The Chronicle
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96 results across all types
podcast· 44:47· S5E22Red Wine Headaches: A Eureka Moment?
Wine brings pleasure. But for some it can also prove painful. Red wine is particularly problematic for a proportion of the population, with just a few mouthfuls bringing on swift and excruciating headaches. Now scientists think they may finally be on to why. In lab experiments, they've identified a compound in red wine that impedes the breakdown of alcohol by the liver and causes a build-up of toxic acetaldehyde in the bloodstream. Human trials are still needed for confirmation - but these are exciting findings. In this episode, we discuss these results with the scientists behind them: Professor Andrew Waterhouse and Dr Apramita Devi from the University of California, Davis. As for the BIG question - which red wines might be safer for sufferers - there's good news. The experts actually recommend cheap rather than pricey red wines. Yes, you read that right: the boffins are endorsing the bargains! We explain why as well as providing some top tips for bargain basement reds - we also touch
podcast· 52:15· S5E21Rías Baixas - Albariño with Attitude
If Rías Baixas is famous for one thing, it's characterful, invigorating white wine based on the superstar Albariño grape - described in this episode by one winemaker as a variety that can take you, 'from the swimming pool to the Michelin-starred restaurant.' Its blossoming popularity over recent decades has given rise to imitators all around the wine world - so what is it that makes Rías Baixas Albariño special, and why? Is there more to the story than just Albariño here? Who's doing exciting things? And what does the future hold? In this second and concluding part of our two-parter, sponsored by DO Rías Baixas, we ask the big questions of key growers including Vicky Mareque (Pazo Señorans), Isabel Salgado (Fillaboa), Lúcia Barbosa (Adegas Galegas), Lucia Freire (Santiago Ruiz) and Natalia Rodríguez (Señorío de Rubiós). We also feature a number of outstanding wines, from Fillaboa's 1898 to Selección de Añada (2014 and 2003) by Señorans. We cover everything from terroir, subzones, blend
podcast· 47:34· S5E20Rías Baixas - Mists, Myths and Mariscos
What do bagpipes, rain, witches, pilgrimage, lampreys and Albariño all have in common? Not much really - but they are all featured in this episode on Rías Baixas, the intriguing wine region in north-west Spain famous for its seafood, verdant landscapes and refreshing, brine-tinged white wines. Historically, this was always a remote region of hardy fishermen and misty hillsides. But since the 1980s a wine revolution has been taking place, majoring on a distinctive style of Albariño we wine drinkers have lapped up, and propelling the official appellation vineyard from a tiny 237 hectares in 1987 to 4,480 hectares today. In this first instalment of a sponsored two-parter with DO Rías Baixas, we get a feel for the place, its people, history, food and wines. We explore the region's famous whites, recommending some as we go, but also explore the lesser known reds and sparkling wines. Peter has a run-in with a sea urchin and a particularly pungent lamprey stew, and we hear from Stephanie Schi
podcast· 44:14· S5E19News & Views - global wine wobbles, free wine for phones, Merlot in the bath & does cling film remove cork taint?
How and why is the global wine scene in a bit of a state? Why is wine threatened by weight-loss drugs and smartphones? Does drinking high quality wine make you happier - and does light drinking increase longevity? This is our periodic programme where we catch up on the more intriguing wine news, pondering everything from weighty matters (as above) but also touching on lighter-hearted fare. Such as an Italian restaurant offering diners free wine in exchange for locking away their phones, an airport planning to build a vineyard on its roof, and whether cling film removes cork taint... We also play our very fun 'Guess the Word in the Wine Headline' game (sommeliers, divorce and Merlot in the bath feature this time round). Plus, we recap on all the reaction and headlines following our Light Strike pod. And we hear your views and questions, which lead us to talk about Ukraine, a potential Wine Blast cookbook, orange wine and the SWEATS (not what you think - but still scandalous). Thanks for
podcast· 58:29· S5E18UK Wine's Counterculture
There's a new wave of English and Welsh wine producers disrupting the neat and tidy order of the classic UK wine scene. Guerrilla producers - cool kids who aren't afraid to go off-piste and craft dangerous, divisive wines packed full of quirks and kinks. Their attitude? It's better to be naughty than nice. As one winemaker says - he wants to make, 'wines with a cheeky smile.' In this wide-ranging episode we dive headlong into this world of creativity, experimentation and free thinking. Our journey takes us from wines made under a London railway arch to sheep savaging vines in a Welsh hillside - and we taste everything from orange wines to pet nat, col fondo, 'grower' English fizz and, 'purple Welsh bubbles.' Interviewed in this episode are Tommy Grimshaw (Langham), Susan and James Kinsey-Jones (Whinyard Rocks), Jose Quintana (Vagabond) and Sergio Verrillo (Blackbook). Also featured are producers Domaine Hugo, Westwell, The Wharie Experience and Ancre Hill. Thanks for tuning in. We love
