A wine podcast bringing the joys of wine to wherever you are in the world. This is the place for fun, casual wine conversations, with tips, wine facts and wine tasting to inspire your next bottle of wine or vineyard visit. Listen to Winemakers, Sommeliers and Master of Wines who share their extensive knowledge, talking about wine regions and their terroir, their favourite wine pairings and winemaking techniques. This podcast is ideal for anyone starting their wine journey and studying WSET level 1 and 2 or just some great revision for those of you going even further. So grab that wine glass and lets get stuck in!
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is the third part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Winemaker Alice Verburg from Luddite Winery, based in Bot River. They are very much about hands off and minimal intervention, and the most interesting and fun family, who do not take themselves too seriously. The focus on today’s podcast will be minimal intervention, understanding the Bot River and of course tasting and talking about their very limited bottlings of Shiraz and Chenin Blanc.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.40: Why is the winery called Luddite
3.31: What got Alice in winemaking
4.58: The best winery in the Nothern Hemisphere that Alice has worked at and why
5.58: Alice’s Dad, Niels, who started the Luddite winery, and what she has learnt from him
7.42: And what Alice brings to the winery and winemaking
8.44: The best part of winemaking in the cellar
11.07: The best part of being a small winery and the advantages of being in Bot River
12.16: The hand written labels
14.05: The ethos of Luddite
17.42: Describing the Bot River and what makes it special as a wine region
21.18: The shiraz ‘peppercorn’ berries
21.52: Examples of minimal intervention at Luddite
25.20: Dealing with pests and diseases out in the vineyards when organic farming
27.13: Adding amphora pebbles into barrels
30.17: Tasting and talking about the Luddite Chenin Blanc 2021 Buon Vino £44 (2020)
34.46: Tasting and talking about the Luddite Shiraz 2018 Buon Vino £49 (2017)
41.16: Happy accidents in the winery = Cool by the Pool wine – a great story!
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is the second part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Winemaker Mike Dawson from Journey’s End. This is a winery with some of the closest vineyards to False Bay. They have won The Drinks Business Green Wine awards in 2020 and 2021 and provided over 1 million meals to the local community during the tough times of covid in 2020. You will learn all about this very sustainable and ethical winery, and in terms of wine we will be focusing on the grape variety Chardonnay.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.54: Discussing the current harvest
4.09: What happens to the grapes if it rains to close to harvest
5.09: What has been one of the most challenging vintages and why
7.39: How Mike got into winemaking
10.00: Using wine traditions from the past in the winery
12.07: Discussing Journey’s End location and terroir to understand the wines
15.25: Looking at all the sustainable and ethical recognition and focus of Journey’s End
18.54: The Trebuchet, and throwing wine barrels across the farm
25.11: How to decide what Chardonnay will go into each wine
27.17: Chardonnay with oak or without, and French oak V American
29.23: Having malic acid in Chardonnay
30.15: How easy is Chardonnay to work with in the winery?
32.16: Temperatures for fermenting Chardonnay
34.10: How does Chardonnay from the coastal regions of Stellenbosch compare to more inland Chardonnays?
35.23: Tasting and talking about The Haystack Chardonnay 2021 £13 Noble Green Wines
39.33: Tasting and talking about The V1 Chardonnay 2021 £19 Noble Green Wines
40.50: Building Amphoras and the Brownian Effect – how this affects the texture and flavour of wine
43.54: Tasting and talking about The Destination Chardonnay 2019 £23.50 Noble Green Wines
48.33: Differences found when using whole bunch V de-stemmed Chardonnay
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is the first part of my mini series on wineries in South Africa. Today's episode is with Cellarmaster RJ Botha from Kleine Zalze. This is the place you want to visit for a romantic getaway, and golf and wine weekend, or when you are looking for the best wine and food pairing. Their food is another level, as is their Chenin, so we are focusing on the grape variety Chenin Blanc and Old Vines.
