The Chronicle
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96 results across all types
podcast· 51:44· S7E25Keep Calm and Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the wine world's most divisive grape varieties. On the one hand, it's hugely popular for its aromatic charm and upbeat appeal. And yet some people can't stand it, sommeliers actively steer their customers away from it and connoisseurs turn their noses up at, 'the gin and tonic of wine'. But is it possible that this is all just a bit, well, premature? That we're judging a grape variety that is only just starting to show us what its true potential really is? And that Sauvignon Blanc really is a grape variety capable of greatness?! To check the global temperature, we're privileged to be granted an audience with Château Margaux's Philippe Bascaules , South Africa's Duncan Savage , and UK Best Sommelier Maria Boumpa . What they have to say will raise more than a few eyebrows. (Including an unexpected scoop about top South African producer Eben Sadie...) We firmly believe it's time to rip up the established rule book when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, and open our mi
podcast· 1h 11m· S7E23Drop Stop: Wine's Big Water Issue
August 2025, a torrid Bordeaux summer: cue thunderbolt. Lafleur , one of Bordeaux's most acclaimed wines, sensationally quits the Pomerol and Bordeaux appellations. At the heart of the issue: water. Truth is, vines need water to survive and produce good wine. Not too much, nor too little. But climate change has thrown a giant spanner into the works - places that used to have just enough rain, now often aren't getting enough. And it's a particular issue in more traditional areas, like Bordeaux, where local appellation rules often forbid irrigation (or other things like mulching, reducing vine density or changing vine varieties). Hence Lafleur's decision. In this extended episode, we hear the full rationale from Lafleur as they release their 2025 wines, which benefitted from their unique 'soil water correction' technique. With Omri Ram we discuss the reality of climate change, why Lafleur is, 'changing to remain the same', how exactly they're irrigating, the key issue of where the water
podcast· 47:56· S7E22The Story of Stalin's Wine Cellar PART TWO
Meet John Baker , Sydney wine merchant turned Indiana Jones turned author of Stalin's Wine Cellar , one of the most eye-opening wine stories you're likely to hear. In the first part of this real-life account, John recounted how he'd got a tip-off about a mysterious wine cellar in Tbilisi, Georgia, apparently chock full of the greatest wines in the world, some more than a hundred years old. What's more, the cellar came with an astonishing story of provenance and ownership... It was, in short, a wine lover's fever dream. So of course John decided to investigate, soon finding himself in the wild west of wine: a world of cash and guns and enforcers and high-speed races through the streets of Tbilisi. Not to mention heart-rending breakages, the odd death threat - and unicorn wines aplenty. In this second and concluding part of this narrative two-parter, John grapples with Georgian agendas and threats while attempting to investigate the authenticity of the wines, including a trip to Chateau
podcast· 51:46· S7E21The Story of Stalin's Wine Cellar PART ONE
It's not every wine story that comes with lashings of guns and cash and enforcers and heart-rending breakages - plus the odd death threat. Not to mention unicorn wines aplenty. But this one does! Which is why it's a must-listen. John Baker was a Sydney wine merchant with a sideline in fine and rare wine when opportunity came knocking in the form of a mysterious wine cellar in Tbilisi, Georgia, apparently chock full of the greatest wines in the world, some more than a hundred years old. It was, in his words, 'a potential wine goldmine.' And that was even before you took into account the eye-opening story about where the wine had come from... What happens next is the subject of his best-selling book, Stalin's Wine Cellar . It's a fantastic story, full of intrigue and mystery and surprise and suspense. Not to mention the odd bit of nudity. John tells us the story in his own words, adding extra detail, context and humour, plus some exciting latest news. This is a narrative two-parter - the
podcast· 12:24· S7E20Greg Lambrecht UNCUT - Taster
SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT (short taster) : What makes a successful medical inventor develop a parallel life aiming to fundamentally change the way we drink wine? How does frustration + a needle + some spare argon = a business that's sold more than 2 million units and is involved in pouring a glass of wine every second of every day?! Welcome to the world of Coravin - and its inventor, Greg Lambrecht . This episode follows on from our previous show, where we touched on how Coravin is changing wine as we know it. But here we get to hear the full story from the horse's mouth. It's in turn fascinating and funny. A great human story of serendipity and determination. With plenty of useful tips, great anecdotes, and surprising detail. NB : This is a short taster of the full episode, which is available exclusively for Wine Blast PLUS subscribers. Use this link to find out more or subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS . Wine Blast PLUS subscribers also get a 15% discount on the Coravin website. Thank