podcast· 50:01· S5E17SASSICAIA - The Insider's Guide
Not many wines ascend to the status of 'icon'. But Sassicaia is one of them. The beauty is that it's not a flashy wine - quite the opposite ('old school' might be a more appropriate description). What's more, its ascent to the wine stratosphere is largely accidental - this scented, elegant Bordeaux blend from Bolgheri in coastal Tuscany was only ever intended as a quaffing wine for friends and family on the Tenuta San Guido estate, a farm initially dedicated to breeding horses, growing crops and a wildlife reserve. How times change. In this episode, we peek behind the scenes of Sassicaia, asking what really makes this fine wine tick, talking to the key people, tasting the top vintages, busting myths and asking the difficult questions. Price is one - it's gone up significantly of late. Fraud is another - Italian police recently broke up a gang running a fake Sassicaia operation to the tune of €2m. Priscilla Inchisa della Rochetta, Brett Flemming and Nicolas Clerc MS shed light on all th
podcast· 53:53· S5E16Going Gaga for Garnacha
It's called 'The Grenaissance'. This exhilarating revival of the grape variety known as Garnacha in Spain and Grenache in France, once the world's fourth most widely planted wine grape, which has gone from workhorse to show pony in the blink of an eye. How come? What's changed? Who's leading the charge and fuelling the new wave? And what's this we hear about inherent suitability vis a vis climate change?! We ask all these questions and more, focusing on the epicentre of Grenache renaissance: Spain. We hear from leading Spanish wine lights Sara Perez, Fernando Mora, Alvaro Palacios and Norrel Robertson, among others. A fair few delicious recommendations litter the chat, during which we also dwell on love, diamonds, mastication, stems, Samurai - and the will of the cosmos. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe or you can find more info, together with all details from this episode including on the wines, on our webs
podcast· 44:46· S5E15Grower Champagne with Lea & Sandeman
From big brand to fine wine - it's no exaggeration to say that grower champagne has changed the notion of what champagne can and should be. Pioneers like Francis Egly of iconic grower champagne Egly-Ouriet have invested huge amounts of time and money prioritising their vineyards, relentlessly focusing on quality and terroir expression in their wines - and ultimately going up against the big Champagne houses. It's a brave move, but one that is reinvigorating the region and attracting many converts to the cause. In this episode we chat with Francis Egly and his daughter Clemence to hear their thoughts on why it's important to harvest their grapes ripe, age their bottles extensively and see the process through from growing grapes to selling their wine. We also hear from Charles Lea, owner and director of respected London wine merchant Lea & Sandeman , on how a lockdown trip to Champagne saw him move away from the 'boring' big production houses and embrace the growers' cause. Along the way
podcast· 47:20· S5E14Light Strike: Wine's Not-So-Secret Scandal
Light strike is probably the biggest wine fault you've never heard of. Bigger than cork, bigger than oxidation or anything else. That pretty-looking bottle of rosé perched on the bright supermarket shelf in a clear glass bottle? Probably knackered. If it's been exposed to light for a while, it may end up smelling of boiled cabbage, drains, or wet dog. At the very least, its character will almost certainly have been degraded from what its winemaker intended. And that's not what you're paying your hard-earned money for. It's nothing less than daylight robbery. In this episode, we explain what light strike is, how fast it happens, and which wines are most at risk. We hear from experts, including the co-author of an illuminating recent research paper, and rage against the fact that the problem seems shockingly prevalent, but so little is being done. We even carry out our very own applied research experiment (featuring bottles, funnels, argon gas and a blindfold) which gives unequivocal res
podcast· 50:13· S5E13Ancient Vines to the Rescue in St Mont
Deep in the wilds of south-west France there's a vineyard that was planted over 200 years ago with unknown vines that may hold the secret to fighting climate change. Join us as we head (virtually) out to Gascony to peer into the mists of wine history and see what lessons it holds for the future. Olivier Bourdet-Pees of the dynamic Plaimont cooperative is our genial, beret-wearing guide, introducing us to grape varieties we've never heard of and explaining how this region has been reinvigorated after making some of, 'the worst wine in France 40 years ago'. This episode is sponsored by AOC St Mont and features a number of wines including Plaimont's iconic Vignes Préphylloxeriques bottling. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe or you can find more info, together with all details from this episode including on the wines, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S5 E13 - Ancient Vines to the Rescue in St Mont . Thanks for tuning in! Inst
