Wine Blast PLUS with Susie and Peter

NB: This is archive material first released October 2021 and re-published here as a teaser for Wine Blast Season Three, which is available in full to you, our lovely Wine Blast PLUS subscribers!Did you know Bordeaux used to be mainly white, not red wine? And that there's a universe of delicious diversity (and great value) to be discovered among the dry and sweet whites of Bordeaux (not forgetting the fizz)?This is the second part in our mini-series in association with the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) and we dive headlong into the fascinating world of white Bordeaux. We talk to the brilliant Laure de Lambert Compeyrot of Chateau Sigalas Rabaud as well as 'renegade' winemaker Olivier Cazenave of Chateau de Bel. Bordeaux expert Jane Anson also makes a cameo appearance.The episode also features the ULTIMATE breakfast cocktail (involving Sauternes and blood orange), masochism, robots, 'heavy metal' orange wine, the 2021 vintage, earthworms the size of snakes, rescuing Muscadelle, loving 'the game' and some amazing value wine tips. By way of bonus, both Susie and Peter break into what might be loosely described as 'song' at different moments.Wine Blast Season 3 Episode 4 (originally published 22 Oct 2021)

NB: This is archive material first released July 2021 and re-published here as a teaser for Wine Blast Season Two, which is available in full to you, our lovely Wine Blast PLUS subscribers. Cheers!Goats, amphorae, Whatsapp, wine aged in space, terroir, bats, non-fungible tokens and sexual confusion all crop up as we look beyond the Bordeaux stereotypes in a sponsored episode with the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB). Sharing their expert views with us on the latest goings-on in the region are Bordeaux-based writer and critic Jane Anson (author of Inside Bordeaux) and Yann Todeschini of Château Mangot in St Emilion. We discuss everything from sales to sustainability via soils, biodynamics, biodiversity (including why Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Lafite are ripping up vines to plant trees), orange wine, en primeur, the 2019 vs the 2020 vintage and experimental new grape varieties. And there are plenty of top tips along the way for wines and producers that challenge preconceptions. Wine Blast Season 2 Episode 19 (originally published 2 July 2021)

Bordeaux is a famous wine region currently beset by woes. The question is: where does it go from here? How can it harness its historic legacy and fighting spirit to get beyond the current crisis?!One man who has answers is Laurent David of Château Edmus. A former Apple chief (who launched the iphone into Europe), he's not afraid to ruffle feathers in the ultra-traditional Saint-Emilion neighbourhood, making de-alcoholised 'Grand Cru' (and gin with the offcuts), chillable 'claret' red and a wine 'for geeks'.Laurent declares the en primeur system 'dead meat', and has adopted a wine club/direct sales model, inspired by Napa and Burgundy. He says Bordeaux producers need to be 'obsessive' about not only the product but also their customers. 'Wine has a mission in 2026/7', he declares: 'to reconnect people in real life.'This is the second and concluding episode in our Bordeaux mini-series, in which we say what we think Bordeaux needs to do to reinvent itself (Susie even comes up with an alternative name suggestion for the contentious new 'claret' category...) Thanks for tuning in - and thanks for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Instagram: @susieandpeter

NB: this episode contains sensitive material, given we discuss suicide - see the links on our website show notes for help and more.Bordeaux is one of the most famous names in wine. Yet this jewel in the French wine crown has been having a wretched time of late, afflicted by a whole bunch of problems, from rampaging wildfires to plummeting consumption, land prices tanking, production plunging and general climate change chaos.It's being described as the worst crisis for Bordeaux since phylloxera and the Great Depression - so no wonder producers are feeling the pressure, in some cases with tragic outcomes.Bordeaux's proud vineyard is being severely pruned - down from 109,000 hectares in 2023 to 86,000 hectares in 2026, a severe contraction of more than 20% in just three frantic years. Olives, goji berries and apples are replacing vines.'The landscape of Bordeaux is changing,' notes respected Bordeaux-based writer Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre, who has some eye-opening details to share in this episode about all these issues and more.We also discuss how Bordeaux is responding to this crisis, including topics like the controversial new 'Bordeaux Claret' category, surprising innovations on the production front and wine tourism, in a concerted effort to craft a brighter future.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Instagram: @susieandpeter

Welcome back to Wine Blast! This short trailer ahead of Season 8 is a recap on what's been going on lately, and also what's coming up. It even features Dolly Parton and an apology - so well worth a few minutes of your time.We touch on our brand refresh (hope you like it!), archive tasters, our back catalogue (187 episodes to date, with 76 now subscriber-only), and plans to enhance the Wine Blast PLUS subscription club. Coming up in Season 8 we're exploring Bordeaux, the importance of your palate, the invention of champagne, NOLO wine, the future of classic grape varieties, chillable reds and Britain’s Best Wine Visits. And that’s just for starters! It’s going to be an absolute blast and we can't wait to share all the fun with you.Thanks for spending time with us, we really appreciate your time and support. Here's to you - and to wine. Cheers!THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Instagram: @susieandpeter

Wine travel is a BIG THING right now. Everyone's at it. Wine tourism typically accounts for around a quarter of your average winery's revenue these days. It's predicted to generate US$138 billion by 2033. One producer says it's going to 'save' wine. People are excited - and intrigued. So what's the story?This episode is your inside steer on how to do wine travel right. First things first: where best to go, from headliners like Napa, Douro, Stellenbosch and Rioja to lesser-known gems like Slovenia, Elqui and Aosta.And then there are questions like: how to wangle your way into iconic producers who aren't normally open to the public? How to avoid falling asleep in your soup or falling out with your travelling companions? What are the best wine festivals and events? What's the proper visiting etiquette and wardrobe?!Providing fascinating answers and all kind of useful tips and insights is wine travel guru Cindy-Marie Harvey (of Love Wine Food). We throw our two cents into the pot, plus we seek advice from an anonymous source inside an 'iconic' wine producer. Cloak and dagger!This is our Season 7 finale. We appreciate you tuning in. THANK YOU also for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We love to hear from you (including, for example, with your suggestions of top wine travel destinations or events) so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. You can find all details from this episode, including thought-provoking listings of wine destinations and events, not to mention Susie's 'How To' video on spitting, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E34 - Wine Travel: The Inside SteerInstagram: @susieandpeter

