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The Diploma Podcast

by Anna Belani-Ellis, The Sommpour

Short, focused episodes that break down the toughest concepts in WSET Diploma–level learning, with conversations and reflections for those navigating the deeper layers of the wine world. thesommpour.substack.com

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 23, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. Diploma Flashcard #708: What are Rioja's principal strengths and challenges in maintaining quality and premium market positioning?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Diploma Flashcard #707: How do producer concentration and export markets influence Rioja's commercial performance?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Diploma Flashcard #706: How does Rioja's fragmented vineyard ownership influence its production and commercial structure?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Diploma Flashcard #705: What are the key requirements for Rioja's Viñedo Singular designation, and how can they support premium positioning?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Diploma Flashcard #704: How did Rioja's 2017 geographical labelling reforms expand opportunities for producers?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Diploma Flashcard #703: How do Rioja's Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva classifications influence wine style, quality and price?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Diploma Flashcard #702: How do Rioja's traditionally oxidative, long-aged white wines achieve outstanding quality and super-premium prices?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Diploma Flashcard #701: How have changes in winemaking influenced the style and quality of premium white Rioja?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  9. Diploma Flashcard #700: Why is blending grapes from different zones important to Rioja's wine production and quality?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  10. Diploma Flashcard #699: How have traditional and modern red Rioja winemaking approaches influenced wine style and market positioning?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  11. Diploma Flashcard #698: How do Rioja's other white grape varieties contribute to different wine styles?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  12. Diploma Flashcard #697: How does Viura's vineyard management influence the style, quality and price of white Rioja?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  13. Diploma Flashcard #696: What do Rioja's lesser-planted black grape varieties contribute to red wine blends?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  14. Diploma Flashcard #695: Why are Tempranillo and Garnacha suited to different parts of Rioja, and how does this influence blending?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  15. Diploma Flashcard #694: How do climate, altitude and soils differ across Rioja's three zones?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  16. Diploma Flashcard #693: How do mountains, altitude and the River Ebro create climatic diversity across Rioja?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  17. Diploma Flashcard #692: How does Castilla y León VT compare with the region's DOs in production scale and price positioning?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  18. Diploma Flashcard #691: How does Castilla y León VT provide flexibility for wine producers?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  19. Diploma Flashcard #690: What has driven Rueda's commercial growth, and what challenges does the region face?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  20. Diploma Flashcard #689: How do varietal labelling rules influence the positioning of Rueda wines?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  21. Diploma Flashcard #688: How do winemaking choices influence the style, quality and price of Rueda white wines?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  22. Diploma Flashcard #687: Why are VSP trellising and night harvesting increasingly important in Rueda?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  23. Diploma Flashcard #686: Why is Verdejo particularly well suited to Rueda, and what wine style does it produce?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  24. Diploma Flashcard #685: How do Rueda's climate and soils influence vine growth and wine style?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  25. Diploma Flashcard #684: What transformed Rueda from a producer of oxidative fortified wines into a successful white wine region?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  26. Diploma Flashcard #683: What drove Ribera del Duero’s rapid growth, and what challenges has this created?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  27. Diploma Flashcard #682: How are winemaking practices evolving for premium Ribera del Duero reds?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  28. Diploma Flashcard #681: What are the principal grape varieties and blending requirements in Ribera del Duero DO?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  29. Diploma Flashcard #680: How does vineyard site selection help producers manage ripening and vintage variation in Ribera del Duero?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  30. Diploma Flashcard #679: Why is frost a significant challenge for grape growing in Ribera del Duero?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  31. Diploma Flashcard #678: What factors have influenced investment and commercial development in Toro?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  32. Diploma Flashcard #677: How do winemaking choices influence the style and quality of Toro reds?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  33. Diploma Flashcard #676: How do Toro’s growing conditions influence red wine style and alcohol levels?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  34. Diploma Flashcard #675: Why has Toro retained so many old, ungrafted vines?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  35. Diploma Flashcard #674: How do growers in Toro manage limited water availability?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  36. Diploma Flashcard #673: Why does Tinta de Toro produce deeply colored, highly tannic red wines?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  37. Diploma Flashcard #672: How does Toro’s continental climate influence grape growing?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  38. Diploma Flashcard #671: How does Bierzo’s fragmented vineyard ownership influence production?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  39. Diploma Flashcard #670: How has Bierzo’s classification system increased the focus on vineyard origin?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  40. Diploma Flashcard #669: How does oak maturation influence premium Mencía from Bierzo?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  41. Diploma Flashcard #668: Why are Bierzo’s hillside vineyards associated with its most concentrated and expensive wines?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  42. Diploma Flashcard #667: Why do Bierzo’s plains and lower slopes tend to produce lighter, earlier-drinking Mencía?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  43. Diploma Flashcard #666: Why is harvest timing particularly important for Mencía in Bierzo?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  44. Diploma Flashcard #665: Why does Bierzo experience significant vintage variation?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  45. Diploma Flashcard #664: What transformed Bierzo’s reputation for quality and price?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  46. Diploma Flashcard #663: How does Monterrei’s inland location influence its wine styles?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  47. Diploma Flashcard #662: Why has Godello built a quality reputation in Valdeorras?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  48. Diploma Flashcard #661: What style of red wine does Mencía typically produce in Ribeira Sacra?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  49. Diploma Flashcard #660: How does Ribeira Sacra’s topography influence grape growing and wine production?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

  50. Diploma Flashcard #659: What defines white wine production in Ribeiro DO?

    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesommpour.substack.com/subscribe

About this show

Short, focused episodes that break down the toughest concepts in WSET Diploma–level learning, with conversations and reflections for those navigating the deeper layers of the wine world.

thesommpour.substack.com

Hosted by

Anna Belani-Ellis, The Sommpour

Categories

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does The Diploma Podcast have?

The Diploma Podcast has 827 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 22, 2026.

What is The Diploma Podcast about?

Short, focused episodes that break down the toughest concepts in WSET Diploma–level learning, with conversations and reflections for those navigating the deeper layers of the wine world. thesommpour.substack.com

How often does The Diploma Podcast release new episodes?

The Diploma Podcast publishes daily, based on its 827 episodes since December 2025.

Who hosts The Diploma Podcast?

The Diploma Podcast is created and hosted by Anna Belani-Ellis, The Sommpour.
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