podcast· 54:11· S5E12ORANGE WINE Part 2: Gimme Some Skin
So - orange wine. Is it any good? What qualifies a wine to be 'orange'? Does it sell? And who's going to win our argument about one particularly divisive orange wine?! Dive into the controversial, topical and intriguing subject of orange wine with us as we chat with Saša Radikon of iconic orange wine producer Radikon (who gives us an exclusive revelation about a new project) and nautral wine guru Doug Wregg of Les Caves de Pyrene. We taste (and largely disagree about) orange wines from Mlečnik, Vagabond and Dario Prinčič. Peter also gets very excited about his, 'lamb litmus test'. This is the second and final episode in our epic two-parter on orange wine. You don't need to listen to the first episode to enjoy this one, they stand alone. But Episode 1 features Mateja Gravner and Simon Woolf, author of the brilliant book Amber Revolution . We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe or you can find more details to get in touch on our website
podcast· 52:03· S5E11ORANGE WINE Part 1: The Resurrection
'Please can you do an episode on orange wine?' pleaded listener David. 'It's not just hipster wine! These are some of the finest wines in the world...' How could we resist? Orange wine is topical, misunderstood, controversial... It's also an intriguing story featuring a wine style lost in the mists of time being painstakingly resurrected by a handful of brave pioneers in the face of stiff opposition. So we leap headlong into this arena, asking the all-important questions like: what even IS orange wine? Where did it come from? Why is it misunderstood and controversial? How does it relate to natural wine? And ultimately: is orange wine actually any good?! In this first instalment in a two-parter on orange wine, we talk to orange wine expert Simon Woolf , author of the brilliant book Amber Revolution: How the World Learned to Love Orange Wine . We also hear from Mateja Gravner of the iconic Friuli-based orange wine producer Gravner. And we recommend a couple of good value orange wines: Sa
podcast· 47:21· S5E10A Southern French Feast
Wine. Food. Merriment. And a touch of southern French sun. That just about sums up this episode. We're exploring Occitanie - the sun-kissed southern French region that stretches from the western Rhone through Languedoc and Roussillon into South West France. Taken as a whole, it's the world's largest vineyard and makes around 5% of global wine output. In the past, these regions have been criticised for focusing on quantity over quality and being out of touch with the modern wine world. But things have changed significantly in recent decades, as the vineyard has been drastically shrunk and successful producers have focused on quality, innovation, value, indigenous varieties and the future. And that's not all this part of the world is known for. It also boasts a mighty fine gastronomic scene. So yes, you guessed it: we couldn't resist. In this episode we're serving up six dishes inspired by southern French ingredients: mushroom arancini, Mediterranean shellfish stew, cod with beurre blanc
podcast· 53:35· S5E9Our WINES OF THE YEAR (2023)
Our Wines of the Year format has grown into this riotous, rollicking rollercoaster of a show which we humbly offer up for your amusement and delectation. This is no shopping list. Nor is it a chest-beating exercise in showing off how #wineblessed we are. This episode is the story of a year in wine: a celebration of special bottles and special times, set against the backdrop of news, views and a lot of laughter. Featuring in this wine-soaked adventure are Dutch nuns, kiwis, Homer Simpson, talking corks, Susie in a balloon suit, gravy, Nigel the dog, a broom-brandishing Greek grandmother, Jesus and Peter's pants. We discuss wine news including the latest wine fraud hoo-ha (and a new AI tool to fight wine fakery), why Bordeaux may be uprooting 10% of its vineyard, how major foreign investment is boosting English wine and the latest research offering the tantalising prospect of solving the mystery of red wine headaches. Your listener feedback and questions get an airing, touching on Englis
podcast· 49:28· S5E8Ukraine: Wine not War
