The Chronicle
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podcast· 1h 06m· Ep 108NCNN ep7: Don't Forget You're Throwing a Party
What makes a wine event memorable? And why do some experiences succeed in turning people into long-term wine drinkers, while others leave no lasting impression at all? In this final episode of New Consumers, New Narratives , Pauline Vicard speaks with Loïc Lamy and Milena Berman, founders of Hautes Côtes and creators of the now cult Vin & Hip Hop events in Burgundy. Drawing on their experience organising events in Burgundy, Champagne, and Los Angeles, they discuss what younger consumers actually look for when they engage with wine: not status or technical knowledge alone, but hospitality, emotion, community, and a sense of belonging. For anyone organising events, hosting clients, or building wine tourism experiences, this conversation offers a timely reminder: people do not remember how much information they received. They remember how they felt, who they met, and whether they felt genuinely welcomed into the world of wine. More on Hautes Cotes: https://www.hautescotes.com/en And to ta
podcast· 1h 12m· Ep 107The Economics of Desire: Inside Wine Auctions with Amayès Aouli
Why - and how- did wine become collectible? Pauline Vicard speaks with Amayés Aouli, Global Head of Wine & Spirits at Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest auction houses. Together, they explore the often-misunderstood world of wine auctions, beyond the spectacle of paddles and hammer prices. The discussion reveals how auctions translate desire into value, navigating scarcity, logistics, trust, and global demand. A conversation that offers a deeper lens on the fine wine ecosystem—and where it is heading. In this conversation: • What auctions actually do—and why they exist • How wine became a collectible asset (only recently) • The role of knowledge in shaping demand and price • What auctions reveal about the future of fine wine To know more about Bonhams Wine: https://www.bonhams.com/department/WIN/wine/ To know more about Areni's latest research: The New Fine Wine Consumer: How Under 40 Find Their Way Into Fine Wine: https://areni.global/report/the-new-fine-wine-customer/
podcast· 59:01· Ep 105The Fine Wine Game: Scarcity, Access & the Art of Allocation
What makes an allocated wine offering work — and when does it fail? In this episode, Pauline Vicard sits down with Peter Yeung to unpack the mechanics behind scarcity in fine wine. From waitlists and wishlists to pricing strategy and sell-out psychology, they explore how allocation systems shape brand value and customer loyalty. Drawing on insights from ARENI Global’s upcoming New Fine Wine Consumers study, they also examine why younger collectors approach wine like a video game: they don’t just want access — they want to understand the rules. Because in fine wine, it’s not just about getting the bottle. It’s about playing the game — and belonging to the community. For more information on Peter's course Allocated Wine Offerings, visit: https://www.xchateau.com/store/ Areni's study The New Fine Wine Consumer: How Under 40 Find Their Way Into Fine Wine launches on February 19. More info here: https://areni.global/new-consumers-new-narratives/
podcast· 57:01· Ep 104NCNN ep6: Understanding Deconsumption
Why is the world drinking less — and do they really drink less fine wine? For the first episode of 2026, Pauline and Felicity unpack one of the most pressing shifts reshaping the wine industry: global deconsumption. Far from being a simple generational story, they reveal how economics, demographics, social change, regulation and new health narratives are collectively transforming alcohol consumption across every age group. Drawing on Areni Global’s upcoming research on new fine wine consumers (launching Feb. 2026), they explore how economics, demographics, social change, regulation and new health narratives are transforming alcohol consumption across every age group, and how the fine wine sector must adapt to stay relevant. This podcast series is part of a larger Areni Global research project. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to our articles and publications: https://bit.ly/AreniNewsletter
podcast· 1h 10m· Ep 103The Relevance of Spirituality in Winemaking
Does spirituality have a role in winemaking? Where else to have this conversation than in Burgundy, the region that claims 1,000 years of a wine history that began with monks. We sat down with Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, who is not just acknowledged as one of the greatest winemakers of all time, but also one of the most spiritual. We were joined by Ted Lemon, owner of Littorai in Sonoma, a deep thinker, who articulated his vision for winemaking. The conversation ranged across what spirituality means in the context of fine wine today, but also how it influenced the historic growth and development of wine. It was the most unconventional discussion that Areni Global has ever hosted, but also one of the most meaningful. For more articles, reports and insights on the future of fine wine, visit www.areni.global and subscribe to our newsletter.
