Wine Scholar Guild Podcasts

Our next Meeting of the Minds will cover the issues and challenges facing Bordeaux, France's largest AOC wine region and an area that drives the global fine wine market. Jane Anson, Bordeaux expert and author of the encyclopedic Inside Bordeaux (described as a 'category buster' by Jamie Goode and 'the most complete, up to date and scientifically accurate book on Bordeaux' by Imbibe magazine) will host the discussion. She will bring together one of the region's leading négociants (and organic winemaker at his home estate) Mathieu Chardonnier of CVBG-Dourthe-Kressmann (Compagnie des vins de Bordeaux et de Gironde), Smith Haut Lafitte's technical director Fabien Teitgen and wine educator Tanisha Townsend to debate new developments in viticulture and winemaking in the face of a changing climate, as well as looking out how the commerce and marketing of the region should take on the challenges of the next decade in the face of Covid, changing consumer behaviour and the challenges of selling En Primeur.

Award-winning author and Decanter Magazine columnist Jane Anson draws us deeper into the Bordeaux conversation and reveals what she discovered while working on her massive new book project, Inside Bordeaux, and what to expect when the book is launched in Spring 2020. Speaking of launching, Jane was fresh from the unveiling of the new Crus Bourgeois ranking system and explains how the new system works and the qualification process for the chateaux. We talk about other things in the works for the region, experimental grapes, and how tariffs and global warming play into Bordeaux’s future. Finally, Jane had the juicy details on the harvest immersion trip to Bordeaux that she is leading in October.

This episode is Part 2 of a conversation with Olivier Humbrecht, MW and Andrew Jefford about Alsace. The first part covered Olivier's journey to become France's first Master of Wine, as well as the history and vineyards of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. Part 2 picks up with Olivier's philosophy of non-interventionism and biodynamic principles and practices in the vineyard. In addition to Olivier's approach to farming and yield management, we discuss wine making techniques, pressing, long fermentations, and climate change.

This episode features a conversation with Andrew Jefford, of Decanter Magazine, and Wine Scholar Guild’s Academic Advisor, and Olivier Humbrecht, of Domaine Zind Humbrecht (Zind HUMbrescht) and Master of Wine. Done in two parts, this first half of the interview will first cover Olivier’s accomplished journey as France’s first Master of Wine, and the history and vineyards of the domaine. The second part will explore more thoroughly Olivier’s philosophy of noninterventionism and biodynamic principles and practices.

Katrin Naelapaa has been serving as Wines From Spain USA’s director since 2001. Born in Mexico City, and having studied in Madrid, Katrin was so deeply connected to the Spanish wine and food culture, she was fortunate to find a smooth transition to the wine world from her original career in International Banking. In this interview Katrin talks about how the Spanish wine scene, particularly in the United States, has changed significantly over the past two decades. Not only are more Spanish wines imported, but the vast variety of regional representations, as well as the integration of the food and cultural experiences, have created a stronger consumer interest in the genre. With this market growth came the need for more in-depth learning experiences with respect to Spanish wine. To answer that call, the Wine Scholar Guild has launched the Spanish Wine Scholar program. Katrin shares her excitement about this program, Wines From Spain’s involvement in its development, and why it’s important to both the wine professional and consumer.

Timothy Magnus, of Magnus Vinum in Zurich, is a Bourgogne Wines Official Ambassador, a Weinakademiker, and holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. He will be teaching the Wine Scholar Guild’s first ever Master-Level Intensive in Beaune in May 2020. His genuine passion for the appellations, crus, and communes, as well as appreciation for the differences between them, is a touchstone in his professional life as an educator and importer. While explaining strategies for choosing a Bourgogne wine for various budgets, Timothy explains how, “there’s life beyond Mersault and Puligny Montrachet” and why there’s a Fixin revival of sorts. Finally, we learn how the Beaune intensive is different from, as well as complimentary to, the Wine Scholar Guild’s current Bourgogne Master-Level online course. Timothy believes the fully immersive environment in the region, a combination of classroom, wine tasting, and walking the vineyards, makes the multi-dimensional learning experience key to understanding one of the world’s most complex wine regions. Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier is the first and only woman awarded both the Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the sommelier category, and the best sommelier in France. In this episode of the Wine Scholar Guild podcast she talks about the honor of winning MOF competition, Pét-Nats, wine making, blind tasting, the Loire, and much more. She also gives us a preview of the new Loire Master-Level course launching in Fall 2019.

Steven Spurrier, Consultant Editor for Decanter, joined the Wine Scholar Guild for a chat on his new Academie du Vin Library, named for France’s first private wine school that he opened in Paris in 1973. Through this venture he’s reviving classic pieces of wine literature from the past, bring them into the present for future enjoyment. In this interview he offers perspective on the cultural aspect of wine writing and the relationship of writing to not only learning about - but the enjoyment of - wine. The Academie du Vin Library will also be commissioning some new works by contemporary wine writers. He also shares some behind-the-scenes information on his Bride Valley Brut from his vines in Dorset. Being that he’s the mastermind behind the historic 1976 blind wine tasting that became known as the Judgement of Paris we had to ask: will there be a Judgement of Dorset?

