks to Lenz Moser about how his curiosity took him from his family estate in Austria to China, California, Hungary and back to Austria to launch a new company based on Gruner Veltliner. Listen in to hear his views on Chinese wine and why he thinks the wine industry is losing consumers.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Grape Varieties in Chile

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 11:17:57 +0000

Take a deep dive into Chile with our Founding Sponsor Santa Rita Estate’s viticulture manager, Gerardo Leal. Find out which regions he thinks suit which grape variety best, discover Santa Rita’s Estate’ new project in the south of Chile and why Maipo is still the most important region for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Volnay with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 07:28:27 +0000

Discover what makes Volnay so special with Jasper Morris MW in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. Discover its history, its terroir, the vineyards to know, and Jasper’s tip for producers who are excellent value and still under the radar. Plus probably our best obscure fact to date. A must-listen for any Burgundy lover.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Siepi 30th Anniversary

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 09:03:00 +0000

▻ How to Build a Wine Empire

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:53:20 +0000

How do you build a new wine empire? Michael Saunders, the man who co-founded Bibendum and spent 40-years building it into one of Britain’s most dynamic companies, talks to Sarah Kemp about Coterie Holdings, which he joined in January this year as its CEO. Coterie own Lay and Wheeler, Hallgarten and Novum Wines, Coterie Vaults, Europe’s largest bespoke wine warehouse, and Jera, a specialist lending platform which offers short-term loans secured against wine collections. What’s next for Coterie and what does it take to succeed in building a fine wine business? Listen in to find out.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXXI

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:21:08 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus for all the latest wine news and views. This month we cover the fake wine scandal in Taiwan, the latest harvest reports, wine bankruptcies and latest winery sales, the launch of a non-profit foundation for promoting the enjoyment of aged wines, plus Elin heads to the Hamptons with “Sex and City” author Candace Bushnell to taste the latest Dom Pérignon.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Sangiovese with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:47:00 +0000

Davie Gleave MW takes a deep-dive into Italy’s most planted grape, Sangiovese. Discover where it grows best, where the grape originated from (spoiler alert, not Tuscany}, whether it can age, and why David believes it has a bright future.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Great Wines Take Time

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 12:15:43 +0000

A vertical of the rare Château Grillet, organised by Libération Tardive, whose aim is to reintroduce wine enthusiasts to the values and pleasures of well-aged wines.

▻ Lorenzo Pasquini about Château d’Yquem

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 14:46:57 +0000

What is it like to run one of the world’s most prestigious wine estates? Listen in to hear Lorenzo Pasquini talk to Elin McCoy about his life as Estate Manager at Château d’Yquem. Lorenzo was born in Italy and dreamed of being a professional fencer, but wine beckoned after watching his father plant an estate. Lorenzo talks about his mentor Denis Dubourdieu, becoming the winemaker at Cheval des Andes at 26 years old, and how he could not turn down the ultimate golden wine job.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Gevrey-Chambertin with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:38:20 +0000

Join world-expert Jasper Morris MW, author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy and the brilliant website www.insideburgundy.com, for his latest 10-minute Burgundy masterclass.

This month he is looking at the wines of Gevrey-Chambertin, famed for its nine grands crus. Discover its history, its terroir, the producers to look out for, and its one obscure fact. A deep dive into the famous appellation from the leading Burgundy expert.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Casa Real with Baltazar Sánchez

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:18:00 +0000

Baltazar Sánchez, the Chairman of the historic Chilean estate Vina Santa Rita, talks to Sarah Kemp about how Casa Real came to be one of Chile’s flagship wines. They discuss the decision to create Casa Real in 1989, whether it will remain 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, why they decided to join La Place de Bordeaux, and the company’s hopes for Casa Real’s future.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Rajeev Samant of Sula Vineyards

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:25:28 +0000

In our latest series of “Great Wine Lives” John Stimpfig talks to Rajeev Samant of Sula Vineyards, the man who is the founder of India’s wine industry. Listen to his amazing story of how he discovered wine as an undergraduate in California, and on returning home to India for a family wedding persuaded his father not to sell a plot of land, as it reminded him of California. From roses and tomatoes to deciding to plant vitis vinifera, today Sula Vineyards is India’s premier and largest wine producer, selling over a million cases, 98% of which are domestically sold. From battles with bureaucrats, setbacks with Covid, Financial Crisis and terrorism hitting tourism, Rajeev has overcome all obstacles and introduced a nation to the joys of wine, a novelty as 99% of Indians have never tasted wine. Don’t miss a remarkable and uplifting story of the birth of a new wine region.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Chianti Classico with David Gleave MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:24:36 +0000

Join us for a brand new series of 10-Minute Masterclasses. We are thrilled that David Gleave MW, renowned Italian expert, will be sharing his extraordinary knowledge and insights on Italian wine. First we head to Tuscany for a deep dive into Chianti Classico. Discover its history, terroir, its best producers and David’s tips on which young producers to look out for. Bellissimo!

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ The Mâconnais with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:04:16 +0000

Join world-expert Jasper Morris MW, author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy and the brilliant website www.insideburgundy.com, for his latest 10-minute Burgundy masterclass.

This month he is looking at the wines of the Mâconnais. Find out about its terroir, the different styles produced in the Mâconnais, the producers to look out for, and his great insider tip.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Connoisseur Week 2024

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:54:42 +0000

Sarah Kemp looks back at her personal highlights of 2024’s fabulous Connoisseur Week.

▻ Omnibus XXX

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 18:05:49 +0000

Listen in to this month’s Omnibus for all the latest wine news and views from around the world. Who were the winners and losers in the Bordeaux 2023 campaign? Which major US vineyard has been sold and to whom? Which wine regions have suffered from floods, hail and drought and what does that mean for this year’s harvest? Plus Elin McCoy travels to Bordeaux and discusses the new projects including the planting of a vineyard of the future. Plus John Stimpfig on weather watch and much, much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Andrew Caillard MW about The Australian Ark

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 06:24:52 +0000

The Australian Ark is one of the most important wine books to have been published not just this year, but any year. Jane Anson talks to its author Andrew Caillard MW, who spent 18 years researching it. Listen in to hear about his incredible life and how he came to write this magnum opus. Unmissable.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Sacha Lichine

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:44:56 +0000

Sacha Lichine, the “godfather of rosé” talks to Jane Anson for our series “Great Wine Lives”. Son of Alexis Lichine, one of the most prominent 20th century wine figures, Sacha grew up at Château Prieuré-Lichine in Bordeaux, and drove tractors before he could drive. He talks about how he came to move to Provence, working with Patrick Leon, the previous Technical Director of Château Mouton Rothschild, and setting out to make a serious rosé. Today Whispering Angel is a phenomenal success, loved by celebrities, including Adele, who famously said it was the first thing she wanted to buy along with tomato ketchup after lockdown. Listen in to hear his fascinating story.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Sebastián Labbé – The 2024 Chilean Vintage

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 25 May 2024 12:07:57 +0000

Sebastián Labbé, Chief Winemaker for Santa Rita premium wines, talks about the 2024 harvest in Chile. Find out which regions he believed were outstanding, and why he is a fan of Carménère, which he is picking earlier and fine-tuning for more freshness. 21 minutes to get up-to-speed with 2024 Chile, courtesy of our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Estates.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Understanding the Burgundy Trade

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 20 May 2024 07:36:29 +0000

Join us for a 10-minute masterclass on understanding the Burgundy trade with leading Burgundy authority Jasper Morris MW, author of the award-winning book “Inside Burgundy”. Discover how the system works, the role of domaines, negociants and co-operatives, and importantly where Jasper believes you can still find value.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Wine Maps

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 12 May 2024 17:38:32 +0000

The German Air Force’s 1943 map of the Medoc was used to create the base material for the Bordeaux Wine Atlas map. One of the fascinating facts in a special podcast on how wine maps are created with wine map guru Chris Foulkes. Chris has arguably more experience in creating wine maps than anyone. He oversaw the 3rd edition of the World Atlas of Wine, published the Bordeaux Atlas and recently Inside Burgundy by Jasper Morris MW and Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson. Listen in to hear his stories about the challenges he faced in creating the maps, how before Google Earth he employed a young man with a bicycle to travel around the Medoc to check estate boundaries, the deliberate errors inserted to avoid copyright theft, and much more. His latest venture is publishing a special edition print of Jane Anson’s map which for the first time shows the terroir and the position of the chateau, recently launched on her site www.janeanson.com. You will never look at a wine map in the same way again!

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2023 – Part Two

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:39:34 +0000

As Jane Anson finishes her report on the 2023 Bordeaux vintage she talks to Sarah Kemp about her impressions after tasting over 800 wines. She advises which appellations did well, how it compares to previous vintages, and names the châteaux she believes will offer value for money. Find out which wine she would buy, money no object, and why. Sarah was delighted. Jane’s report is released on May 2nd and she is offering a 10% discount during En Primeur. Listen in to get up-to-speed with a vintage Bordeaux lovers will love.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXIX

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:07:42 +0000

News and views aplenty in this month’s Omnibus, good, bad and damn frightening. Elin McCoy finds there is great wine, food and art at Château La Coste in Provence (currently showing 85 of Damien Hirst’s works), reviews the new releases from Champagne Bollinger, and discusses the new Mouton Cadet range designed for Gen Z with Philippe Sereys de Rothschild. Over in Macau Jane Anson judges the new Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards and reveals the winner. It’s April so inevitably John Stimpfig and Sarah Kemp are talking about the Bordeaux En Primeur campaign, with the perennial question, what price will the châteaux release at. The good news is that the tariffs have been lifted on Australian wine into China and the Old Vine Conference has announced their Hero awards. The frightening news is that a report has come out predicting 29% of vineyards will not be able to produce premium wine by the end of the century. Great news for charity though, John Stimpfig is back on his bike to raise money for the Hospitality Industry, a 200km bike ride across Burgundy, but before then there is a Gala Dinner in London. Listen in to hear all about it. This Omnibus is brought to you by our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Wine Estates.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2023 – Part One

