The Wine Conversation

In our latest series of “Great Wine Lives” John Stimpfig talks to Rajeev Samant of Sula Vineyards, the man who is the founder of India’s wine industry. Listen to his amazing story of how he discovered wine as an undergraduate in California, and on returning home to India for a family wedding persuaded his father not to sell a plot of land, as it reminded him of California. From roses and tomatoes to deciding to plant vitis vinifera, today Sula Vineyards is India’s premier and largest wine producer, selling over a million cases, 98% of which are domestically sold. From battles with bureaucrats, setbacks with Covid, Financial Crisis and terrorism hitting tourism, Rajeev has overcome all obstacles and introduced a nation to the joys of wine, a novelty as 99% of Indians have never tasted wine. Don’t miss a remarkable and uplifting story of the birth of a new wine region.More information at wine-conversation.com

Join us for a brand new series of 10-Minute Masterclasses. We are thrilled that David Gleave MW, renowned Italian expert, will be sharing his extraordinary knowledge and insights on Italian wine. First we head to Tuscany for a deep dive into Chianti Classico. Discover its history, terroir,  its best producers and David’s tips on which young producers to look out for. Bellissimo!Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

Join world-expert Jasper Morris MW, author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy and the brilliant website www.insideburgundy.com,  for his latest 10-minute Burgundy masterclass.  This month he is looking at the wines of the Mâconnais. Find out about its terroir, the different styles produced in the Mâconnais, the producers to look out for, and his great insider tip.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

Listen in to this month’s Omnibus for all the latest wine news and views from around the world. Who were the winners and losers in the Bordeaux 2023 campaign? Which major US vineyard has been sold and to whom? Which wine regions have suffered from floods, hail and drought and what does that mean for this year’s harvest? Plus Elin McCoy travels to Bordeaux and discusses the new projects including the planting of a vineyard of the future. Plus John Stimpfig on weather watch and much, much more.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

The Australian Ark is one of the most important wine books to have been published not just this year, but any year. Jane Anson talks to its author Andrew Caillard MW, who spent 18 years researching it. Listen in to hear about his incredible life and how he came to write this magnum opus. Unmissable.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Sacha Lichine, the “godfather of rosé” talks to Jane Anson for our series “Great Wine Lives”. Son of Alexis Lichine, one of the most prominent 20th century wine figures, Sacha grew up at Château Prieuré-Lichine in Bordeaux, and drove tractors before he could drive. He talks about how he came to move to Provence, working with Patrick Leon, the previous Technical Director of Château Mouton Rothschild, and setting out to make a serious rosé. Today Whispering Angel is a phenomenal success, loved by celebrities, including Adele, who famously said it was the first thing she wanted to buy along with tomato ketchup after lockdown. Listen in to hear his fascinating story.More information at wine-conversation.com

Sebastián Labbé, Chief Winemaker for Santa Rita premium wines, talks about the 2024 harvest in Chile. Find out which regions he believed were outstanding, and why he is a fan of Carménère, which he is picking earlier and fine-tuning for more freshness. 21 minutes to get up-to-speed with 2024 Chile, courtesy of our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Estates.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

Join us for a 10-minute masterclass on understanding the Burgundy trade with leading Burgundy authority Jasper Morris MW, author of the award-winning book “Inside Burgundy”. Discover how the system works, the role of domaines, negociants and co-operatives, and importantly where Jasper believes you can still find value.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

The German Air Force’s 1943 map of the Medoc was used to create the base material for the Bordeaux Wine Atlas map. One of the fascinating facts in a special podcast on how wine maps are created with wine map guru Chris Foulkes. Chris has arguably more experience in creating wine maps than anyone. He oversaw the 3rd edition of the World Atlas of Wine, published the Bordeaux Atlas and recently Inside Burgundy by Jasper Morris MW and Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson. Listen in to hear his stories about the challenges he faced in creating the maps, how before Google Earth he employed a young man with a bicycle to travel around the Medoc to check estate boundaries, the deliberate errors inserted to avoid copyright theft, and much more. His latest venture is publishing a special edition print of Jane Anson’s map which for the first time shows the terroir and the position of the chateau, recently launched on her site www.janeanson.com. You will never look at a wine map in the same way again!Find out more at wine-conversation.com

As Jane Anson finishes her report on the 2023 Bordeaux vintage she talks to Sarah Kemp about her impressions after tasting over 800 wines. She advises which appellations did well, how it compares to previous vintages, and names the châteaux she believes will offer value for money. Find out which wine she would buy, money no object, and why. Sarah was delighted. Jane’s report is released on May 2nd and she is offering a 10% discount during En Primeur. Listen in to get up-to-speed with a vintage Bordeaux lovers will love.Find out more at wine-conversation.com