TRINKTalks

Getting Smart about Swiss Wine Travel with Marc Checkley Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we are joined by television journalist and wine educator Marc Checkley. Tune in as he takes us on a journey through the "hidden library" of Swiss wine, uncovering rare indigenous grapes like Completer and Plant Robert across Switzerland's diverse cantons. From the terraced vineyar...

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 3 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we explore the Austrian red wine your somm is obsessed with (but you’re not drinking!). We are joined by NYC-based sommelier Katja Scharnagl and renowned winemaker Georg Prieler for a deep dive into the world of Blaufränkisch. From the limestone and schist soils of the Leithaberg to the high-energy dining rooms of New York City, our gue...

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we head to the volcanic cliffs of the Nahe to speak with Karsten Peter, the visionary winemaker and director of the historic Gut Hermannsberg. Karsten shares the daring philosophy behind his "late-release" strategy—holding back top Rieslings for five years to allow their true terroir to emerge—and discusses the radical decision to declas...

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of TRINKTalks! where we dive into the soulful, surprising, and often misunderstood world of Austrian wine and food. This is a thoughtful conversation with Monika Caha and Tara Q. Thomas—their deep industry experience bridges Austrian tradition, New York’s wine scene, and decades of culinary exploration. Together, we unpack everything from Austria’s natural-wine reputa...

Welcome to Episode 12 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we discuss Camilla Gierda’s book Natural Trailblazers. This publication explores the intersection of natural wine, climate change, and sustainability, highlighting how organic farming, biodiversity, and alternative packaging can reduce the wine industry’s environmental impact. The journey to identify trailblazing producers committed to sustaina...

Welcome to Episode 12 of TRINKTalks! In this conversation, Jule and Kai Schätzel discuss their journey into winemaking, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming practices and the role of community in the winemaking process. They share insights on the philosophy of balance in winemaking, the transition to natural wines, and the challenges faced along the way. The discussion highlights the...

Welcome to Episode 11 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we sit down with Marco Simonit, renowned Italian agronomist and co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, the world’s leading vine pruning consultancy. Marco shares the story of what first drew him to the art of vine pruning, how he developed his pioneering gentle pruning technique, and why it’s transforming vineyards across the world. We delve into th...

Welcome to Episode 10 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we dive into Austria’s organic wine movement with two highly respected winemakers — Fred Loimer and Gerhard Wohlmuth . From biodynamic practices to the unique terroirs of Kamptal and Südsteiermark, discover how these pioneers are redefining quality and sustainability in Austrian wine.  Consider joining the TRINK community . Read up on our subsc...

Welcome to Episode 9 of TRINKTalks! Today TrinkTalks gives the floor to contributing writer Christoph Raffelt, a fellow podcaster and German wine pioneer. Tune in as Christoff interviews Mosel region wine producers Tobias Feiden, Gernot Kohlmann, & Jonas Dostert on their approaches and challenges when it comes to producing great pinot noir wines.  Consider joining the TRINK community . Read up...

Welcome to Episode 8 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Sophie Christmann of Weingut A. Christmann, in the Pfalz region, Germany's second largest wine growing region. Sophie talks to us about her background and transition into the Christmann winery, working with her father and focusing on Pinot and Riesling. We also get to hear about her thoughts on the selección masal...

Welcome to Episode 7 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Hoss Hauksson of Hauksson Weine, in Klingnau Switzerland. In this episode Hoss discusses his passion for biodynamics and his research into Shamanism and plant communication. He also elaborates on his experimentation when it comes to the plantings within his vineyard plots. This is truly an interesting topic you are no...

Welcome to Episode 6 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Nik Weis of Weingut Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof. In this episode, Nik shares his passion for Riesling and introduces us to his exceptional wines. He delves into his fascinating vineyard experiments, driven by his curiosity about what makes certain vines produce superior wines. Nik reveals how he uncovered a surprising t...

Welcome to Episode 5 of TRINKTalks. In today’s episode Paula and Valerie talk to three guests, Mason Washington, Founder of LELIYG, along with Carolin and Erik Riffel of Weingut Riffel located in Bingen am Rhein, in the Mainz-Bingen district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Today’s conversation introduces the Riffel winery and its wines as well as the heartwarming story of Mason’s collaboration w...

Welcome to Episode 4 of TRINKTalks. Listen in as Paula and Valerie talk with Dorli Muhr of ⁠Weingut Dorli Muhr⁠ about her wine making journey and her ongoing love affair with the Blaufrankisch grape variety of the Spitzberg in the Carinthian region of upper Austria. The vineyards are cultivated organically, and obtaining the characteristic freshness and finesse in the wine is not always easy, but...

Welcome to Episode 3 of TRINKTalks. Today’s conversation is with Jancis Robinson, an absolute power house within the wine world. Listen in as she discusses Riesling (one of her favorite wines!), as well as the German market and what it might do to help exports to countries like England where there is a need for more German wines and German wine education.  Consider joining the TRINK community . Re...

Welcome to Episode 2 of TRINKTalks. Today’s conversation is with Daniel Pfitscher of Weingut Pfitscher in Bolzano, located in South Tyrol, Northern Italy. Daniel talks to us about the evolution of winemaking at Pfitscher and their role in the development of quality wines in Alto Adige, especially Pinot Noir (aka Blauburgunder). Daniel also proudly discusses their most recent award winning wine Pin...

Welcome to Episode 1 of TRINKTalks. Today’s conversation is with Moritz Haidle of Weingut Karl Haidle. Moritz discusses the Remstal wine region, and gives his assessment of climate change as well as his opinions on organic winemaking. Moritz also shares his reasoning and passion for producing Riesling and Lemberger wines!  Consider joining the TRINK community . Read up on our subscriptions and unl...

SAVE THE DATE!  Episode 1 of TRINKTalks airs January 7th! Join us in welcoming TRINKTalks to the air waves! In the coming weeks TRINK Talks will begin releasing episodes. Hosts Paula Redes Sidore and Valerie Kathawala, co-founders of TRINK Magazine introduce TRINKTalks, a podcast that will be available on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts! The upcoming episodes will showcase...