Episodes
To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Today we have part 2 with Henry Jeffreys, where we dig deeper into his book, ‘Vines in a Cold Climate” We also delve into the story of Peter Hall, the mastermind behind Breaky Bottom winery nestled in the picturesque South Downs of Sussex. Established in 1974, this winery has a rich history rooted in a time when Chardonnay and Pinot Noir weren't in the limelight, and Seyval Blanc was the star grape variety. I will also be opening up a bottle of the 2015...
Published 10/16/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE   On today's episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Henry Jeffreys, a renowned writer and speaker. With an extensive background in the world of wine, Henry has graced the airwaves of BBC Radio Four and Five, served as the wine critic for The Lady, and been featured in reputable publications like The Spectator and The Guardian. Notably, he was honored with the Drinks Writer of the Year award by Fortnum and Mason in the previous year....
Published 10/09/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Today we have part 2 of our chat with Amelia Singer. In this episode we're digging deeper into Amelia's extensive wine journey, her valuable insights, and her intriguing collaboration with Concha y Toro, the Chilean wine powerhouse. Amelia shares her experiences, opinions on the wine world, and offers some invaluable wine advice. Additionally, discover the fascinating wine region of Limari as inspired by Amelia's unique collaboration.    This episode is...
Published 10/02/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Today is part 1 with Amelia Singer, an international award-winning wine educator and communicator. In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the enchanting realm of Austrian wines. Together, we'll explore the three red grape varieties: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Sankt Laurent, as well as the revered white grape, Grüner Veltliner. Tune in as we delve into the unique characteristics of each grape and learn about Amelia's Austrian escapades, her...
Published 09/25/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE WE ARE BACK WITH SEASON 4. And I am going to take you on a three-day trip around Rias Baixas. We will be looking at the food, the regions, the grapes, the vine training methods and the beaches you can visit. I hope this episode will motivate you to go and visit this lusciously green area, and have you reaching for a refreshing bottle of Albariño. Introducing my sponsor for this season, Wickhams Wine, who aligns so well with me. A small business themselves...
Published 09/18/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Todays episode is the last episode of Season 3. I’ll be back again in September. I am speaking with my head winemaker of Balfour Winery, Fergus Elias, who is back for the second time. If you missed the first episode go back to Episode 106. We will be talking about one of our very special white wines, part of the Winemakers collection. It's called Cinque Ports 2019, made up with five grape varieties and it just won Gold at the WineGB Awards 2023. Then we...
Published 07/17/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today is part 2 with Jess Summer, founder of Mouse and Grape, a luxury cheese and wine hamper company in the UK. We'll be looking at pairings to go with aged cheese, more challenging cheeses. What happens if you start adding the accompaniments like honey or nuts or fruit? We'll be looking at what cheeses go best with traditional method sparkling wine, so that of England. We'll be looking at the temperature that you should serve your cheese at. When do you...
Published 07/10/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today is part 1 with Jess Summer, founder of Mouse and Grape, a luxury cheese and wine hamper company in the UK, and we will be going through her summer hamper which includes canned wines from the Canned Wine Co. We will be looking at the pairings and what process she goes through when deciding what wines she should pair with cheeses, how to taste cheese and wine correctly, and the specific order. You'll learn about storing cheese, the art of cutting...
Published 07/03/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today I am talking about Old vines. We will touch on what actually are old vines, where in the world regions are actually classifying specific vines and how old they actually have to be. What is the significance of old vines culturally and genetically? How they can help us in the future, the stories that they hold and how the flavour of the wines that come from old vines are different. And my deeper discovery into this was at Feudi di San Gregorio, an...
Published 06/26/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Last week I hosted a Masterclass in Paladar, THE latin American restaurant in London and so I was inspired to bring this to life here, and talk to you all about the Criolla varieties of South and Latin America. It was the Spanish conquistadors, that brought across the first Vitis Vinifera Vines to the Americas and these gave birth to the ‘Criolla Varieties’. So you will learn what Criolla actually means, understand the Criolla family tree and learn about...
Published 06/19/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is part 3 of the deep dive series into Sparkling wines: On all the sparkling wines of the word (except Champage). These episodes are specifically designed to help out my WSET diploma friends. This is a flashcard-style podcast, which is a useful way for those trying to memorize the information, however, for all of you who just love wine and want to know more and increase your knowledge, this will still be a really interesting episode as you can just...
Published 06/12/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is the fifth and last part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Sales and Marketing Manager Deidre Taylor of Kanonkop based in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. They are definitely considered one of the prestigious wineries of South Africa, and they were one of the pioneers of Pinotage. They played a significant role in establishing Pinotage as a flagship grape variety in South Africa. They've gained both national and...
Published 06/05/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is the forth part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Winemaker Andries Burger of Paul Cluver Winery based in Elgin. This region is known for it’s Pinot Noir and Chardonany and as Paul Cluver is the pioneer of this wine region, who better than to discuss with them. So we will focus on Pinot Noir, talking about the importance of oak usage, how to bring out the grape’s natural characteristics, how to not over power,...
