The Wine Conversation

Andrew Jefford is one of the world’s most thoughtful and eloquent wine writers. He talks to Sarah Kemp about his new book “Drinking with the Valkyries” which contains essays on wine from his columns in Decanter and World of Fine Wine. In this wide-ranging interview, they discuss everything from the people who influenced him as a writer (spoiler alert Robert Louis Stevenson and Ralph Steadman), why he dislikes the hierarchical aspect of scoring, different nationality’s palates, Australian wines’ strengths and weaknesses, why he changed his mind on what matters most in making wine, why wine writers should take an oath not to take wine too seriously - and that’s just a few of the topics. A fascinating discussion with today’s most admired wine writer.

John Stimpfig picks his 12 great buys (all under £25) from the Wine Society to evaluate and discuss with Sarah Kemp. After tasting together for many years they agree they have broadly the same palates, but not exclusively. Does Sarah like all of John’s choices? Find out which wines were their star buys and which wines offer outstanding value for money. A good conversation about what to look for in a diverse selection of wines.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Omnibus 17 is out with all the latest wine news and views about wine. This month Elin McCoy reports on three significant anniversary tastings, 60 years of Ridge Vineyards, 20 years of Ca’ Marcanda, Gaja’s Bolgheri property and 100 years of cult classic Chateau Le Puy. John Stimpfig examines wine and royalty and asks which wine companies will retain their royal warrants; plus who is the British Royal Family’s most knowledgeable member? Listen in to find out.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Elephants in the vineyard? Buddhist pickers who won’t kill insects eating the grapes? Just some of the challenges Michael Juergens faced establishing the first winery in Bhutan. Elin McCoy talks to him about how he, as a business consultant who loved to run marathons, play drums in a punk band, fell in love with wine and ended up on the wine world’s wildest adventure.

Jane Anson talks to Maureen Downey, a global expert on wine fraud, about the extent of wine fraud in the industry today. She discusses how organised crime has become involved and turned it into a big business, why it has become easier to counterfeit wine and how she ended up becoming an expert in this field and being called “the Sherlock Holmes of wine”.

Karen MacNeil talks to Elin McCoy about the newly released third edition of “The Wine Bible”, which has sold over a million copies. Listen in to hear how a girl from an Irish Catholic family who didn’t drink wine, had no books, nor music left home at 15 to become the US’s most famous wine educator. Find out what advice she offers women in the wine industry today, discover how she compiled the new edition, what was put in and what was left out, and which were her greatest surprises (spoiler alert – South of England sparkling). A wonderful hour of great conversation from a woman who started her tasting career by being told she could only attend the tasting group if she didn’t talk…

Olivier Bernstein is one of Burgundy’s new bright stars. He talks to Elin McCoy on how he left his family’s classical music business and decided to make top Burgundy. Find out how he came to establish himself as a micro-negociant with a sensational range of Grands and Premiers Crus of the Côte de Nuits, and set a record price for his jeroboam of Romanée St-Vivant when auctioned by Cult Wines. Listen in to hear Olivier’s story and the different path he took to realise his dream.

Baron Éric de Rothschild talks to Sarah Kemp in a wide-ranging and candid interview about his life in wine. He reveals his earliest memories of Château Lafite, talks about the decisions to buy other estates, including in Chile and China, his views on wines as brands and a memorable lunch with Greta Garbo and the Worker’s Cooperative. Plus much, much more.More information at wine-conversation.com

Leading Bordeaux expert Jane Anson of www.janeanson.com talks about the new Saint-Emilion classification which has just been released. Discover the criteria used, who are the winners and losers, and why she thinks certain châteaux missed out on being promoted. She discusses how the classification has been mired in controversy in the past and explains how important the classification is to the estates and today’s consumers.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Amanda Barnes, author of the award-winning “The South America Wine Guide” talks to Sarah Kemp about the discoveries she made during the ten years she researched her book. Find out which varieties she champions and the regions she believes are South America’s Grands Crus of today.