The Wine Conversation

How well do you know Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux’s most famous appellation? Listen in to our 10-Minute Masterclass for all the key facts with Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp. Discover its varied terroir, land prices, its classification (controversial) with who is in and who is out, star names, upcoming names and our obscure fact.

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Trevor Durling, Chief Winemaker of Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa Valley talks to John Stimpfig about the winery’s illustrious history and how Georges de Latour persuaded André Tchelistcheff to leave Paris to join him in California, where he became Father of the California wine industry. In 1936 André kept aside some exceptional barrels to make Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve, California’s first cult wine. In September the 2022 vintage will be launched on the Place in Bordeaux, and John has a preview of the latest vintage of this legendary wine.

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Jane Anson talks to Ben Kinmont, the rare bookseller who specialises in wine and food books. He recently sold Sean Thackery’s collection of wine books to Domaine Clarence Dillon. Listen in to hear the fascinating story of how Sean Thackery became a collector of rare wine books, why he sold, and how the books have found a new home in Château Haut-Brion’s library. Ben also gives advice on how to collect and the pitfalls to look out for. A great conversation for wine lovers and bibliophiles alike.

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Listen in to Omnibus 22 to hear this month’s wine news from around the world. In the US, Elin McCoy discusses the reaction to the collapse of Underground Cellars and the unhappy customers who cannot retrieve their wine from the company’s Cloud cellar.  She also reviews the Apple TV plus series “Drops of God” and Ferran Adrià’s new eight-part book series on wine, the first two volumes (weighing between 15 and 20  pounds each) have just been translated into English. Sarah and Elin are excited about the new and promising direction for wine in restaurants – Ridge Vineyards has launched an on-tap programme with restaurant group Sixty Vines - goodbye bottles and labels? John Stimpfig is happy to report that there is a breakthrough on smoke taint by Oregon University, which will help vintners detect it with more accuracy. He also reports on the first prices announced in the 2022 Bordeaux Campaign, Fleurie’s application for Premier Cru status, looks back on the life of Lucien Lurton and, of course, no Omnibus would be complete without a weather watch.

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Excitement is rising amongst The Wine Conversation team as the Royal Opera House Wine Gala Dinner and Auction approaches. John Stimpfig talks to Sarah Kemp about the world-class wines which will be poured, including Champagne Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle, 2014 Montrachet Domaine Jacques Prieur, Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Reserva 1999, Château Lafite 2007, and Taylor’s 30-year-old Tawny Port; the special recital by Jonas Kauffman and Ludovico Tézier (whose new album “Insieme” Sarah heartily recommends) with the immensely talented Aigul Akhmetshina. Sarah and John discuss the amazing auction lots on offer,  which include trips to see the producers, double magnum 1990 of Château Lafite and the chance to have lunch with Sir Antonio Pappano, who just conducted the King Charles 111  coronation and is a noted wine lover. . A few tickets are left, details on website.

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Italian experts Nelson Pari and Federico Moccia talk to Sarah Kemp about Bolgheri, the wine-producing area located in the province of Livorno. Bolgheri contains some of Italy’s most famous names including Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Today it is attracting a generation of talented and dynamic winemakers who enjoy the freedom of the DOC rules to produce blends and mono-varietals. Listen in to hear all about its terroir, its history and which producers Federico and Nelson recommend.

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Véronique Sanders of Château Haut-Bailly is one of Bordeaux’s most admired and liked personalities. In our Series “Great Wine Lives” she talks to Sarah Kemp about her remarkable career. Listen in to hear her discuss how she grew up helping her grandfather Jean Sanders in the vineyards as a little girl, never dreaming that one day she would run the estate. She discusses her great relationship with Bob Wilmers who bought the estate from her grandfather, and now with Chris Wilmers, his son who took over when Bob died in 2017. She reveals the challenges, her philosophy, and some of her favourite vintages, and, her ambitions for the future.  

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Discover Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp’s view of the 2022 vintage – what did well, what didn’t, and what they were most surprised by. A year where the talent of the winemaker in handling the tannins was essential. 2022 the vintage of surprise.

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As En Primeur tastings are in full swing,  Sarah Kemp gets Jane Anson’s first thoughts on Bordeaux 2022 after her first week of tasting. Recorded on the D2 motorway, Jane talks about the vintage conditions and the importance of how the samples are prepared by the châteaux. Was she surprised? Find out in this special on-the-road production…. and look out for another En Primeur episode later this week when Jane and Sarah will reflect on what they have discovered so far.

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Listen in to hear our latest 10-Minute Masterclass with Jane Anson. As 6,000 of the wine world’s trade and journalists descend on Bordeaux to taste the latest vintage, Jane Anson and Sarah Kemp take a hard look at the system. They discuss how it works, its history, the number of châteaux involved. They ask whether there is a financial advantage in buying En Primeur and explain who actually owns it until it is delivered: 10 minutes to get you up-to-speed before the offers arrive in your inbox. The first in our En Primeur week podcasts.

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