The Wine Conversation

In our series “Great Wine Lives” Elin McCoy interviews the iconoclastic maverick Californian winemaker Randall Grahm. Tune in to hear him talk about his extraordinary life, how he started out wanting to make Pinot, the Bonny Doom years, the death of the cork dinner, his latest vineyard Popelouchum and why he has teamed up with Gallo to make “The Language of Yes”.

More information at www.wine-conversation.com

As the world leaders gather for COP26, Jane Anson talks to Jeremy Cukierman MW about his new book “Quel Vin Pour Demain?” which looks at the short and long-term impact of climate change on the wine industry. A timely discussion on a topic that affects every producer today.

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Why are Bordeaux wines sales up 21% year-on-year in the US despite the tariffs? Elin McCoy investigates Americans’ renewed love affair with Bordeaux, and finds out from the top US retailers which châteaux are selling best and who is today’s Bordeaux poster boy or girl.

In our series “The Next Generation” Elin McCoy talks to Vitalie Taittinger about taking over from her father as President at Champagne Taittinger. She describes her childhood in Reims, her inspiration for joining the company and her vision for its future.

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Who knew that the Irish were responsible for modern Bordeaux? Listen in to hear Jane Anson’s fascinating interview with Professor Charles Ludington who talks about how the Irish played a crucial role in developing the commerce and the style of Bordeaux wine.

More information at wine-conversation.com

Elin McCoy assesses the quality and quantity of the 2021 vintage in Europe and the US, John Stimpfig looks at the Liv-ex 2021 classification’s winners and losers, plus the lawsuit in St Emilion, sale of Jancisrobinson.com, Napa’s elaborate tasting rooms, and more, lively discussions in this month’s episode.

On the eve of launching her own website, www.janeanson.com, Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about why she has decided to leave Decanter to launch a site devoted to the wines of Bordeaux and the wines traded through the Place de Bordeaux. Discover the content she is planning, her views on En Primeur, the biggest challenge Bordeaux faces, and her favourite châteaux and vintages.

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Elin McCoy talks to Sarah Kemp about the increasing number of animals being used in various (and often ingenious) ways in vineyards around the world. As more people are seeking more methods of improving organic and biodynamic viticulture, animals – and perhaps not the usual suspects – are proving effective.

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Justin Gibbs, co-founder of Liv-ex talks to Sarah Kemp about the 2020 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign which has now finished. Listen in to find out how it went, which châteaux did well, why some didn’t, merchants and critics’ reactions and the big question of today – how much stock is being released by the châteaux and what this means for the future of En Primeur.

Biblical times, fire and floods in the vineyards around the world. Listen to the latest wine news in Omnibus Eight – Jane Anson, Elin McCoy and John Stimpfig report on the big wine stories happening now.