Stalin's Wine Cellar has been found...Wine seems to be better for you than other booze (including at keeping men looking young)...Gen Z aren't shunning alcohol, as feared...Why GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are bad news for wine...And how Joan of Arc may have enjoyed a cheeky taste of Pinot Noir.We discuss all this and more in our regular news recap - as well as engaging in our usual Guess the Missing Word in the Wine Headline tomfoolery.We also give a short tribute to Sam Neill: outstanding actor, brilliant wine grower, and wonderful human being who will be much missed.Also in this episode is an update on English and Welsh wine, given we're fresh from co-chairing the WineGB Awards 2026, so full of insights and top wine tips after tasting some 380 UK wines blind. We highlight some of our favourites from the tasting, especially those majoring on good value for money (NB: not the same thing as cheap). THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including a full list of wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E33 - News + GB Wine Update & TipsInstagram: @susieandpeter

Pays d'Oc wine was created in response to a French wine crisis in the mid-20th century - fast forward half a century and another crisis is facing the world of wine. So can the innovative, forward-thinking, 'iconoclastic' spirit that's at the heart of the Pays d'Oc category help not only French wine but also the wider wine world?!That's what we're exploring in this second and concluding part of our Pays d'Oc mini-series, hearing from leading local producers like Maison Le Breton, Domaine Gayda, Ricardelle de Lautrec and Domaine de Sauzet. We're talking things like agroforestry, ancestral varieties, light-weighting, chillable reds, PIWIs, wine tourism, funky blends, lower alcohol wine - and the importance of fun. We even meet a handsome rooster along the way...Thanks to Pays d'Oc IGP for sponsoring this mini-series and thanks to you for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including links, recommendations and photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E32 - Pays d'Oc Part 2: Future ProofingInstagram: @susieandpeter

We're on the road again. This time, diving into Pays d'Oc IGP - we're talking scenic southern France, and a little-known but intriguing origin story involving California, Algeria, violence, desperation, stubborn visionaries...and victory rescued from the jaws of defeat. Oh, and 'Liberté!'Helping us paint the picture are Jacques Gravegeal (an exclusive interview, rare for an English language show), Olivier Simonou and Gerard Bertrand. Fascinating people, all with a unique story to tell. From a standing start in 1987, Pays d'Oc IGP now sells around 21 bottles every second across 170+ countries. It's a stunning (and rare) vinous success story, and one that's transformed the fortunes not just of an entire region, but also a national treasure in the shape of French wine. In this programme, we get to grips with how it all came about, the challenges involved in making it happen, and the exciting recent developments for a category where innovation 'is in the DNA'. Thanks to Pays d'Oc IGP for sponsoring and giving us unique behind-the-scenes access.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including links, maps and photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E31 - Pays d'Oc Part 1: Land of the FreeInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER BONUS EPISODE: 27 wines - 18 top tasters - an epic blind tasting featuring just one grape: Chardonnay. From all around the world - Grand Cru Burgundy to vintage champagne via Western Australia, Sonoma County and even Japan.Who would be the big winners? And, more importantly, why?!That's what we're getting into in this intriguing subscriber-only bonus episode on The Greatest Chardonnay Showdown blind tasting at the London Wine Fair 2026. We were both privileged to be part of the stellar judging panel - so what were our considered thoughts, did we agree with the overall results...and did we even agree with each other?!Seasoned listeners may already have an instinct where this one is heading...suffice it to say there are opinions aplenty, some consensus but also a fair amount of healthy disagreement. Ultimately, hopefully, it all makes for an informative and thought-provoking episode about one of our (and the world's) favourite grape varieties.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in.We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Especially if you have something to say on this contentious topic. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos and a full wine listing, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E30 - The Greatest Chardonnay ShowdownInstagram: @susieandpeter

Fifty years on from the historic Paris tasting that revolutionised wine - what's changed? And what will that mean for the next 50 years?!Those are the searching questions we're asking (and attempting to answer) in this special episode to mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976 where unknown Californian wines triumphed against the French greats in the centre of the wine universe at the time, the capital of France.We're re-telling the story behind that momentous event - partly to clear up some misconceptions that still persist, and partly because it's just a damn good story. (Proof of that being all the many articles and books on the subject - not to mention the Hollywood film, Bottle Shock, and now even an opera...)We're helped in this task by Chateau Montelena CEO Bo Barrett, who adds his eye-witness testimony, trademark good humour and intriguing insights to the tale.But this episode isn't just a re-hashing of events half a century ago. We're also exploring the modern realities and future trends of wine. If this kind of tasting happened today, who would win, and who would lose? How has the world (and wine world) changed since 1976? How does that go beyond the US and France? And what can that tell us about the future of wine?Helping us root our thoughts in informed reality are two ambitious tasting we were lucky enough to participate in: the Greatest Chardonnay Showdown at the London Wine Fair 2026, and the IWFS Judgement +50 (among a few others). The results of which...are intriguing.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including links, references and photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E29 - The Judgement of Paris 50 Years OnInstagram: @susieandpeter

Is natural wine dead? Or is it thriving? What even IS natural wine these days?! Most importantly, what's next for this multi-faceted yet misunderstood category? Helping us answer these searching questions are writer and winemaker Rachel Signer, journalist Simon J Woolf and wine producer Ben Walgate. We also indulge in a bit of impassioned debate between the two of us - this being a particularly provocative topic. (It's not every episode that moves Peter to use the phrase, 'complete bollocks', and Susie to say, 'cheeky middle finger', but here we are.)For example, did you know that the very term 'natural wine' itself is an unfortunate mis-translation? Are you familiar with, 'organic-PLUS' viticulture? Why hybrids may be the next big thing for natural producers? That natural wine is a philosophy, not a style? How the natural scene has influenced conventional wine? And the fact there's a new category of 'natural-adjacent' wines emerging..?Click on this link and use the code WINEBLAST at checkout to get 25% off Rachel Signer's brand-new book, How to Drink Natural Wine.Click on this link to get 25% off an annual subscription to Simon Woolf's Substack, The Morning Claret.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including links to previous episodes cited, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E28 - Natural Wine RELOADEDInstagram: @susieandpeter

Buckle up, we're heading back out into wine country, this time to the intriguing Adelaide Hills wine region in South Australia. It gets talked about a lot - but what's it really all about?Is it all about piercing, textural Chardonnay? Or fine sparkling wine? What about the perfumed Pinot Noir, the scented Shiraz..? And let's not forget the likes of Gruner Veltliner, Nebbiolo, Gamay, Barbera, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and all those natural wines. There's a real buzz around the Adelaide Hills - but how to get our heads round it all?!Happily, we have some brilliant guides in the shape of Brian Croser (Tapanappa), David LeMire MW (Shaw + Smith), Emma Wood (Wirra Wirra), Kelly Wellington (Hahndorf Hill), Liam Van Pelt (Ashton Hills), Peter Saturno (Longview) and Xavier Bizot (Daosa/Tapanappa). (Thanks also to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region for making this sponsored episode happen and giving us access to such great producers.) They talk us through things like altitude, rain, field blends, magic, wine tourism, French arrogance, organics and 'thoughtful' wines. There's even the odd bold claim (about Chardonnay) and intriguing revelation of a long-held secret (a 'subterfuge story' no less!) Oh, and we touch on why, 'people don't want to drink like their dads.'THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including maps and wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E27 - Adelaide Hills: Lofty AmbitionsInstagram: @susieandpeter

