sp#12 - caroline gilby mw: bulgaria, croatia and eastern europe's wine renaissance

news this week doens't get too political, but does briefly cover the wine industry, tracking a slight decrease in hospitality insolvencies alongside the evolving landscape of english still wines at the winegb awards. our guest is master of wine caroline gilby, who joins the conversation to look at the historical trajectory, post-communist evolution, and marketability of central and eastern european indigenous varieties. we also travel north of santiago with concha y toro's marcello papa to quickly chat through the viticultural dynamics, water constraints, and golf handicaps that define premium chardonnay and pinot noir production in the limarí valley. caroline gilby mw joins us for a chat about the post-communist quality revolution and native grape varieties of central and eastern europe.a look at why declining hospitality insolvencies and shifting english still wine trends matter for the trade..marcelo papa joins us for a chat about golf and pacific breezes in the desert vineyards of limarí.*******00:00 – introduction and recording during english wine week01:08 – trade news: hospitality insolvencies, winegb awards, the rise of english still wines, and sir ian botham's latest english wine collaboration05:13 – interview with caroline gilby mw: from horticultural scientist to master of wine and eastern europe specialist09:26 – why eastern european wines disappeared from the uk and how gilby became the region's leading authority11:30 – indigenous grape varieties, pronunciation challenges and selling eastern european wines in the uk14:49 – tourism, rising quality, decanter judging and the future of central and eastern european wine18:24 – slovenia, bulgaria and why elegant, terroir-driven wines are reshaping perceptions of the region21:33 – life outside wine, mountain running and gilby's apocalypse wine choice24:09 – interview with marcelo papa: making world-class chardonnay on the edge of the atacama desert25:35 – limarí's climate, water management and why the region is built around chardonnay and pinot noir29:16 – tasting viña amelia quebrada seca chardonnay and discussing its mineral, saline style30:53 – reflections on the interviews, mw specialisms and english wine week32:43 – listener feedback, english wine recommendations and closing remarks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit secondpresspodcast.substack.com