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 07:39:19 +0000

The first report on the 2023 Bordeaux vintage from Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp. Sarah joined Jane for her second week of tasting, and found much to love “I felt a lot of these wines, not all, were what made me fall in love with Bordeaux. It’s the vintage I will buy my son to remind him why I loved Bordeaux and was away so often”. They discuss the factors which shaped the wines, with mildew and the question of whether to strip the leaves and risk burning the grapes a major decision. Yields, economic conditions, appellation success – a full discussion after a week of long days travelling round Bordeaux putting together the jigsaw puzzle of understanding the latest vintage. Jane will produce her full report for subscribers on May 2nd. For listeners who are not subscribers, there is a Flash sale, to be taken up by April 25! Please use the following discount code on a yearly subscription to start your 7-day free trial, at www.janeanson.com/subscribe: TRYJAIB24

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ St-Aubin with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:28:00 +0000

Jasper Morris MW, today’s leading Burgundy expert and author of the award-winning book “Inside Burgundy”, conducts a 10-Minute Masterclass on St-Aubin, the fourth great white Burgundy village. Jasper discusses its terroir, the best vintages to look out for, its renowned names and the one producer that is up and coming. For wine lovers, there is the added bonus that it still offers value for money.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2023 – A Preview With Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:07:20 +0000

7 minutes on the weather conditions that have formed the 2023 vintage from Bordeaux expert Jane Anson. As the En Primeur tastings get into full swing Jane looks at the difference in yields, the problem mildew caused for some producers “Just 5 % of mildew in a tank can make the difference to the taste”. Listen in to the first of our En Primeur podcasts and get up-to-date with Bordeaux’s 2023 vintage.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Sauternes with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:06:03 +0000

Drunk by hedonists, made by masochists, Sauternes is one of the world’s greatest fine wines. Join Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp for a 10-minute masterclass as they discuss this renowned appellation. Find out the difference between Sauternes and Barsac, why it is in decline after being one of the most-sought after wines in the world. Discover the new dry styles being produced, the new upcoming producers and why there is a new demand for Sauternes barrels from spirit producers.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXVIII

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:58:25 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus XXVIII for all the latest wine news and views. John Stimpfig looks at a mysterious sabotage at the Pepa 21 winery in Ribera del Duero, and recounts that winery sabotage is not unknown. The latest court case in Bordeaux is causing shock waves, Ginestet and Cordier have been ordered to pay a Medoc grower under the relatively new Egalim Law for offering abusively low prices, as a result there is complete paralysis on the Bordeaux bulk market. Weather watch makes grim listening with hail in Argentina, wild fires in Chile and a deep frost in British Columbia, which has wiped out the harvest. Happier news from Elin who reports on the DRC 2021 tasting in New York, and discusses the new Millesima wine store, a destination for wine lovers. More good news for wine lovers as the Premiere Napa Valley auction lots, which were bought by the trade, are now listed on their site, allowing collectors to track down rare parcels. George and Amal Clooney are about to release their first wines, watch this space….

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Nuits-St-Georges with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:37:16 +0000

Listen in to our brand new series of 10-Minute Masterclasses on Burgundy with Jasper Morris MW, the world-leading Burgundy authority and author of the award-winning book Inside Burgundy. First in the series is a look at Nuits-St-Georges. Find out about its terroir, where to find value for money and much more. Jasper, whose subscription website www.insideburgundy.com is essential reading for any serious Burgundy lover, believes the appellation deserves more attention, tune in and discover why. 10-minutes of brilliant and entertaining wisdom.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Gary Boom of Bordeaux Index

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:23:45 +0000

Gary Boom of Bordeaux Index talks to Sarah Kemp in our series “Great Wine Lives”. Listen in to discover how he left South Africa as a beer drinker and ended up falling in love with wine and building one of the world’s largest fine wine companies. He talks about his successes and failures, opening an office in Hong Kong a year before the duty was abolished, why he expanded the company’s portfolio to include spirits, and much more. He has just relaunched Live Trade, the wine trading platform, now open to anyone who wishes to sell their wine. A fascinating interview with the outsider who is now seen as part of the fine wine establishment.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Cabernet Franc with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:51:05 +0000

Join us for a “10-minute masterclass” on Cabernet Franc. Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp take a deep dive into Bordeaux’s oldest grape. Discover where it is grown (spoiler alert – China has more than you think), find out which famous varieties it parented and why there is concern about clonal diversity. Find out Jane’s recommended producers and be ready for her obscure facts – including which vintage of Cheval Blanc is 98% Cabernet Franc.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Biondi-Santi with Giampiero Bertolini

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:10:19 +0000

Giampiero Bertolini, the CEO of Biondi Santi talks to Sarah Kemp about Italy’s iconic estate. He discusses its history and reveals the new developments in the vineyard since it was bought by the EPI Group (owners of Charles and Piper Heidsieck) in 2017. Find out how the tennis court has been turned into an experimental nursery with different mother clones, how Pedro Parra came over to map the soil and the new vinification by parcel. As he releases the famed Riserva Storica 1988 and 2010, he says “It’s evolution, not revolution”.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Marcheses Filippo and Francesco Mazzei

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:58:07 +0000

Sarah Kemp meets Marcheses Francesco and Marchese Filippo Mazzei of Castello di Fonterutoli, who have 600 years of winemaking history in the family. As their Super Tuscan “Concerto di Fonterutoli” celebrates its 40th anniversary, they discuss Tuscany’s quality revolution. Listen in to hear about the changes they made in the vineyard and cellar, and the new generation of wine lovers and sommeliers who are putting Tuscany firmly on collectors’ map.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Pessac-Léognan with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:57:24 +0000

Join us for our 10-Minute Masterclass on Pessac-Léognan with Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp. Discover the appellation’s history, price per hectare, its classified growths, its terroir and its most famous châteaux. A deep dive into one of Jane’s and Sarah’s favourite appellations.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Isole e Olena New Releases

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:46:12 +0000

Great to meet Emanuele Reolon, the new Estate Director of Isole e Olena at the River Café for the launch of the new vintages.

▻ Omnibus XXVII

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 06:47:45 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus XXVII to hear John Stimpfig and Elin McCoy’s predictions for the main wine trends in 2024. As usual, news aplenty including France’s reaction to Dry January (Spoiler alert – Alain Ducasse reduced the price of his top Bordeaux and Burgundy to encourage people to drink more), the new ingredient labelling required for wines marketed in the EU, reaction to the Burgundy 2022 campaign, Naples Charity Wine Auction raises over US$ 33 million dollars and much more. For those in the freezing northern hemisphere, Elin has researched the new luxury wine experiences in Chile – find out where she recommends wine lovers should go and how she found her night in the room entitle “Shape of Women”.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Edouard Miailhe

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:16:50 +0000

Celebrated but not classified, Château Siran is one of Margaux’s most loved properties. Elin McCoy talks to Edouard Miailhe, the 6th generation of his family to run the estate for our series “Great Wine Lives”. Listen in to hear how he returned from the Philippines to take over from his parents, and how friends knew before he did that he would return as they saw Siran was in his DNA. Edouard recounts many anecdotes, including why the property was not classified (spoiler alert – the previous owner was a royalist and didn’t like Napoleon 111 who organised the 1855 Exposition de Paris) and how he heard that there was a restaurant in the Napa Valley with an extraordinary list of old vintages of Siran – it turned out the owner had bought the authentic Rudi Kurniawan cellar. A great interview with the man whose heart is firmly in the Margaux appellation.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Giovanni Mazzei – The Next Generation

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:40:41 +0000

600 years of winemaking runs through the blood of Giovanni Mazzei, son of Marchese Filippo Mazzei of Castello di Fonterutoli. Sarah talks to him for our Next Generation series about his life with his wife and three young boys at the Il Caggio estate where he runs Ipsus, the wine he wants recognised as the finest Sangiovese in Italy. “I wasn’t sure I was given the responsibility, I asked for it” he tells Sarah as he describes why he believes that the Sangiovese at the Il Caggio estate is second to known. A fascinating interview with one of Italy’s most dynamic and passionate personalities.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Nick Pegna of Sotheby’s

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 10:12:13 +0000

What is the next thing for wine collectors should look out for? Nick Pegna, the new head of Sotheby’s wine and spirits, talks to Elin McCoy about the fine wine and spirit market. He reminisces about his early days in the wine trade, where he started out as a shop assistant at Lea and Sandeman before going on to join the newly formed Berry Brothers and Rudd’s broking department. He discusses setting up the Berry Brothers’ Hong Kong office with chairman Simon Berry and how he watched the interest in fine wine in Asia explode. 100 days into his new job he reveals some of his plans for the future and predicts the areas he thinks are worth investing in.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Jean-Charles Boisset

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 17:32:19 +0000

Elin McCoy talks to Jean-Charles Boisset, the audacious Burgundian vintner who shook up the US wine scene. Listen in to hear how he bought some of California’s most historic wineries, his pioneering work in organic an biodynamic viticulture. Discover his passion for innovation as he discusses satin and leather labels, jewellery on bottles, and why his wines are backed up by high-scores from critics “Transporting people into a different world is what I am about” A fascinating interview with the wine world’s most innovative vintner.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Michel Roux Jr

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:16:48 +0000

In a few days’ time the doors of The Gavroche will close for the last time. Jane Anson talks to Michel Roux Jnr about his legendary restaurant and its amazing cellar of 100,000 bottles. Listen in to find out what is going to become of the cellar and find out which wine Michel has chosen to drink on the last day. A huge thank you to Michel for all the fabulous memories you have given us at The Gavroche – some of our happiest days.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXVI

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 10:24:18 +0000

In our last Omnibus for 2023, John Stimpfig, Elin McCoy and Sarah Kemp discuss the big news stories: how war is affecting Israeli and Palestine vintners, that terroir has been scientifically proven and worldwide production falling by 7% with 2023, the hottest year on record. Plus, Italy becomes the star of the wine investment market, Elin’s top 10 wines and much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Ukraine’s Champagne for Victory

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:50:08 +0000

Hope. The most important word this Christmas. Sarah Kemp talks to Mariia Didkovska in Kyiv about the champagne she has created with the House of Pierre Morlet called “Victoire de la Dignité” with six of Ukraine’s most prominent artists designing the labels. All profits from the sales will go to the urgent needs of the Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and its mobile military hospitals. She discusses life in Kyiv, how the project came about, and her hopes for the future. The wines are for sale internationally.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Best Books on Bordeaux

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:55:34 +0000

Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp discuss their favourite books on Bordeaux. They recommend the best books on Bordeaux’s history and politics and economics. Bordeaux reference books come under review, old favourites and brilliant new editions. Find out which Bordeaux producers provided material for the most scintillating biographies and let’s not forget the novels every claret lover should read. Plus, Sarah reveals the Bordeaux book she has requested to be buried with. How many of the books mentioned do you have on your bookshelf?

