The Vincast - a wine podcast with The Intrepid Wino

Most wine enthusiasts and professionals would be familiar with the name Max Allen, as for the past few decades he has been one of the foremost authorities on Australian wine. He has been a contributor to most of the countries important wine and food publications, and has himself penned a number of successful books including The Future Makers and Crush. He is such an advocate for authentic Australian wine that many may be unaware he is actually an ex-pat having emigrated here from England in the early 1990s! This partly explains his great passion for ciders, which we only briefly touched on in this fascinating chat about his background and philosophies on wine and wine communication.

Most wine enthusiasts and professionals would be familiar with the name Max Allen, as for the past few decades he has been one of the foremost authorities on Australian wine. He has been a contributor to most of the countries important wine and food publications, and has himself penned a number of successful books including The Future Makers and Crush. He is such an advocate for authentic Australian wine that many may be unaware he is actually an ex-pat having emigrated here from England in the early 1990s! This partly explains his great passion for ciders, which we only briefly touched on in this fascinating chat about his background and philosophies on wine and wine communication.

Originally born in Ballarat, Alex discovered an interest in wine helping a childhood friend in his family winery for harvest one year. He then worked vintages in numerous regions and countries, before returning to Australia and commencing employment at Lethbridge Wines in Geelong. Here he started playing around with his own wines, quickly getting some attention for himself with the Byrne Wines brand. More recently he launched Noisy Ritual with some friends. Noisy Ritual is an urban winery that allows people to become members and work together to make wine that they can then enjoy with their friends and family.

Originally born in Ballarat, Alex discovered an interest in wine helping a childhood friend in his family winery for harvest one year. He then worked vintages in numerous regions and countries, before returning to Australia and commencing employment at Lethbridge Wines in Geelong. Here he started playing around with his own wines, quickly getting some attention for himself with the Byrne Wines brand. More recently he launched Noisy Ritual with some friends. Noisy Ritual is an urban winery that allows people to become members and work together to make wine that they can then enjoy with their friends and family.

Gilles Lapalus was "born in a barrel", as wine is in his family in the Burgundy region of France. After working for many years in different roles he took a trip to the furthest place he could think of, Australia. It was here that he was not only introduced to the "new world" of wine, but also his partner. Gaining experience in South and North America, he pursued further projects in France and Italy before he was lured back to Australia and became the winemaker at Sutton Grange just outside Melbourne. During his tenure he introduced many elements to the brand, and also launched a vermouth to a thirsty Melbourne bar scene.

Gilles Lapalus was “born in a barrel”, as wine is in his family in the Burgundy region of France. After working for many years in different roles he took a trip to the furthest place he could think of, Australia. It was here that he was not only introduced to the “new world” of wine, but also his partner. Gaining experience in South and North America, he pursued further projects in France and Italy before he was lured back to Australia and became the winemaker at Sutton Grange just outside Melbourne. During his tenure he introduced many elements to the brand, and also launched a vermouth to a thirsty Melbourne bar scene.

Daniel Fischl didn't find working in laboratories particularly appealing, and whilst completing a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics at UC Davis (California) he was introduced to viticulture and was seduced with what lay outside. It also helped that the viticulture and winemaking students seemed to have more fun. Fast forward many years of experience consulting as a viticulturist and agricultural scientist, he and his winemaker wife Michelle started the Linnaea Vineyards project with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. As he got work consulting in vineyards around the world he and Michelle discovered more terroirs and made more wines, across a number of continents and expressions.

Daniel Fischl didn’t find working in laboratories particularly appealing, and whilst completing a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics at UC Davis (California) he was introduced to viticulture and was seduced with what lay outside. It also helped that the viticulture and winemaking students seemed to have more fun. Fast forward many years of experience consulting as a viticulturist and agricultural scientist, he and his winemaker wife Michelle started the Linnaea Vineyards project with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. As he got work consulting in vineyards around the world he and Michelle discovered more terroirs and made more wines, across a number of continents and expressions.

With a PhD in plant biology Jamie Goode started one of the first wine blogs in the world. Based in London, over the years he took his part-time passion for wine writing and became one of the foremost independent communicators in the UK. His particular interest in wines from around the world that express a sense of place and a soft touch led him to co-writing the book Authentic Wine. He joined me via Skype from London to chat about his background and the current state of wine communication & criticism.

With a PhD in plant biology Jamie Goode started one of the first wine blogs in the world. Based in London, over the years he took his part-time passion for wine writing and became one of the foremost independent communicators in the UK. His particular interest in wines from around the world that express a sense of place and a soft touch led him to co-writing the book Authentic Wine. He joined me via Skype from London to chat about his background and the current state of wine communication & criticism.