Grab your magnifying glass and white coat, we're getting microscopic - but this goes well beyond fermentation. We're exploring the cutting-edge techniques whereby the power of yeasts is being harnessed in fields as diverse as viticulture, winemaking and shipping. Even without the microscope, this is an eye-opening episode...Wine is facing many challenges. Climate change. The cost of living crisis. Sustainability targets. Shifting consumer tastes and trends. But what if microbes can provide solutions to these issues and more, reducing the need for chemical inputs and putting winemakers for once on the front foot?This episode is sponsored by Lallemand Oenology, who have granted us privileged access to their latest research and contacts in the field. We hear from wine consultant Christopher Chen, yeast expert Professor Hervé Alexandre, and M&S winemaker Belinda Kleinig, who report on their applied experience testing these new products. From helping vines survive drought to prevention of rot, reducing the need for sulfites and acidification, even ensuring your wine can arrive fresh after crossing continents - innovative microbial solutions are being applied to all these pressing tasks and more. The term, 'game-changer' is used in this episode. Tune in to find out why!THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E26 - Yeastie Boys: Wine's Modern Microbial SolutionsInstagram: @susieandpeter

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the wine world's most divisive grape varieties. On the one hand, it's hugely popular for its aromatic charm and upbeat appeal. And yet some people can't stand it, sommeliers actively steer their customers away from it and connoisseurs turn their noses up at, 'the gin and tonic of wine'. But is it possible that this is all just a bit, well, premature? That we're judging a grape variety that is only just starting to show us what its true potential really is? And that Sauvignon Blanc really is a grape variety capable of greatness?!To check the global temperature, we're privileged to be granted an audience with Château Margaux's Philippe Bascaules, South Africa's Duncan Savage, and UK Best Sommelier Maria Boumpa. What they have to say will raise more than a few eyebrows. (Including an unexpected scoop about top South African producer Eben Sadie...)We firmly believe it's time to rip up the established rule book when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, and open our minds to a new reality. Tune in to find out why.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including producer recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E25 - Keep Calm and SauvignonInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER BONUS EPISODE - A privileged tasting of 100-point wines gets us thinking about scores, so-called perfection in wine, the risks of premature evaluation and how points for wine...somehow miss the point.First up - the wines: Cristal 2008, Pichon Lalande 2016, Ornellaia 2013, Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill 2013 and Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Blanco 1986. We report on these and other stellar bottles, all of them recipients of a 'perfect' 100-point score.But here's the thing. What does '100 points' mean these days? How valid are scores, which seem to be everywhere in wine as endless tasting notes and numbers are churned out on a seemingly constant basis? What are the pros and cons? Is it time for a reset, starting with the 100-point system itself?!In this discursive episode, we subject not only these supposedly spectacular wines but also scores (and ourselves) to unflinching assessment. Peter gets hot under the collar about Bordeaux En Primeur; Susie has to intervene. We weigh up scores in a public and personal context. But, lest you fear this is all a bit po-faced, we also touch on the magic of discovery, not entirely serious ‘anti-scoring’ wine rating scales and the importance of wines that make you smile...as indeed some of these bottles definitely did.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in.We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Especially if you have something to say on this contentious topic. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos and a full wine listing, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E24 - Missing the Point? Tasting 40 years of 100-point winesInstagram: @susieandpeter

August 2025, a torrid Bordeaux summer: cue thunderbolt. Lafleur, one of Bordeaux's most acclaimed wines, sensationally quits the Pomerol and Bordeaux appellations. At the heart of the issue: water.Truth is, vines need water to survive and produce good wine. Not too much, nor too little. But climate change has thrown a giant spanner into the works - places that used to have just enough rain, now often aren't getting enough. And it's a particular issue in more traditional areas, like Bordeaux, where local appellation rules often forbid irrigation (or other things like mulching, reducing vine density or changing vine varieties). Hence Lafleur's decision.In this extended episode, we hear the full rationale from Lafleur as they release their 2025 wines, which benefitted from their unique 'soil water correction' technique. With Omri Ram we discuss the reality of climate change, why Lafleur is, 'changing to remain the same', how exactly they're irrigating, the key issue of where the water is coming from, and the future of appellations. The implications are manifold.We also hear from Olivier Tregoat of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, and share input from Cornelis Van Leeuwen - both acknowledged soil and water experts, and respected Bordeaux insiders. Finally, we get a different perspective from viticulturist Jaco Engelbrecht in South Africa, where severe drought recently saw Cape Town facing 'Day Zero' (when the water would run out). Jaco works with a stellar client list across both dry-farmed and irrigated vineyards, and shares his expert insights and recommendations.So what is the future of wine when it comes to water? Are we looking at wine Armageddon, with great Bordeaux a thing of the past? Or can human ingenuity and the vine's famous resilience save the day?THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including some illuminating photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E23 - Drop Stop: Wine's Big Water IssueInstagram: @susieandpeter

Meet John Baker, Sydney wine merchant turned Indiana Jones turned author of Stalin's Wine Cellar, one of the most eye-opening wine stories you're likely to hear. In the first part of this real-life account, John recounted how he'd got a tip-off about a mysterious wine cellar in Tbilisi, Georgia, apparently chock full of the greatest wines in the world, some more than a hundred years old. What's more, the cellar came with an astonishing story of provenance and ownership...It was, in short, a wine lover's fever dream. So of course John decided to investigate, soon finding himself in the wild west of wine: a world of cash and guns and enforcers and high-speed races through the streets of Tbilisi. Not to mention heart-rending breakages, the odd death threat - and unicorn wines aplenty.In this second and concluding part of this narrative two-parter, John grapples with Georgian agendas and threats while attempting to investigate the authenticity of the wines, including a trip to Chateau d'Yquem that is memorable for all the wrong reasons. As well as adding extra detail, context and humour, John adds a final piece of exciting news by way of conclusion.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including some illuminating photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E22 - The Story of Stalin's Wine Cellar PART TWOInstagram: @susieandpeter