podcast· 44:02· Ep 102Rethinking Terroir
What does terroir mean today? How does it differ from the idea of sense of place? Is terroir a matter of nature or nurture? Do these questions even matter today? And if they do, how much does an understanding of terroir influence winemakers in their everyday work? For this fifth episode of the Areni Live Series, we take you inside one of the most unfiltered and thought-provoking conversations we had during our 2025 think tank. Gathered around Jacques Devauges, manager of the iconic Domaine des Lambrays in Burgundy, and Samantha O’Keefe, owner and winemaker of Lismore Wines in South Africa, a small group of fine minds from all around the world explore one of the geekiest, yet most fundamental, topics in fine wine today.
podcast· 43:17· Ep 101Inside the Hospices de Beaune: Purpose, Place and People
Behind the famous glazed roofs of Beaune lies a story where wine, care, and community are inseparable. Founded in the 15th century as a hospital for the poor, the Hospices de Beaune has evolved into one of the world’s most unique institutions — part working hospital, part wine estate, and a living expression of humanity, charity and hospitality. In this fourth episode of the Areni Live Series, we sat down with Guillaume Koch, Director of the Beaune Civil Hospitals, and Ludivine Griveau, Winemaker and Estate Manager, to explore how the wines of the Hospices sustain local healthcare, preserve Burgundian heritage, and reflect deep human values. Together, they explore: How a centuries-old hospital came to own — and still run — one of Burgundy’s most celebrated wine estates. The delicate balance between charity, healthcare, and fine wine. What Humanity, Charity, and Hospitality mean in practice for those who care for both people and vines. How the annual wine auction sustains local healthca
podcast· 38:34· Ep 100China 2030: Key Strategies for Fine Wine’s Most Complex Market
China has long been one of the most complex and fascinating markets for fine wine. Once driven by gifting and status, the market is now undergoing a dramatic reset — with consumers buying wine for themselves, new generations shaping demand, and logistics and e-commerce opening fresh possibilities. In this episode of Areni Live Sessions , Felicity Carter speaks with Don St Pierre Jr. , a pioneer of the Chinese wine trade and co-founder of ASC Fine Wines, about his surprising return to the market. Together, they explore: Why the old gifting culture collapsed — and what’s replacing it How consumer tastes are shifting, including the rise of white wine The role of storytelling in connecting producers with Chinese drinkers The impact of logistics and e-commerce on market access What international producers need to know about pricing, brand integrity, and regulation Why Don believes the Chinese fine wine market is poised for long-term growth Whether you’re already exporting to China or just c
podcast· 47:58· Ep 995 Levers of Success for the Fine Wine Sector
What does success really mean in today’s fine wine sector? In this episode, recorded live at Domaine des Lambrays in Burgundy in July 2025, host Pauline Vicard is joined by three leading voices: Mathieu Jullien, CEO of Vins d’Exception at LVMH, Steve Smith MW, Managing Director of AONZ Fine Wine in New Zealand, and Pierre Mansour, Head of Wine at The Wine Society in the UK. Together they explore how success can no longer be measured by profit and growth alone, but by the ability to create value, build reputation, and ensure wines are truly enjoyed. The conversation moves through five central themes: redefining what success looks like, reshaping fine wine strategies to meet changing demographics, the role of acquisitions in preserving heritage, how to create emotional connections with the next generation of wine lovers, the urgent need for sustainability, and the evolving challenges of distribution in Bordeaux and beyond. This episode offers rare insight from three senior leaders with v
podcast· 46:25· Ep 98Areni Live Sessions, Ep1: Wine, Health and Changing Regulations
The situation around wine, alcohol and health is complex, and a lot of important conversations are happening within the realm of public affairs, an area that most of the wine world doesn’t think much about. What is the social context in which these changes to public health policy are happening? How serious is the threat to the wine industry? Does the medical and scientific evidence support the “no safe level” claim? We asked three key personalities to help us understand what is happening, and what is at stake. With Felicity Carter, founder of Drinks Insider , Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the I nternational Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) and Dr Laura Catena, founder of In Defense of Wine and managing director, Catena Zapata. About the Series: From impactful panels and roundtables to winery visits centred around case studies, this podcast gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations recorded live at Areni Live 2025 Burgundy Edition that took place b