Founder and President of the Wine Scholar Guild, Julien Camus, talks about the roots of the Wine Scholar Guild, running the organization from his home in Alsace. He also gives a peek at some exciting future projects. We don't often get to hear from Julien, so this is a rare opportunity to hear about the evolution of the Wine Scholar Guild and the creativity behind the scenes. Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Award-winning author and columnist for Decanter Magazine and World of Fine Wine Andrew Jefford has joined the Wine Scholar Guild team as Academic Advisor in addition to his existing roles as seminar and immersion trip leader. How do all these diverse roles compliment each other? In this episode of the Wine Scholar Guild podcast we are treated Andrew’s very personal perspectives on wine learning, wine writing, and why we must continually adjust the lens through which we view wine as we progress in our studies. This is a philosophical deep-dive into a variety of aspects of the business of wine and the human and technological influences. In addition to getting to know Andrew better, and what he has in common with Wine Scholar Guild students, this somewhat “decanted" episode previews the new Loire Master-Level program on deck for later this year. We sincerely hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Ciro Pirone is the Director of Italian Wines for Horizon Beverage Group and will be teaching the next online Italian Wine Scholar course beginning in January. In under 30 minutes Ciro gives us the fascinating history of Italian sparkling wine production, and discusses key points on the spumante wines of Alta Langa. We also learn about the main grapes and styles of Lambrusco, and learn important distinctions between Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Wine Scholar Guild's Education Director Lisa Airey speaks to events in the past that have shaped some of the regions. At the same time, she brings us up to date with newer developments in the Rhone and their impact on the wines. While some aspects of the region are immutable, such as the limestone soils, there are discernible changes in growing and winemaking that speak to a new era, as well as a return to the ancient, all in the name of holding on to the present and safeguarding the region's future. Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Decanter’s Andrew Jefford talks with us about Burgundy’s “Terroir Dreamland” or the Côte d’Or. We talk technical differences between the terms climat and lieu-dit, chat climate change, and ponder the potential impact of escalating property values on the future of the region. In addition to Decanter, Andrew writes for World of Fine Wine and Financial Times. He is also an esteemed webinar presenter for the Wine Scholar Guild and an immersion trip leader. Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Peter Liem talks with us about the progressive movement in Champagne. As we’ll discover in this conversation, there’s more to the terroir story than the chalk soils and the weather. Peter is one of the esteemed guest instructors of the Wine Scholar Guild's Champagne Master-Level program. He was the senior correspondent for Wine and Spirits, the Champagne consultant for the vaunted The World Atlas of Wine (7th Edition) by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson; publisher of the award-winning ChampagneGuide.net, and his latest book is the James Beard Award winning Champagne: The essential guide to the wine producers and terroirs of the iconic region. He splits his time between New York and Champagne. Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

In this episode, we are chatting with Rick Fisher, Spanish Wine Scholar Education Director, about Sherry styles and getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the forthcoming Spanish Wine Scholar Program.

Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS, is the Education Director for the Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) program. During an eight-day summer tour, he led a group of IWS educators through three of Italy’s northern wine producing regions, Trentino, Franciacorta and Lugana.

Mastering Bordeaux, a primer with Jane Anson and Andrew Jefford of Decanter Magazine. In this episode Jane, also a resident of Bordeaux, goes deep into the gravel and guides us through appellations, terroirs, and the En Primeur world. She also has some tips on discovering some gems beyond the Medoc. Finally, we're treated to a preview of the Bordeaux Master-Level program launching April 26th. All of this in about half an hour! Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Master of Wine Jane Hunt is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about Tuscany and its wines. Jane has a long, distinguished career in various aspects of the wine trade, and will be leading a Wine Scholar Guild immersion tour through some of the legendary Tuscan wine estates. “Wine is a liquid food,” she tells us, and it is an essential part of daily Italian life. Jane would know, as she spends half her year living in Italy, and she speaks fluent Italian. She also runs WSET courses in Italy as Director and Lecturer for the Wine Academy Italia. In this 35-minutes Italian wine learner’s go-to episode on Tuscany, Jane shares with Andrew her invaluable knowledge of – and passion for – great Italian wines as well as insights on the growers, grapes, and wine styles. Jae also offers an informative primer for the upcoming Tuscany Study Tour (May 27 - June 1, 2018). (Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS)

Christophe Tassan is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about the Rhône Valley and its wines. “I was born in the dining room, in hospitality,” Christophe tells us, which seems appropriate, as this interview took place in a San Francisco restaurant around the corner from The Battery, where he is currently the wine director. Born in Avignon, and having come of age alongside Rhône’s wine’s growing popularity over the last several decades, Christophe has literally mastered his craft. In 2004 he earned the distinction of Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Sommelier (MOF), France’s highest honor for sommeliers. This is a 43-minute conversation covering historical and cultural aspects of the Northern and Southern Rhône regions, and the styles. Christophe says, “It’s better to understand the wine when you see where it comes from” as he teases the upcoming Rhône Study Tour (June 17-22, 2018). Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford describes the diversity of the Languedoc-Roussillon region’s appellations, geography, and wine styles. Andrew is a Montpellier local, a webinar presenter for the guild, and an immersion trip leader. His enthusiasm for the region and its wines is as contagious as his expertise is vast. “You have to be a bit crazy” to make great wines in the Languedoc, Andrew tells us. However, brilliant wine making is certainly being done on a level that puts some of these wines in competition with premium priced offerings from more well-known regions. He also provides sage advice on sorting through the vast array of styles and producers for those must-find jewels. In less than 25 minutes, this interview provides a delightfully informative primer for the Languedoc-Roussillon wine study tour (October 14-19, 2018), where Andrew will be your trusty guide.