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videoMastering Germany: How Modern Winemaking Is Shaping German Wine Today
In this video, I introduce modern German winemaking and explain the key changes shaping the quality and diversity of German wines today. Want to take your understanding of German wine further? Unlocking Germany: From Mosel to Rheingau is a guided tasting with Jimmy Smith featuring six carefully selected wines that showcase the range, precision, and brilliance of Germany. Learn more here: https://mtwwines.com/products/jimmygermany In this video I cover: – How viticulture and winemaking practices in Germany have evolved – The shift from sweet to dry wine styles and what’s driving it – Training, global experience, and modern expertise in German winemaking – The use of sulfur dioxide, pH, and wine stability – Legal definitions of dry and off-dry German wines – Temperature-controlled fermentation and modern white winemaking techniques – The role of malolactic conversion and stylistic choices This video focuses primarily on white wine production and sets the foundation for later videos co
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videoSouth Africa Pinot & Chardonnay Explained | Anthony Hamilton Russell | Hamilton Russell Vineyards
I’m hosting a rare Hamilton Russell Vineyards vertical tasting at West London Wine School with Anthony Hamilton-Russell himself — an in-depth look at one of South Africa’s most important Pinot Noir and Chardonnay estates. Limited spaces remaining. Full details and tickets here: https://www.localwineschool.com/west-london/Hamilton-Russell-vineyards/109364 Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, terroir, and cool-climate South African wine — explained in a deep conversation with Anthony Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards 🍷 In this interview, I speak with Anthony Hamilton Russell about why Hemel-en-Aarde (near Hermanus in Walker Bay) has become one of the world’s reference points for restrained, terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We get into the region’s identity, the role of the ocean influence, and why soil and geology matter more than cellar tricks. We also talk about the winemaking philosophy at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, including how winemaker Emul Ross a
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videoMastering Germany: Grape Growing, Steep Terraces & Old Vines
In this episode of Mastering Germany, I explore grape growing in Germany and the traditions, vineyard structures and viticultural thinking that have shaped one of the world’s most important cool-climate wine nations. In part one, I look at: • Terrace viticulture and Germany’s steep vineyard sites • Why terraces developed historically and how they work • The benefits and challenges of steep-slope vineyards today • Climate change and its impact on traditional German sites • Vine breeding, clonal selection and key German research institutes • Planting density, training systems and trellising choices • Old vines (Alte Reben) and why they matter in modern German wine This is part one of a three-part series on grape growing in Germany. Part one is free to watch. Parts two and three are available exclusively inside the Wine with Jimmy Club. You can join the Wine with Jimmy Club for just £3.99 per month and get access to: • Ad-free exclusive video series • In-depth wine region deep dives •
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videoSancerre Explained: With WSET Tasting of 3 Majestic bottles.
Wine with Jimmy Club https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/program/wwj-club You can find the wines tasted on this video at Majestic below Wine 1 - Domaine du Clos Saint Martin Sancerre https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/clos-saint-martin-sancerre-organic-05911 Alternative Suppliers - United States Solano Cellars (California) Westchester Wine Warehouse (New York) Cellar d’Or (New York) Wine 2 - Domaine Laporte 'Les Garennes' Sancerre Blanc 2024, Loire Valley https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/laporte-sancerre-organic-05901 Alternative Suppliers - United States Saratoga Wine Exchange (New York) Cellar d’Or (New York) Little West Wine & Spirits (New York) Wine 3 - Klein Constantia 2023 https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/klein-constantia-sauvignon-blanc-20192 Solano Cellars (California) The Wine Exchange (California) Moira’s Fine Wine & Spirits (New York) PJ Discount Wine & Liquor (New York) Cellar d’Or (New York) Sancerre is one of France’s most famous Sauvignon Blanc regions, bu
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videoRiesling Explained: Germany’s Signature Grape | Mastering Germany Series
Riesling is Germany’s most important and distinctive grape variety, and in this video I take a deep dive into why it has earned that status. Want to take your understanding of German wine further? Unlocking Germany: From Mosel to Rheingau is a guided tasting with Jimmy Smith featuring six carefully selected wines that showcase the range, precision, and brilliance of Germany. Learn more here: https://mtwwines.com/products/jimmygermany This session is part of the Mastering Germany series and focuses on Riesling’s history, etymology, vineyard behaviour, geological sensitivity and the wide range of wine styles it can produce, from bone dry to lusciously sweet. I also address the much-debated petrol or kerosene character and where it really comes from. This video is available as part of the Wine with Jimmy Club. Members get full access to this series and a growing library of exclusive wine education content for a small monthly subscription. Join here: https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy
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videoGerman Wine Climate Explained | Cool Climate, Zones, Rainfall & Climate Change
