The Vincast - a wine podcast with The Intrepid Wino

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Latest Episodes:

Amanda Barnes from Around The World In 80 Harvests Feb 22, 2016

Show notes

It was the lure of the exotic that brought Amanda Barnes - a journalist and writer from Hampshire, England - to South America. Surprisingly it wasn't until she arrived in Argentina that she discovered a passion for wine and food, and was particularly seduced by the Mendoza region. As she discovered Chile and other parts of the continent, she carved a niche in writing about food, wine and travel in Latin America. Now she is embarking on a journey of truly epic proportions, attempting to visit 42 wine-producing countries during their vintages in the space of two years. Every step will be chronicled and communicated extensively, with the idea of subscribers joining the odyssey through a number of different media. On this episode of The Vincast Amanda talks about how she became such an authority of the wines of South America, and how she conceived of this ambitious concept to travel Around the World in 80 Harvests.

Viv Thomson from Best's Wines Feb 15, 2016

Show notes

When the Thomson family bought the Best's vineyard and winery in the 1920s they were continuing and building on a tradition that began 150 years ago. Great Western is one of the most historic regions in Australian wine, and it is here that some of the oldest vines and winemaking history continue to this day. Viv Thomson is the fourth generation to run this historic estate, and has been involved with the family business for the better part of 50 years. On this episode of The Vincast he shared with me not only his family's story, but also how the wine industry has changed since the 1960s.

Max Allen Feb 08, 2016

Show notes

Most wine enthusiasts and professionals would be familiar with the name Max Allen, as for the past few decades he has been one of the foremost authorities on Australian wine. He has been a contributor to most of the countries important wine and food publications, and has himself penned a number of successful books including The Future Makers and Crush. He is such an advocate for authentic Australian wine that many may be unaware he is actually an ex-pat having emigrated here from England in the early 1990s! This partly explains his great passion for ciders, which we only briefly touched on in this fascinating chat about his background and philosophies on wine and wine communication.

Alex Byrne from Byrne Wines & Noisy Ritual Feb 01, 2016

Show notes

Originally born in Ballarat, Alex discovered an interest in wine helping a childhood friend in his family winery for harvest one year. He then worked vintages in numerous regions and countries, before returning to Australia and commencing employment at Lethbridge Wines in Geelong. Here he started playing around with his own wines, quickly getting some attention for himself with the Byrne Wines brand. More recently he launched Noisy Ritual with some friends. Noisy Ritual is an urban winery that allows people to become members and work together to make wine that they can then enjoy with their friends and family.

Gilles Lapalus from Maidenii Jan 18, 2016

Show notes

Gilles Lapalus was "born in a barrel", as wine is in his family in the Burgundy region of France. After working for many years in different roles he took a trip to the furthest place he could think of, Australia. It was here that he was not only introduced to the "new world" of wine, but also his partner. Gaining experience in South and North America, he pursued further projects in France and Italy before he was lured back to Australia and became the winemaker at Sutton Grange just outside Melbourne. During his tenure he introduced many elements to the brand, and also launched a vermouth to a thirsty Melbourne bar scene.

Daniel Fischl from Linnaea Vineyards Jan 11, 2016

Show notes

Daniel Fischl didn't find working in laboratories particularly appealing, and whilst completing a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics at UC Davis (California) he was introduced to viticulture and was seduced with what lay outside. It also helped that the viticulture and winemaking students seemed to have more fun. Fast forward many years of experience consulting as a viticulturist and agricultural scientist, he and his winemaker wife Michelle started the Linnaea Vineyards project with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. As he got work consulting in vineyards around the world he and Michelle discovered more terroirs and made more wines, across a number of continents and expressions.

Jamie Goode Jan 04, 2016

Show notes

With a PhD in plant biology Jamie Goode started one of the first wine blogs in the world. Based in London, over the years he took his part-time passion for wine writing and became one of the foremost independent communicators in the UK. His particular interest in wines from around the world that express a sense of place and a soft touch led him to co-writing the book Authentic Wine. He joined me via Skype from London to chat about his background and the current state of wine communication & criticism.

David Chatfield from Out Of Step Wine Co. Dec 28, 2015

Show notes

If you're a fan of '90s alternative music you can thank David Chatfield for bringing out international cult acts like Interpol, Mudhoney and Bon Iver. After 20 years in the music industry, Dave became more and more interested in wine, and decided to pursue a career as a winemaker. Thanks to his music cred he got a job at Giant Steps with Steve Flamsteed, and hasn't looked back. He joined forces with former university friend Nathan Reeves (my guest on part one of this episode), and formed Out of Step Wine Company in the Yarra Valley.

Nathan Reeves from Out Of Step Wine Co. Dec 21, 2015

Show notes

Nathan Reeves, who originally hails from Western Australia, discovered an interest in wine while working in hospitality to support his music. When the band didn't pan out he began studying to become a winemaker, and gained experience in Australia and the United States (where he met his wife). Along with Dave Chatfield whom he met when they were both studying winemaking, he started Out of Step Wine Co. with a Sauvignon Blanc that very rapidly got them attention.

David LeMire MW from Shaw + Smith & La Linea Dec 14, 2015

Show notes

David LeMire started his career in wine similar to how I did; working in a wine shop while studying at university. He gained experience working for Oddbins in the UK, and whilst there he was introduced to the Master of Wine via his studies of the WSET. Upon returning to Australia, he spent ten years working for Negociants in sales and exports, and during this period became a Master of Wine. Since 2010 he was worked with Australia's first MW (Michael Hill-Smith) at Shaw + Smith in the Adelaide Hills. He also has been involved with his own wine project La Linea, and the wine bar Mothervine in Adelaide.