If you want to skip ahead:
3.11: RJ’s role at Kleine Zalze and working harvest time
6.34: Kleine Zalze’s history dating back to 1695 but modern approach and the resort that it is today
12.12: Describing Chenin Blanc
15.28: Why Chenin Blanc has done so well in South Africa
16.38: Comparing Chenin in Stellenbosch to Swartland
17.48: The decomposed granitic soils of Stellenbosch
19.25: The challenges of Chenin and it’s yields
21.32: Comparing Bush Vines to Trellised Vines
23.15: Talking about a very special old vine Chenin Block in the Firgrove region of Stellenbosch
27.17: Talking about and tasting the Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2022 Vinvm £12.50
33.37: Talking about and tasting the Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2020 Vinvm £20.50
40.42: Talking about and tasting the Project Z Chenin Blanc 2018 Fareham Wine Cellar £39.50
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is part 2 of the deep dive series into Sparkling wines: All on Champagne. These episodes are specifically designed to help out my WSET diploma friends. This is a flashcard-style podcast, which is a useful way for those trying to memorize the information, however, for all of you who just love wine and want to know more and increase your knowledge, this will still be a really interesting episode as you can just play it all the way through like any other episode.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.20: The terroir of Champagne
4.56: The Grand Crus and Premier Crus, and five major sub regions
9.22: L'échelle des crus
12.47: Approved pruning methods
13.32: Yields
14.20: Minimum terms for ageing
15.01: CIVC
15.47: Letter on the label and who is making the wines
17.18: Prestige Cuvee Champage
18.52: Dom Perignon
20.38: Krug
22.06: Cristal
23.03: Grand Marques
24.03: Moet & Chandon
24.29: Veuve Cliquot
25.51: Louis Roederer
26.12: Bollinger
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
Today episode is part 2 with Helena Nicklin, an award-winning drinks writer, a broadcaster, a judge, and author. who you can watch on TV Series, Three Drinkers (Currently showing on Amazon Prime). Today we are talking about her very own whiskey matured in Bordeaux cask barrels. You will receive some personal wine recommendations. Then we’re discussing Riesling and its sweetness levels. The main focus is on the development of CHIANTI CLASSICO. We will be mentioning places to go and visit, Chianti Classico wines to try, and you will then be introduced to Chianti Classico’s new UGA classifications, which stands for Additional Geographical Units. To finish we'll be talking about women making an impact in the wine world and even, a winery on the Isle of Wight! Enjoy.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.56: Making a whiskey matured in Bordeaux Barrels
04.00: The Barrels of Clos L’Eglise in Pomerol, Bordeaux
05:50: Money from Whiskey sales go to mental health charity MY BLACK DOG
10.07: Discussing cooperages, and the oak used to make barrels which impart different flavours
13.42: Wine Recommendations
18.15: Discussing the sweetness levels of Riesling
22.05: The UGA’s of Chianti Classico
25.17: The flavour of Sangiovese
28.35: Where to go and visit and where to stay in Chianti Classico
36.59: A few Chianti Classico wine recommendations
39.51: Shout out to the recognition Helena has received in the trade
41.23: Women in the wine trade and supporting each other
44.31: A new visual beginners wine book coming out soon
45.39: Ambassador for new Isle of Wight winery Pinkmead Estate
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
Today we are joined by Helena Nicklin, an award-winning drinks writer, a broadcaster, a judge, and author. who you can watch on TV Series, Three Drinkers (Currently showing on Amazon Prime). She is the winner of best contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism 2022. She was recognised in the top 100 most influential people in drinks 2022. She has her own podcast called “Bring a Bottle”. This episode (Part 1) Helena talks about filming the Three Drinkers, some funny moments, and how she came about with this series. We talk about how she got into the wine industry, which really wasn't a very smooth start, and certainly something to open up your eyes, to how the industry is evolving and changing. But today's theme, which is COGNAC.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.06: Helena’s story into the wine industry
6.59: Starting with a youtube channel
11.33: How she started the TV Series The Three Drinks with Aidy Smith
(He has also been on my podcast (Ep 46) You can listen to him HERE)
15.19: Recording a series on Cognac
16.29: Still wines made in Cognac
17.21: Blending in Cognac
19.21: The Chalk soils and terroir in Cognac – looking at the sub regions
21.05: Understanding the Champagne name that gets used in two of the sub regions
21.50: Location of Cognac and visiting
22.39: Ideal food pairings for Cognac
25.22: Looking at labelling terms and the minimum age requirements for each
27.48: The difference between Cognac and Armagnac
29.29: Describing Cognac’s aromas and flavours
30.45: The different distillation methods of Cognac and Armagnac
32.02: Why does ‘Brandy’ have a bad name
33.21: Having Cognac in a cocktail
35.16: Buying Wine Tshirts for Helens online shop: DrinkyTees
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is Part 2 with wine writer and speaker Christina Rasmussen and we are discussing planting your own vineyard and the decisions that you can make. Christina has planted her very own vineyard in England. So, we will talk about the soils, choosing massal selection over clonal selection, diseases and viruses and vines, grafting your own vines onto rootstocks, grape varieties such as Mondeuse and Pineau d’Aunis, trellising on stakes, high density planting, and so much more. And Christina will be explaining all her reasons for why she has made her decisions, which I just found fascinating, and I hope you do too.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.39: Why Christina planted her vineyard in Oxfordshire, England
3.49: Why plant Massal Selection rather than Clonal Selection?
