Talking of Wine

Talking of Wine wraps up the 2024 vintage reports from Wildwood Vineyard. Dr Paul joins us for this last episode where we look at the month of October. This is harvest month so Paul finally gets to see what state his crop will be in. We talk through the final assessment of moulds and last minute hurdles involving the local wildlife. A gentle reflection on visits to the property over the year and a look forward to the wines that will be bottled over the coming months and years. With this, the last instalment, I hope that anyone interested in how wine is made, either for studies or perhaps with an aim to making their own, has found our little monthly series of interest.

Talking of Wine here links the classification of wines around the world with our previous episode on Phylloxera. How could such a devastating etymological event have such a positive impact on the structure of the world wine trade? Its timing with Napoleon's own classification table of 1855 led to a retrospective look at how wines have been categorised since Greek and Phoenician trading. And what happens when the rules are questioned or even broken? To be honest we were pretty good at sticking to theme this time. That said, we have our first (I think) mention of the towering influence that is Robert Parker Jnr., Joe gives us a very brief analysis of how Italians view the powers that be and he is a little dismissive of the Gironde landscape (that said he is rather fond of those in South Africa). Also, it transpires that table wine can be really rather brutal on the wallet.

Talking of Wine's monthly wander through the vines of Wildwood. It's crunch time as we near the harvest and the moment of truth is upon us. Have we had a summer or not? Spoiler alert, we talk about a lot of things that are not wanted in a vineyard at this time. All that makes life hard for Paul though makes for a fascinating Podcast. Turns out two be almost a two-parter with Dr Erica's episode on Phylloxera. We revisit the Spotted Wing Drosophila, explore the negative side of Botrytis, brush over photosynthesis and, as if there weren't enough big greek words already, throw in some Thermopylae. Aπολαμβάνω!

Following on from our episode on closures, we have a closer look at the more modern options of Cans and Bags. Value, recycling options and aesthetics are all deliberated. As ever we digress or make random deviations. This time listen out for Festivals, space shuttles as well as a brief journey down the Danube. If your listening on a fine day with friends you could maybe set up a game of Goon of Fortune outside…

With the help of the wonderful Dr Erica McAlister this episode of Talking of Wine attempts to bring Joe's scientific knowledge of Phylloxera down to Richard's level of understanding. We thought it would be fun to take a really, really niche wine topic and see if we could sell it to the lay people. So, obviously, we talk sex, nightclubs, Center Parcs and red spider mites. Why would you lick a battery and can you grow vines on a volcano? You see, it's not all about nymphs and root stocks. Don't say we don't spoil you dear listener. As usual, with a guest, it is a slightly longer listen but hope you enjoy…(The explicit warning would be mild but have listed it as such to be safe)

So, August has been and gone and whatever Summer we had this year with it! Whatever the weather though, Dr Paul has to continue to tend his vines. This month he talks us through various mildews and their causes, effects and the relevant deterrent procedures. Canopy management is at the forefront and we also get a status update on his baby vines. Bacchus is flirting with barrels and giving out mixed vintages and we learn why I may be more of a hindrance than help when it comes to pip analysis. We also hear a little about his other work as a director. This time a stage play called "Before Nell and After Agincourt", I'm not in it this time. And why Hen and Chickens is not just a pub name.

Once again the Prof joins us for our monthly vineyard maintenance update. Have the vines flowered? Have the flowers survived? Will the UK have a summer, or were those few hours it for the year? We establish that a messy vineyard is a proactive one. Paul's pioneering visions are bringing Bacchus to the barrel. Is there a concerto somewhere for the anvil, saw, spoons and clarinet? And we even reward our intrepid regular listeners to a bit of healthy chemistry. You'll be relieved to hear that none of this was done, or will it ever be done, naked.

Potentially a huge subject but we whittle things down to a few general pointers. Words on sommeliers, pairing with food, inside or outside? Although titled as Restaurants we flirt around a little bit of everything when it comes to choosing a wine for your meal. Are you splashing the cash or saving your pennies? Have you ever considered larger format bottles? What is Cinderella pricing or the Venturi effect? A nod to the pioneering Gerard Basset and obviously, being a podcast on wine, we are not averse to extolling the sometime virtues of beer!