The 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...

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

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.

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.

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 .

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

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...

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

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

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. Li...

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

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-...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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