Odessa Black. It's the name of a (Ukranian) grape variety. But it could almost be code for the desperate times the people of Ukraine are living through. In this episode, we explore the history and current context of Ukraine, hearing first-hand insights from Tania Olevska of the Ukrainian Wine Company and Svitlana Tsybak of the Beykush winery. Despite the chaos and devastation in Ukraine, wine represents a point of hope, an expression of Ukrainian culture, terroir, identity and resilience. Although what is Europe's second largest country has a long relationship with the vine, quality wine isn't one of Ukraine's most emblematic products. That started to change after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and since 2010 there has been a quality revolution as a new wave of craft winemakers captured the public attention. Then came full-scale war with Russia in early 2022. But Ukraine's winemakers are refusing to be cowed. They soldier on, ministering to their vines as the relentless rh
podcast· 46:47· S5E7The New Face of Languedoc
Languedoc is a wine region on the move. Sure, it's a huge region with plenty of history, some of it troubled. But there are things happening in Languedoc wine now that are innovative, surprising, intriguing and...well, delicious. In short, it's well worthy of our attention. In this episode, sponsored by AOP Languedoc, we chat to writers Rupert Millar and Rosemary George MW, and we also hear from wine growers Benoît Bertrand (Domaine de Malavieille) and Jenia Vermillard (Domaine Ampelhus). We hear of ambitious attempts to revive long lost grape varieties from the verge of extinction, and ingenious solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. We explore the region's renown for good value in its wines, consider its historic ups and downs, and look to what the future might hold. Along the way we somehow feature feather boas, Lithuania, a stray dog, the Romans, shrinking pains, finishing school, architecture, Assyrtiko, violins, agroforestry and ratatouille. Oh, and a love story. An
podcast· 42:14· S5E6The Ten Wines Never to be Without
We're going full-on Moses mode in this episode, nailing down the ten wines you should always have at home. Of course, personal taste plays a part. You want to have wines to hand you're going to reach for - which means your favourite styles. But beyond that, it helps to have some expert insight into the bigger picture in order to always have delicious, affordable and useful wines when you need them. Our primary objective is joyous everyday drinking. But also: what works best with food, versatile wines to serve guests, give as gifts, wines that get better over time if you buy a few, ideal wines for those impromptu celebrations, wines for both summer and winter...we even introduce the notion of, 'emergency wine'. So we define our top 10 'go-to' wine staples. We're aware this is potentially controversial territory. But we also hope it's helpful too. Helping us out in this challenging task are the fine people at Waitrose , who are sponsoring this episode. Waitrose do a fine line in wine and
podcast· 46:13· S5E5Ageing English Fizz - How, Why and What
English sparkling wine. We all know it's good. But how well does it age? And could this be the secret to unlocking even greater quality from what are already exciting wines? We do our best to answer these questions and more with the help of several large glasses of very fine mature English fizz - and top winemakers Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix (Nyetimber) and Corinne Seely (Exton Park). We also hear the views of Clément Pierlot, cellar master at Champagne Pommery and its English offshoot, Louis Pommery England. We explore what makes an ageworthy sparkling wine (busting a few common myths along the way). And talk about how best to get ahead of the game... We recommend some of the finest examples of mature English fizz we can get our hands on - from the likes of Nyetimber, Sugrue South Downs, Hattingley Valley, Breaky Bottom, Wiston, Exton Park, Chapel Down and The Grange. Along the way we discuss magnums, lees ageing, dosage, vintage, variety, yields, storage, balance - and the valu
podcast· 45:58· S5E4Ventoux: Next Century Wines
It's a wine region variously described as, 'dynamic', whose wines are undergoing a quality 'revolution', and memorably compared to South Africa's uber-cool Swartland. It's also got a big old mountain on its picture postcard. Not to mention truffles galore. This is Ventoux . And we want to take you on a journey of discovery, to meet the people, explore the places, get a feel for the wines...and generally understand why Ventoux is worth your time and attention. The mountain, it turns out, is important. It makes this one of the coolest appellations in the southern Rhône, giving the wines freshness and vitality. Peter slogs (metaphorically) up to the peak to prove the point. It also helps in the ongoing efforts to adapt to climate change. As for the wines...we dive in, exploring the region's unique whites, rosés and reds, the latter constituting the majority of production. And we explore ways in which the wines are changing and evolving with the future in mind. We ask why so many outsiders
podcast· 50:24· S5E3The Six BEST Wine Books
