The Wine Conversation

Italian guru David Gleave MW takes a look at Sicily in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. He takes us through its varied landscape and five different wine regions, guides us through its different grape varieties and advises which producers to look out for. A great deep dive into one of Italy’s most exciting regions.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

Listen in to our special festive edition of Omnibus. John Stimpfig and Sarah Kemp both name their top five wines of the year and Elin McCoy names her top champagnes. Brian St Pierre lists The Wine Conversation’s books of the year, and reveals it is a vintage year for great wine books. We look back at some of our most memorable podcasts and our greatest trips. Sarah has banned bad news, so there is no Weather Watch or Farewell to, just lots of great wine moments to enjoy. Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

As war in the Lebanon yet again fills our news channels Sarah Kemp talks to Marc Hochar of Chateau Musar for our series “Great Wine Lives”.  Listen in to hear his earliest memories of Chateau Musar, the conversations he had with his father Serge and Musar’s philosophy of non-intervention. Discover what it is like to farm in the Beka’a Valley, and the responsibility he feels every time he sends workers out.More information at wine-conversation.com

Listen in to Omnibus 33 to hear all the latest news and views from the world of wine. This month we start by looking at three great wine-friendly restaurants definitely worth a visit. Astonishing news comes in the report of the theft of an entire vineyard crop in the Jura just before harvest (spoiler alert- it happened in the Jura last year too). Over in the US Elin McCoy discusses what Donald Trump could mean for the wine world and reports on major news from Virginia. It has been a busy month at The Wine Conversation with everyone on planes and trains. John heads to Italy for the Old Vine Conference, Sarah flies to Dublin to celebrate Terroir’s 30th anniversary and Elin is in Italy for a 2-day extravaganza celebrating cashmere king Bruno Cucinelli’s new wines. All this plus Chinese wine influencer Lady Penguin’s latest news, Weather Watch, People News and much more.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Which country in Asia is going to be the next hot spot for fine wine? Listen in to hear Timothy Goh of Vinum Fine Wines talk to Sarah Kemp about the dynamic fine wine market in South-East Asia.  Discover his tip for the region he believes has the best future and find out which South-East Asian country has as many women collectors as men – plus his view on the future of Hong Kong and Singapore as key wine hubs.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

Listen in to another brilliant 10-Minute Masterclass from Jasper Morris MW. In this episode, he looks at Chablis premiers crus and discusses its history, the different styles depending on which bank of the river you are on. Find out who he recommends, where to find value and the best up-and-coming producers.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

Philippe Guigal is the third generation of the illustrious Guigal wine family from the Rhône. He talks to Sarah Kemp for our series “Great Wine Lives” about growing up in Ampuis with his grandfather Etienne who started the company in 1946 and his father Marcel who took over at 17 years old when his father became blind. Philippe discusses the “La Las”, of which there is about to be a fourth, why he believes in the future of the Rhône despite climate change and  his excitement about Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape which the family bought in 2017. He tastes every lunchtime with his father and he is delighted that his twin sons both are interested in wine, one wants to be an oenologist, the other wants to run a company. A fascinating interview with one of France’s most dynamic producers, whose family is at the heart of everything.More information at wine-conversation.com

John Stimpfig reports on how vintners are coping in the Bekaa Valley, Elin McCoy discusses the sale of Duckhorn Portfolio for 1.95 billion dollars, plus Weather Watch and North Hemisphere Harvest reports. We also report on the launch of Taittinger’s English Sparkling wine, Berry Brothers entering the auction world and the chance for all of us to buy a little bit of Burgundian history when the BIVB road signs go up for auction this November. This Omnibus is brought to you by our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Wine Estates.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Join us for a 10-Minute Masterclass on Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello di Montalcino. Italian expert David Gleave MW guides us through the region’s diverse terroir and  explains the different  wine styles from north to south, where picking can differ by up-to 10 days. He recommends the top producers as well as his hot tips for producers to watch out for and where to find value. Unmissable listening for any wine lover.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

In our latest “Great Wine Lives” series Elin McCoy talks to Lenz Moser about how his curiosity took him from his family estate in Austria to China, California, Hungary and back to Austria to launch a new company based on Gruner Veltliner. Listen in to hear his views on Chinese wine and why he thinks the wine industry is losing consumers.  More information at wine-conversation.com