Published 05/29/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is the third part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Winemaker Alice Verburg from Luddite Winery, based in Bot River. They are very much about hands off and minimal intervention, and the most interesting and fun family, who do not take themselves too seriously. The focus on today’s podcast will be minimal intervention, understanding the Bot River and of course tasting and talking about their very limited bottlings...
Published 05/22/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is the second part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Winemaker Mike Dawson from Journey’s End. This is a winery with some of the closest vineyards to False Bay. They have won The Drinks Business Green Wine awards in 2020 and 2021 and provided over 1 million meals to the local community during the tough times of covid in 2020. You will learn all about this very sustainable and ethical winery, and in terms of wine...
Published 05/15/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is the first part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Cellarmaster RJ Botha from Kleine Zalze. This is the place you want to visit for a romantic getaway, and golf and wine weekend, or when you are looking for the best wine and food pairing. Their food is another level, as is their Chenin, so we are focusing on the grape variety Chenin Blanc and Old Vines. If you want to skip ahead: 3.11: RJ’s role at Kleine Zalze...
Published 05/08/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is part 2 of the deep dive series into Sparkling wines: All on Champagne. These episodes are specifically designed to help out my WSET diploma friends. This is a flashcard-style podcast, which is a useful way for those trying to memorize the information, however, for all of you who just love wine and want to know more and increase your knowledge, this will still be a really interesting episode as you can just play it all the way through like any...
Published 05/01/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today episode is part 2 with Helena Nicklin, an award-winning drinks writer, a broadcaster, a judge, and author. who you can watch on TV Series, Three Drinkers (Currently showing on Amazon Prime). Today we are talking about her very own whiskey matured in Bordeaux cask barrels. You will receive some personal wine recommendations. Then we’re discussing Riesling and its sweetness levels. The main focus is on the development of CHIANTI CLASSICO. We will be...
Published 04/24/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today we are joined by Helena Nicklin, an award-winning drinks writer, a broadcaster, a judge, and author. who you can watch on TV Series, Three Drinkers (Currently showing on Amazon Prime). She is the winner of best contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism 2022. She was recognised in the top 100 most influential people in drinks 2022. She has her own podcast called “Bring a Bottle”. This episode (Part 1) Helena talks about filming the Three Drinkers,...
Published 04/17/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is Part 2 with wine writer and speaker Christina Rasmussen and we are discussing planting your own vineyard and the decisions that you can make. Christina has planted her very own vineyard in England. So, we will talk about the soils, choosing massal selection over clonal selection, diseases and viruses and vines, grafting your own vines onto rootstocks, grape varieties such as Mondeuse and Pineau d’Aunis, trellising on stakes, high density planting,...
Published 04/10/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE Today’s episode is about the grape variety Palomino. Often thought of as a neutral grape variety yet there are certain people in the wine industry that are true believers like my guest today, Christina Rasmussen. She is a wine writer, speaker and has even made her very own still Palomino wine. So, I'm fascinated to pick Christina's brain to hear more about her love for this grape variety and her love for farming the soil and terroir. So, she will be...
Published 04/03/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This episode is part 2 with wine expert Helen McGinn, who you can watch on BBC’s Saturday Morning Kitchen and ITV’s This Morning. She's the author of the Book and Blog: Knacked Mother's Wine Club. During her 10 years as a wine buyer, one of the most rewarding regions to visit and which offered great value was the South West of France. We will be talking about the wonderful array of different grape varieties down there, the wine styles and the sub...
Published 03/27/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE My guest today is Helen McGinn, wine expert on the BBC’s Saturday Morning Kitchen and ITV’s This Morning. She's the author of the Book and Blog: Knacked Mother's Wine Club. She has worked for over a decade as a wine buyer Tesco’s supermarket, and so this episode we are settling down to talk about her career and wine moments. We'll have some wine and food pairing recommendations and you’ll come away with a few wine tips. Enjoy. If you want to skip...
Published 03/20/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is part 1 of the deep dive series into Sparkling wines: All on production and different sparkling wine methods. These episodes are specifically designed to help out my WSET diploma friends. This is a flashcard-style podcast, which is a useful way for those trying to memorize the information, however, for all of you who just love wine and want to know more and increase your knowledge, this will still be a really interesting episode as you can just...
Published 03/13/23
To download the transcript CLICK HERE This is part two of my chat with wine writer and now part time winemaker Chris Boiling. Check out his articles on Canopy, on the International Wine Challenge website. This episode is all about crazy wine making projects, discussing lesser known varieties, and that includes those of Georgia. We we talk about the wine capital Kakheti, the ancient art of ageing in Qvevri and discussing the Georgian grape varieties Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi and Khikhvi. If...
Published 03/06/23