The Wine Conversation

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! – 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’...

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, an...

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

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...

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

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 mo...

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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 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-conversa...

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

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

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....

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-conve...

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

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.

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

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

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.

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...