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
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
Today's theme is Cork, a natural wine stopper that has been used for centuries. They come from a forest habitat with incredible biological diversity. With the explosion of screw caps in the last 20 years, many began predicting that cork stopper would become obsolete. But the story behind cork is so much more than the fact that they are adequate at sealing the neck of a glass bottle. There are the people, the animals, an epic story of sustainability. And so, this episode, I'm talking with Carlos De Jesus, who heads the marketing and communications department at Amorim Cork, the world's leading company in the cork sector. In part one we touch on TCA, Trichloroanisole. This has been the nightmare story for cork as when wine comes in contact with a natural cork that has been affected by TCA, it changes the flavors of that wine for the worst. Flavours such as musty, wet cardboard. But we will also touch on the science that has now been used to eliminate TCA, and offers a non-detectable TCA guarantee on cork. You're going to understand the composition of a single cork and how it works, why it truly is one of the world's greatest sustainability stories, which countries produce cork, the age of the trees, and when it was first discovered. And next week will we touch on everything else, like harvesting the bark and how to convert that into the cylinder cork that we know.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.52: How did Carlos get into the Cork industry
5.43: Carlos' best wine memories
10.51: More about Amorim, the leading producer of cork and how they used technology to defeat TCA, including:
- detecting TCA
- the number of wine bottles made in a year (how many to each type of closure)
21.24: The number of cells in a single cork
24.27: The sustainability story of cork
27.39: Where are the cork oak forests
30.14: How long cork oak trees have been around and when were they first used as cork
32.06: Describing a cork oak forest during harvest
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 Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is Part two with South American wine specialist Lee Issacs. We are continuing on with Chile. We will talk about old vine Carignan, and discuss one of the associations that are really making waves in Chile, Vigno. Alongside that, we'll also be talking about MOVI, another movement that you need to know about. We also highlight old vine Pais. You will learn about it's flavours and where it originally came from. You also might find it interesting to know how winemakers in Chile are going back to the old winemaking techniques. So we will be talking about the traditional style and apparatus that is used.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.00: Wine facts on Chile's grape plantings throughout history
2.00: The synonyms of Carignan around the world
2.49: Vigno - Vignadores de Carignan
12.22: Flavours of Carignan
12.57: Talking about and tasting Garage Wine Co Lot #48, Portezuelo vineyard, Carignan 2013 About £27
17.15: Talking about Torres as a winery and it's history
20.36: Tasting Miguel Torres Vigno Carignan 2016 Current vintage release £13.99 Waitrose
24.16: MOVI - Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes
30.57: Old Vine Pais, it's flavours and it's story
39.32: Pipeño - what does it mean, and the tradional way to make wines in Chile
NOTE: If you enjoyed listening to Lee Issacs, he has just started his own podcast with Balfour Wineries Head Winemaker Fergus Elias, and it's called The Maker and The Merchant. Check it out HERE.
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 Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This episode is all about Chile and the grape variety Carmenère. Lee Issacs is joining me, a South American wine specialist, wine merchant and wine educator. You will learn some interesting stories about this grapes past, how it was rediscovered after 150 years and why it has struggles to get the attention it deserves. There’s certainly a few wine facts in this episode that aren’t often discussed so you will certainly learn something new.
If you want to skip ahead:
3.35: How Lee got into the wine industry
10.05: Describing The Worlds Best Winery: Piedra Infintia – Familia Zuccardi
14.57: Why is Chile so special
19.14: The three biggest wineries in Chile and the effect they have had on the country and it’s exports
23.23: The story of Carmenère
27.01: The discovery and resurrection of Carmenère
31.16: The issue with labelling Carmenère once it was discovered
33.28: Carmenère’s other name: Grande Vidure
34.11: Carmenère’s history starting in France and how it’s hard to grow.
37.21: Viticulturally what Carmenère needs
39.06: Flavours of Carmenère
41.30: Regions in Chile to find best Carmenère
NOTE: If you enjoyed listening to Lee Issacs, he has just started his own podcast with Balfour Wineries Head Winemaker Fergus Elias, and it's called The Maker and The Merchant. Check it out HERE.
