Ep 169: Everything you need to know about Super Tuscan wines

Ep 179: Chateau Musar - The age ability of these icon wines (Part 2)

o download the transcript CLICK HERE

Welcome back to part 2 where we continue our discussion with Marc Hochar from the iconic Chateau Musar. In this episode, we shift our focus to the intriguing world of Chateau Musar's white wines. Marc enlightens us on the ancient grape varieties, Obaideh and Merwah, which form the backbone of these exceptional wines.

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind the longevity of Chateau Musar's whites. From discussing the optimal drinking window to cracking open a bottle of the exquisite 2017 Chateau Musar White, there's plenty to discover and savor.

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

02.17: Diving deeper into the aging of wines

04.11: Chateau Musar reds of the 1950s

11.57: Experience with Blends and blind tasting

14.30: Opening the Chateau Musar white 2017 £36 The Wine Society £36.20 Vinvm

16.47: Flavour profile ands tasting notes

20.00: Reds Vs Whites as they age

23.08: The Chateau Musar Rosé - a blend of Obaideh and Merwah

31.34: The ancient grape varieties of Obaideh and Merwah

36.23: Food Pairings and tasting notes

40.20: The future of Chateau wines

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Ep 178: Chateau Musar: The Icon Wines of Lebanon (Part 1)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

Welcome back! On today's episode, Join us as we venture into the saga of perseverance in winemaking, set against the tumultuous backdrop of 15/16 years of civil unrest. We uncover the fascinating narrative behind Chateau Musar, the revered wine of the Middle East. Our esteemed guest, Marc Hochar, from the family behind this iconic label, graciously shares their remarkable tales.

We'll delve into the legacy of Serge Hochar (Marc’s late father), a driving force behind Chateau Musar, whose unparalleled dedication earned him the prestigious title of Decanter Man of the Year. Together, we'll traverse the landscapes of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, examining the intricate dance between climate, altitude, and organic viticulture, all shaping the unique essence of these wines.

As we sip on the 2016 Chateau Musar Red, we'll explore the nuances of volatile acidity, wild yeast, and low sulfur, delving into the winemaking philosophies that infuse each bottle with character.

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

02.27: The Mzar castle in the Historic village of Ghazir, Beirut

05.17: Toughest points of Chateau Musar’s History: Wine & War

11.34: Marc’s Grandfather: Gaston - the man who started it all

16.02: A bottle of Chateau Musar’s trip to Antarctica

17.58: Identifying Chateau Musar in a blind tasting

19.55: Characteristics of Chateau Musar

21.50: Volatile Acidity in wine and how it enhances Chateau Musar

25.29: The Winemaking process

27.53: Discussing the age potential of these wines and tasting Chateau Musar Red 2016 £31.90 Noble Grape £34.95 The Worsley Fine Wines

29.27: Discussing emotion in wine instead of fruit

31.40: Organic viticulture in the vineyards

39.49: Climate and terroir in Bekaa Valley

36.37: Bush vines and yields

40.55: Discussing the differences between the reds and tasting Hochar Pere Et Fils 2020 £23.55 Field & Fawcett £26.95 Secret Bottle Shop

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Ep 177: Native white grapes of Spain (Part 1)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

In this really fun episode (or at least it was for me to record) we are going to dig deeper into the rich tapestry of Spain's indigenous white grape varieties. After a request for an episode on the white grapes of Spain, followed by Decanter magazine's February edition, spotlighting Spain's vibrant wine scene, I explore the nuances of some of Spain’s most interesting native whites, curated from their top scoring whites featured in the publication.

With over a hundred native grape varieties, this episode is zoning in on the lesser-known gems of Xarel·lo, Airén, Treixadura, Albillo Real, Hondarrabi Zuri, and Vijariego Blanco. And along the way, you will also discover the wine regions that they come from. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the essence of Spain's white wine heritage, the nation’s evolving viticultural landscape and the experimentation happening within. Enjoy!