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Francesco Ricasoli

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:31:25 +0000

Listen in to hear the remarkable “Great Wine Life” of Francesco Ricasoli of Castello di Brolio. Possibly, the most heart-warming wine story we have covered this year. He gave us his life as a professional photographer where his clients included Salavatore Ferragmo and Valentino, to return to the family estate to buy it back from Hardy’s the Australian corporate giant (his father had previously sold the winery and brand to Seagrams in the 1960s, who then sold it onto Hardy’s). For the last thirty years he has worked tirelessly in the vineyards and cellars to take back the estate’s reputation to its former glory. He tells Sarah Kemp how to begin with it was about survival, but early on he studied the soil, put a great team together and they today make some of Italy’s most elegant and beautiful wines. A story of one man’s determination to honour his family’s history and create some of Italy’s finest wines.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Merlot with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:30:12 +0000

Join us for a “10-minute masterclass” on Merlot. Find out about this grape which was much maligned by Miles in the film Sideways. We look at its parentage, where it is planted, its flavours, famous names and the Merlots which Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp believe are worth seeking out.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Why I believe that Tuscany’s golden era is right now

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:05:51 +0000

I am convinced that Tuscany’s golden era is right now. Find out why.

▻ Paolo de Marchi

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:55:55 +0000

As Paolo de Marchi leaves Isole e Olena after 50 years, Sarah Kemp travelled to Tuscany to talk to him about his remarkable “Great Wine Life”. He first saw the estate his father bought in 1956 when he was seven years old. At the age of 25 he moved to Tuscany to run the estate despite his father’s misgivings, he called it a bottomless pit. Today, it is one of the world’s most admired estates, and it has helped change the image of Chianti from a wine to be drunk with pizza to being a true fine wine. Listen in to hear his very personal and extraordinary story.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXV

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 18:41:00 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus XXV for all the latest news and views from Sarah Kemp, John Stimpfig and Elin McCoy and this month there is good, bad and plain ugly. The first billion dollar sale of a luxury winery in Paso Robles to allegations of modern slavery practices during the harvest in Champagne, there is a lot to talk about. Plus Elin McCoy reports on all the major tastings and launches in New York, and she finds out that she likes Torrontes after all.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux Courtiers with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:33:00 +0000

Listen in to the 10-minute masterclass on Courtiers with Jane Anson. Jane explains the mysterious role of the Bordeaux courtier, who works as a broker between the château and the negociant. “They are extremely discreet, but know everything” she says. Jane gives a fascinating insight into the system which has been working since the Middle Ages.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ The Wine Show

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:33:00 +0000

Humour a-plenty this month at “The Wine Show” exhibition at Chris Beetles Gallery in St. James, London.

▻ Coravin

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:17:07 +0000

Listen in to hear the extraordinary story of how Greg Lambrecht invented Coravin. From creating delivery systems for chemotherapy to a device which preserves wine for years. Frustrated by the limitations of a 750ml bottle he wanted to enjoy wine in the quantities he wanted, when he wanted. The inventor spent years in his basement making prototypes. Today a quarter of a billion glasses have been poured using it. Discover his new plans to revolutionise the wine world - an unmissable conversation.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Ornellaia

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:40:09 +0000

Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp discuss the historic tasting of Ornellaia, one of Italy’s most renowned wines, which has just taken place in Venice. Five decades of Ornellaia were poured from 2020 to 1988. Views a plenty on the most successful vintages (spoiler alert Sarah and Jane don’t necessarily agree) and buzz about the new changes at the estate. Total agreement though on this was a tasting of a lifetime.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ St Julien with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:09:25 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about this famous appellation which is home to some of Bordeaux’s most loved names. Discover its producers, including two lesser-known ones Jane recommends looking out for. Find out why it is home to more gravel than Pauillac, its cost per hectare and much more. A 10-minute deep dive into one of Jane and Sarah’s favourite appellations.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXIV

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:04:33 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus XXIV for all the latest wine news and views. John Stimpfig applauds the launch of the old vine registry, and looks back with Sarah Kemp on the life of Don St Pierre Snr who had such an impact on the fine wine scene in China. They discuss the recent purchase of William Fèvre Chablis by DBR Lafite, and agree it is a smart move. As always, there is a weather watch, with this month’s grim news coming from Italy and SW France in the shape of mildew and over-the-pond wildfires in Canada. Elin McCoy discusses E&J Gallo’s recent purchase of Rombauer and Massican, and reports on the reasons for the two significant sales. She reveals the new head of Sotheby’s wine department plans which include looking at what people are collecting right now. From Bordeaux Jane Anson talks about the September releases from the Place de Bordeaux and names the icon names to look out for. All this and much more… and a teary goodbye to the fine wine trade’s favourite restaurant, The Gavroche.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Jean-Guillaume Prats

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:18:29 +0000

There are few people who can have had a more fascinating life in wine than Jean-Guillaume Prats. In our “Great Wine Lives” series he talks to Elin McCoy about how he joined his father to run the family estate, 2nd Growth Château Cos d’Estournel. He stayed on to become its director at the young age of 28, but after 14 years was lured away to run Moet Hennessy’s wine division, which took him all over the world. Bordeaux, though, beckoned him back when the opportunity came to become the director at Château Lafite when its CEO, Christophe Salin, retired. Today he is an entrepreneur with his own enterprise in Provence as well as running Château Léoville-Las-Cases and helping the Frey family. Outspoken, he worries that Bordeaux is being seen only in terms of prices. Listen in to hear about one extraordinary life, and one that is starting a brilliant new chapter.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Margaux with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:59:55 +0000

Margaux is the largest of the Medoc’s appellations, with the most varied terroir. Join Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp to discover how many producers there are, who are the star names, and which château to watch. Discover its signature taste, the price per hectare, and why it was recognised 20 years after Pauillac and St Julien. 10 minutes of fascinating facts!

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Eduardo Chadwick

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 07:31:59 +0000

Listen in to hear the remarkable life story of Eduardo Chadwick, the man who put Chile on the fine wine map. John Stimpfig talks to him in our series “Great Wine Lives” about how he joined his father to run the family winery as a young man, the difficulties he faced in getting the critics to acknowledge Chile could make fine wine, and the one tasting which changed the world’s perception. Discover how he took Robert Mondavi around Chile and created their joint venture, SENA, and how he pioneered coastal Chilean wines. A frank and fascinating conversation.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Denise Adams

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:59:15 +0000

What do chocolate chip cookies, biodynamic viticulture, and winemaking in Bordeaux and the Napa Valley have in common? Elin McCoy talks to Denise Adams the owner of Château Fonplégade, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé and ADAMSVS on Howell Mountain on how she combines all three. Listen in to hear about her life’s work and how she left the world of art and interior design to become a vigneron on two continents.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXIII

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:43:08 +0000

It has been a particularly busy month in the world of wine, in Omnibus XXIII we discuss all the major events. We report on the FBI raiding Sherry Lehmann, take a look at Bordeaux 2022 prices, say fond farewells to wine world greats Jean-Michel Cazes, Alexander Lur Saluces, Paul Dolan, Jackie Blot and Sarah Morphew MW. We look at the first US purchase of a British vineyard, and Frescobaldi buying into Oregon. John Stimpfig asks what is happening at Accolade Wines who have just put House of Arras up for sale. Elin McCoy looks at two major launches Haynes Vineyard and Ruinart’s newest cuvee. Plus, top wineries to visit awards, and of course, weather watch. Listen now to a full month of wine news and independent views.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Wine Glasses with Maximilian Riedel

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:21:11 +0000

How many wine glasses do you need? How do they affect the taste of the wine? Sarah Kemp talks to Maximilian Riedel, the eleventh generation of his family, who have been making glass since 1756. His grandfather was the first to make wine-specific glasses, his father created varietal glasses and Maximilian talks about the new range of lighter and thinner he is about to launch, and answers the important question, “exactly how many glasses do you need!”

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Australia’s First Growth

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:11:14 +0000

Sue Hodder talks to John Stimpfig about Wynns Coonawarra John Riddoch Estate, one of Australia’s First Growths. Listen in to hear the remarkable story of Scottish pioneer John Riddoch, who founded the estate, the story of the Wynn family who bought it in 1957 and invested heavily in the vineyards, as well as Sue’s own story as chief winemaker for 25 years.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Jamie Kutch

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:05:52 +0000

Jamie Kutch is known for his stylish Pinot Noirs. He tells Elin McCoy how he became interested in wine at college when a Jesuit priest gave him a glass of Riesling. When he was a trader in New York for Merrill Lynch he became an active member of the Robert Parker bulletin board and enjoyed wine tastings with other enthusiasts. After one such tasting he wrote to Michael Browne of Kosta Browne saying how much he admired his wine, and subsequently jumped at the chance when Michael Browne of Kosta Browne offered to help him pursue his dream to make wine in California. Listen in to hear his story from New York trader to admired Sonoma Pinot Noir producer – and find out the highs and lows on the way.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Remembering Jean-Michel Cazes

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 09:46:12 +0000

There is a large void today in the Medoc with the passing of Jean-Michel Cazes – he will be so missed. We were lucky enough to talk to him about his “Great Wine Life”.