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 Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is part 2 with Chris Tyrrell of Tyrrell’s Wines. We are looking at Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, but it's not anything like you would identify as an Aussie Shiraz. These are incredibly different from all Shiraz and Syrahs around the world. We will also be talking old Vines. Tyrrell’s has some of the oldest vines in the world, and in fact, you will learn they might quite possibly have more super old vine single vineyards than anyone else in the world. We will also be chatting about the fires, about vintages and going into far more detail in general about the Hunter Valley wine region. And to finish we will also touch on their Chardonnay’s. Get ready to know Hunter Valley and Tyrrell Wine’s in its entirety.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.38: The climate of Hunter Valley
5.53: The beauty and the landscaping of Hunter Valley – Why visit
7.00: The best vintages in Hunter Valley
8.24: The fire in 2020
12.01: Chris’ winemaking experience, and favourite part of winemaking
16.08: Hunter Valley Shiraz V Barossa Valley Shiraz
18.18: Talking about and tasting The Hunter Valley Shiraz 2019 £17 Vinvm £19 Noble Green Wines
21.31: Talking about and tasting The Old Hillside Shiraz 2019 £30 Uncorked – 2018 vintage
25.37: Adding in whole bunch and what it adds
26.58: The Old Patch Shiraz – planted in 1867
29.57: Hunter Valley’s old vines – and the old vines of Tyrrell’s
33.01: Tyrrell’s Single Vineyard Chardonnay
35.30: How to visit Hunter Valley
37.14: The Lower Hunter Valley – were most wineries are located
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 Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This episode is going to be all about the white wine grape variety Semillon, a grape that is such an age worthy grape variety that is also very affordable. Those of you interested to try, should turn your attention to the wine region of Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia, which is the new world's spiritual home for this grape variety. When talking of Semillon, the winery Tyrrells is never close behind. And so today's guest is Chris Tyrrell, who is COO of the Tyrrells Wines. He is fifth generation and grew up around these vines so is the perfect person to learn from.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.25: What is Baumé and Brix
3.34: The history of Tyrrell’s Wines
5.26: Australia's first families of wine
8.54: Growing up on the family estate
11.53: Working with Murray and Bruce Tyrrell
15.05: All things Semillon (History, Shepherds Riesling, Earlier picking, winemaking, flavour)
36.05: Tasting and talking about the HDV Semillon 2015 £24 Waitrose
43.01: Pairing Semillon with food
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 Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is a new style of episode specifically designed to help out my WSET diploma friends. Several episodes ago I focused on viticulture. Part 1 is Episode 98 and Part 2 is Episode 105. My teachings in those episodes (or ramblings) are all things expected of you IF you want to pass your D1 ‘Wine production’ exams. Since then, regardless of if you are studying for your diploma, or just wanting to do some DEEP DIVES, I’ve been requested to do some more episodes focusing on the units in these highly regarded wine exams. So this episode is going to be on FORTIFIED WINES – (Unit D5 in the WSET Diploma).
I've decided to do 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.
This is Part 1 which will cover Sherry, VNDs (Vins Doux Naturels), and Rutherglen Muscat. Part 2 will come out in the following weeks and that will cover Port and Madeira.
If you want to skip ahead:
2.32: Sherry
28.35: Vins Doux Naturels
38.21: Rutherglen Muscat
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 Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is part 2 with Dr Laura Catena and we are going deeper into what makes great wines: Terroir. And this takes us to THE ADRIANNA VINEYARD: the vineyard, situated in the Gualtallary sub-region of the Tupungato region (which in itself is part of the Uco Valley) lies at almost 5,000 feet in elevation. This is considered to be the most studied vineyard in the world, and their discoveries are fascinating. Both Laura and her father Nicolas have moved the bar for Malbec and premium winemaking in Argentina and so this episode Laura tells us more stories of what is was like working with her father, how he ‘cheated’ her into the world of wine, how they have pushed the boundaries and you will of course learn about some of the most exciting wines coming out of this very special vineyard.