podcast· 1h 11m· Ep 97Farming, Fame, and Futureproofing the Market: In Conversation With Charles Lachaux
In 2021, 30y old Burgundian winemaker Charles Lachaux was crowned Best Rising Star at the inaugural Golden Vines Awards, and the wine world lost its mind. Prices for his bottles skyrocketed on the secondary market, he was endorsed by President Macron, and suddenly this sixth-generation Burgundian was being hailed as the successor to Lalou Bize-Leroy. But Lachaux’s rise didn’t begin with fame — and it hasn’t ended there either. In this unusually frank conversation, Charles Lachaux joins Pauline Vicard to explain the sweeping changes he’s made to viticulture at his family estate in Vosne-Romanée: no tilling, no trimming, organic and biodynamic practices, and a firm belief in letting the vine “be.” He details how becoming a father clarified his approach to stewardship, why he uses ceramics instead of oak, and how his commitment to regenerative agriculture meant choosing quality over yield — even in the face of disastrous vintages. We also go deep on the commercial fallout of success: why
podcast· 55:26· Ep 96Miami's Wine Boom: What the Industry Can Learn From America's Hottest Luxury Market
Pauline spent a few days in the Florida capital and sat down with key players. Here is what we learned about the incredibly dynamic, passionate, hungry and growing wine scene of a city that might change a thing or two for the future of fine wine.
podcast· 1h 04m· Ep 95NCNN ep5: How Demographics Shape Alcohol Consumption: In Conversation With Laurence Whyatt
Based in London, Laurence Whyatt is Head of European Beverages Research for Barclays Investment Bank, meaning that his job is to predict the future of alcohol consumption globally, so that companies can invest accordingly. Drawing from his latest multi-year analysis, How Demographics and Economics Shape Global Alcohol Consumption , we answer some of the world of wine's burning questions on Gen Z, the role of women in premiumisation and the impact of cannabis and Ozempic on alcohol sales. And if you want to know which markets represent the biggest opportunities for premium wine companies and why, stay tuned until the end of the episode. This podcast series is part of a larger Areni Global research project. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to our articles and publications: https://bit.ly/AreniNewsletter
podcast· 1h 11m· Ep 94Thriving Through Uncertainties: In Conversation with Lizzy Rudd
How should leaders prepare to succeed in an impossible-to-predict world? Elizabeth (Lizzy) Rudd is the Chair of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine merchant. Founded in 1698 at number 3 St James street in London, the company still occupies the same address 327 years later. But today, it offers more than 1,500 SKUs and stores more than 1.5 million cases of wine in a state-of-the-art warehouse in Hampshire. They also have offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, and sell to customers in more than 100 countries. After more than three centuries, there aren’t many changesthat Berry Bros & Rudd haven’t seen. The company has survived wars, riots,geopolitical turmoil, the Great Depression and more minor recessions. From their investment in regenerativeviticulture to the huge budget they allocate to digital transformation, Lizzy Rudd, the Chair, explains how the company is planning to thrive through yet another challenging time. Visit us at Areni Global to learn more about becoming a me
podcast· 42:25· Ep 93Rethinking Education: Shaping the Future of the Wine Trade
What does the wine trade need to become more profitable? At the very moment that everything is changing, it is important to take some time to evaluate professional wine education. Is it fit for purpose? How could a revised professional wine education answer some of our industry’s crucial issues? Pauline Vicard and Felicity Carter present Areni's latest whitepaper key findings, based on 18 months of research. They discuss: What needs to be on the curriculum to make the wine trade more profitable What remains core knowledge, but also what set of skills are missing from the curriculum The gap between what wine professionals love learning about and what they need to know, and how can this gap be bridged Who should offer this training Get access to the full publication HERE . Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to our articles and publications. About your hosts: Pauline Vicard is the co-founder and executive director of Areni Global, the leading organization dedicated to addressing th