podcast· 53:21· S7E19Giveaway EXTRAVAGANZA + Game-changer Coravin
In which we get over-excited by not only announcing the winners (and sharing the best entries) from our epic Wine Blast One Million Giveaway - but also by exploring the world of Coravin: a potential game-changer for wine. To understand just how Coravin is changing the world of wine, we're joined by Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht and Tiny Wine co-founder Harry Crowther . The implications are far-reaching. This leads neatly onto our big giveaway to celebrate topping one million unique downloads in 2025 - and for which the prizes include a Coravin Timeless 6+ (£400), a set of Jancis Robinson/Richard Brendon glasses and decanter (£408), an Academie du Vin Library book bundle (£270+), a case of grower champagnes from iDealwine (€400) and a year's subscription to Decanter (£183) plus VIP tickets to the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London (£310) or New York ($450). As well as announcing our five lucky winners drawn at random, we're also sharing the best entries we received - which range f
podcast· 14:04· S7E18Sam Neill UNCUT - Taster
SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT (short taster) - Sam Neill leads a double life. He's not Batman, or Bananaman. He's ConvivialWineChap (trademark pending). On the one hand, he's world-famous actor Sam Neill, acclaimed for his starring roles in Jurassic Park, Peaky Blinders, The Piano and all that jazz. On the other, he's proud proprietor of Two Paddocks Wine in Central Otago, New Zealand. And this isn't just wine cosplay, either. Sam lives and breathes wine, describing himself as a Pinot Noir 'obsessive'. What's more, his wines are some of the best in New Zealand - with four of his Pinot Noirs rating between 95 and 98 points in our New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026, and his Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2023 carrying off the prestigious Red Wine of the Year award. (Here's a link if you want to find out more about our New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 .) It hasn't been plain sailing for Sam of late, with a shock blood cancer diagnosis requiring urgent treatment. Typically, he made use of the t
podcast· 55:15· S7E17New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026
New Zealand wine stands at a fork in the road. One path leads towards corporate behemoths churning out industrial quantities of mass-market Sauvignon Blanc; the other features increasingly refined, site-specific wines across a range of styles that compete with the world's very best. Which will it be? In this New Zealand Wines of the Year feature, we take you behind the scenes after tasting hundreds of wines to get to grips with what's really going on in Kiwi wine. We highlight the best producers, what they're doing and why. And we throw more than a few big calls out there - for example, why New Zealand Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is currently getting our vote over Burgundy...and why fizz should be part of New Zealand's wine future. We're privileged to be joined by New Zealand wine royalty in the shape of Helen Masters (Ata Rangi), Matt Thomson (Blank Canvas), Matt Sutherland (Dog Point), Kevin Judd (Greywacke), Ed Donaldson (Pegasus Bay)...and part-time actor, full-time wine superstar Sa
podcast· 32:21· S7E16A Tribute to Peter Fraser
Peter Fraser, head winemaker and general manager at Yangarra Estate Vineyard in McLaren Vale, Australia, died in a house fire on 27th November 2025, aged 51. Peter was not only tremendously well respected, he was also tremendously well liked. As a person, he was affable, gentle, modest, genuine, ready with a laugh. As a professional, he was dedicated, conscientious and hugely talented. A champion of biodynamics and sensitive winemaking, Peter made wines of elegance, nuance and gravitas. They won a litany of awards and many fans. These bottles not only conveyed the brilliance and beauty of, for example, old-vine Blewitt Springs Grenache - they also brought joy, and a smile to the lips of countless wine lovers around the world. Through this personal and professional legacy, Peter was, and will remain, a pillar of the McLaren Vale community and landscape. He will be sorely missed. This is our tribute to Peter, which features an interview recorded with him on 24th October 2025. His words a
podcast· 58:27· S7E15McLaren Vale - The Grenaissance