If you want to skip ahead:
1.30: A look at the different temperatures of the sub regions of Mendoza
3.11: The Vision of Nicolas Catena, Decanter Person of the Year – and how this changed things for Argentine wine
8.25: Founding the Catena Institute of Wine and what Laura has done to understand terroir and Malbec
13.58: Adrianna Vineyard – the grand cru site of South America
23.20: Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2019 £96 Vinissimus / Jeroboams is doing 2019 in bond
30.31: River Malbec 2019 £129 Lay and Wheeler / Jeroboams is doing 2019 in bond
33.06: Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2019 £196 Vinissimus / Cru worldwide, Berry Bros and Rudd are doing 2019 in bond
36.10: The difference soils can offer to Chardonnay in Adrianna Vineyard
White bones and White Stones Chardonnay 2020 Both £88 Vinissimus
41.01: Laura and Alejandro’s new book: Malbec Mon Amour
46.06: Wine and music
47.13: DV Catena Cabernet Franc 2019 £10 Tesco
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 Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is part 1 with Dr Laura Catena, managing director of Catena Zapata. She's a fourth-generation Argentine Vintner, has graduated from Harvard, and has a medical doctorate degree from Stanford University. She uses science to work with nature and promotes Malbec across the world. She has been an emergency physician for 30 plus years, and volunteers to help the homeless. She's an author of three books AND is a Mother of three children. She is an incredibly inspiring woman and a fountain of knowledge for Malbec, so we are going to go deeper into the subject of this much-loved grape.
If you want to skip ahead:
4.39: What it was like growing up in Mendoza and how different things were then.
8.08: Laura talks about all the million things she does and on how she is focused to discover more grand cru sites for Malbec outside of Mendoza
12.37: Malbec planted in Salta, Patagonia and Mendoza and how they differ in aroma, and flavours
18.30: The Catena story dating back to 1898
22.02: The history and story of Malbec
31.54: Talking about the women in Catena Zapata story and tasting the Angélica Zapata Malbec 2018 £28 Tesco
39.54: Perfect pairings for Malbec (other than steak)
42.50: A detailed description of what Malbec actually tastes like and what to look for
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 Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is Part 2 with Dr. Jamie Goode where we are discussing more parts from his third edition 'Wine Science' Book. You can read his articles on thousands of wineries over at his blog wineanorak.com
In this episode, we are discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using native (wild) yeasts versus cultured (packaged) yeasts and the different strains. Where they can be found and how they work in fermentation. Then we talk about adding sulfites to the wine, and you will learn about free, bound, and total sulfur, and how to get the best use out of adding sulfites. We then look at what carbonic maceration is, how to do semi-carbonic, which regions tend to do this, and what varieties work best fermented this way. Then we will touch on destemming the grapes versus whole bunch pressing. I hope this opens up your eyes to all the different choices a winemaker has. This episode only looks at just a few of them.
If you want to skip ahead:
3.02: Yeasts
11.18: The use of Sulfites
15.48: Whole bunch V De-stemming
17.53: Carbonic Maceration
21.44: Adding the stems back into the fermenting juice
35.21: Costières de Nîmes recommended
27.19: Costières de Nîmes in more detail
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 Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
To download the transcript CLICK HERE
This is the first part with Dr Jamie Goode, who has a PhD in plant biology, was originally a science editor and then got the wine bug. Since then he has travelled to thousands of wineries, founded the incredibly successful wine blog https://wineanorak.com/ which features wineries, wine regions and wine topics of interest and has published several wine books. It was one of his latest wine books Wine Science which just had its third edition published that got me really wanting to delve a little deeper into the wonderful world of wine from a scientific point of view. This episode focused on aromas and compounds that end up in wine. How do you analyse these, what you can do with this knowledge and we look at one of the most unique wines in the world when it comes to aromas: A Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. We will be looking at why this wine tastes different to all other Sav Blancs in the world, light strike, Brettanomyces and much more.
If you want to skip ahead:
3.09: The hundreds of wine t-shirts of Jamie
5.35: How Jamie transitioned from Plant Biology to Vines
12.53: The most significant experience from travelling to 1000+ wineries
14.50: Talking as a keynote speaker at the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Celebration – learnings and education and the story of Sav Blanc plantings in Marlborough
16.38: How Sauvignon Blanc gets its flavour
19.42: How stressed ladybirds can affect the flavours in wine
21.28: Why is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so different to the other Sauvignons around the world?
23.44: How are people researching and investigating the aromas and compounds in wine?
25.57: Understanding aromas and compounds could create fake wine
32.41: What is light strike and why is it bad?
33.41: What is Brettanomyces and is it a bad or a good thing in wine?
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!