Germany is one of the world’s most important cool-climate wine regions, and in this video I explain how climate and weather shape German wine styles, from bright acidity and aromatics to ripening challenges and climate change. If you’d like full access to the entire Mastering Germany series — plus in-depth region guides, producer interviews and exclusive wine education — you can join the Wine with Jimmy Club here: https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/program/wwj-club I break down Germany’s wine-growing zones, temperature variation, rainfall patterns, maritime and continental influences, and why regions like Pfalz, Baden, Mosel, Ahr, Franken and Saxony behave so differently in the vineyard. This is a general overview of German climate, before diving into each region in more detail elsewhere in the series. In this video I cover: Germany’s temperate continental climate Wine-growing zones (Zone A and parts of Zone B) Diurnal and annual temperature variation The role of cloud cov
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videoGerman Wine History: Ancient Roots, Romans & the Rise of Riesling
Welcome to Mastering Germany — an in-depth Wine with Jimmy series exploring Germany through the lens of wine, culture, and history. In this first episode, I take you from the earliest traces of human civilisation in what is now Germany, through Celtic and Roman influence, and into the Middle Ages — including the rise of monasteries, the Holy Roman Empire, the first recorded mention of Riesling (13 March 1435), and the key historical shifts that shaped German viticulture. This is Part 1 of the Mastering Germany series. If you’d like to watch the full series (including Part 2 and beyond), you’ll need to join the Wine with Jimmy Club monthly subscription here: https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/program/wwj-club As a member you’ll also get access to loads of additional content, including deep-dive presentations on countries and regions (like Armenia and Georgia), producer videos, tasting notes, and plenty of food-and-wine matching tips. If you’ve been to Germany, have a favourite
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videoMeet Alpha Estate – One of Greece’s Benchmark Cool-Climate Wineries
High-altitude vineyards, cool-climate precision, and one of Greece’s benchmark producers. In this short clip, Angelos introduces Alpha Estate and explains why Amyndeon has become one of the country’s most exciting wine regions. Join us in London on 4th February to taste these wines with us at West London Wine School. https://www.localwineschool.com/west-london/Alpha-estate/
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videoAlpha Estate & Amyndeon: Greece’s Cool-Climate Secret | Xinomavro, Old Vines & Terroir
In this special edition of Wine with Jimmy, I’m joined by Angelos Iatridis, co-founder and winemaker at Alpha Estate, one of the benchmark producers of northern Greece. Sign up to the Wine with Jimmy Club here for all my interviews plus WSET tastings and more 0 https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/subscriptions?id=wwj-club Click here to sign up for our Alpha estates Tasting in London on the 4th Feb For those of you who’d like to taste these wines with me in person, I’m delighted to say that we’re hosting a dedicated Alpha Estate tasting at my London school on 4 February. There are only a few places left, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore these wines in depth, ask questions, and really understand what makes Amyndeon so special. We dive deep into Amyndeon, a high-altitude, cool-climate plateau in Macedonia that is producing some of Greece’s most elegant and age-worthy wines. We explore what makes this region so distinctive: its lakes, surrounding mountains, limestone-ric
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videoCalifornia’s Historic Missions and the Origins of Wine | Santa Ynez, Solvang
Filmed at the historic Mission Santa Ynez in Solvang, this short introduction explores the role of California’s missions in the early history of wine. Between 1769 and 1833, 21 religious missions were established along the Californian coast, from San Diego to San Francisco, forming the foundations of many early communities. For sacramental purposes, wine was produced at these missions, with the Mission grape playing a central role. Today, these sites remain beautiful, historically important landmarks that offer a direct link between California’s religious, cultural, and viticultural past.
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videoPinotage at 100: Spier’s Johan Jordaan on terroir and the future of South Africa’s signature grape
In this Wine with Jimmy interview, I’m joined by Johan (Spier’s Cellar Master) for a deep dive into Pinotage as South Africa marks 100 years since its creation. We start with Johan’s story and Spier’s remarkable history (founded in 1692), then unpack how Pinotage behaves in the vineyard and the cellar: drought resilience, ripening challenges, tannin management, fermentation temperatures, oxygen handling, and why “banana / rubber” characters became part of Pinotage’s reputation (and how modern winemaking moved past it). Join the Wine with Jimmy Club – extra videos, deeper dives, £3.99/month https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/subscriptions?id=wwj-club We also explore the role of site and climate (especially coastal influence), the impact of ferricrete/iron-rich soils on fruit expression, and how Spier shapes three distinct Pinotage styles: 21 Gables, Seaward, and Signature. Plus: the future of Pinotage (lighter, brighter, finer tannins), regions to watch (including Hemel-en-Aarde
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videoHow Soil Shapes Vine Growth at Domaine de la Côte
Sashi Moorman explains how different soils at Domaine de la Côte in Santa Barbara County directly influence vine growth and vigour. From iron-rich Monterey shale that restricts vine size, to depositional soils formed by ancient flood events, and finally ultra-light diatomaceous shale that absorbs water while remaining well drained, this clip shows how geology shapes vineyard behaviour and ultimately wine style.