▻ Gorgona

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:52:47 +0000

One of the wine world’s most remarkable stories – discover how Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi came to make wine with the prisoners on the island of Gorgona, off the Tuscany coast. Sarah Kemp travelled there with Marchese Lamberto to find out how the enterprise came about, speaks to their chief winemaker and discovers from the Governor of the prison the impact it has had on the inmates working there. A truly inspiring story.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Saint-Émilion with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:41:35 +0000

How well do you know Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux’s most famous appellation? Listen in to our 10-Minute Masterclass for all the key facts with Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp. Discover its varied terroir, land prices, its classification (controversial) with who is in and who is out, star names, upcoming names and our obscure fact.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Trevor Durling of Beaulieu Vineyard

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:22:11 +0000

Trevor Durling, Chief Winemaker of Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa Valley talks to John Stimpfig about the winery’s illustrious history and how Georges de Latour persuaded André Tchelistcheff to leave Paris to join him in California, where he became Father of the California wine industry. In 1936 André kept aside some exceptional barrels to make Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve, California’s first cult wine. In September the 2022 vintage will be launched on the Place in Bordeaux, and John has a preview of the latest vintage of this legendary wine.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Rare Wine Books

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:24:24 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Ben Kinmont, the rare bookseller who specialises in wine and food books. He recently sold Sean Thackery’s collection of wine books to Domaine Clarence Dillon. Listen in to hear the fascinating story of how Sean Thackery became a collector of rare wine books, why he sold, and how the books have found a new home in Château Haut-Brion’s library. Ben also gives advice on how to collect and the pitfalls to look out for. A great conversation for wine lovers and bibliophiles alike.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XXII

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:42:32 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 22 to hear this month’s wine news from around the world. In the US, Elin McCoy discusses the reaction to the collapse of Underground Cellars and the unhappy customers who cannot retrieve their wine from the company’s Cloud cellar. She also reviews the Apple TV plus series “Drops of God” and Ferran Adrià’s new eight-part book series on wine, the first two volumes (weighing between 15 and 20 pounds each) have just been translated into English. Sarah and Elin are excited about the new and promising direction for wine in restaurants – Ridge Vineyards has launched an on-tap programme with restaurant group Sixty Vines - goodbye bottles and labels? John Stimpfig is happy to report that there is a breakthrough on smoke taint by Oregon University, which will help vintners detect it with more accuracy. He also reports on the first prices announced in the 2022 Bordeaux Campaign, Fleurie’s application for Premier Cru status, looks back on the life of Lucien Lurton and, of course, no Omnibus would be complete without a weather watch.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Great Wine Education Courses Pt 2

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:12:29 +0000

Charlie Leary, author of the highly acclaimed Leary’s Global Wineology, looks at today’s most interesting wine courses available to wine lovers.

▻ The Royal Opera House Wine Gala

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 29 May 2023 13:01:01 +0000

Excitement is rising amongst The Wine Conversation team as the Royal Opera House Wine Gala Dinner and Auction approaches. John Stimpfig talks to Sarah Kemp about the world-class wines which will be poured, including Champagne Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle, 2014 Montrachet Domaine Jacques Prieur, Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1999, Château Lafite 2007, and Taylor’s 30-year-old Tawny Port; the special recital by Jonas Kauffman and Ludovico Tézier (whose new album “Insieme” Sarah heartily recommends) with the immensely talented Aigul Akhmetshina. Sarah and John discuss the amazing auction lots on offer, which include trips to see the producers, double magnum 1990 of Château Lafite and the chance to have lunch with Sir Antonio Pappano, who just conducted the King Charles 111 coronation and is a noted wine lover. . A few tickets are left, details on website.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bolgheri with Nelson Pari and Federico Moccia

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 25 May 2023 07:53:05 +0000

Italian experts Nelson Pari and Federico Moccia talk to Sarah Kemp about Bolgheri, the wine-producing area located in the province of Livorno. Bolgheri contains some of Italy’s most famous names including Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Today it is attracting a generation of talented and dynamic winemakers who enjoy the freedom of the DOC rules to produce blends and mono-varietals. Listen in to hear all about its terroir, its history and which producers Federico and Nelson recommend.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Isole e Olena “Collezione Privata” Chardonnay

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 24 May 2023 07:25:57 +0000

Isole e Olena “Collezione Privata” Chardonnay is commanding quite a following. Sarah Kemp reports on the first vertical tasting of this sought-after wine.

✒ A Starry Night: Wine Gala

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 23 May 2023 11:58:30 +0000

The Wine Conversation and The Royal Opera House are presenting the Wine Gala Dinner and Auction on June 11th.

✒ Bordeaux 2022 – Terroir & Talent

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 16 May 2023 12:13:58 +0000

Sarah Kemp believes 2022 is unlike any vintage she has tasted before. Find out which wines she would like in her cellar, price permitting.

▻ Véronique Sanders of Château Haut-Bailly

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 12 May 2023 08:56:56 +0000

Véronique Sanders of Château Haut-Bailly is one of Bordeaux’s most admired and liked personalities. In our Series “Great Wine Lives” she talks to Sarah Kemp about her remarkable career. Listen in to hear her discuss how she grew up helping her grandfather Jean Sanders in the vineyards as a little girl, never dreaming that one day she would run the estate. She discusses her great relationship with Bob Wilmers who bought the estate from her grandfather, and now with Chris Wilmers, his son who took over when Bob died in 2017. She reveals the challenges, her philosophy, and some of her favourite vintages, and, her ambitions for the future.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2022 – a vintage of surprise

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:33:41 +0000

Discover Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp’s view of the 2022 vintage – what did well, what didn’t, and what they were most surprised by. A year where the talent of the winemaker in handling the tannins was essential. 2022 the vintage of surprise.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux 2022 – on the road with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 08:17:41 +0000

As En Primeur tastings are in full swing, Sarah Kemp gets Jane Anson’s first thoughts on Bordeaux 2022 after her first week of tasting. Recorded on the D2 motorway, Jane talks about the vintage conditions and the importance of how the samples are prepared by the châteaux. Was she surprised? Find out in this special on-the-road production…. and look out for another En Primeur episode later this week when Jane and Sarah will reflect on what they have discovered so far.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ En Primeur with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:10:06 +0000

Listen in to hear our latest 10-Minute Masterclass with Jane Anson. As 6,000 of the wine world’s trade and journalists descend on Bordeaux to taste the latest vintage, Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp take a hard look at the system. They discuss how it works, its history, the number of châteaux involved. They ask whether there is a financial advantage in buying En Primeur and explain who actually owns it until it is delivered: 10 minutes to get you up-to-speed before the offers arrive in your inbox. The first in our En Primeur week podcasts.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

✒ Great Wine Education Courses Pt 1

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:29:37 +0000

Charlie Leary, author of the highly acclaimed Leary’s Global Wineology, looks at today’s most interesting wine courses available to wine lovers.

▻ Omnibus XXI

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:43:17 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 21 for another packed programme of news from the wine world. This month Kylie Minogue wows Prowein, new research shows the birthplace of Vitis Vinifera as the Levant. Big moves afoot too, Michel Rolland hangs up his consulting hat and Axel Heinz leaves Ornellaia for Château Lascombes. Financial troubles a plenty, Sherry-Lehmann’s licence revoked, and Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse affects 400 Northern California vintners. Latest harvest reports from the Southern Hemisphere and weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. Elin attends the DRC 2020 tasting and declares their Montrachet as the finest chardonnay she has tasted in her life. Glitz and glam abound at Biondi-Santi and Beaulieu’s Rarity tastings and Kosta Browne launch a Burgundy range. Plus, our intrepid contributing editor John Stimpfig tells us how he is getting on his bike for a charity 200km bike ride over 2 days across Bordeaux for Hospitality Action. To support him please go to our website. We will be reporting back on his knees in a future episode.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Cabernet Sauvignon with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 08:59:15 +0000

Listen in to hear our latest 10-Minute Masterclass with Jane Anson. Today’s topic is Cabernet Sauvignon, the king of grapes. Find out how much is planted (spoiler alert – China has the most), its parentage, the best regions where it is grown, most well-known names, the rules and regulations about being labelled Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Jane’s one obscure fact about it. We marvel at how she digs them up…

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux Mentor Week

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:26:19 +0000

Applications to the second edition of the “Bordeaux Mentor Week” have just opened. Last year over 100 young people applied from 28 countries, out of which 7 were chosen to be mentored by Jane Anson and co-founder Chinedu Rita Rosa. Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about the importance of mentors and the diverse activities the successful candidates will encounter, from harvesting to startup entrepreneurs. Listen in to hear about this amazing opportunity for young people.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Richard Geoffroy

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 08:58:21 +0000

In the latest in our Great Wine Lives series Richard Geoffroy talks to Elin McCoy about how he rebelled against his wine family background by becoming a doctor before returning to his roots and joining Moët Hennessy, becoming Dom Pérignon’s Chef de Cave for 28 years. He discusses his time there, how he collaborated with Lady Gaga and Jeff Koons, and why he decided to leave and launch his own Sake brand IWA 5 – where assemblage is key to its identity. A fascinating interview with one of the world’s most philosophical and thoughtful creators.

More information at wine-conversation.com

✒ Best Recent Wine Books

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 08:11:33 +0000

Brian St Pierre takes a look at the latest crop of wine books, and picks out the ones he believes should be on every wine lover’s shelf

▻ Omnibus XX

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:53:50 +0000

This month, Elin McCoy reports on the big environmental win in the Napa Valley – the Walt Ranch controversy ends after a 17-year battle. John Stimpfig and Elin report on the devastating wildfires in Itata and Bio Bio in Chile and the floods in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. There is also plenty of wine theft news and fraud this month, 4.6 million bottles of Spanish wine passed off as Bordeaux results in jail sentences and more “stolen to order” fine wine robberies in Austria and Norway. Still, in Norway, we report on the determined wine lovers who camped out in tents in Oslo for a month to ensure they got their burgundies. We salute them, all this and plenty more in this month’s edition.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Pauillac with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:06:20 +0000

Listen in to our 10-Minute Masterclass with Jane Anson on Pauillac – a deep dive into this famous commune which boasts three First Growths, Lafite, Mouton Rothschild and Latour, plus some of the wine world’s most loved names. Find out which Pauillac wine Michael Broadbent used to buy, how much it costs per hectare, its terroir and taste profile. Plus an obscure Pauillac fact to impress your friends.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ How to Become a Vigneron with Michael Evans

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 14:24:00 +0000

Have you ever wanted to own your own vineyard or blend your own wine with a top winemaker? Elin McCoy talks to Michael Evans the man who makes it possible for several hundred wine lovers– listen in to find out about how he started Vines of Mendoza and Vines Global – clubs for wine lovers who dream of being winemakers. He talks to Elin about how it started when he went to Argentina for a holiday and ended up spending 18 years there. Since then he has built a resort, named one of the best in South America, and recently expanded the enterprise to offer the chance for wine lovers to blend their own wine with the aid of some of the world’s most renown winemakers in Montalcino, the Mosel, Argentina, Priorat, Champagne, Napa Valley and Oregon.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The 1855 Classification with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:29:00 +0000