Australia's McLaren Vale is a wine region undergoing a thrilling reinvention based largely around new-wave old-vine Grenache and a motley crew of eclectic grape varieties like Fiano, Falanghina, Mencia and even Saperavi. If you want to find out why these wines, 'play with your mind', 'suit the way we live' and should be considered, 'great wines of the world,' tune into this eye-opening second part of our McLaren Vale mini-series. You may even discover why these are wines with 'rizz'... Our informative and engaging guides to The Vale are Toby Bekkers, Stephen Pannell, Richard Leask, Andrew 'Ox' Hardy, Matthew Deller MW, Mary Hamilton, Giles Cooke MW, Elena Brooks, Drew Noon MW, David Gleave MW and Chester Osborn. Thanks to the McLaren Vale Wine Region for sponsoring this mini-series, which is dedicated to the memory of Peter Fraser. And thanks to you 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 all details fro
podcast· 57:29· S7E14McLaren Vale - Boxer to Ballerina (via Burlesque)
So what do a boxer, a ballerina and a burlesque dancer have in common? You're gonna have to listen to find out... We're very excited to be bringing you this mini-series on McLaren Vale, the historic South Australian wine region that's gone from identity crisis to full-on wine renaissance in just a few decades. It's a fascinating story, involving ancient vines, determined winemakers and a healthy appetite for reinvention. Joining us to bring McLaren Vale to life are Chester Osborn, David Gleave MW, Drew Noon MW, Elena Brooks, Giles Cooke MW, Mary Hamilton, Matthew Deller MW, Andrew 'Ox' Hardy, Richard Leask, Stephen Pannell and Toby Bekkers. Thanks to the McLaren Vale Wine Region for sponsoring this mini-series, which is dedicated to the memory of Peter Fraser. Don't miss the next installment! To get early access to new episodes, full archive access to our back catalogue and subscriber-only bonus content, plus exclusive discounts and giveaways, subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS at wineblast.
podcast· 1h 14m· S7E12Our BOOKS OF THE YEAR (2025) - Jesus, Cheese & Forbidden Soup
Books that caught our eye this year include Schott's Significa (yes, 'forbidden soup' is as grisly as it sounds), The Cheese Connoisseur's Handbook (yum) and Wine, Soil and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (biblical). This is a show of generous proportions. Partly to give you a chance for some extra listening indulgence. But also to allow us proper time to hear from best-selling author Ben Schott , 'the cheese lady' Svetlana Kukharchuk and priest and theologian Mark Scarlata . Believe us, you're going to want to hear what they have to say. So don't be a wet lettuce - pour yourself a glass and join us! As ever, you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E12 - Our BOOKS OF THE YEAR (2025) If you'd like more information on our giveaway, please visit our Wine Blast One Million Giveaway page . You may also find this link to our Speakpipe audio message service useful. To get early access to new episodes, full archive access to our b
podcast· 46:01· S7E11Our WINES OF THE YEAR (2025)
Treats galore in this show! Because not only are we announcing our stellar Wines of the Year, we're also launching a HUGE giveaway to celebrate Wine Blast topping ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS . It's a major milestone for the pod so we wanted to say thanks to you for making it possible. Up for grabs are prizes worth more than £1,000 - from a set of Jancis Robinson Original wine glasses and decanter to a Coravin Limited Edition Hermitage Timeless 6+ to a case of grower champagnes from iDealwine, books from Academie du Vin Library and an annual Decanter subscription plus VIP tickets to the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in either NYC or London. Wow!! More details, including what you have to do to enter, are in the show and also on our Wine Blast One Million Giveaway page . You may also find this link to our Speakpipe audio message service useful. Also in the show, we recap on the wine year that was, culminating in our Guess the Missing Word in the Wine Headline. We hear from you guys, answering th
podcast· 47:42· S7E10Rock and Rhône: from Côte-Rôtie to Cairanne via The Clash
What do Hermitage, The Sex Pistols, Tavel and Pink Floyd have in common? They all, ahem, featured at a particularly funky recent London tasting of top Rhône wine appellations, or Crus, aimed at reminding us how delicious and diverse these wines can be. And how fun, too. So join us as we explore the best wines of the Rhône Valley, from Côte-Rôtie to Condrieu via Vacqueyras and Vinsobres, discovering why they taste like they do, and how they're evolving and adapting for the future. Our expert guides are Rhône expert Matt Walls plus producers Marie Perret , François Miquel and Guillaume Boissonnet . We're also regaled with live music from Bristol four-piece Adult Leisure . Thanks to Côtes du Rhône Crus for sponsoring this episode and bringing the party to Wine Blast. As if we needed an excuse... And 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 all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for W
podcast· 52:33· S7E9Top of the Pops: Classic Fizz Beyond Champagne
