The Wine Conversation

John Stimpfig discusses dry January, how beneficial is it? Why 2021 was a record year for wine investors. Elin McCoy on the news from Napa plus no/low alcohol wines, Elin bravely tastes on our behalf and Jane Anon is back to Saint Emilion for more news on the troubled 2022 classification.

Dan Petroski of Massican Winery talks to Elin McCoy about how he left the world of magazines in New York to become a celebrated Napa Valley winemaker, first at Larkmead Vineyards, and now at his own winery. Massican. where he produces white wines inspired by Northern Italy. They talk about Napa beyond Cabernet, engaging the new consumer, and much more.

Learnt so much about the wines of Israel listening to Tal Sunderland-Cohen talking to Jane Anson. Now determined to hunt down some of the wines made from indigenous grapes. Love the thought I could be tasting the same flavours as people 4000 years ago. Liquid history.

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Since 1842 Tanners Wine Merchants have been promoting the wines of Bordeaux. Sarah Kemp talks to James Tanner, the fourth generation of his family to run this independent wine merchant about his views on Bordeaux past and present. He talks about his earliest Bordeaux memories, the wines he loves and advice for newcomers to this famous region.

As the Wine Conversation celebrates its first anniversary John, Elin and Sarah look back at the big wine stories of 2021 and name the year’s best wine books. Elin looks at how the hit TV series Succession uses wine to signal character’s intentions, and Jane Anson reveals her favourite wines of the year. All in Omnibus 11 released today. Happy Christmas to all TWC listeners!

75% of Bordeaux wines’ sales (and 95% Bordeaux Grands Crus’) are facilitated by a courtier. Jane Anson talks to Margaux Brengel of Bureau Levèque Grands Vin du Monde about the role of the courtier, past and present. A rare insight into how Bordeaux’s three-tiered system works.

Bill Harlan talks to Elin McCoy in our series “Great Wine Lives” about how he devised a 200-year plan to create a first growth in California. Bill talks about planting Harlan Estate in Napa on raw land in the foothills, the trip to Bordeaux and Burgundy which changed his perspective, and handing over to the next generation. Listen now to hear his remarkable story.

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Sarah Kemp talks to Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi the 30th generation of his family to make wine, in our series “Great Wine Lives.” Listen in to hear about his childhood in Tuscany, how he learnt about wine in the US, his partnership with Tim Mondavi and his amazing project making wine with the prisoners on Gorgona Island.

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There’s lots to talk about this month on Omnibus Ten – the wine heist of the century, more lawsuits in Saint Emilion, concerns about bottlenecks in the wine supply chain, matching wines with vegan menus, the new “La La” from the Guigals, and much more. Listen in for the latest wine news and unfiltered views.

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Jasper Morris MW talks about the second edition of his book, “Inside Burgundy,” and what has changed since the first edition 11 years ago. Listen to him discuss how producers are changing viticultural and cellar practices to combat climate change, plus which vintages to drink and which to keep, and where you can find value – unmissable for any Burgundy lover.

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