podcast· 1h 20m· Ep 92NCNN Ep4: Breaking the (Young) Collector Code: in Conversation with Hamish Greening
How do you create a new generation of life-long wine collectors and enthusiasts? Hamish Greening knows how to find them and nurture them. Hamish is Private Client Specialist of Chelsea Vintners in London. And he’s built a clientele of under-40 wine drinkers who are happy to spend £400+ on a single bottle of wine. In this fourth episode of New Consumers, New Narratives, Hamish reveals: What turns someone from a wine drinker into a wine collector; How there are plenty of women who want to be included — but who need to be invited in; The role of social media in the buying decisions of the young, cashed-up and curious; Why trust needs to be earned in new ways; and Why dogs should be welcome at tastings Hamish has all the insights into what the under-40 fine wine drinker is looking for, whether they’re based in London, the USA or Singapore. This podcast series is part of a larger Areni Global research project. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to our articles and publications: https
podcast· 1h 12m· Ep 91NCNN Ep3 Cultivating Togetherness: In Conversation with Honore Comfort
What do zillenials want? What do they seek? How do they think about wine and what can the industry do about this? In this third episode of New Consumers, New Narratives, we meet Honore Comfort, the vice president of international marketing at the Wine institute, the collective body representing the Californian wine trade. In 2024, the wine institute commissioned a big study aiming to understand the minds of the zillenials – the clever contraction of Gen Z-at least the ones that are old enough to legally drink +millennials. While acknowledging that this cohort is diverse, the study focused on understanding the key points making this demographic so different from other age groups and how these differences impact the way they see – and think about wine. This podcast series is part of a larger Areni Global research project. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to our articles and publications: https://bit.ly/AreniNewsletter Consistent with its Code of Advertising Standards, Wine Insti
podcast· 54:12· Ep 90Why Moderation Is Still a Valid Concept: In Conversation With Jennifer Tujague
Western societies are currently re-examining their relationship with wine and alcohol. For the last couple of years, the “no-safe level of alcohol” narrative has come to the forefront, with headlines highlighting new studies leading to the conclusion that there is no alcohol consumption without health risks, deeply challenging our established understanding of moderation. So, has the science really changed, or is moderation still a valid concept? Jennifer Tujague is Chief Scientist at the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a position she has occupied since 2013. IARD is a membership organization gathering 13 of the world's largest producers of beers, wines and spirits coming together under around their shared objective of reducing harmful use of alcohol. She talked to Areni about the current research on alcohol, wine and health. Visit us at Areni Global to learn more about becoming a member and subscribe to our newsletter HERE . Follow Areni on Twitter, Instagram an
podcast· 1h 23m· Ep 89Trends, Worries and Opportunities 2025
What does 2025 have in store for the fine wine world? How are key players planning for this new year and where will they invest their time, and money? Felicity and Pauline caught up with six major wine personalities, to ask them what they see ahead in 2025. Here is what they discussed: · China: The impact of the country’s slow recovery and how the wine market has drastically changed in five years (with some very positive trends, we promise!) · Global: The geopolitical turmoil and taxes and tariffs, both in the USA and in the UK, and how companies are adapting · Consumption: The rapid decline of wine consumption — notably away from home — in major Western markets and the impact on the fine wine trade. Our experts also discuss the different steps they are taking to overcome these challenges. · Markets: How major players are investing in Brazil, South East Asia and new African markets, and what it takes to be successful in these fast-growing markets. · Styles: The “Burgundification” of fi
podcast· 1h 17m· Ep 88NCNN Ep2: Lose the Mystery, Keep the Magic: In Conversation with Sir John Hegarty