It's not every wine story that comes with lashings of guns and cash and enforcers and heart-rending breakages - plus the odd death threat. Not to mention unicorn wines aplenty. But this one does! Which is why it's a must-listen.John Baker was a Sydney wine merchant with a sideline in fine and rare wine when opportunity came knocking in the form of a mysterious wine cellar in Tbilisi, Georgia, apparently chock full of the greatest wines in the world, some more than a hundred years old. It was, in his words, 'a potential wine goldmine.' And that was even before you took into account the eye-opening story about where the wine had come from...What happens next is the subject of his best-selling book, Stalin's Wine Cellar. It's a fantastic story, full of intrigue and mystery and surprise and suspense. Not to mention the odd bit of nudity. This is a narrative two-parter - the second and concluding part is available for Wine Blast PLUS subscribers now. John tells us the story in his own words, adding extra detail, context and humour, plus some exciting latest news.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E21 - The Story of Stalin's Wine Cellar PART ONEInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT: What makes a successful medical inventor develop a parallel life aiming to fundamentally change the way we drink wine? How does frustration + a needle + some spare argon = a business that's sold more than 2 million units and is involved in pouring a glass of wine every second of every day?!Welcome to the world of Coravin - and its inventor, Greg Lambrecht. This episode follows on from our previous show, where we touched on how Coravin is changing wine as we know it. But here we get to hear the full story from the horse's mouth. It's in turn fascinating and funny. A great human story of serendipity and determination. With plenty of useful tips, great anecdotes, and surprising detail.Don't forget that Wine Blast PLUS subscribers get a 15% discount on the Coravin website, too.We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E20 - Greg Lambrecht UNCUTInstagram: @susieandpeter

In which we get over-excited by not only announcing the winners (and sharing the best entries) from our epic Wine Blast One Million Giveaway - but also by exploring the world of Coravin: a potential game-changer for wine.To understand just how Coravin is changing the world of wine, we're joined by Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht and Tiny Wine co-founder Harry Crowther. The implications are far-reaching.This leads neatly onto our big giveaway to celebrate topping one million unique downloads in 2025 - and for which the prizes include a Coravin Timeless 6+ (£400), a set of Jancis Robinson/Richard Brendon glasses and decanter (£408), an Academie du Vin Library book bundle (£270+), a case of grower champagnes from iDealwine (€400) and a year's subscription to Decanter (£183) plus VIP tickets to the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London (£310) or New York ($450).As well as announcing our five lucky winners drawn at random, we're also sharing the best entries we received - which range from the intriguing to the inspiring via the hilarious and touching. By way of reminder, Wine Blast PLUS subscribers currently get 15% off Coravin, Jancis Robinson/Richard Brendon glassware and Academie du Vin Library books. Just check your subscriber dashboard for the discount codes.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E19 - Giveaway EXTRAVAGANZA + Game-changer CoravinInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT - Sam Neill leads a double life. He's not Batman, or Bananaman. He's ConvivialWineChap (trademark pending). On the one hand, he's world-famous actor Sam Neill, acclaimed for his starring roles in Jurassic Park, Peaky Blinders, The Piano and all that jazz. On the other, he's proud proprietor of Two Paddocks Wine in Central Otago, New Zealand.And this isn't just wine cosplay, either. Sam lives and breathes wine, describing himself as a Pinot Noir 'obsessive'. What's more, his wines are some of the best in New Zealand - with four of his Pinot Noirs rating between 95 and 98 points in our New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026, and his Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2023 carrying off the prestigious Red Wine of the Year award. (Here's a link if you want to find out more about our New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026.)It hasn't been plain sailing for Sam of late, with a shock blood cancer diagnosis requiring urgent treatment. Typically, he made use of the time to be productive, writing the funny, moving memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This? Now in full remission, he's back into his double life, filming and farming, and eager to share a laugh and his unique take on wine and life in general.In this frank, fascinating and funny chat, we talk everything from Pinot to Riesling, pigs to ducklings, Jesus to Jason Momoa, organics to 'vile' chemicals, history to heartbreak, Marlon Brando to Michael Fassbender. Trust us - you won't want to miss this one.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E18 - Sam Neill UNCUTInstagram: @susieandpeter

New Zealand wine stands at a fork in the road. One path leads towards corporate behemoths churning out industrial quantities of mass-market Sauvignon Blanc; the other features increasingly refined, site-specific wines across a range of styles that compete with the world's very best. Which will it be?In this New Zealand Wines of the Year feature, we take you behind the scenes after tasting hundreds of wines to get to grips with what's really going on in Kiwi wine.We highlight the best producers, what they're doing and why. And we throw more than a few big calls out there - for example, why New Zealand Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is currently getting our vote over Burgundy...and why fizz should be part of New Zealand's wine future.We're privileged to be joined by New Zealand wine royalty in the shape of Helen Masters (Ata Rangi), Matt Thomson (Blank Canvas), Matt Sutherland (Dog Point), Kevin Judd (Greywacke), Ed Donaldson (Pegasus Bay)...and part-time actor, full-time wine superstar Sam Neill (Two Paddocks).This episode is published in tandem with a full report on our website, which is free to download and comes with tons of information and opinion, from vintage summaries to planting stats, plus the odd map: New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 ReportThanks to New Zealand Winegrowers for facilitating this Wines of the Year initiative, and to the wineries for supporting. This episode is dedicated to the memory of James Healy, who sadly died in early 2026. THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS. We appreciate you tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including the full report, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E17 - New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026Instagram: @susieandpeter

Peter Fraser, head winemaker and general manager at Yangarra Estate Vineyard in McLaren Vale, Australia, died in a house fire on 27th November 2025, aged 51.Peter was not only tremendously well respected, he was also tremendously well liked. As a person, he was affable, gentle, modest, genuine, ready with a laugh. As a professional, he was dedicated, conscientious and hugely talented.A champion of biodynamics and sensitive winemaking, Peter made wines of elegance, nuance and gravitas. They won a litany of awards and many fans. These bottles not only conveyed the brilliance and beauty of, for example, old-vine Blewitt Springs Grenache - they also brought joy, and a smile to the lips of countless wine lovers around the world.Through this personal and professional legacy, Peter was, and will remain, a pillar of the McLaren Vale community and landscape. He will be sorely missed.This is our tribute to Peter, which features an interview recorded with him on 24th October 2025. His words and his legacy speak for themselves. To adapt a phrase Peter uses in this interview - he left the place in a better way than it was before he started.Peter Fraser, 1974-2025.

