Talking of Wine

Where we discuss the element of nurture in wine-making. To be honest, a lot of the episode focuses on Burgundy but that is because it contextualises the role of the producer so well. Individuality can be critical in the world of wine but so can homogeneity. Choices are made from the planting of a vine and who owns it, right through to the moment of bottling. Rather predictably the path runs back t...

Orange Wine. What is it? The realm of the Hipster or an historic nod to winemaking? Actually a deceptively simple explanation but a more complicated role within todays wine world. Relationship to both organic and bio-dynamic wine-making is considered. Often associated with trend-setting habits and the modern need to explore new 'branding', the role of orange wine may actually be more significant....

Again Joe talks us brilliantly through the different styles of Sherry. Similarly to other fortified wines, particularly Madeira, the grades of sherry depend greatly on dryness and sweetness. From Manzanilla through to Noe. Solera system explained. Anyone who still thinks Palo Cortado means pale and short need to listen in and it certainly isn't just for the older generations. Is this, as Joe offer...

Carefully treading through the legalities of what we can call what. Perfumiers and Elderflower extractors beware. Aiming to speak all things champagne, we quickly digress, and stick, to explaining what method traditional is. Prosecco and Cava are referenced as well as brands such as Lindauer. Are Kent vineyards and other south coast contenders friends or foe? Along the way I muddle my Cricket 'Kee...

Logical progression from Port is to Madeira and we are nothing if not predictable here. Very similar vilification but inevitably some differences. We discuss those here and clarify the distinctions between each style within. The explanation may surprise you and is much more simple than you may think. But, without question, this episode will go down in history as the one where I got one up on Joe!...

Small word but clearly a massive topic. Following our brushstrokes in Alt-Christmas, we decided to dedicate a whole episode to Port. Who would be crazy enough to attempt it in just the one? Well, us, obviously. But we pretty much achieve it. Everything from Ruby to Tawny, mulling on LBV, Vintage and even Crusted on the way. Yes, white port as well. Didn’t leave much time for usual digressions, des...

Again, we get a bit chatty here, why wouldn't we, its Rum! Coming in around 45mins we can hopefully keep your interest and enthusiasm high. As we drift our way through the exotic world of rum cocktails. Pina Colada Joe! We didn't do Pina Colada! Oh well, we did do the Daiquiri so just do a pineapple one of those and add coconut! Beware the Mojito though, delicious but surprisingly tricky. No worri...

Our relentless cocktails journey continues. Went a bit more in depth with this one. Slightly longer as we delve into the intricacies of what tequila actually is. After deviating into Mescal, we then regain composure and actually suggest a few choice mixes. After 4 episodes we finally throw some Simon Difford in, with his immaculate "Difford's Guide" (chapeau Mr. D). There are worms, or not; shots...

Onwards we go. Third instalment of our cocktail series. Big hitting Vodka, or is it? Russian or Polish? Ukranian…or… err Scottish?!? As usual there are a few references to popular culture and some little nuggets of historical context from Joe. More gentle undercurrents that nod to bartenders past and present. We even try and push vodka cocktails as a potential one of your five a day, consumption o...

Continuing on our recent theme, this week we dive into the Gin Cocktails. Having dealt with the Martini in its own episode, here we suggested a few more big hitters in the world of evening libations. From the sour derivative Tom Collins through to the Count of all cocktails, the Negroni. Along the way we discuss other component parts such as soda water or tonic, and sugar syrup. As ever there is a...

For the next few weeks, as we journey through to New Year, we thought we would run a series on cocktails. We start with possibly the most iconic of all, The Martini. It can generally be seen to both obey the rules of 2:1 plus third component while at the same lead the way when it comes to variations on a theme. Gin or Vodka? Olive or pickled onion? Shaken or, indeed, stirred? And introduces runnin...

Welcome to season 2 of Talking of Wine. We were going to come back with a ubiquitous festive episode but, as is our way, we rambled a bit. The result is what we call an Alt-Christmas episode where we just went with some left field suggestions in the hope of stirring up interest and mixing things up for the family gatherings. Its not what we were planning but, as ever, hope you all enjoy our musing...