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

4.35: Xarel·lo

Tasting The Vins Pepe Raventós, Xarel·lo Vinya del Noguer Alt 2021 £32 -34 Hedonism or Shrine to the Vine

9.35: Airén

Tasting Bodegas Garcia De Lara, Finca Villalobillos Pie Franco Airén 2019 £17.95 Drinksmith

13.35: Treixadura

Tasting Adegas Pazo do Mar the Torre do Olivar Treixadura 2021 £14.99 Strictly Wines

17.00: Albillo Real

Tasting Las Pedreras, Linarejos Vino Blanco de Assemblage 2022 £37 Salisbury Wine Store

22.31: Hondarrabi Zuri

Tasting Hiruzta Txakolina 2023 £18 Strictly Wines and Wine Republic

27.50: Vijariego Blanco

Tasting Viñátigo, Vijariego Blanco 2022 £28 Hic Wine Merchants and Strictly Wines

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Ep 176: Regenerative Viticulture with Wendy Outhwaite, Co-Founder and Winemaker at Ambriel (Part 2)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

In part two of our discussion on regenerative viticulture, we're joined by a special guest, Wendy Outhwaite, co-founder of Ambriel nestled in the picturesque West Sussex countryside of England. Wendy, who transitioned from a career as a barrister to cultivating vineyards alongside her husband Charles, shares her personal journey of discovering the profound importance of land and soil stewardship.

Today Wendy recounts her experiences, from the initial experiment with geese in the vineyards to embracing alternative methods such as biological controls over harmful chemicals like insecticides and pesticides. Discover the surprising role dandelions and wildflowers play in nurturing vineyards and fostering biodiversity.

We'll delve into the nitty-gritty of vineyard management, exploring the nuances between tilling and hoeing, and gaining insights into what truly defines regenerative viticulture from Wendy's perspective. So, grab a glass of your favorite wine and join us for an enlightening conversation on sustainable winemaking practices and the journey towards a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem.

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

02.24: From lawyer to Winemaker

06.52: Healthier soil with regenerative farming

09.16: Hoeing and tilling

13.05: Wildflowers and their contributions

17.36: Planting more trees

20.22: Weeding with Geese

24.10: What is a mulch?

26.00: Vermiculture - Earthworms

33.34: Challenges of regenerative viticulture

35.17: Wine tasting - Blanc de Noirs 2016 £36.99

43.47: Ambiel’s Demi-Sec

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Ep 175: Regenerative Viticulture with Justin Howard-Sneyd MW (Part 1)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

In todays’ episode, join me as I chat with Justin Howard-Sneyd, a distinguished Master of Wine, wine consultant, and owner of the Domaine of the Bee winery in Roussillon. More importantly, Justin is a trustee of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, where he's been leading two-day courses in regenerative viticulture across the UK for the past two years.

Justin walks us through the essentials of regenerative farming, distinguishing it from organic practices and biodynamics. We'll explore the certification process in this field and dive into the debated topic of whether to till or not. The crux of these decisions lies in maximizing soil health.

Discover fascinating insights into the importance of healthy soils. Did you know that the soils in the UK alone can sequester a staggering 10 billion tonnes of carbon annually? That's equivalent to one year's worth of global human emissions! The detrimental effects of practices like tilling and heavy pesticide use on soil's carbon storage capacity highlight the urgent need for viticulturists to adopt regenerative methods.

This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.

If you want to skip ahead:

03.40: How Justin got into teaching Regenerative farming

08.54: The pros and cons of Tilling

12.05: The many people plough and believe it to be a positive

15.15: Toxicity of copper

17.23: Using different mulches such as sheep fleece

20.27: Work principles of regenerative farming

24.39: Regenerative certifications

30.26: Applied biodynamic practices

32.15: Soil health and resilience

33.32: Justin’s intro into Regenerative Viticulture

Do go to https://www.regenerativeviticulture.org/ to sign up to their mailing letters to find out about all events and news

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

------------------------------------------------

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.