This week we look at the 1855 classification, the world’s first culinary ranking. Find out why it came about, the price bands the wines had be achieve to be in each of the five growths, the story of how Cantemerle became a 5th growth after the initial ranking. Discover what has changed since the original ranking (spoiler alert – the names were classified not the vineyard area) and find out what Jane’s most obscure 1855 classification fact is.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Remembering Steven Spurrier

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:26:16 +0000

A special episode of Great Wine Lives – John Stimpfig interviews Sarah Kemp about her memories of working with Steven Spurrier. Sarah and Steven had a great partnership for over 25 years when Steven was the Consultant Editor of Decanter and Sarah was the Publisher and Managing Director. Sarah looks back on Steven’s extraordinary life, one of the wine world’s most beloved and well-known figures. Steven’s memorial was held on January 19th at St James Garlickhythe, in the Vintry ward of the City of London. Sarah and Mark Williamson, owner of Willi’s Wine Bar in Paris gave the two eulogies. Both are now available to read on The Wine Conversation website.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XIX

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 09:48:46 +0000

This month, Jane Anson on Artificial Intelligence’s role in wine writing – will wine writers be out of a job? John Stimpfig reports on Australia’s wine industry problem with its 2.3 billion litres of unsold wine, and discusses the possible solutions. We look back on the lives of two of the wine world’s greats, Luciano Sandrone and d’Arry Osborne, who died recently. And no Omnibus would be complete without a weather watch – this month. how the floods in California are affecting the vines, and it is not bad news. Plus wine in India, how Damp January is taking over from Dry January and much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Pomerol with Jane Anson

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:52:30 +0000

A brand new series – the 10-minute masterclass with Jane Anson. First in the series is Pomerol, an appellation which covers 0.6% Bordeaux’s surface but is one of its most well-known names. Jane covers its terroir, cost of land, its taste profile, the most famous names, new producers to look out for and reveals one obscure fact to impress your wine-loving friends.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Chianti Rufina

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 09:40:53 +0000

Chianti Rufina is not as well known as Chianti Classico, but it certainly deserves to be. Sarah Kemp talks to Lorenzo Portaro, winemaker at Castello Nipozzano, which is owned by the Frescobaldi family and is the largest producer in Chianti Rufina. He talks about the illustrious history of the region, how the style of wine differs from Chianti Classico, and its incredible ability to age. He discusses Chianti Rufina’s new initiative “Terraelectae”, a name for wines made from single crus which are made from 100% Sangiovese and are aged for at least 30 months before release. Listen in to hear him discuss the future of this Tuscan jewel.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Where To Learn About Wine

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 10:40:30 +0000

Which wine course should you study? Which offers value and which will lead to a job in the wine business? Which are the best free courses? How much can you earn in the wine business? Just some of the questions answered by Charlie Leary who talks to Jane Anson about his new book Leary’s Global Wineology, a guide to wine education, mentorships and scholarships. A fascinating conversation about the myriad of wine education courses available around the world.

▻ 2022 Review

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:36:22 +0000

As we see out 2022, John Stimpfig and Sarah Kemp name their top 10 wines of the year, reveal their personal “house wines” and best discoveries and name their favourite Wine Conversation podcasts of the year. Wishing all our listeners a Happy New Year!

▻ Omnibus Eighteenth Edition

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:55:06 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 18 for a month of wine news and our experts’ views. John Stimpfig looks at the Burgundy market and discusses the latest results from the Hospice de Beaune. He reports on the floods in Australia and frost in Argentina, both affecting the 2023 harvest and debates whether the British Royal family be serving only UK wines at state banquets? In the US Elin McCoy looks at obscure grape varieties appearing on labels, the latest planning controversy in Napa Valley, looks back on the life of trailblazer Margaret Duckhorn. A shocking arrest, Lafite’s new wine plus much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Bruno-Eugène Borie of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 11:18:22 +0000

Bruno-Eugène Borie of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou talks to Elin McCoy in our series “Great Wine Lives”. He describes himself as “the bad boy of Bordeaux”. Elin asks is he still? Listen in to hear him talk about growing up at Ducru, his idols, his love of art and literature and why his motto is “Modern Forever”.

More information at wine-conversation.com

✒ Biondi-Santi

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:46:29 +0000

A stunning tasting of the Riserva wines of Biondi-Santi, only 42 vintages released since 1888.

▻ The Mouton Rothschild Labels: Originally published Dec 2021

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:15:00 +0000

As Château Mouton Rothschild reveal their latest label, by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about how the label series at Mouton came about, and the extraordinary lengths the family goes to when securing the world’s greatest artists.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Wine With Andrew Jefford

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 12:05:59 +0000

Andrew Jefford is one of the world’s most thoughtful and eloquent wine writers. He talks to Sarah Kemp about his new book “Drinking with the Valkyries” which contains essays on wine from his columns in Decanter and World of Fine Wine. In this wide-ranging interview, they discuss everything from the people who influenced him as a writer (spoiler alert Robert Louis Stevenson and Ralph Steadman), why he dislikes the hierarchical aspect of scoring, different nationality’s palates, Australian wines’ strengths and weaknesses, why he changed his mind on what matters most in making wine, why wine writers should take an oath not to take wine too seriously - and that’s just a few of the topics. A fascinating discussion with today’s most admired wine writer.

▻ The Wine Society’s Wines

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:12:29 +0000

John Stimpfig picks his 12 great buys (all under £25) from the Wine Society to evaluate and discuss with Sarah Kemp. After tasting together for many years they agree they have broadly the same palates, but not exclusively. Does Sarah like all of John’s choices? Find out which wines were their star buys and which wines offer outstanding value for money. A good conversation about what to look for in a diverse selection of wines.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus Seventeenth Edition

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:40:42 +0000

Omnibus 17 is out with all the latest wine news and views about wine. This month Elin McCoy reports on three significant anniversary tastings, 60 years of Ridge Vineyards, 20 years of Ca’ Marcanda, Gaja’s Bolgheri property and 100 years of cult classic Chateau Le Puy. John Stimpfig examines wine and royalty and asks which wine companies will retain their royal warrants; plus who is the British Royal Family’s most knowledgeable member? Listen in to find out.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Making Wine in Bhutan with Michael Juergens

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 09:52:29 +0000

Elephants in the vineyard? Buddhist pickers who won’t kill insects eating the grapes? Just some of the challenges Michael Juergens faced establishing the first winery in Bhutan. Elin McCoy talks to him about how he, as a business consultant who loved to run marathons, play drums in a punk band, fell in love with wine and ended up on the wine world’s wildest adventure.

▻ Maureen Downey About Wine Fraud

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:18:18 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Maureen Downey, a global expert on wine fraud, about the extent of wine fraud in the industry today. She discusses how organised crime has become involved and turned it into a big business, why it has become easier to counterfeit wine and how she ended up becoming an expert in this field and being called “the Sherlock Holmes of wine”.

▻ Karen MacNeil

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 07:53:04 +0000

Karen MacNeil talks to Elin McCoy about the newly released third edition of “The Wine Bible”, which has sold over a million copies. Listen in to hear how a girl from an Irish Catholic family who didn’t drink wine, had no books, nor music left home at 15 to become the US’s most famous wine educator. Find out what advice she offers women in the wine industry today, discover how she compiled the new edition, what was put in and what was left out, and which were her greatest surprises (spoiler alert – South of England sparkling). A wonderful hour of great conversation from a woman who started her tasting career by being told she could only attend the tasting group if she didn’t talk…

▻ Olivier Bernstein

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:44:25 +0000

Olivier Bernstein is one of Burgundy’s new bright stars. He talks to Elin McCoy on how he left his family’s classical music business and decided to make top Burgundy. Find out how he came to establish himself as a micro-negociant with a sensational range of Grands and Premiers Crus of the Côte de Nuits, and set a record price for his jeroboam of Romanée St-Vivant when auctioned by Cult Wines. Listen in to hear Olivier’s story and the different path he took to realise his dream.

▻ Baron Éric de Rothschild

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:54:49 +0000

Baron Éric de Rothschild talks to Sarah Kemp in a wide-ranging and candid interview about his life in wine. He reveals his earliest memories of Château Lafite, talks about the decisions to buy other estates, including in Chile and China, his views on wines as brands and a memorable lunch with Greta Garbo and the Worker’s Cooperative. Plus much, much more.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ The New Saint-Emilion Classification

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:41:50 +0000

Leading Bordeaux expert Jane Anson of www.janeanson.com talks about the new Saint-Emilion classification which has just been released. Discover the criteria used, who are the winners and losers, and why she thinks certain châteaux missed out on being promoted. She discusses how the classification has been mired in controversy in the past and explains how important the classification is to the estates and today’s consumers.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Wines of South America with Amanda Barnes

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Amanda Barnes, author of the award-winning “The South America Wine Guide” talks to Sarah Kemp about the discoveries she made during the ten years she researched her book. Find out which varieties she champions and the regions she believes are South America’s Grands Crus of today.

▻ Omnibus XVI

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 07:38:50 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 16 for the latest news and views. This month: A 29-year-old Mexican beauty queen is accused of being behind the “wine heist of the century;” arrests in a major Spanish wine fraud; breakthrough research in dry farming; California celebrates the class of ’72, the wineries which made California wine’s reputation; how Bordeaux’s wildfires may affect the vintage; and lots more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Hélène Seillan

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 08:32:45 +0000

In our series “The Next Generation” Elin McCoy talks to Hélène Seillan of Vérité, the acclaimed winery in Sonoma, which produces the highly collectable La Muse, La Joie and Le Désir, which are made from more than 50 “micro crus” across four appellations. Hélène talks about her childhood in South West France where her father made wine for seven châteaux, her move to California as a child speaking no English when her father joined Jess Jackson to start Vérité, how she got the wine bug and her 100-point wines with Robert Parker.