He's one of the advertising world's living legends, the man behind some of the most iconic campaigns ever devised. But Sir John Hegarty also owns a vineyard and is passionate about wine. What would it take for wine companies to come up with some really compelling ideas that would inspire a whole new generation of consumers to think about wine in a new, more attractive way? New Consumers, New Narratives is a podcast series produced by Areni Global, a think tank dedicated to the future of fine wine. Areni Global helps wineries, distributors and retailers to understand how the world is changing, and how that creates risks to be managed and opportunities to be seized. Visit us at Areni Global to learn more about becoming a member and subscribe to our newsletter HERE . Follow Areni on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin: @areniglobal
podcast· 1h 27m· Ep 87NCNN Ep1: The Luxury Strategies: In Conversation with Jean-Noël Kapferer
How do successful luxury brands engage with the young(er) consumers? In this first episode of our latest series New Consumers, New Narratives host Pauline Vicard delves into the topic of Luxury strategies with Jean-Noël Kapferer a world-renowned expert in luxury brand strategy. They discuss the levers of success for luxury and premium brands and explore how they manage to stay relevant and attractive to the new generations of consumers, whilst debating the unique position of wine in the global luxury segment. To pick up a copy of Jean-Nean-Noël Kapferer’s book L uxury Strateg y, just follow the link. New Consumers, New Narratives is a podcast series produced by Areni Global, a think tank dedicated to the future of fine wine. Areni Global helps wineries, distributors and retailers to understand how the world is changing, and how that creates risks to be managed and opportunities to be seized. Visit us at Areni Global to learn more about becoming a member and subscribe to our newsletter
podcast· 24:03· Ep 85Inside Norway's Fine Wine Market: In Conversation with Arnt Egil Nordlien
How is the secondary market organized in Norway? And why are Fine Wines so much cheaper there? And how long do people have to queue to buy a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti? In this episode, host Pauline Vicard sits down with Arnt Egil Nordlien , Product Manager of Fine Wine & Auctions at Vinmonopolet in Norway. Together they discuss the in’s and out’s of a very unique distribution system. How does Arnt choose what to buy at En Primeur week each year, and how are the wines imported? How does the Vinmonopolet system work? How are Fine Wines sold and what is the margin system? Tune in to learn more and of course do not forget to head over to the Inside La Place de Bordeaux series , where Pauline initially sought out Arnt to delve into the fascinating world of La Place de Bordeaux, a wine system shrouded in mystery, even to many people who work in fine wine. Vinmonopolet is Norway’s state control alcohol distribution platform, and Arnt Egil Nordlien personally selects Fine Wines to
podcast· 54:38· Ep 84ILPB- Ep7: The Future of La Place de Bordeaux
It started in Bordeaux but has since become a major force in global fine wine. What’s next for La Place de Bordeaux? In this final episode of Inside La Place de Bordeaux, hosts Felicity Carter and Pauline Vicard consider where La Place came from — and where it’s going. They talk to some of the world’s most insightful experts, and look into their own crystal balls, to predict what’s likely to happen next. · Can En Primeur stay in its current form, or will it transform into something else? · Will the market polarise further between the producers at the top and everybody else? · As climate change and better viticulture drive ever more excellent vintages, how will that transform the fine wine economy? · How will La Place upend the world of wine investment? For everyone involved in the fine wine trade, this is an episode not to be missed. With: Mathieu Chadronnier, Max Lalondrelle, Elin McCoy, Jane Anson. Inside la Place de Bordeaux is a seven-episode podcast series produced by Areni Global
podcast· 1h 01m· Ep 83ILPB- Ep6: A Brief History of the Place de Bordeaux
How old is La Place? How did the Bordelais create the most influential fine wine system in the world? Where did the 1855 Classification come from- and who decided? Did 1982 really change the fate of the Bordelais? In this sixth episode, hosts Felicity Carter and Pauline Vicard dive into the archives and talk to historians, to help them better understand the origins of La Place de Bordeaux. And what they find is unexpected. Whether it’s the hard-nosed commercial decisions, or the quest for tax deductions, or even the world of smuggling, they uncover the key moments that helped create the world of Bordeaux as we know it today. For everyone who loves wine and history, this is an episode not to be missed. With: Prof. Rod Phillips , Charles Leary PhD and Simon Tam . Inside la Place de Bordeaux is a seven-episode podcast series produced by Areni Global, a think tank dedicated to the future of fine wine. Areni Global helps wineries, distributors and retailers to understand how the world is ch