Read Between the Wines Podcast

She was a veterinarian. Then one phone call from her mother changed everything. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre sits down with Monica Raspi, owner of Fattoria Pomona — a small, family-run organic winery in Chianti Classico, Tuscany, on the border of Castellina in Chianti and Vagliagli. Six hectares. Organic since 2009. Minimal intervention in the cellar. And a point of view that is entirely her own. We talk about the exact moment Monica sold her veterinary clinic and got on a tractor. About learning winemaking by instinct rather than textbook. About the difference between a small Tuscan producer and a large one — and why that difference matters more than ever right now. We get into indigenous yeasts, large Slavonian oak, cover crops, and why she has never once wanted to make a wine that tastes like everyone else's. And we ask what it actually takes to make a Chianti Classico that tastes like somewhere, not something. Featuring: Fattoria Pomona, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy. Full transcript, and more information are available at readbetweenthewines.com

What does it take to keep a family name alive for nearly four centuries in the same valley, on the same hills, with the same grapes — and still have something new to say? Welcome to Tedeschi Wines, one of the oldest family estates in Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy — with roots stretching back to the 17th century and a philosophy that has never confused age with complacency. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre sits down with Riccardo Tedeschi — the winemaker who inherited not just a name, but a restlessness. His father used to say a bad vintage is when you have no new idea. Together, we explore one of Italy's most quietly compelling wine stories. We talk terroir, elegance, and why Valpolicella is so much more than Amarone. We unpack the white wine nobody saw coming, the single vineyards competing with the best of Chianti, and the house philosophy that puts finesse and freshness at the centre of a region famous for power. We talk about a family that owns its land, builds its own walls, and refuses to stop asking questions. Want more? A bonus episode with Riccardo — covering blending philosophy, climate change, and the uncomfortable truth about the distance between a wine people admire and a wine people actually pour — is available exclusively at readbetweenthewines.com. Featuring: Tedeschi Wines, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, Amarone, Corvina. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com

What if the most exciting white grape in the world has been hiding in plain sight, just south of Barcelona? Meet Xarel·lo — mineral, textural, age-worthy, and criminally underrated. And meet Joan Cusiné, co-owner of Parés Baltà, a biodynamic estate in the Penedès, Catalonia, Spain, with roots going back to 1790, where wine is never complicated and never a punishment. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre sits down with Joan to explore one of Catalonia's most compelling wineries. We talk terroir, altitude, and why the Mediterranean makes all the difference. We dig into biodynamic farming, minimal intervention winemaking, and the radical idea that great wine starts in the soil, not the cellar. We unpack the three pillars of the Parés Baltà range, from everyday drinking to rare single-vineyard Microcuvées. And we make the case, loudly, that premium Cava deserves a seat at the world's best tables. Want more? A bonus episode with Joan is available exclusively at readbetweenthewines.com. Deeper questions, more specific territory. The cellar door conversation. Featuring: Parés Baltà, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain, Xarel·lo, Cava.

Wine is being put on trial. And almost nobody is asking who's actually building the case. For most of human history, wine wasn't a question. It was just there — at the table, in the ritual, in the gathering. Now it's a headline, a health warning, a culture war. Something shifted. Few people can tell you exactly what, or why, or who benefits from the shift. Felicity Carter can. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, host Pierre Ferland sits down with Felicity Carter — award-winning journalist, founder of Drinks Insider, and one of the most respected investigative voices covering alcohol policy and the global drinks industry. Felicity has spent decades tracing how the conversation around alcohol actually gets built: not just science, but media incentives, advocacy networks, funding trails, and the political machinery behind a "consensus" that looks a lot more manufactured up close than it does from a distance. This isn't a defense of wine. It's an investigation into how a 9,000-year-old part of human culture became a public health flashpoint — and what gets lost in translation along the way. A thoughtful, provocative, occasionally uncomfortable conversation about science, spin, and what wine actually means to the people who still gather around it. Featuring: Felicity Carter, Drinks Insider, alcohol policy, wine journalism, wine culture.

In Episode 85 of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Cristián Vallejo, the winemaker who helped build Viña VIK in Chile under owner Alexander Vik — starting from absolute zero. No vineyards. No cellar. Just 4,500 hectares of wild land in the Millahue Valley and an ambition that practically screamed, "We are not here to make normal wine." This is a deep dive into terroir precision and controlled madness: micro valleys, hundreds of parcels, high-density planting, and a pivotal moment Vallejo calls the vineyard's personality. We explore circular winemaking, wild yeast, amphora ageing, and why VIK keeps nearly 90 percent of the estate untouched. Then, in our bonus coverage — available exclusively at readbetweenthewines.com — the conversation goes even deeper into the Stone VIK project, where amphoras age in a forest aligned with solstice, full moons, geology, vibration, and time. Stonehenge meets Grand Cru wine. We also uncover the very human moment Cristián Vallejo learned VIK had scored 100 points — standing alone in the Atlanta airport. If you like your wine talk equal parts craft, culture, and a touch of spirituality, this episode is for you. Featuring: Viña VIK, Millahue Valley, Chile, biodynamic, amphora ageing.