▻ “To Fall in Love, Drink This: A Wine Writer’s Memoir”

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 08:23:05 +0000

Alice Feiring, a leader of the Natural Wine movement. talks to Elin McCoy about her new book, “To Fall in Love Drink This: A Wine Writer’s Memoir ”. Listen in as she talks about learning how to smell, how she evaded a serial killer at 14, why she believes the Natural Wine movement is dead, and the movement she believes will replace it.

▻ How The Wine World Can Combat Climate Change

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:27:37 +0000

How soon will we hear the title “Climate Change Director” as often as “Winemaker? Miguel Torres Snr has been at the forefront of climate change solutions and he has appointed Josep Maria Ribas Portella, an industrial engineer with a Masters in Sustainable Energy Systems as Torres’s Climate Change and Sustainability Director. Listen in to find out what Josep and the team at Torres are doing to combat climate change, find out his views on glass bottles, regulations and much more. A timely and important conversation as we see this month the indisputable evidence of climate change in the fires across Europe.

▻ Omnibus XV

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 06:46:06 +0000

All the latest wine news and independent views. John Stimpfig reveals why he thinks the Champagne region is shooting itself in the foot over herbicides, Elin McCoy reports on the sale of Joseph Phelps and the trend for other iconic Napa and Sonoma estates to sell out to big corporations, as well as why some wineries won’t be insurable in the future and much, much more.

▻ Tor Kenward

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 17:12:49 +0000

Elin McCoy talks to Tor Kenward of Tor in our "Great Wine Lives" series – a fascinating conversation from the man who has been at the heart of the Napa Valley since 1977, who brought the great chefs to California, including Julia Child and now makes award-winning Cabernet from Napa’s greatest vineyards.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Being an Outsider in Bordeaux

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 14:51:58 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Namratha Prashanth, who left Bangalore after an abusive marriage to create a new life, a new business and a new brand in Bordeaux.

▻ Paul Hobbs

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 07:55:34 +0000

In our “Great Wine Lives” series, Elin McCoy talk to visionary winemaker Paul Hobbs, who is today making wine in four continents. From been chosen by Robert Mondavi as a young winemaker to work on Opus One, helping Nicolas Catena in Argentina, setting up his own wineries, in California, Cahors, Galicia, the Finger Lakes and Armenia, meet the man who really does have a global wine vision.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Queen Who Taught The English How to Drink – Eleanor of Aquitaine

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 12:18:11 +0000

As we celebrate our Great Queen of England’s Platinum Jubilee, we look back on another remarkable Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Jane Anson talks to leading French historian Stéphane Bern about this remarkable woman who taught the English how to drink wine.

▻ Bordeaux 2021

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 27 May 2022 12:47:45 +0000

Leading Bordeaux expert Jane Anson of www.janeanson.com talks about the 2021 Bordeaux vintage. Jane tasted over 800 wines during En Primeur – she relates her overall impression of the vintage, reveals her star wines, discusses which terroirs did well and which did not, and tells where you can find value for money.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Hervé Berland

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:08:34 +0000

In our “Great Wine Lives” series, Sarah Kemp talks to Hervé Berland about his 30-plus years at Château Mouton Rothschild and then leading the green revolution at Château Montrose. Memories of working with Baron Philippe de Rothschild, his daughter Philippine, the move to Montrose and why, though he is retiring from Château Montrose, he is looking forward to his next wine adventure.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XIV

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 May 2022 07:59:43 +0000

Listen in to Omnibus 14 for news and unfiltered independent views – how the Ukraine war is affecting the wine world, the first US$1,000 wine-tasting tour in Napa Valley, Jane Anson’s first thoughts on Bordeaux 2021, the wine sale of the year, Prince Robert of Luxembourg’s private cellar to be auctioned for charity plus much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

✒ Wines Worth Talking About – Argentina

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 11:44:42 +0000

So many great wines, but here are my personal favourites from a week in the vineyards. From world-class to terrific value, much to talk about.

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part Six

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 11:18:12 +0000

Viva Argentina! – Thinking about visiting Argentina? Bernard Fontannaz of Finca La Anita talks to us about how visitors can enjoy an entire meal cooked over fire and which wines match each dish, while relaxing at the foot of the Andes mountains. Ready to fly?!

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part Five

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:55:49 +0000

Viva Argentina! – We discuss the age-ability of Malbec with Juan Marco of Finca Decero, definitely collector’s items for the future.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part Four

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 07:54:45 +0000

Viva Argentina! – Meet the Eco-Warriors of Argentina – Pierre Lurton of Cheval des Andes on agroecology, Juan Marco of Finca Decero on irrigation, Guillermina Van Houten of Catena Zapata on organics and Manuel Lanus and Facundo Bonamaizon of Bodega Chakana on biodynamics in Argentina. Discover their challenges and why the leafcutter ant is their biggest pest.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part Three – Laura Catena

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 08:25:24 +0000

Viva Argentina! – Elin McCoy talks with Laura Catena in “Great Wine Lives,” part of our Viva Argentina! series. Laura is Managing Director of Catena Zapata, an author of several books, an emergency and accident doctor, and mother. She is also Argentine wines’ greatest ambassador. Listen in to hear her talk about her amazing life.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part Two

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 10:14:58 +0000

Viva Argentina! – What’s new in Argentina? Answer: lots. In this episode, we meet three of Argentina’s pioneers. Listen to Juan Marco of Finca Decero talk about the rise of single vineyards, Sergio Casé of Trapiche discuss their new ocean-oriented vineyard at Chapadmalal near Buenos Aires, and Silvio Alberto at Bodega Bianchi on why he believes Malbec benefits from using amphoras, plus Sarah Kemp’s discovery of the trip – an unoaked Viognier.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Viva Argentina! – Part One

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:56:57 +0000

Viva Argentina! – Welcome to the first in our week’s series “Viva Argentina!” Sarah Kemp and Phil Crozier discuss how Argentina has transformed itself in the past 15 years and meet dynamic young winemaker Sebastian Zuccardi, who is so terroir-obsessed he divides up his rows of vines into smaller plots. He explains how the Andes is not one mountain but a complex range, with many different soils, and how his parcel-by-parcel approach has resulted in changes in the winery.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus XIII

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:09:32 +0000

War, wine and peace. This month we report on wine in the Ukraine, the Russian wine professionals defying Putin, who’s buying and selling in the US, the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie Chateau Miraval bust-up, the Schramsberg anniversary dinner for the “Toast to Peace”, say farewell to Anthony Barton and much more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ The Languedoc with Rosemary George MW

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 11:02:59 +0000

Rosemary George MW talks to Sarah Kemp about the Languedoc, the region she believes has evolved the most over the past 20 years. She discusses its history, her three favourite appellations and names the producers to look out for in each appellation. She discusses its history and its future. A great conversation about where to find the hidden jewels which offer great value for money.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com.

▻ Jacques Lurton

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Listen in to hear Jacques Lurton, from Bordeaux’s most prominent wine family, talk to Jane Anson about why he left Bordeaux, the people who influenced him, why he believes New World practices can help the Old World face up to climate change, the new cuvée he is launching, and why he is happy to be back running the family company. A full, great wine life!

More information at wine-conversation.com

✒ Il Vigore – Ornellaia 2019

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Art and wine, always an uplifting combination and particularly when for a charitable cause – Vendemmia d’Artista dedicated to Ornellaia 2019.

▻ Oz Clarke

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:54:29 +0000

Oz Clarke talks to Sarah Kemp in our Great Wine Lives series. In a wide-ranging conversation, he discusses wine and class, how the wine establishment hated him, why Pinot Noir isn’t a complex and brilliant grape, as people say it is, touring with Glenda Jackson and discovering Australian wine, why points don’t help consumers, climate change and the future, where he’d plant a vineyard, plus much more.

More information at wine-conversation.com

✒ Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2019

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:31:55 +0000

The one tasting no wine writer will ever miss, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. A stunning debut of the Domaine’s Corton-Charlemagne.

▻ Bordeaux 2019 in Bottle

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:34:41 +0000

How good is Bordeaux 2019 now that it is in bottle? Sarah Kemp talks to Bordeaux expert Jane Anson, who has just reviewed 700 wines for her new website www.janeanson.com. She gives her candid view on the vintage’s quality, names her favourite wines, and puts the vintage in context with other notable vintages of the decade.

▻ Omnibus XII

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:02:10 +0000

John Stimpfig discusses dry January, how beneficial is it? Why 2021 was a record year for wine investors. Elin McCoy on the news from Napa plus no/low alcohol wines, Elin bravely tastes on our behalf and Jane Anon is back to Saint Emilion for more news on the troubled 2022 classification.

▻ Massican with Dan Petroski

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 18:37:36 +0000

Dan Petroski of Massican Winery talks to Elin McCoy about how he left the world of magazines in New York to become a celebrated Napa Valley winemaker, first at Larkmead Vineyards, and now at his own winery. Massican. where he produces white wines inspired by Northern Italy. They talk about Napa beyond Cabernet, engaging the new consumer, and much more.

✒ Farewell to Anthony Barton

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 10:40:58 +0000

Farewell to Anthony Barton, one of the wine world’s most beloved producers. My personal recollections of a man I simply adored.

▻ The Wines of Israel

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:28:15 +0000

Learnt so much about the wines of Israel listening to Tal Sunderland-Cohen talking to Jane Anson. Now determined to hunt down some of the wines made from indigenous grapes. Love the thought I could be tasting the same flavours as people 4000 years ago. Liquid history.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Bordeaux Memories

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:31:21 +0000

Since 1842 Tanners Wine Merchants have been promoting the wines of Bordeaux. Sarah Kemp talks to James Tanner, the fourth generation of his family to run this independent wine merchant about his views on Bordeaux past and present. He talks about his earliest Bordeaux memories, the wines he loves and advice for newcomers to this famous region.

▻ Omnibus XI

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:27:27 +0000

As the Wine Conversation celebrates its first anniversary John, Elin and Sarah look back at the big wine stories of 2021 and name the year’s best wine books. Elin looks at how the hit TV series Succession uses wine to signal character’s intentions, and Jane Anson reveals her favourite wines of the year. All in Omnibus 11 released today. Happy Christmas to all TWC listeners!

