Wine Behind The Scenes

Despite implementing traditional vineyard practices and adapting winemaking techniques, shifting climate patterns continue to challenge the stability of wine regions. Instead of the desired result of a reliable and consistent wine industry, wine enthusiasts are experiencing the unpredictability of climate change, leading to uncertainty and disappointment in their pursuit of fine wines. Our guest f...

Are you someone who loves wine and would like to discover the world of Hungarian wine?  Then join us as Csilla Janosi reveals her passion for making wine and dedication to showing wine travellers how much there is to learn and love about wine and tourism in Hungary. Hungary has a centuries-old wine-making tradition and now, in the modern era, has 22 distinct wine regions. Csilla shares how she man...

Mari's first sip of Dom Perignon ignited a passion for wines that has taken her to incredible places around the globe. Despite her busy job as a director at the University of Texas in the health sector and her other leadership positions, she stays devoted to volunteering at the Wine and Food Foundation to provide support and assistance to people in the hospitality industry. Let's join Mari as she...

If you're looking for an incredible spot to add to your wine tasting itinerary, this gorgeous island is absolutely one to consider. Plus, with a conversational wine expert tour guide to aid you in selecting the ideal wine to complement your culinary journey, you can't go wrong.  Let's join Jessica now in exploring the picturesque little island where she lives and learn something about Madeira's wi...

Wine has a unique way of bringing people together and creating lasting memories, but it can also be intimidating, especially when it comes to deciphering the often cryptic language used to describe the different types of wines. The wine world is full of insider terms that can make understanding the nuances of a bottle of wine feel like an impossible task.  It's time for this trend to be put aside....

Not many know that Bulgarian wine has a rich and storied history that dates back more than four thousand years. As one of the oldest wine-producing countries in Europe, Bulgaria has a winemaking tradition that is tied to its geography, culture and climate. As the wine industry developed over the centuries, adapting to both the political and economic changes of the times so has its quality, thus pr...

Carolina Muñoz is a traveler, an artist, and a winemaker. She has lived in many countries, experienced many cultures, and applied her creativity to many disciplines. From photography to singing, her artistic inclinations have taken her around the world, but it wasn't until she found her place in Portugal that she found her true passion in the wine industry.  Let's join Carolina as she shares her s...

We have all heard of the romantic notion of vineyards and wineries, but what many of us don't know is the dedication, enthusiasm, and passion that go into the making of the bottle of wine we enjoy. From the farmers, who tend the vines and make sure the grapes are of the highest quality, to the winemakers who craft the wine, each and every step of the process requires an incredible amount of skill...

With someone as passionate about wine as if they breathe it, it's no wonder you can sense their desire to learn more. Even though it might be difficult, one would go to great lengths to become more knowledgeable and skilled about wine and winemaking. Ana Reis personifies that. The great love she has for her craft, along with her energetic and fun nature, will ensure success for her.  Let's join An...

Exploring the world of wine can be a fun and exciting journey. From discovering the different varieties, to learning about the production process, to finding the perfect bottle for your palate, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice explorer, the thrill of discovering new wines and tasting them is sure to be a memorable experience. Let's take a listen at this...

You are sure to have a great conversation when you feel the passion of the person in front of you. That's Ana Reis for you, sharing the fun, excitement, and enjoyment that wine has brought to her life and what comes with it and the people she encounters every day in the career she has  chosen and loves dearly. Listen in now as Ana shares fascinating facts about the beautiful city she lives in, the...

As you grow grapes and achieve your desired outcome, you get to test your patience as well. Risk is involved, and those brave enough to take that risk succeed. Take a look at Akis Papadopoulos' foray into winemaking. At first, he didn't think winemaking was for him. At the back of his mind, he wanted to give it a try so that's exactly what he did. Then he started studying in France and honing his...