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videoThis Lugana DOC from Total Wine & More Is a Perfect Food Wine | WSET SAT
In this video, I review a Lugana DOC that I highly recommend from Total Wine & More — a bottle that offers excellent value, accessibility and food pairing versatility. This wine is not only widely available across the United States, but can also be found outside the U.S. through global retailers. This tasting includes a full WSET SAT professional analysis, making it especially useful for students studying for wine exams as well as wine lovers who want a structured, professional tasting breakdown. Links from the video: • Wine at Total Wine & More (USA): https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/turbiana/ca-dei-frati-lugana/p/2126221530 • Find this wine + pricing outside the U.S.: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/ca+dei+frati+i+lugana+lombardy+italy?srsltid=AfmBOooukwlpbK4GGU5_hKr3KT1ffOhExSfqBwR6BO4tVawGmTA4UPka • Classic Risotto alla Milanese (food pairing): https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/31815/risotto-alla-milanese/ The Wine with Jimmy Club includes: • Regular wine recommen
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videoSashi Moorman Explains the Character of La Côte Pinot Noir
Standing in the Côte Vineyard at Domaine de la Côte, Sashi Moorman explains what gives the La Côte cuvée its distinctive character. From diatomaceous soils and clay depth to fermenting vineyard sections separately and blending at assemblage, this short clip shows how site and structure shape Pinot Noir at the domaine. A concise look at terroir, parcel selection, and thoughtful winemaking from one of California’s leading Pinot Noir producers.
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videoNortheast Montalcino: Cooler Vineyards & Later Harvests
I’m in the northeastern part of Montalcino, one of the cooler and lesser-known areas of the region. Further from Mediterranean influence and sitting at higher altitudes, vineyards here are harvested three to four weeks later than the southwest. It’s a newer area of viticulture, with plantings dating mainly from the late 1990s, producing wines with freshness, structure, and firmer tannins.
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videoVigna Loreto: Inside a Cru Vineyard in Montalcino
I’m in Montalcino at Mastrojanni, standing in the Vigna Loreto vineyard. Planted between 1998 and 2000, this carefully landscaped cru site was created to maximise exposure and quality, using a massal selection of Sangiovese clones. Clay-rich soils with iron give structure and power, making Vigna Loreto one of the estate’s most distinctive wines.
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videoWhy Southern Montalcino Is So Special | Brunello Geography Explained #wine #history #montalcino
Why does southern Montalcino produce such distinctive Brunello di Montalcino? In this short, I’m on location in southern Montalcino, exploring how geography and climate shape the wines. We look at the influence of Monte Amiata, the warming effect of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the role of the rivers that define the appellation — the Orcia, Asso, and Ombrone. Filmed near Poggio di Sotto and Castelnuovo dell’Abate, this is a quick, clear explanation of why the southern zone of Brunello is warmer, more exposed, and stylistically distinct. Perfect for wine students, WSET candidates, and anyone interested in Italian wine and terroir.
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videoHow the Finger Lakes Became a World-Class Wine Region | Nova Cadamatre MW
In this interview, I’m joined by Nova Cadamatre MW to explore the evolution of the Finger Lakes as a wine region — from its importance before Prohibition to its modern identity as one of the world’s leading cool-climate regions. We discuss the Finger Lakes’ early role as the “Champagne of the United States,” driven by native grape varieties and large sparkling wine houses, and how Prohibition disrupted the region far more severely than California. Nova explains why the industry took longer to recover in New York, and how pivotal moments shaped its rebirth. A major focus is the arrival of Dr. Konstantin Frank in the 1960s and 70s, whose insistence that Vitis vinifera could be grown successfully in the Finger Lakes transformed the region’s future. We also cover the impact of the New York State Farm Winery Act, which allowed growers to become winemakers and fundamentally changed the structure of the region. We then move into the modern era, looking at Cornell’s viticulture and enology
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videoHow Brunello di Montalcino Is Aged | Botti in the Cellars at Fattoi #wine #winelover #history
In this video, I’m in a traditional ageing cellar in Montalcino, visiting Fattoi to look at how Brunello di Montalcino is matured before release. You’ll see the large oak casks known as botti, often made from Slavonian oak from Croatia. These are used to gently age Brunello without overwhelming the wine with oak flavour, allowing the character of Sangiovese to remain at the forefront. I explain why some producers prefer large-format casks over small barrels, how surface area affects flavour impact, and how this careful, controlled approach fits within the mandated ageing rules of Brunello di Montalcino. If you’re interested in traditional Italian winemaking, oak influence, or how Brunello develops before release, this gives a clear look inside the cellar and the philosophy behind it.