We all know champagne - but what if you fancy a wine like champagne but maybe less pricey, more fruity or just different? The good news is: there's never been more choice, as production blossoms in regions as diverse as Serbia, China and India. Our stellar guide to the intriguing world of traditional-method sparkling wine beyond Champagne is Essi Avellan MW , one of the world's foremost fizz experts. Essi has just published a brilliant monograph, Sparkling Wines of the World , in conjunction with The International Wine & Food Society (IWFS). The IWFS is the world's longest-running food and wine society, founded in 1933 by André Simon. Nowadays it has more than 5,500 members across the globe, with regular get-togethers, tastings, tours and events. Do check them out! The IWFS are sponsors of this episode and are kindly offering our listeners 40% off the price of Essi's monograph, so £6 down from £9.99, until 31st December 2025. You can access that via the following link: Sparkling Wines
podcast· 41:54· S7E7The Story of The Billionaire's Vinegar - Part 2
We're in the middle of, 'the mystery of the world's most expensive bottle of wine.' We've seen the auction, met the protagonists, got a vivid taste for the heady wine-boom time of the 1980s and 90s...hell, the cork has even dramatically dropped out already (an appropriate metaphor if ever there was one). That's all in Part 1. Now we get stuck into the heart of our story. What were the doubts about this magical bottle of wine, and others like it? Who was this mysterious Hardy Rodenstock character really ? And how on earth might a dead frog, a dentist's drill, windscreen wipers, an 'egghead', and radioactive isotopes crop up in the plot?! Benjamin Wallace , author of The Billionaire's Vinegar , is our expert guide, also exploring the fall-out not just from his book (including his publisher being sued) but also the broader ramifications for the key characters and the wine world in general. We also have some final words from influential wine trade characters featured in the book, with thei
podcast· 35:03· S7E6The Story of The Billionaire's Vinegar - Part 1
Picture the scene. Christie's auction house, London, December 1985. A dapper auctioneer is expertly tantalising the stellar audience with a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite engraved with the initials of US founding father Thomas Jefferson. It duly becomes the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold, going for £105,000 ($156,000). But it's what happens next that is the really intriguing bit... Welcome to a new kind of narrative Wine Blast episode, where we're joined by best-selling author Benjamin Wallace , whose book The Billionaire's Vinegar is the inspiration for this compelling story. He brings to life the key protagonists, from Jefferson to Christie's auctioneer Michael Broadbent, US billionaire Bill Koch and German wine collector Hardy Rodenstock. All the while building the rich and eye-opening plot around what he calls, 'the mystery of the world's most expensive bottle of wine.' And as for how the 'vinegar' comes into the story...you'll just have to listen to find out. And in the ne
podcast· 51:43· S7E5SAN LEONARDO - The Insider's Guide
Fancy a story about warriors, monks, family strife, an undercover grape variety, risking financial ruin for stubbornly sticking to stylistic guns, and deliciously drinkable fine wine? Thought you might. So join us as we get a privileged glimpse into the San Leonardo wine estate in Italy's northern Trentino Valley, not far from Verona and Lake Garda. Our guides are estate co-owner and manager Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga , Master of Wine Alex Hunt , and a bunch of pretty tasty bottles. San Leonardo makes a number of wines, all refined and understated. But it's best known for its top red, a discreet yet complex blend of Cabernet, Carmenere and Merlot. Despite being dubbed, 'The Sassicaia of the north', it's tended to fly under the radar, remaining something of an insider's tip, meaning the wine hasn't shot up in price as much as many of its more vaunted SuperTuscan cousins. Along the way, we discuss bodybuilders, banana plantations, wine as 'an energy drink', aubergines, Teroldego, hoodwink
podcast· 49:16· S7E4Chile Wines of the Year 2025
We have awards! We have good eggs, hot rocks and jailbird vignerons! We even have acts of civilisation and love. Welcome to our Chile Wines of the Year 2025... Join us as we chat with stars of the Chilean wine firmament, talking wine treasures with Sebastián Labbé (Santa Rita), the tragedy of Syrah with Mariluz Marin (Casa Marin) and fortifying life goals with François Massoc (Atelier Massoc). We also learn about circular winemaking with good wine vibrations courtesy of Cristián Vallejo (VIK). Whatever Chilean wine is today, it's not dull. With our Chile Wines of the Year initiative, we want to let everyone know just how dynamic and intriguing modern Chilean wine is - a far cry from the dull staples we often see in shops and restaurants. Alongside this podcast episode, we're also publishing a free report on our website, where you can find the full lineup of spectacular wines we've personally selected this year. You can find it via this link: Susie & Peter's Chile Wines of the Year 2025
podcast· 34:46· S7E3The Jancis Robinson EXCLUSIVE - Part 2
