Fin vs History France is a Toilet (with Tom Gilbey) | The History of Wine
Jul 24, 2025
Tom Gilbey, a wine expert and author of 'Thirsty', joins the discussion to unravel the amusing and rich history of wine. He shares quirky insights about the origins of beverages in the New World and the early Spanish colonizers. The conversation dives into the growth of Mexico's wine scene and the hilariously pretentious world of wine tasting. The ties between French and English wine cultures are humorously critiqued, alongside tales of prison-made wine and the legendary status of champagne. Expect laughs and historical nuggets!
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Spanish Wine in the Caribbean
- Spanish explorers planted vines in the Caribbean to produce wine locally due to insufficient imports.
- The climate was poor, resulting in bad wine quality initially.
European Grapes in New World
- European grape varieties were replanted in the Americas to mimic familiar wines.
- Native grape varieties existed but were less favored due to inferior wine quality.
Phylloxera's Impact on Vines
- The phylloxera pest devastated European vineyards in the 19th century.
- Modern vines graft European varieties onto American rootstock to resist the pest.