Australia's McLaren Vale is a wine region undergoing a thrilling reinvention based largely around new-wave old-vine Grenache and a motley crew of eclectic grape varieties like Fiano, Falanghina, Mencia and even Saperavi.If you want to find out why these wines, 'play with your mind', 'suit the way we live' and should be considered, 'great wines of the world,' tune into this eye-opening second part of our McLaren Vale mini-series. You may even discover why these are wines with 'rizz'...Our informative and engaging guides to The Vale are Toby Bekkers, Stephen Pannell, Richard Leask, Andrew 'Ox' Hardy, Matthew Deller MW, Mary Hamilton, Giles Cooke MW, Elena Brooks, Drew Noon MW, David Gleave MW and Chester Osborn.Thanks to the McLaren Vale Wine Region for sponsoring this mini-series, which is dedicated to the memory of Peter Fraser.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E15 - McLaren Vale: The GrenaissanceAnd here's a link to our Wine Blast One Million GiveawayInstagram: @susieandpeter

So what do a boxer, a ballerina and a burlesque dancer have in common? You're gonna have to listen to find out...We're very excited to be bringing you this mini-series on McLaren Vale, the historic South Australian wine region that's gone from identity crisis to full-on wine renaissance in just a few decades. It's a fascinating story, involving ancient vines, determined winemakers and a healthy appetite for reinvention.Joining us to bring McLaren Vale to life are Chester Osborn, David Gleave MW, Drew Noon MW, Elena Brooks, Giles Cooke MW, Mary Hamilton, Matthew Deller MW, Andrew 'Ox' Hardy, Richard Leask, Stephen Pannell and Toby Bekkers. Thanks to the McLaren Vale Wine Region for sponsoring this mini-series, which is dedicated to the memory of Peter Fraser. Don't miss the next installment!THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E14 - McLaren Vale: Boxer to Ballerina (via Burlesque)And here's a link to our Wine Blast One Million GiveawayInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT - We've done some pretty amazing interviews in the course of making Wine Blast. Most of them we have to edit right down. But now, as an exclusive subscriber benefit, we're going to be releasing a series of 'uncut' chats with some of the wine world's most influential players and interesting characters.This first one's a peach. The legendary Hugh Johnson OBE riffing on things as diverse as Islam; drinking wine that’s ‘been alive since before Shakespeare was born’; the historic precedents of Tokaji; the wine trend he defines as, ‘vulgar and crass’; wine that smelt ‘like an open grave’; and how the English nation used to be, ‘drunk all the time.’He even confesses to, 'making up' some of his seminal early work...We first released a slimmed-down version of this interview with Hugh back in 2020 (it was recorded in the teeth of the Covid outbreak). But now you can hear the interview in its full glory, with bonus bits that weren't included in that 2020 episode including Hugh mentioning pornography, how cricket relates to Bordeaux vintages, natural wine, Coravin, and no-and-low alcohol wines. With one memorable phrase being, ‘a drink is a drink’….Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E13 - Hugh Johnson UNCUTInstagram: @susieandpeter

Books that caught our eye this year include Schott's Significa (yes, 'forbidden soup' is as grisly as it sounds), The Cheese Connoisseur's Handbook (yum) and Wine, Soil and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (biblical).This is a show of generous proportions. Partly to give you a chance for some extra listening indulgence. But also to allow us proper time to hear from best-selling author Ben Schott, 'the cheese lady' Svetlana Kukharchuk and priest and theologian Mark Scarlata.Believe us, you're going to want to hear what they have to say.So don't be a wet lettuce - pour yourself a glass and join us!As ever, you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E12 - Our BOOKS OF THE YEAR (2025)If you'd like more information on our giveaway, please visit our Wine Blast One Million Giveaway page.You may also find this link to our Speakpipe audio message service useful.THANKS AGAIN for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. Instagram: @susieandpeter

Treats galore in this show! Because not only are we announcing our stellar Wines of the Year, we're also launching a HUGE giveaway to celebrate Wine Blast topping ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS.It's a major milestone for the pod so we wanted to say thanks to you for making it possible. Up for grabs are prizes worth more than £1,000 - from a set of Jancis Robinson Original wine glasses and decanter to a Coravin Limited Edition Hermitage Timeless 6+ to a case of grower champagnes from iDealwine, books from Academie du Vin Library and an annual Decanter subscription plus VIP tickets to the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in either NYC or London. Wow!!More details, including what you have to do to enter, are in the show and also on our Wine Blast One Million Giveaway page.You may also find this link to our Speakpipe audio message service useful.Also in the show, we recap on the wine year that was, culminating in our Guess the Missing Word in the Wine Headline. We hear from you guys, answering the odd question along the way. Finally, we reveal our Wines of the Year - featuring some real bargains, eye-openers and downright barnstormers. Trust us, you'll want to check these out.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including the full listing of our Wines of the Year (and where to buy them) on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E11 - Our WINES OF THE YEAR (2025)Instagram: @susieandpeter

What do Hermitage, The Sex Pistols, Tavel and Pink Floyd have in common? They all, ahem, featured at a particularly funky recent London tasting of top Rhône wine appellations, or Crus, aimed at reminding us how delicious and diverse these wines can be. And how fun, too.So join us as we explore the best wines of the Rhône Valley, from Côte-Rôtie to Condrieu via Vacqueyras and Vinsobres, discovering why they taste like they do, and how they're evolving and adapting for the future. Our expert guides are Rhône expert Matt Walls plus producers Marie Perret, François Miquel and Guillaume Boissonnet. We're also regaled with live music from Bristol four-piece Adult Leisure.Thanks to Côtes du Rhône Crus for sponsoring this episode and bringing the party to Wine Blast. As if we needed an excuse...THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E10 - Rock and Rhône: from Côte-Rôtie to Cairanne via The ClashInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER GIVEAWAY! We all know champagne - but what if you fancy a wine like champagne but maybe less pricey, more fruity or just different? The good news is: there's never been more choice, as production blossoms in regions as diverse as Serbia, China and India.Our stellar guide to the intriguing world of traditional-method sparkling wine beyond Champagne is Essi Avellan MW, one of the world's foremost fizz experts.Essi has just published a brilliant monograph, Sparkling Wines of the World, in conjunction with the International Wine & Food Society (IWFS). And the exciting news is that the first 50 Wine Blast PLUS subscribers to email [email protected] with their postal address will receive a copy of Essi's booklet absolutely FREE!The IWFS is the world's longest-running food and wine society, founded in 1933 by André Simon. Nowadays it has more than 5,500 members across the globe, with regular get-togethers, tastings, tours and events. The IWFS are sponsors of this episode, and you can find out more via the IWFS website. Also in this episode, we chat with long-time IWFS member and UK wine trade guru, Mimi Avery, recommend some decidedly different traditional-method sparkling wines, and reflect on the importance of deliciousness. And big bottles.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E9 - Top of the Pops: Classic Fizz Beyond ChampagneInstagram: @susieandpeter

