Ep 168: The Regions of the Southern Rhône with Stage 2 MW student Anna Spooner (Part 2)

Ep 181: The Wines of the Douro Valley with Anne Mchale MW (Part 2)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

Welcome back to part two with Anne McHale, Master of Wine. In this episode, we shift our focus from Alsace to the Douro region in Portugal. Anne shares her memorable experience of treading grapes in the Douro, highlighting the historical significance of traditional foot treading in port wine production and comparing it to modern mechanical methods.

We'll explore the primary red grapes used in port production: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Cão, and Tinta Barroca. Additionally, we'll discuss the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Douro, with its steep, vineyard-covered slopes visible (something we should all be experiencing from a cruise boat along the River Douro).

We dig deeper into the unique vineyard planting methods: the traditional stone-wall terraces called Socalcos, the 1980s earth-bank Patamares, and the vertical plantings known as Vinha ao Alto. And even the oldest stone walls, Pilheiros, believed to be 400 years old.

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:

2.45: The different techniques used to build the unique terraces of the Douro region

06.01: Treading grapes at Quinta do Vesuvio

10.55: The €500 per-person experience at Quinta do Vesuvio

11.44: Douro - A UNESCO World Heritage site

13.30: Advantages & disadvantages of Treading traditionally vs mechanically

16.35: Best places for premium wines - Douro superior & Cima Corgo, and the climatic changes throughout region

17.40: Understanding these geographical concepts in preparation for the diploma questions

18.57: The schist and granite soils

20.45: Questions surrounding the Touriga Nacional variety - the D5 Fortified Exam and how to remember the descriptions of each grape variety in the typical blend

25.32: Anne’s experience staying in the Grahams’ Quinta - Quinta Dos Malvedos

26.20: Douro: The third oldest demarcated wine region in Europe

29.56: Syminton Family Estates

30.30: Wine Estate recommendations in the Douros

33.58: Three Therapy - a comprehensive guide on how to study for the Level 3 WSET

And don’t forget if you want to know more about Anne’s incredible Diplomatherapy you can click HERE to get weekly emails to help you with your diploma. Or if you want to explore more of what Anne has to offer Diploma related, click HERE.

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 180: Latest Discoveries of the Wines of Alsace with Anne Mchale MW (Part 1)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE

Hello, wine friends! In this episode, we journey into the Alsace wine region with the brilliant Anne Mchale, Master of Wine, and independent wine consultant and educator based in London. Anne's expertise spans across wine list design, corporate and private tastings, and innovative educational programs like her renowned course for WSET diploma students - Diplomatherapy

Sign up here:

https://annemchale.com/diplomatherapy-2024-registration/

Or get email updates:

https://annemchale.com/diploma-emails/

We'll explore the unique terroir of Alsace, its Grand Cru sites, and compare Riesling's distinct style with other renowned wine regions. Anne shares insights from her recent trip, highlighting hidden gems like the Sylvaner grape, dubbed the Cinderella grape, and the region's exciting focus on Pinot Noir.

Anne also provides invaluable tips for those studying for the challenging D3 exam.

Don't miss Anne's recommendations for top Alsace producers and must-visit places. Plus, discover the fantastic Crémants d'Alsace, a great alternative to champagne.

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:

05.08: How learning to speech French allowed Anne to fall into the world of wine

09.56: A wine memory at Pontet-Canet in Bordeaux who focus on biodynamic viticulture

11.48: Alsacian winemakers working more organically and biodynamically due to climate

14.20: Diplomatherapy - Anne’s membership programme to help you pass your WSET diploma

16.45: How to answer a typical D3 question: “Describe the unique terroir of Alsace and how it influences the characteristics of the wines produced there”

18.32: The climate during growing season in Alsace, the diurnal range in Grand Crus, and the cool climate

21.51: The 4 noble grape varieties of Alsace and increased plantings of Pinot Noir

24.37: The 51 Grand Crus, and the two to now permit Pinot Noir

26.45: Riesling in Alsace, compared to other regions and the change in labelling for dry Riesling

30.54: Common occurrence of petrol notes in aged Rieslings, and how they aren’t typical of Alsace

33.15: Tasting a Vendange Tardive Gewürztraminer 1953

38.27: Traveling tips for going to Alsace

42.36: Sylvaner -”The Cinderella Grape”

44.45: The Alsace Cru Terroir group and recommended producers to try

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 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.