Jancis Robinson is a wine superstar. But in this concluding episode of our two-part exclusive interview, we want to get behind the sparkling achievements and get to know Jancis in a personal as well as professional sense. The result is thought-provoking, funny and occasionally eye-opening. We kick off, somewhat unsportingly, by springing a quick-fire question round at Jancis before moving on to discuss everything from the Queen to influencers, negotiating with lawyers in a swimsuit, Cumbria, anorexia, regenerative viticulture, bottle weights, cans - and other hot potatoes. We also explore how she presciently set up her subscription-based website in 2000 then successfully sold it 21 years later. A rare commercial success in the world of wine... If you haven't caught the first instalment of this interview, please do check it out. You don't need to listen to that one, though, in order to enjoy this one. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a vo
podcast· 39:58· S7E2The Jancis Robinson EXCLUSIVE - Part 1
Jancis Robinson is without doubt the leading wine writer in the world today. But what's she really like behind the (highly) professional façade? Join us in this fascinating two-parter to meet the real Jancis: unfiltered, frank and sometimes really quite eye-opening... In this interview, we wanted to do something different from the many other profiles of this wine superstar. For instance, Jancis' wine scores are famously parsimonious, her reviews sometimes brutal (the best she could write about one wine was, 'it's wet'). So does she really enjoy drinking wine? What's she like when she's tipsy? How do her wine friends tease her? How did she cope when she lost her sense of smell and feared her career was over? Does she really think she's 'addicted' to the stuff?! Along the way, Jancis talks about what the perfect wine tasting note might be (it may surprise you); her horror of boring people about wine (and seeming 'bought'); and what she thinks the best value wines in the world are right n
- podcast· 5:17· S7E1
Season 7 Trailer - Subscriptions!
Ahead of Season Seven, we have an announcement! We're finally launching subscriptions - a very exciting moment as we aim to take Wine Blast to the next level and spread EVEN MORE wine love around. Subscribers to Wine Blast PLUS will receive Early Access to all episodes as well as Archive Access as our back catalogue becomes subscriber-only. We'll also be throwing in the occasional bonus episode just for subscribers. Those who join Wine Blast Plus will also be enabling Wine Blast to continue and grow. It takes an absurd amount of work to make the show happen, as loyal listeners will know, and it's just us. With your backing, we can start to think about more regular or new kinds of episodes to community features, video content and beyond. The sky's the limit! But we need your support to make it happen. To subscribe, follow this link to Wine Blast Plus . It's all very straightforward and there should be no change to your listening experience. We're also offering Early Birds a 15% discount
podcast· 54:16· S6E23There's Prosecco - and there's Conegliano Valdobbiadene
What's the difference between Prosecco - and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG? Why is Prosecco a 'democratic' wine?! And do you want to hear Peter change his mind??!! Tune in for all this and more, where we go on an intriguing journey of discovery into the UNESCO-endorsed, vine-clad hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene territory north of Venice. We ask why the wines made here are different from your average Prosecco, what is the Martinotti method that is so vital to production of these wines...and should we really be ageing our best Prosecco now?! Bringing this world to life for us are Diego Tomasi , former researcher turned director of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco consortium, and producer Sara Meneguz . We also taste through some of the region's top wines and issue our own verdict on the wines and the region. Mentions of the following occur along the way: Dolly Parton, hogback, Polaroids, heroic viticulture, Afghanistan, kiwi fruit, dinghies, aroma symphony, and
podcast· 52:54· S6E22Essex: Class in a Glass
English county Essex is better known for its brash behaviour (and certain reality TV shows) than its beautiful wines. But is all that about to change?! For long, Essex was England's best kept wine secret. The grapes were sold off to producers from Kent to Cornwall, which meant their Essex origin sailed under the radar. But then came the investment - both from ambitious local families and then, in 2023, from the highly regarded US wine producer Jackson Family Wines (JFW). Nowadays, some postcodes in Essex have the highest concentration of individual vineyards anywhere in the UK. Vineyard prices are not far off those in Marlborough, New Zealand. Essex has gone from zero to wine hero in the blink of an eye, with classy still (rather than sparkling) wines the forté, particularly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. So could Essex end up challenging the likes of Sancerre and Burgundy?! We get the lowdown from Charlie Holland , who's heading up JFW's ambitious English wine project, pl