▻ The Role of the Courtier with Margaux Brengel

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 09:51:32 +0000

75% of Bordeaux wines’ sales (and 95% Bordeaux Grands Crus’) are facilitated by a courtier. Jane Anson talks to Margaux Brengel of Bureau Levèque Grands Vin du Monde about the role of the courtier, past and present. A rare insight into how Bordeaux’s three-tiered system works.

▻ Bill Harlan

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:24:02 +0000

Bill Harlan talks to Elin McCoy in our series “Great Wine Lives” about how he devised a 200-year plan to create a first growth in California. Bill talks about planting Harlan Estate in Napa on raw land in the foothills, the trip to Bordeaux and Burgundy which changed his perspective, and handing over to the next generation. Listen now to hear his remarkable story.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:07:34 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi the 30th generation of his family to make wine, in our series “Great Wine Lives.” Listen in to hear about his childhood in Tuscany, how he learnt about wine in the US, his partnership with Tim Mondavi and his amazing project making wine with the prisoners on Gorgona Island.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus X

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:04:32 +0000

There’s lots to talk about this month on Omnibus Ten – the wine heist of the century, more lawsuits in Saint Emilion, concerns about bottlenecks in the wine supply chain, matching wines with vegan menus, the new “La La” from the Guigals, and much more. Listen in for the latest wine news and unfiltered views.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Burgundy with Jasper Morris MW

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 09:04:45 +0000

Jasper Morris MW talks about the second edition of his book, “Inside Burgundy,” and what has changed since the first edition 11 years ago. Listen to him discuss how producers are changing viticultural and cellar practices to combat climate change, plus which vintages to drink and which to keep, and where you can find value – unmissable for any Burgundy lover.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Randall Grahm

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:19:48 +0000

In our series “Great Wine Lives” Elin McCoy interviews the iconoclastic maverick Californian winemaker Randall Grahm. Tune in to hear him talk about his extraordinary life, how he started out wanting to make Pinot, the Bonny Doom years, the death of the cork dinner, his latest vineyard Popelouchum and why he has teamed up with Gallo to make “The Language of Yes”.

More information at www.wine-conversation.com

▻ Climate Change with Jeremy Cukierman MW

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 08:42:03 +0000

As the world leaders gather for COP26, Jane Anson talks to Jeremy Cukierman MW about his new book “Quel Vin Pour Demain?” which looks at the short and long-term impact of climate change on the wine industry. A timely discussion on a topic that affects every producer today.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ The Bordeaux Market in the US

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:41:43 +0000

Why are Bordeaux wines sales up 21% year-on-year in the US despite the tariffs? Elin McCoy investigates Americans’ renewed love affair with Bordeaux, and finds out from the top US retailers which châteaux are selling best and who is today’s Bordeaux poster boy or girl.

✒ Book Review – South of Somewhere

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 13:19:12 +0000

Brian St Pierre reviews South of Somewhere by Robert V. Camuto.

▻ Vitalie Taittinger

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:47:21 +0000

In our series “The Next Generation” Elin McCoy talks to Vitalie Taittinger about taking over from her father as President at Champagne Taittinger. She describes her childhood in Reims, her inspiration for joining the company and her vision for its future.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ The Irish Influence on Bordeaux with Professor Charles Ludington

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 08:48:46 +0000

Who knew that the Irish were responsible for modern Bordeaux? Listen in to hear Jane Anson’s fascinating interview with Professor Charles Ludington who talks about how the Irish played a crucial role in developing the commerce and the style of Bordeaux wine.

More information at wine-conversation.com

✒ Siepi

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:35:35 +0000

Hugely impressed with the current vintages from Siepi. No wonder Italy is the current star of the fine wine market.

▻ Omnibus IX

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:03:46 +0000

Elin McCoy assesses the quality and quantity of the 2021 vintage in Europe and the US, John Stimpfig looks at the Liv-ex 2021 classification’s winners and losers, plus the lawsuit in St Emilion, sale of Jancisrobinson.com, Napa’s elaborate tasting rooms, and more, lively discussions in this month’s episode.

✒ The Bunch Tasting

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 12:59:00 +0000

The UK’s independent wine merchants are the source of the best value for money wines you can buy. The recent Bunch tasting demonstrated why. Find out some of the star wines they were showing.

▻ Jane Anson’s New Website Launch

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 07:33:08 +0000

On the eve of launching her own website, www.janeanson.com, Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about why she has decided to leave Decanter to launch a site devoted to the wines of Bordeaux and the wines traded through the Place de Bordeaux. Discover the content she is planning, her views on En Primeur, the biggest challenge Bordeaux faces, and her favourite châteaux and vintages.

Find out more at: wi ne -conversation.com

▻ A Zoo in the Vineyard

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:40:36 +0000

Elin McCoy talks to Sarah Kemp about the increasing number of animals being used in various (and often ingenious) ways in vineyards around the world. As more people are seeking more methods of improving organic and biodynamic viticulture, animals – and perhaps not the usual suspects – are proving effective.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ The Bordeaux 2020 Campaign

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 19:07:40 +0000

Justin Gibbs, co-founder of Liv-ex talks to Sarah Kemp about the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign which has now finished. Listen in to find out how it went, which châteaux did well, why some didn’t, merchants and critics’ reactions and the big question of today – how much stock is being released by the châteaux and what this means for the future of En Primeur.

▻ Omnibus VIII

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:50:05 +0000

Biblical times, fire and floods in the vineyards around the world. Listen to the latest wine news in Omnibus Eight – Jane Anson, Elin McCoy and John Stimpfig report on the big wine stories happening now.

▻ Chablis with Rosemary George MW

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 08:21:47 +0000

Rosemary George MW has been visiting Chablis for over 40 years and has written three books on the region. Listen to her talk to Sarah Kemp about why it is her favourite wine, how its changed, her favourite producers and vintages and the issues it faces today. Great insights from one of the world’s leading Chablis experts.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com.

▻ Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 16:25:27 +0000

What does it take to buy an unknown Napa estate and restore it to greatness? Elin McCoy talks to Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla about how he came to buy the Sullivan Rutherford Estate, why he has replanted it with Merlot, and his vision for the estate’s future.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Collecting and Investing in Wine – Part Two

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 06:02:01 +0000

Listen to Tom Gearing CEO of Cult Wines, the leading global wine investment company, talk to Elin McCoy in the second of our “Investing and collecting” series. What should you buy? Is Bordeaux still important? What are the upcoming regions and wineries? All answered in the latest Wine Conversation between Tom Gearing and Elin McCoy – great insights for new and experienced collectors.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Omnibus VII

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 05:47:42 +0000

Omnibus Seven is full of politics and controversy this month – Jane Anson on why Ausone and Cheval Blanc are leaving the Saint Emilion classification, Champagne industry’s fury at Putin’s new wine law, new research says sulphites aren’t to blame for allergies plus revolutionary paper bottles, $950 wine tours, Bordeaux 2020 campaign and lots more.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ Maya Dalla Valle

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 14:43:45 +0000

In the second of our series “The next generation” Maya Dalla Valle talks to Elin McCoy about taking over as head winemaker at her family’s cult Napa winery. She discusses what she learnt on her internships at Petrus, Latour and Ornellaia and how she decided to convert from organic to biodynamic farming after returning from Bordeaux.

Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

▻ Jesse and Andy Katz

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 11:19:18 +0000

World-renowned photographer Andy Katz took his son Jesse everywhere with him as a child and ignited his passion to become a winemaker. Today he is one of America’s hottest young winemakers, he made the wine for Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s wedding and crafted the highest-ever price fetched for an auction wine. He and his father own cult winery Aperture Cellars near Healdsburg in Sonoma. Listen to Jane Anson talk to them about their remarkable story – where it is “all about the art.”

Find out more at wine-conversation.com

▻ South America’s Most Exciting New Wine Regions

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:14:36 +0000

The most exciting new regions in South America? Leading South America expert Patricio Tapia names Chubut in Argentina, Malleco and Osorno in Chile and Maldonado in Uruguay. Patricio talks to John Stimpfig about these pioneering regions and their brilliant producers.

More information at wine-conversation.com

▻ Peter Vinding-Diers

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:05:50 +0000

A frank and fascinating interview with Peter Vinding-Diers, the revolutionary winemaker whose autobiography “Viking in the Vineyard” has just been published. From South Africa to pioneering indigenous yeast at Ch Rahoul, becoming the first flying winemaker and now Mount Etna where he is experimenting again.

More information at www.wine-conversation.com/conversations/great-wine-lives-peter-vinding-diers

▻ Roussillon

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 14:29:17 +0000

France’s Priorat? Rosemary George MW talks to Sarah Kemp about the wines of Roussillon. She argues they should be as well-known as some of the stars of Priorat, and discusses her exciting discoveries in this overlooked wine region.

▻ Omnibus VI

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:57:56 +0000

Snoop Dogg has just launched one, George Clooney wants one, top Bordeaux estates are buying in, why everyone wants Rosé. Elin McCoy investigates, plus meteorite corkscrews, the wine Napoleon didn’t receive just sold, and much, much more.

▻ Wine and Cryptocurrency

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 26 May 2021 08:15:11 +0000

With cryptocurrency becoming more mainstream (over 10% of Americans own it) how is the wine industry getting involved? Jane Anson investigates and talks to Flavien Darius Pommier of Ch Darius and Louis de Bonnecase of BTC Wine who are the wine world’s crypto pioneers.

▻ Old Vine Vineyards

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 17 May 2021 09:47:00 +0000

John Stimpfig talks to Sarah Abbott MW a woman on a mission to galvanise wine lovers to value great old vines and their wines. Find out why old vine vineyards are important and what she and others are doing to save our vinous heritage.

▻ Omnibus V

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 11 May 2021 18:27:53 +0000

Does having bees in your vineyard result in better wine? Elin McCoy finds out. Award-winning sommelier Terry Kandylis recommends the best Greek wines while John Stimpfig looks into robotic sommeliers, and Alder Yarrow lets rip on why wine aerators are the scourge of the earth, plus all the latest wine news.

▻ Will Harlan and Cory Empting

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 06 May 2021 14:41:17 +0000

Elin McCoy talks to Will Harlan and Cory Empting who are stepping up to manage California’s cult estates Harlan Estate and Bond as Managing Director and Managing Director of Winemaking respectively; they had both earlier been working together at Promontory, also owned by Bill Harlan.

