The Big Vin Theory

We chat with Ben Smith, founder of Freerun PR, about how to judge whether or not a brand is strong, whether or not supermarkets are a force for good on the global stage, whether or not new products are necessary for survival, how to get journalists to write about your products and much more...

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We talk to Geoffrey Moss MW about all things BC, including a SWOT analysis of the region, what the future may hold for it.  We also discuss his work as a marketing consultant at https://lithica.wine/  around marketing for DTC models, competitions and trade shows and much more...

As always, if you can, please support TBVT here https://ko-fi.com/thebigvintheory

We talk to Peter Yeung and Robert Vernick from X Chateau podcast https://www.xchateau.com/ , which every MW student should subscribe to!  We discuss how social media has changed wine marketing and transparency and how can influencers and new tech be used by the trade.  We discuss Peter's excellent book https://g.co/kgs/wcDh9U , what the more commercial end of the market can learn from the luxury and much more!

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For the final episode of Season 1, we thought we'd like to go out with a Big Bang (or should that be 'vin'?), so we talk to the legend that is Robert Joseph!  Has writing about wine helped him make and sell it?  What does he wish he had done differently?  What are the major metrics by which to judge a brand's success?  How have tariffs affected imports to other countries?  What are we not talking about in the wine industry that we should be?  And more...

 We talk to Rod Smith MW of Riviera Wine Academy.  We ask what the wine market is like in the South of France?  How does the yachting industry work?  Do we need more educators?  Are clear glass bottles not a really bad idea? Is the wine trade transparent enough about salaries?  Is DTC growing? And more...

NB - apologies for the sound quality at times - there was some interference on the Zoom call I couldn't edit out.

We talk with Katherine Jones of ThinK Wine Group about what it takes to launch a new, lifestyle, low calorie wine brand.  What did the design process look like?  How was the gap in the market identified?  How has it been marketed?  Katherine also runs We Are SN, an influencer marketing agency, so we ask what platforms work best?  How can influencers work best?  And more...

We speak with Heather Daenitz from Craft and Cluster, photography and social media consultant and podcast host https://www.craftandcluster.com/podcast/ .  We ask how the wine trade can attract new customers?  What metrics should branding and social media be judged on?  How can you determine ROI from a social media campaign?  What is the future of podcasting?  And more...

We talk to Kryss Speegle MW about bulk wine QA, QC, transport and global business.  What are the most important things to include on a tech sheet?  What are the most important checks during bottling?  What have been the biggest changes in supply and demand globally recently?  How have tariffs affected bulk wine distribution?  And more...

We talk with Dr Belinda Kemp, Senior Staff Scientist in Oenology & Adjunct Professor about sparkling winemaking.  We ask what constitutes a 'cool climate'?  Can machine harvesting ever make quality fizz?  What yeasts and fining agents are worthwhile?  What are the main odour compounds from autolysis?  Does Bob seriously think he can pass the exams when he mixes up CO2 and SO2?  And more....

We chat to Charlie Foley, Specialist and Auctioneer at Christie's.  We ask when it would be appropriate to write 'auctions' for a commercial positioning question?  How does the auction process work?  How do they attract new customers?  How do they guard against fraud?  What are the trends to look for?  Where does he get those incredible jackets?  And more...

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