It's fun to work when you enjoy what you do and are passionate about it. No matter your struggles and challenges, you will find joy, happiness, and meaning in everything surrounding you. It also rubs off on those around you. It's no wonder this family-owned winery radiates that kind of feeling. Because of her passion for wine and winemaking, Konstantina Goula left everything to study wine and wine...

As a result of studying winemaking in Europe, Aniruddha Rajagopalan has traveled around the world, experiencing different cultures and learning different languages. Along the way, he built friendships and a network of passionate wine enthusiasts. Passion and hard work are behind the best wines he tasted and enjoyed. After working for both big and small wineries, his experiences showed him that win...

Tinkering with coconut water and life in the laboratory was not what Aniruddha Rajagopalan was meant to do. Instead, he became a winemaker. The funny thing is, he had no exposure to wine growing up. The alcoholic beverages that he knew were popular in India were spirits and beer. Indian people consume far less wine each year than you might think, plus Indian culture discourages drinking alcohol. A...

We are all looking forward to what the new year has in store for us. However, now is a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished during this year. What makes the wine industry worthwhile is the people, passion, and experiences that come with the pleasure of tasting, drinking, and enjoying wine. Laurel Simmons rounds up her top 10 best experiences on today's Wine Behind the Scenes episode....

Passion plays an important role in the success of a winemaking business. Continuous education, further study, and research contribute to consistent innovation. Growing your business is a great opportunity for you to grow as a business owner as well. As new wineries sprout, you need to stay relevant by continually evolving. That said, doing other businesses related to winemaking can also be conside...

Getting on that flight to Greece many summers ago changed Anne Kokotos' life. Along with meeting a Greek husband, she fell in love with Greece. Soon, she began learning the language, which led to a life spent in vineyards, winemaking, and running her own business. Despite not knowing much about winemaking at the start, she and her husband have kept it going with much passion and dedication to grow...

Most of us overlook our sense of smell, but not for those in the wine industry. Learning what something tastes and smells like takes a great deal of practice. And that is something of importance to sommeliers. Grape varieties vary widely from region to region and country to country, so it pays to practice and train a lot. And this is where work and fun come together. The more you learn about your...

It's interesting to note that in the process of making wine, grape vines planted within a meter distance of each other taste differently. Which means winemaking can be as fascinating as growing grapevines. This week is the story about the origin of a place, Prince Edward County and how it came out to be what it is now, telling a unique story, land found nowhere else in the world. The story of one...

If you were told you could never be an expert, and you are never enough, how would that make you feel? Instead of feeling disheartened, our podcast guest this week, Keith Tyers, felt challenged. Despite being told he can't do anything, he rose above it. And all that doubt? He proved them wrong. Let's join him in this episode as he shares his journey into his deep fascination with food and wine, fr...

Can you imagine being 17 years old, standing on a stage in your hometown, and being named a Wine Princess? And not having a clue what you're doing? That's the experience of today's guest, Sabine Wagner, who was not only a Wine Princess for two years but ultimately became her town's Wine Queen. From there, Sabine never looked back. She found her calling and realized that the wine business was where...

Can you imagine being only 11 years old and already know that you want to have a career in the wine industry? That's the experience that Danielle Coetsee had as she watched her uncle work in the vineyard and the winery.  And when she got older and applied to university as an engineering student, she realized that she was making a mistake - wine was still calling her. So Danielle took the big step...

Today's guest, Rob Statham, is as funny as he is articulate about wine, beer, and why he's doing what he's doing. Rob loves to share his knowledge and make whatever event he's hosting – be it live or virtual – fun, educational, and interesting. Our conversation ranged from how you put on virtual wine tastings (which Rob believes must be an engaging and entertaining experience) to the latest offeri...

Mount Olympus? The Aegean Sea? History and culture going back thousands and thousands of years? Wine that's fit for the gods? That's what we're talking about in my conversation with Alexandra Anthidou, who is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Association of Northern Greek Winemakers. Alexandra has what many would see as a dream job - she gets to travel to over 30 wineries in her...