What are the wine books every wine lover should own? We thought about it. We argued. We drank some wine. Argued some more... And then we decided: let's go for it. No messing around: choose just the six BEST books every wine lover needs, whether enthusiastic newbie or jaded expert. It wasn't easy. But this is the DEFINITIVE listing. A lot of thought and research went into this. Even some reading. Along the way we came across some bits that stopped us in our tracks. Like Hitler's secret wine cellar, 'freak' wines, the link between a dentist's drill and the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold, fish finger sandwiches, some cheeky poetry, the 'one-night-stand' of wines... And of course the quote about the salad and the sex toy 😳 And that's from one of the most reputable voices in wine... In this episode, we heroically save you from the drivel and point you firmly towards the stuff of dreams. We choose the all-time six best wine books - plus six runners up (to make a full case of 12). W
podcast· 50:18· S5E2Marlborough at 50: A wine story worthy of Hollywood
This is a tale of deception, daring, disaster...and deliverance. It also features skinny sheep and wine robots. It's the story of Marlborough, the iconic New Zealand wine region which is celebrating its 50th wine birthday, after vines were planted by Frank Yukich in August 1973. Yukich had risked personal financial ruin getting to this point. 'Wines from here will become world famous!' he declared. Shortly after which most of the vines died from drought. But no adventure story is without its supreme setbacks. And this story features everything from the Queen to gut-rot via shiny tractors. On the wine front, it's sobering to think just how far Marlborough has come in 50 harvests, from a shaky start to sensational Sauvignon Blanc and much more besides. It's a region helping set the global agenda for the wine of the future - and a tribute to the imaginative, resilient Kiwi spirit. This is a sponsored episode in collaboration with New Zealand Winegrowers. We taste and recommend the followi
podcast· 54:14· S4E1The John Malkovich EXCLUSIVE
'My wife suggested we make wine. I think in the hope of cutting down our wine bill...' It's classic John Malkovich. The wit as dry as his aged Provençal Pinot Noir rosé (yes, you read that right). In this epic episode, we get to know John Malkovich the famous actor of stage and screen - but also John Malkovich the fashion designer, the theatre director, and most importantly John Malkovich the wine producer. This truly is a man for all seasons. But Malkovich seldom abides by convention - and his wine venture in the south of France, Les Quelles de La Coste, typifies this approach. He's planted atypical wine grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere - and (whisper it) Pinot Noir. He's even blending them together... For the wine classicists, this is nothing short of vinous heresy. So the big questions are: Is this just another cookie-cutter celeb wine project, or is it different? What are the wines actually like? Come to that, what's John Malkovich actually like? Join us as we pos
podcast· 38:48· S4E25LIVE Q&A - sulfites, party wines, climate change, top wine tourism tips and being pretentious
This bonus episode may be the last in the current season (4) but it's also a first - the first time we've ever recorded the pod in front of a live audience! A lovely bunch of people came together in our home town of Winchester to drink a glass or two of fine Hampshire fizz and bombard us with searching questions, from which wines we'd recommend for a large and varied dinner party crowd to the implications of climate change for wine. They even asked us what were the most pretentious wine descriptions we'd ever used. I mean, the cheek of it... We also touched on issues ranging from 'sulfite-free' wine to no/low alcohol, our favourite Chardonnay and rosé, which are the best wine regions to visit, the rise of English wine, multi-vintage versus vintage sparkling wine - and what wines you should ALWAYS have at home. In our introduction we also feature some recent listener feedback from a Napa wine grower questioning how he should explain terroir to visitors to a professor on how microbes (ye
podcast· 43:15· S4E24The Microbial Face of Terroir
This episode opens by linking Oppenheimer, Covid-19 and wine - and proceeds to go big by focusing on the small stuff. Microbes. The invisible world of yeasts, bacteria and beyond. We're just starting to understand how important microbes are in terms of defining wine style and quality. Sure, yeasts ferment grape sugars into alcohol. But they also do a whole lot more, as fascinating new research is revealing. Previously, many definitions of 'terroir' (what might be defined as a wine's 'sense of place' or perhaps 'distinctiveness') were limited to the role of soil and climate. If you were lucky, human influence garnered a passing mention. Now it's becoming clear that biology - and in particular microbiology - has more of a say in how a wine turns out than what was previously thought. Time for the textbooks to be re-written... In this episode, we talk to world-leading researchers Professor Matthew Goddard and Ignacio Belda, to get to the heart of the latest thinking and science. Turns out