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videoInside Ribera del Duero: Albillo Mayor, Clarete and Altitude
Climate change is reshaping wine regions across the world. In many places the impact is negative, but in Ribera del Duero the story is more nuanced. In this video, I spoke directly with producers about how climate change, altitude, and extreme continental conditions are affecting their vineyards and wines. We explore why high-elevation sites matter, how cooler nights help preserve acidity, and why some producers believe the best way forward is by looking back. We talk in depth about Albillo Mayor, a historic white grape that was approved as a standalone variety in Ribera del Duero in 2021, and how it’s now helping shape a fresher, more balanced style of wine in the region. We also explore Clarete, a traditional co-fermented style made from white and red grapes grown together, and why it’s once again relevant in a warming climate. This is a conversation about tradition, adaptation, and identity — and how Ribera del Duero is quietly redefining itself through altitude, old vines, and f
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videoCo-op Top Drop: Riesling Kabinett (Mosel) - Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt
In this video, I hand-select one of my favourite wines currently available at the Co-operative and break it down in detail. You’ll learn where the wine comes from, the grape variety, how it’s made, and how those choices shape the final style in the glass. I also walk you through professional, examiner-level tasting notes using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, covering appearance, nose, palate and conclusions. Whether you’re studying wine or simply want to understand what you’re drinking a bit better, these tasting notes are designed to be practical, clear and genuinely useful. You’ll also find a QR code in the video linking to a food pairing recipe from the Co-operative, chosen specifically to work with this wine. but you can also click here! https://www.coop.co.uk/recipes/honey-and-garlic-king-prawn-stir-fry This video is a taster of the wider content available through the Wine with Jimmy club. https://e-learningwine.winewithjimmy.com/subscriptions?id=wine-with-jimmy-club
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videoCave de Lugny Les Charmes Mâcon-Lugny
In this video, I take a closer look at Cave de Lugny Les Charmes, Mâcon-Lugny 2023, one of the current fine wine offers from Waitrose. I break down where the wine comes from, how it’s made, and how it tastes using a professional WSET SAT-style tasting note, and I also suggest a food pairing to help you get the most enjoyment from the bottle at home. This video is a taster of a new project I’m working on: the Class Glass or Bottle Club, a monthly wine club that will be launching soon. The club will be a monthly subscription, with new content added all the time, and will include: • Regular wine reviews of easily available bottles from shops like Co-op, Majestic, and Waitrose • Clear WSET SAT tasting notes to support wine study or improve tasting confidence • Interactive wine maps to help you really understand regions • Long-form interviews with producers and people working in wine • Special regional series focusing on places like Armenia, Georgia, and other lesser-known wine regions I
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videoWaitrose Top Drops: Fior d’Arancio Colli Euganei (with WSET SAT Tasting Note)
Waitrose Top Drops: My Tasting of Fior d’Arancio Colli Euganei (WSET SAT Breakdown) Description: In this Waitrose Top Drops video, I take you through one of my favourite recent finds: Fior d’Arancio from the volcanic Colli Euganei hills in Veneto. I break down how it’s made, why Moscato Giallo is so intensely aromatic, and how I assess it using full WSET SAT tasting notes. I’ve also included a brilliant food pairing: Thai-style poached cod with lime and lemongrass. You can find the Waitrose recipe here: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/recipe/thai-style-poached-cod-with-lime-and-lemongrass?srsltid=AfmBOoo8dLPbYB4-zPV9hqOxGof8j1rzyHq3CKXJUrbsnDp0u9zRYfGU Perfect whether you’re studying wine or simply want to drink better.
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videoBruce Jack on Pinotage: Vineyard Secrets, Winemaking Truths & South Africa’s Grape Identity
This episode in our 2025 Pinotage 100 Years series features an in-depth, candid, and often electrifying conversation with South African winemaker Bruce Jack. We explore Pinotage from every angle — vineyard, cellar, economics, identity — and why this once-misunderstood grape now produces some of South Africa’s most thrilling wines. Bruce shares his personal journey, the challenges of working with Pinotage, the myths around “burnt rubber,” the evolution of South African viticulture, and why Pinotage matters deeply to the country’s psyche. If you're following our Pinotage Centenary series, this is one of the essential episodes. What we cover: • How Bruce fell into wine (via whisky-loving grandparents and Scottish genes) • Why Pinotage is difficult but capable of greatness • Vineyard mistakes of the past and how modern growers transformed quality • Whole-berry vs whole-cluster for Pinotage • The truth behind bitterness, tannins, and avoiding isoamyl acetate • Pinotage’s economic and cul
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