Talking of Wine wraps up the 2024 vintage reports from Wildwood Vineyard. Dr Paul joins us for this last episode where we look at the month of October. This is harvest month so Paul finally gets to see what state his crop will be in. We talk through the final assessment of moulds and last minute hurdles involving the local wildlife. A gentle reflection on visits to the property over the year and a...

Talking of Wine here links the classification of wines around the world with our previous episode on Phylloxera. How could such a devastating etymological event have such a positive impact on the structure of the world wine trade? Its timing with Napoleon's own classification table of 1855 led to a retrospective look at how wines have been categorised since Greek and Phoenician trading. And what h...

Talking of Wine's monthly wander through the vines of Wildwood. It's crunch time as we near the harvest and the moment of truth is upon us. Have we had a summer or not? Spoiler alert, we talk about a lot of things that are not wanted in a vineyard at this time. All that makes life hard for Paul though makes for a fascinating Podcast. Turns out two be almost a two-parter with Dr Erica's episode on...

Following on from our episode on closures, we have a closer look at the more modern options of Cans and Bags. Value, recycling options and aesthetics are all deliberated. As ever we digress or make random deviations. This time listen out for Festivals, space shuttles as well as a brief journey down the Danube. If your listening on a fine day with friends you could maybe set up a game of Goon of Fo...

With the help of the wonderful Dr Erica McAlister this episode of Talking of Wine attempts to bring Joe's scientific knowledge of Phylloxera down to Richard's level of understanding. We thought it would be fun to take a really, really niche wine topic and see if we could sell it to the lay people. So, obviously, we talk sex, nightclubs, Center Parcs and red spider mites. Why would you lick a batte...

So, August has been and gone and whatever Summer we had this year with it! Whatever the weather though, Dr Paul has to continue to tend his vines. This month he talks us through various mildews and their causes, effects and the relevant deterrent procedures. Canopy management is at the forefront and we also get a status update on his baby vines. Bacchus is flirting with barrels and giving out mixe...

Obviously this is a wide ranging subject that will pop up regularly but we thought we would give it its first solo gig. This episode introduces the basics of bottle closures. Particularly the progression from cork to screw-cap. Bags and cans are mentioned but will have their own little outing soon. Is a cork just cork? What is the connection with heart valves? We also answer the burning questions...

Once again the Prof joins us for our monthly vineyard maintenance update. Have the vines flowered? Have the flowers survived? Will the UK have a summer, or were those few hours it for the year? We establish that a messy vineyard is a proactive one. Paul's pioneering visions are bringing Bacchus to the barrel. Is there a concerto somewhere for the anvil, saw, spoons and clarinet? And we even reward...

Potentially a huge subject but we whittle things down to a few general pointers. Words on sommeliers, pairing with food, inside or outside? Although titled as Restaurants we flirt around a little bit of everything when it comes to choosing a wine for your meal. Are you splashing the cash or saving your pennies? Have you ever considered larger format bottles? What is Cinderella pricing or the Ventu...

The episode where we help you to navigate a wine label. Easy perhaps for some but some pointers for others who want to know more. We also discover that many wine shops effectively offer a pre-label label by categorising wines to there system. Country style etc. And it also leads us to the wonderful world of discoveries that is a Bin-End. Ever wondered why there are now two labels? What purpose doe...

What is the difference between tasting and drinking? Is one just more pretentious than the other? Or do we all in fact do a bit of both all the time? We think it basically boils down to whether you spit or swallow. Drinking is undoubtably great but tasting is clearly fundamental to making the stuff in the first place. Then there are the ubiquitous medal wines and why they are selected. Naturally w...

Just in time for July we get the latest on the month of June in Wildwood. Dr Paul is back with everything from trunk rubbing to Crowning. Flowering is the big mover this month and so we get the lowdown on what this means for vines both young and old. Paul also flaunts his wines to the Three Wine Men and explains the benefits of worm poo. Joe and I chip in with badgers, Chameleons and David Icke. W...

So, the second part of our Regions Ramblings. This episode we finish off with Spain, South America and, of course, NZ and Australia. Along the way we discuss Garnacha, Carmanere, Tempranillo and what exactly is Hunter Burgundy or Hunter Riesling? We hint at my Dad, John Avery's legacy, discuss a time when Chardonnay wasn't even in Australian vocabulary and reacquaint with our Crusading Knight who...