7.53: Hand grafting V mechanical grafting
10.54: Planting Savagnin grape
11.21: Planting Gamay and Trousseau grape
12.20: Pineau d’Aunis grape variety
13.41: Mondeuse grape variety
15.19: Planting each vines on their own stake
18.58: Planting high density
20.58: Using natural treatments on the soil such as Horsetail ferments and avoiding sprays
23.19: The experience of physically planting each vine in a vineyard
26.35: What Christina has learnt about planting a vineyard
28.35: Inspirational wine friends who have helped Christina on her journey
MENTIONED ON EPISODE: THE ARTICLE DISCUSSING VINE MATERIAL AND VIRUS:
https://cloud.3dissue.net/28174/28154/35592/89737/index.html?12518
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
Today’s episode is about the grape variety Palomino. Often thought of as a neutral grape variety yet there are certain people in the wine industry that are true believers like my guest today, Christina Rasmussen. She is a wine writer, speaker and has even made her very own still Palomino wine. So, I'm fascinated to pick Christina's brain to hear more about her love for this grape variety and her love for farming the soil and terroir. So, she will be talking about some of her wine projects and how she brings the winemakers story to life. And then, we will be discussing Palomino and all the winemaking steps that she took to make her very own still white wine.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.25: How Burgundy was the start of Christina’s wine story
6.13: Becoming a wine writer
8.49: LITTLEWINE – a digital platform enabling winemakers to communicate directly and tell their story
14.04: Favourite winery Pedres Blanques, Banyuls, whilst traveling France
15.28: Another recommended winery Domaine Ligas in Pella, Greece
16.03: What is permaculture?
18.37: Palomino: How Christina realized how good this variety can be, looking at wines from Envinate and Suertes del Marques in Tenerife, and Eben Sadie of the Sadie family wines and Adi Badenhorst in South Africa
25.01: Making wine with Abe Schoener, a winemaker who has the Scholium project, but also more recently the LA River Wine Company
28.32: Why Palomino can taste special
31.44: Discussing Christinas winemaking journey and decisions when making her own wine The Alley 2019
- flor or no flor
- skin contact
- adding marbles to barrel to raise the levels of juice to top
- leaving wine on heavy lees
- adding sulphites
39.52: How The Alley 2019 tasted
42.00: What Christina learned on her winemaking journey and rescuing a stuck fermentation
44.17: LA River Raisin City White 2019
46.05: Recommended winery for Palomino in Jerez: Muchada-Léclapart
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This episode is part 2 with wine expert Helen McGinn, who you can watch on BBC’s Saturday Morning Kitchen and ITV’s This Morning. She's the author of the Book and Blog: Knacked Mother's Wine Club. During her 10 years as a wine buyer, one of the most rewarding regions to visit and which offered great value was the South West of France. We will be talking about the wonderful array of different grape varieties down there, the wine styles and the sub regions.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.50: Why is South West of France such a special wine region
3.21: The Co-op Plaimont – supporters of the local varieties
5.09: The views, vistas, and beauty of this wine region
8.18: Travelling to this wine region
9.30: The largest sub-region Bergerac including Pécharmant
12.22: Saint Mont and Fronton sub-region
13.05: The local grapes to discover
14.03: Sweet wines of Monbazillac and Saussignac compared to Sauternes
16.07: Sweet wines of Jurançon
17.10: Sweet wines of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
18.40: Madiran and the grape variety Tannat
23.50: Cahors and the grape variety Côt (Malbec)
29.45: Visiting Château Tour des Gendres in Bergerac
34.06: Gaillac, Gaillac Primeur and the local grapes
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
My guest today is Helen McGinn, wine expert on the BBC’s Saturday Morning Kitchen and ITV’s This Morning. She's the author of the Book and Blog: Knacked Mother's Wine Club. She has worked for over a decade as a wine buyer Tesco’s supermarket, and so this episode we are settling down to talk about her career and wine moments. We'll have some wine and food pairing recommendations and you’ll come away with a few wine tips. Enjoy.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.01: Helen’s wine journey
4.21: A Penfolds wine, that set the path for Helen
6.01: Krug 1988 – a significant wine memory
7.46: Joining Tesco’s as a wine buyer, and the lessons learnt
13.44: Starting the wine blog
19.08: Helen’s wine course on Create Academy
21.08: Tips for buying wine in a supermarket
23.36: Filming the wine course down at Wistons Estate with winemaker Dermot Sugrue
26.28: Choosing the wines on Saturday Morning Kitchen
27.48: Balfour Wineries Eight Acre Sparkling Rose £19.50 Coop
31.19: Best food pairings with wine
34.15: Discussing the flexibility of sparkling wine with all foods
35.39: Favorite wine glass for sparkling wine and wine glasses in general
38.43: Helen’s fiction books
41.32: The perfect wine for main character Stella in Helens latest book: This is Us
43.26: The perfect drink for Lizzie Bennett, Pride and Prejudice
44.21: The perfect wine for Lisbeth Salander, The girl with a dragon tattoo
Next week I am back with Helen for Part two and we are going to being talking about the wines of the South west of France.
And if the podcast isn't enough....
Fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat or on email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
Until next time, Cheers to you!