▻ En Primeur 2020

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:07:19 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to Bordeaux expert Jane Anson about En Primeur and the 2020 vintage, which is she is in the middle of reviewing.

▻ German Wine

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:18:10 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to Anne Krebiehl MW, the author of The Wines of Germany, which won the 2020 Louis Roederer Wine Book of the Year award.

▻ Champagne’s new wine museum

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:49:03 +0000

How do you make a wine museum interesting? Jane Anson talks to Gary Shelley from Casson Mann, the man behind the designs at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux and Pressoria, the new “Centre for Sensory Interpretation of Champagne,” which is shortly to be opened in the village of Ay in the former Pommery pressoir.

✒ Book Review – Château Lafite: The Almanac

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:38:00 +0000

Brian St Pierre reviews Château Lafite: The Almanac, 600 pages covering 150 vintages!

▻ Château Climens new dry wine

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:51:34 +0000

Berenice Lurton talks about making the first dry wine in the history of Ch Climens, Asphodele. Recorded a week before the terrible news that Climens had been hit by frost and lost 99% of its buds.

▻ Omnibus IV

The Wine Conversation — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:10:36 +0000

In Omnibus Four Australia’s top wine writer Huon Hooke talks about which region and producers are exciting him, Elin McCoy takes a hard look at sustainability, marketing hype or wine’s future? Plus news from John Stimpfig and much more.

▻ Bruce Jack

The Wine Conversation — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 11:43:00 +0000

John Stimpfig talks to leading South African producer Bruce Jack, one of the titans of the South African wine industry.

▻ Wine in Space – Part 2

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:10:32 +0000

The Return of Petrus. Sarah Kemp talks to Jane Anson, the only journalist at the tasting of the wine that just returned from space, which was revealed to be Petrus 2000.

✒ Book Review – The Wines of South Africa

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 09:50:34 +0000

Brian St Pierre reviews Jim Clarke’s book Wines of South Africa and finds “it’s a book to be read not dipped into”.

▻ Collecting and Investing in Wine – Part One

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 14:15:40 +0000

In the first of our new series on “Collecting and Investing,” Elin McCoy, our US editor, talks to Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Wine for Sotheby’s.

▻ How Family Equals Sustainability

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:28:00 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Paul Symington of Symington Ports and Chairman of Primum Familiae Vini (PVF), an association of 12 of the world’s most historic wine producers.

✒ Scrabble

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 08:05:00 +0000

If you want to win at Scrabble become a wine buff. From our new discovery “Cloop”, to grape names with high scoring points, Brian St Pierre reveals the words which will set you on the winning path.

✒Farewell to Steven

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 08:49:00 +0000

Farewell to Steven. Sarah Kemp looks back on her great partnership and friendship with Steven Spurrier.

▻ Burgundy Cuisine

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 14:04:38 +0000

Rosi Hanson talks to Sarah Kemp on how menus have changed in Burgundy, from hearty Burgundian fare to lighter dishes featuring more local produce. They discuss the catalysts for change, including oeno-tourism, grower wines and Asia.

Find out more at wine-conversation.com.

▻ 2010 Bordeaux Review

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 09:23:11 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to Bordeaux expert Jane Anson and Kristian Nooitgedagt of Eleanor Wine, in Amsterdam, about the highly acclaimed 2010 Bordeaux vintage.

▻ Wine in Space

The Wine Conversation — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 09:09:09 +0000

In an exclusive podcast interview, Jane Anson talks to Nicolas Gaume, one of the two founders of Space Cargo Unlimited, about his extraordinary mission: Sending 12 bottles of Bordeaux wine and 320 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines into space for 438 days to live on the International Space Station.

▻ Omnibus III

The Wine Conversation — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 16:56:42 +0000

John Stimpfig discovers a new wine word for Scrabble, Matt Walls recommends the best Rhône appellations and producers in 2019 vintage, and discusses where to find great value. Elin McCoy and Sarah Kemp look at the different wine glasses on the market and ask how many wine glasses do you actually need? Plus, the latest wine news from around the world.

▻ 2009 Bordeaux Review

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:59:00 +0000

The Wine Conversation takes a deep dive into the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. Sarah Kemp talks to Bordeaux expert Jane Anson and Justin Gibbs of Live-Ex about this remarkable vintage to assess whether it has lived up to its reputation 12 years on.

▻ Silver Heights

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:02:00 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to one of China’s most renowned winemakers, Emma Gao, who is the chief winemaker at her family estate Silver Heights.

▻ Omnibus II

The Wine Conversation — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:23:20 +0000

Sarah Kemp and John Stimpfig discuss the impact of Brexit, John examines the “Clean Wine” movement, The Barolo Boys talk to us about all things Barolo, and Elin McCoy looks back on 2020, plus Australian Riesling recommendations from John.

▻ The World’s Greatest Wine Library

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:43:54 +0000

Jane Anson talks to Axel Borg, who has just retired from being the Chief Librarian of the UC Davis Wine Library (his official title is Distinguished Wine and Food Science Bibliographer Emeritus) for over thirty years.

▻ Burgundy 2019

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Sarah Kemp talks to Anthony Hanson MW about the 2019 vintage. They discuss the quality of the vintage and how the lack of the annual January Burgundy tastings will affect the wine producers, the trade and consumers.

✒ Wine on Film

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:30:00 +0000

Now that streaming offers us a seemingly endless buffet of movies and TV shows, it seems every taste can be catered for, including gastronomy.

▻ Australia's Extraordinary Wine History

The Wine Conversation — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:10:25 +0000

The story behind how Australia became a world-class wine producer, the people, the stories, the setbacks and the triumphs.

▻ Omnibus I

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Sarah Kemp and John Stimpfig 2020 news review, Elin McCoy on the impact of the Northern California fires, Best new wine books and novels, Jane Anson's favourite spot in Saint Emilion and the best Sparkling Wines and Champagne for Christmas.

▻ Jean-Michel Cazes (Ep. 1)

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 22:02:00 +0000

The first in our series of Great Wine Lives, we speak to the legendary Jean-Michel Cazes.

Jean-Michel was born in the Bordeaux region, where his family owned the fifth-growth Pauillac estate, Château Lynch‑Bages. When he left school to study engineering in Paris he didn’t think he was going to return. The wine industry was struggling and he saw little future. However, he did return and was a leading figure not only in implementing modern wine techniques, but also, introducing Bordeaux to wine-lovers all over the world.

✒ Festive Fizz

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:00:00 +0000

Whatever the occasion, a glass of bubbly will pick you up, and we all owe it to ourselves after a tough year to bring out our best bottles of fizz.

▻ Uruguay

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:30:00 +0000

Listen to Steven Spurrier discuss his first trip to Uruguay – find out which grapes he thought had a future, the producers he admires, and why he thinks the wines are more European than South American.

✒ Book Reviews

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:00:00 +0000

New book round-up 2020: recommended wine reads from John Stimpfig and Sarah Kemp

✒ The Labels of Mouton Rothschild

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 19:00:00 +0000

The world’s greatest artists have appeared on the labels of Château Mouton Rothschild. Sarah Kemp finds out the stories behind the labels and how they decide on which artist will appear.

▻ “The Story of Wine”

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:00:00 +0000

Listen to Hugh Johnson talk about his magnus opus, “The Story of Wine,” which has just been republished by the Académie du Vin Library. Sarah Kemp interviews him about his remarkable book, which is full of stories from Noah to the present day.

▻ Assemblage

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Great wine is made in the vineyard but the decisions taken on which lots make the final blend of the Grand Vin is crucial not only to the quality but the finances of the estate (as the Grand Vin can go for up to three times as much as the second wine).

Listen to Lilian Barton Sartorius of Ch Léovillle Barton, Hervé Berland of Ch Montrose and Eric Kohler of Ch Lafite discuss what they look for when blending the world’s greatest wines.

✒ Alpha Estate

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Alpha Estate, one of Greece’s most renowned wineries, lies in the remote wilderness of the Amyndeon appellation in the Florina region.

▻ Jean-Michel Cazes (Ep. 2)

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000

The first in our series of Great Wine Lives, we speak to the legendary Jean-Michel Cazes.

Jean-Michel tells us how in 1973 he returns to Pauillac with his young family to join his father in running the insurance agency, as well as the family properties of Château Lynch Bages and Les Ormes-de-Pez. His father had suggested selling the châteaux as they had lost money for many years, but Jean-Michel persuaded him to keep them on. It was the start of a new era in Bordeaux.

▻ 48 Hours in Bordeaux

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Jane Anson gives her personal recommendations of where to go and what to see if you only have 48 hours in Bordeaux. From visiting the building where the 1855 classification was signed, to heading out into the vineyards, Jane reveals her ideal itinerary for wine lovers.

▻ Jean-Michel Cazes (Ep. 3)

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0000

The first in our series of Great Wine Lives, we speak to the legendary Jean-Michel Cazes.

Jean-Michel talks about how he joined his friend Claude Bébéar to create AXA Millésimes and buys some of the world’s most sought-after names; Château Pichon-Baron, the second-growth Pauillac estate; the legendary Port house, Quinta do Noval; and the Tokaji-producing Disznókő estate in Hungary – all whilst running his own family businesses which were rapidly expanding.

✒ 1884 Restaurante Francis Mallmann

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Like many others who have been fortunate enough to visit, I fell deeply in love with Argentina. Could there have been a better start to my love affair than dinner at 1844? I doubt it.

▻ Michael Broadbent

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Sarah Kemp remembers Michael Broadbent, author, auctioneer and friend for 30 years who died earlier this year. In this episode she talks about his ground-breaking work and his wise advice on how to approach fine wine. Sarah remembers some of his great columns for Decanter magazine, including the one in which he declared his ambition to make love in the great vineyards of the world, which won him the Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year award. She looks back on how his career started and how he managed to write his own job description to launch the Christie's Wine Department in 1966. A tribute to a remarkable man who wrote the seminal guide to wine tasting and influenced a generation of wine lovers.

✒ Enoteca Turi

The Wine Conversation — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Television loves chefs, chefs happily reciprocate, cookbook publishers are happy, and the buzz keeps buzzing. Meanwhile, some very good restaurants, especially those that emphasize wine, quietly sail along under the radar, often surpassing noisier expectations.