SUBSCRIBER-ONLY BONUS CONTENT - We were never going to pass up a unique chance to taste 12 Super Tuscans blind, including some truly stellar names (hello Sassicaia, Tignanello, Flaccianello, Solaia...and thank you, UK importer Maisons Marques & Domaines).And we thought: what better way to thank you, our fabulous subscribers, than with an in-depth report from the tasting, including our considered thoughts on the category and its future?! There are some eye-opening results...and a fair amount of, ahem, 'discussion'. We've even got some cheeky value recommendations at the end as well.This is our first subscriber-only bonus episode, and we hope you enjoy it. It's a bit more informal and conversational in style, so hopefully a nice complement to the main episodes. Thank you for supporting the show - we really appreciate it. Further bonus content will be following soon.If you have any thoughts you'd like to share about this episode, please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E7b - Blind Tasting Top 2021 Super TuscansInstagram: @susieandpeter

We're in the middle of, 'the mystery of the world's most expensive bottle of wine.' We've seen the auction, met the protagonists, got a vivid taste for the heady wine-boom time of the 1980s and 90s...hell, the cork has even dramatically dropped out already (an appropriate metaphor if ever there was one). That's all in Part 1.Now we get stuck into the heart of our story. What were the doubts about this magical bottle of wine, and others like it? Who was this mysterious Hardy Rodenstock character really? And how on earth might a dead frog, a dentist's drill, windscreen wipers, an 'egghead', and radioactive isotopes crop up in the plot?!Benjamin Wallace, author of The Billionaire's Vinegar, is our expert guide, also exploring the fall-out not just from his book (including his publisher being sued) but also the broader ramifications for the key characters and the wine world in general. We also have some final words from influential wine trade characters featured in the book, with their unflinching take on Hardy Rodenstock and his legacy.THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E7 - The Story of The Billionaire's Vinegar: Part 2Instagram: @susieandpeter

Picture the scene. Christie's auction house, London, December 1985. A dapper auctioneer is expertly tantalising the stellar audience with a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite engraved with the initials of US founding father Thomas Jefferson. It duly becomes the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold, going for £105,000 ($156,000). But it's what happens next that is the really intriguing bit...Welcome to a new kind of narrative Wine Blast episode, where we're joined by best-selling author Benjamin Wallace, whose book The Billionaire's Vinegar is the inspiration for this compelling story. He brings to life the key protagonists, from Jefferson to Christie's auctioneer Michael Broadbent, US billionaire Bill Koch and German wine collector Hardy Rodenstock. All the while building the rich and eye-opening plot around what he calls, 'the mystery of the world's most expensive bottle of wine.'And as for how the 'vinegar' comes into the story...you'll just have to listen to find out. And in the next and concluding part, we hear how the story ends - including what's happened since the book was published. Don't miss it!THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E6 - The Story of The Billionaire's Vinegar: Part 1Instagram: @susieandpeter

Fancy a story about warriors, monks, family strife, an undercover grape variety, risking financial ruin for stubbornly sticking to stylistic guns, and deliciously drinkable fine wine?Thought you might. So join us as we get a privileged glimpse into the San Leonardo wine estate in Italy's northern Trentino Valley, not far from Verona and Lake Garda. Our guides are estate co-owner and manager Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, Master of Wine Alex Hunt, and a bunch of pretty tasty bottles.San Leonardo makes a number of wines, all refined and understated. But it's best known for its top red, a discreet yet complex blend of Cabernet, Carmenere and Merlot. Despite being dubbed, 'The Sassicaia of the north', it's tended to fly under the radar, remaining something of an insider's tip, meaning the wine hasn't shot up in price as much as many of its more vaunted SuperTuscan cousins.Along the way, we discuss bodybuilders, banana plantations, wine as 'an energy drink', aubergines, Teroldego, hoodwinking bankers, 'Nordic' wine, how Carmenere came to Trentino and why Anselmo's dad Carlo called him, 'an idiot'. THANK YOU for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. And thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E5 - San Leonardo: The Insider's GuideInstagram: @susieandpeter

We have awards! We have good eggs, hot rocks and jailbird vignerons! We even have acts of civilisation and love. Welcome to our Chile Wines of the Year 2025...Join us as we chat with stars of the Chilean wine firmament, talking wine treasures with Sebastián Labbé (Santa Rita), the tragedy of Syrah with Mariluz Marin (Casa Marin) and fortifying life goals with François Massoc (Massoc Frères). We also learn about circular winemaking with good wine vibrations courtesy of Cristián Vallejo (VIK).Whatever Chilean wine is today, it's not dull. With our Chile Wines of the Year initiative, we want to let everyone know just how dynamic and intriguing modern Chilean wine is - a far cry from the dull staples we often see in shops and restaurants. Alongside this podcast episode, we're also publishing a free report on our website, where you can find the full lineup of spectacular wines we've personally selected this year. You can find it via this link: Susie & Peter's Chile Wines of the Year 2025 ReportThanks to Wines of Chile for sponsoring and the wineries for supporting this initiative. And thanks to you for subscribing to Wine Blast PLUS - we really appreciate it. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E4 - Chile Wines of the Year 2025Instagram: @susieandpeter

Jancis Robinson is a wine superstar. But in this concluding episode of our two-part exclusive interview, we want to get behind the sparkling achievements and get to know Jancis in a personal as well as professional sense. The result is thought-provoking, funny and occasionally eye-opening.We kick off, somewhat unsportingly, by springing a quick-fire question round at Jancis before moving on to discuss everything from the Queen to influencers, negotiating with lawyers in a swimsuit, Cumbria, anorexia, regenerative viticulture, bottle weights, cans - and other hot potatoes.We also explore how she presciently set up her subscription-based website in 2000 then successfully sold it 21 years later. A rare commercial success in the world of wine...If you haven't caught the first instalment of this interview, please do check it out. You don't need to listen to that one, though, in order to enjoy this one.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E3 - The Jancis Robinson EXCLUSIVE - Part 2To get early access to all episodes, full archive access to our back catalogue and exclusive occasional bonus content, subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS at wineblast.co.ukInstagram: @susieandpeter

Jancis Robinson is without doubt the leading wine writer in the world today. But what's she really like behind the (highly) professional façade? Join us in this fascinating two-parter to meet the real Jancis: unfiltered, frank and sometimes really quite eye-opening...In this interview, we wanted to do something different from the many other profiles of this wine superstar. For instance, Jancis' wine scores are famously parsimonious, her reviews sometimes brutal (the best she could write about one wine was, 'it's wet'). So does she really enjoy drinking wine? What's she like when she's tipsy? How do her wine friends tease her? How did she cope when she lost her sense of smell and feared her career was over? Does she really think she's 'addicted' to the stuff?!Along the way, Jancis talks about what the perfect wine tasting note might be (it may surprise you); her horror of boring people about wine (and seeming 'bought'); and what she thinks the best value wines in the world are right now. She also addresses controversial topics like wine scores, Robert Parker and the Pavie 2003 spat, wine price inflation - and wine bores.In the next and concluding part, we spring a quick-fire question round on Jancis, and touch on subjects from the Queen to influencers, setting up then successfully selling her website, negotiating with lawyers in a swimsuit, Cumbria, anorexia, regenerative viticulture, cans - and other hot potatoes. Don't miss it!Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E2 - The Jancis Robinson EXCLUSIVE - Part 1To get early access to all episodes, full archive access to our back catalogue and exclusive occasional bonus content, subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS at wineblast.co.ukInstagram: @susieandpeter

Ahead of Season Seven, we have an announcement! We're finally launching subscriptions - a very exciting moment as we aim to take Wine Blast to the next level and spread EVEN MORE wine love around.Subscribers to Wine Blast PLUS will receive Early Access to all episodes as well as Archive Access as our back catalogue becomes subscriber-only. We'll also be throwing in the occasional bonus episode just for subscribers.Those who join Wine Blast Plus will also be enabling Wine Blast to continue and grow. It takes an absurd amount of work to make the show happen, as loyal listeners will know, and it's just us. With your backing, we can start to think about more regular or new kinds of episodes to community features, video content and beyond. The sky's the limit! But we need your support to make it happen.To subscribe, follow this link to Wine Blast Plus.It's all very straightforward and there should be no change to your listening experience.We're also offering Early Birds a 15% discount on initial headline subscription prices. (Just use the code magnum25 - and it's a time-limited offer, so don't hang around!)If you do have any questions or issues, please contact [email protected] can find show notes for this episode, including links, on our website via this link: Wine Blast S7 Trailer

What's the difference between Prosecco - and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG? Why is Prosecco a 'democratic' wine?! And do you want to hear Peter change his mind??!!Tune in for all this and more, where we go on an intriguing journey of discovery into the UNESCO-endorsed, vine-clad hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene territory north of Venice. We ask why the wines made here are different from your average Prosecco, what is the Martinotti method that is so vital to production of these wines...and should we really be ageing our best Prosecco now?!Bringing this world to life for us are Diego Tomasi, former researcher turned director of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco consortium, and producer Sara Meneguz. We also taste through some of the region's top wines and issue our own verdict on the wines and the region.Mentions of the following occur along the way: Dolly Parton, hogback, Polaroids, heroic viticulture, Afghanistan, kiwi fruit, dinghies, aroma symphony, and the importance of patience.Thanks to the Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco for sponsoring this episode. This is the final show in Season Six - we will be back very soon for lots more fun, chat and great wines in Season Seven. Until then - cheers!Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, including maps and wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E23 - There's Prosecco, and then there's Conegliano ValdobbiadeneInstagram: @susieandpeter

English county Essex is better known for its brash behaviour (and certain reality TV shows) than its beautiful wines. But is all that about to change?!For long, Essex was England's best kept wine secret. The grapes were sold off to producers from Kent to Cornwall, which meant their Essex origin sailed under the radar. But then came the investment - both from ambitious local families and then, in 2023, from the highly regarded US wine producer Jackson Family Wines (JFW). Nowadays, some postcodes in Essex have the highest concentration of individual vineyards anywhere in the UK. Vineyard prices are not far off those in Marlborough, New Zealand. Essex has gone from zero to wine hero in the blink of an eye, with classy still (rather than sparkling) wines the forté, particularly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.So could Essex end up challenging the likes of Sancerre and Burgundy?!We get the lowdown from Charlie Holland, who's heading up JFW's ambitious English wine project, plus 'Mr Essex viticulture' Duncan McNeill and Chris Wilson of acclaimed Cambridge urban winery Gutter&Stars. We also give our verdict on a (surprisingly wide) range of Essex wines, including JFW's debut release (Marbury Chardonnay). And yes, the words, 'new dimension' are uttered.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, including photos and wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E22 - Essex: Class in a GlassInstagram: @susieandpeter

In fiction, Shangri-La was a mythical place of boundless human wisdom and agelessness. These days, after China re-named a city in north-west Yunnan Province, it's the backdrop of a potential game-changer for Chinese wine.This particular backdrop is forbidding. Think: precipitous mountain gorges above the raging Mekong River at nearly 3,000 metres altitude. A patchwork of small-holding vineyards cling to the hillsides. Prunings are fed to yaks. Tea, tobacco and mushrooms are Yunnan's historic crops. No wonder the wine potential in the Meili Mountain region long remained hidden.That is, until a particularly stubborn and resilient Australian winemaker, Tony Jordan, embarked on an arduous search on behalf of global luxury group LVMH to unearth a Chinese Grand Cru terroir. He found Shangri-La. But would his bet pay off?In this episode we discover the intriguing story of Ao Yun - how (on earth) it came to be, just how challenging this operation is to run, and most importantly - what's the wine actually like? At nearly £300 a bottle, it has a lot to live up to. We talk to winemaker Maxence Dulou, Chinese wine expert Janet Wang and Berry Brothers & Rudd Asia buyer Tom Baxter. We also deliver our verdict on the wine whose name means, 'soaring above the clouds'.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, including some eye-catching photos, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E21 - AO YUN: The Insider's GuideInstagram: @susieandpeter

This show is brought to you in association with iDealwine. It's not every day the world of wine is described in terms like: 'adrenaline rush,' and going 'crazy'. Welcome to the world of online wine auctions, particularly that of iDealwine (sponsors of this show). iDealwine is a treasure trove not only of wine goodies but also high-tech functionality - so in this episode we explore how these online wine auctions work and why they might be worth trying out if you haven't already.Whisper it - but apparently they're pretty easy, accessible (with prices starting at €1) and...fun.We talk about all this as well as analyse the wine market trends of today and tomorrow with iDealwine co-founder Angélique de Lencquesaing. We also hear from iDealwine customer Jordan O'Brien in Toronto as to why we should, in his words, 'dive right in.'Along the way we talk hidden gems, Japanese Pinot Noir, 4 o'clock starts, fake wine and 1965 vinegar...Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, including full listings of the wines, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E20 - 'Adrenaline rush': Wine Auctions and Trends with iDealwineInstagram: @susieandpeterSponsors: iDealwine

BREAKING: A titanic showdown between top champagnes and the best of the rest has been settled. The victors? Headline writers...This is an impromptu pod reflecting the momentous nature of this Battle of the Bubbles tasting, which took place at the London Wine Fair 2025. Sixteen top judges (including both of us); 26 top wines, including some of Champagne's most reputable (and highly priced) bottles - and some quite astonishing results.In this episode we give the lowdown on the results and reflect on what it all means. Including the intriguing undercurrents and subtexts, as well as our personal insights and conclusions. (And yes, we do disagree...) There are some great value recommendations in there too. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, including full listings of the wines, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E19 - Battle of the BubblesThe video version of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel.Instagram: @susieandpeter

Where we selectively recap on the wine headlines in recent months (informative - but also fun) and respond to various questions, comments...and grumbles.We gaze into deep space in search of booze. We consider how global wine can be in the doldrums...but Essex is on the up. We hear a sad tale of vandals destroying scientific research, and a heartening story of how ancient Pompeii wine is set to be revived. Above all, we revel in the wise words of the recently deceased Pope Francis, who declared wine to be a 'gift from God', a 'healthy consumer habit' and, 'a true joy for the heart of man'. Apparently he told winemaker Ricardo Cotarella: 'You can't party without wine.' Our kind of Pope.We play our globally popular Guess the Missing Word in the Wine Headline game, this time featuring Bridget Jones, Bhutan, a wrestling superstar and various forms of wildlife. Just a trigger warning for anyone traumatised by the mention of Peter's pants from our previous episode on fake wine - Peter's pants feature again. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E18 - News and Views 2025Instagram: @susieandpeter

Brilliant rogues counterfeit unicorn wine, fool the establishment and laugh their way to the bank. It's good story - so good that even The Simpsons have released an episode dedicated to wine fraud. But is this just a laughing matter?This is without doubt one of our FAVOURITE EVER Wine Blast episodes. It stars no less than Homer and Marge Simpson, Mr Burns, Waylon Smithers and Professor Frink. Together with The Simpsons co-writer Johnny LaZebnik and wine fraud expert Maureen Downey.Fraud is an ever-bigger issue for the wine world. It's nothing new (Pliny the Elder grumbled about it in Roman times). But in the wake of notorious fraudsters like Hardy Rodenstock and Rudy Kurniawan, it has become more professional and widespread, with organised crime moving into a profitable and low-risk venture. The implications are profound, as Maureen Downey explains.But that doesn't mean we can't have a laugh about it. So we get exclusive access to the hilarious animated world of The Simpsons to experience how they explore the theme of fake wine. Along the way we talk Robin Hood, queue-jumping, Jesus,  'cover-up' sex, how radioactivity helps detect fakes, and Peter's pants.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E17 - Fake Wine: A Laughing Matter?Instagram: @susieandpeter

Some people say you need loads of different wine glasses. Others say you need just one kind (known as 'universals'). There's money, reputation, even relationships on the line here. So what's the answer?!In this episode we share significant new research by Jackie Ang MW, hot off the press, that answers two key questions. Firstly, do different wine glasses make you taste and rate a wine differently? Secondly, which work better: 'universal' wine glasses, or grape-variety-specific glasses?We also hear strong views from two big hitters in the wine glass world: 11th-generation Austrian glassmaker Maximilian Riedel and renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson MW, co-creator of the 'Jancis' glass.Of course we also share our views on the matter, to help guide you through a subject that can be as complex and headache-inducing as a night on the fine wine. Along the way we touch on golf clubs, blindfolds, jet engines, shoe collections,  Marie Kondo - and how a measuring tape could help save you money...Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E16 - Do You Need More than One Wine Glass in Your Life?Instagram: @susieandpeter

Ridge is an iconic wine producer - not just in its homeland California, but in global terms too.But how and why did it attain this status in just 70 years? Is it really true their policy has been never to hire a trained winemaker? What is this 'pre-industrial winemaking' they champion? How have they managed to successfully buck the trend for opulence in California Cabernet? Which of their wines (whisper it) don't we like? And can you really be great at both Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, two grapes seemingly at opposite ends of the red wine spectrum?Answers to all these questions and more feature in this treat of a show to mark Wine Blast's fifth birthday (yay!) We hear fascinating insights and stories from Ridge Chairman Paul Draper as well as head winemaker John Olney before diving into Ridge's wines, including a vertical tasting of Lytton Springs Zinfandel back to 1976. (A Monte Bello Cab from 1977 pops up too...)These are wines that make you smile - then make you think. We hope Wine Blast performs a similar kind of magic! Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E15 - RIDGE: The Insider's GuideInstagram: @susieandpeter

Wine. In a can. A hellish reality of tinny plonk? Or a convenient, eco-friendly, fun new format that's the future for wine? This is fun one, because our adventure starts with comedy legend (and proud French snob) Marcel Lucont. We're not only treated to an epic live rendition of his scabrous poem 'Wine in a Can' (compulsory listening for any wine lover) but also his delicious musings on wine and life more generally - including Beaujolais for breakfast.After picking ourselves up off the floor, we try to regain some dignity as we ask three questions: Is canned wine any good? Why should we buy it, if at all? And which ones are best?We exclusively reveal the results of a blind taste test by two Masters of Wine (ie us) to see if we can spot the difference between the same wine from a bottle and a can. And we report the highlights from a mega-tasting of 77 canned wines, giving a definitive verdict on this fast-moving scene.Along the way we hear from fellow Master of Wine Richard Kelley (The Liberator), Vinito (formerly Brixton Wine Club) founder Louisa Payne and Morris Carr of 'craft winery' Attimo. And don't worry, we do ask the BIG questions. Like: is it OK to swig wine straight from the can? And is there a place for straws in this equation?!Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E14 - Wine in a CanInstagram: @susieandpeter

Appellations are wine regions with rules, normally associated with Europe. So how come an enviably free-wheeling, super successful region like New Zealand's Marlborough has felt the need to develop Appellation Marlborough Wine?We put this question and more to Ben Glover, renowned winemaker and proud Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) member. He talks about, 'ripping the beige quilt off Marlborough' and his distaste for 'mediocrity'. We also have fun playing around with AMW's jazzy new interactive wine map, tasting along to bring the geography to life through a set of delicious Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs. (You can do the same too!) Thanks to Appellation Marlborough Wine for sponsoring this episode and once again allowing us to taste and talk about one of our all-time favourite wine regions. We also touch on things as diverse as pastoral shows, the Model T Ford in black, springtime fireworks, scripture, swamps, growing pains, snow peas, 'corrupt acidity' and dancing a merry jig...Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E13 - Appellation Marlborough WineInstagram: @susieandpeter