A doctor walks into the wine debate — and brings the data with her. In Episode 83 of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Dr. Laura Catena — physician, fourth-generation vintner, and the voice behind In Defense of Wine. She's spent years watching headlines flatten decades of research into a single, terrifying sentence. This episode is her rebuttal. We go straight at it: the World Health Organization's messaging, the role Movendi International plays in pushing a zero-nuance narrative, and what the actual science says about moderate drinking — the J-curve, why age and drinking pattern matter more than headlines admit. We unpack The Lancet's Global Burden of Disease debate, NASEM versus ICCPUD, and the critical difference between absolute and relative risk, including the breast cancer data everyone cites and almost no one explains correctly. And we make the case for something the studies can't measure: a glass of wine, a table, people you love, and the simple fact that a molecule was never the whole story. If you care about wine culture, public health, and data that doesn't get oversimplified for a headline, this is essential listening. Featuring: Laura Catena, In Defense of Wine, wine and health, moderate drinking research. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com

Niagara on the Lake is raising the bar again. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre catches up with Adam Pearce, winemaker at Stone Eagle Winery and the talent behind the celebrated wines of Two Sisters in Ontario's Niagara region. Four years after their first conversation during the pandemic, Adam returns with big news. The once cult Stone Eagle label has grown into a full winery on Highway 55, with its own estate vineyards, focused portfolio and on site restaurant, The Nest. Together, Pierre and Adam explore what it really takes to build age worthy Canadian wines that reward patience, not just instant gratification. They dig into the details behind Stone Eagle's Cabernet Franc, the Eagle Eye Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, the Lush and Blanc de Franc sparkling wines, and why balance, structure and time remain the real luxuries in a small market like Canada. Adam also shares candid thoughts on climate change, extreme vintages, replanting difficult vineyards, and the constant tension between consumer demand, portfolio focus and winemaker curiosity. The conversation goes beyond the cellar. Pierre and Adam discuss the war on wine, the rise of low and no alcohol products, public health narratives, and why responsible enjoyment, food, place and human connection still sit at the heart of true wine culture. If you love Niagara, Cabernet Franc, serious Chardonnay and ambitious Canadian reds, this episode is for you. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines

In 1995, a Burgundy producer did something nobody in the wine world had ever done: he took Robert Parker to court. His name was François Faiveley. And for a young Pierre Ferland, still finding his way through the world of wine, that act of defiance against the most powerful critic on earth changed everything. Today, Pierre sits down with François's son. In Episode 79 of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland is joined by Erwan Faiveley — seventh generation, head of Domaine Faiveley since 2005, and steward of one of Burgundy's most singular legacies. Founded in 1825, Faiveley is one of only two estates in Burgundy — alongside Romanée-Conti — whose name is officially part of a Grand Cru appellation. The Clos des Cortons Faiveley monopole. A distinction earned through a legal battle in 1930 that nobody planned for and nobody has replicated since. This is a deep, wide-ranging conversation: the two faces of Nuits-Saint-Georges and why its terroir is harder to understand than most people admit. The gravity-fed winery overhaul of 2007 and what it did to the tannin structure of Faiveley's reds. Oak used purely for tannin, never for flavour. Climate change, frost risk, and selecting vine material that ripens later. Tariffs, trade wars, and what 200 years of cycles teaches you about patience. Whether critics' scores still matter in Grand Cru Burgundy — and Erwan's answer is three words. And then there's Rodin. In the middle of the cellar in Nuits-Saint-Georges sits one of 12 original casts of The Kiss. It's there because Faiveley's great-grandmother was the adopted daughter of Maurice Fenaille — Rodin's greatest patron, and the man who bankrolled the Domaine's most important vineyard acquisitions a century ago. Today, every centime of tasting fees at the Domaine goes to two places: the Château de Clos de Vougeot and the Musée Rodin in Paris. "Winemaking is 90% work and 10% feeling," Erwan says. For a family in its 200th year, that ratio has never changed. Featuring: Domaine Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Clos des Cortons, Grand Cru.

For most of the last century, English wine was the punchline. Now it's the plot twist. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Nicola Bates, CEO of Wine GB — the body representing English and Welsh wine producers — to explore one of the most unlikely transformations in the modern wine world. A country with a winemaking history stretching back to Roman occupation, then largely forgotten, then quietly, stubbornly rebuilt, is now producing sparkling wines that compete on the same stage as Champagne. And the industry is moving faster than almost anyone anticipated. Nicola and Pierre dig into what's actually driving that momentum: the chalk and clay soils that English and Welsh vineyards share with northern France, the climate shifts that have opened growing windows previously considered impossible, and the three-year strategy Wine GB is executing to turn international curiosity into lasting credibility. They talk sustainability through the SWGB certification, the diversity and education initiatives reshaping who gets to work in British wine, and wine tourism as a genuine economic engine — not an afterthought. This is a conversation about a wine region still writing its own rules. Which is exactly what makes it worth watching. Featuring: Wine GB, English wine, Welsh wine, English sparkling wine, sustainable viticulture, Great Britain.

For episode 75 of Read Between the Wines, we head to the northern reaches of the Médoc to explore an iconic place in Saint-Estèphe—Château Tour des Termes. General Manager Julien Brustis joins us for a refreshingly candid conversation about shaking the dust off Bordeaux tradition without losing its soul. From climate-savvy vineyard replanting to the launch of a white wine (yes, in Saint-Estèphe!), Julien walks us through the estate's bold new chapter under the O'Connor family's stewardship. We talk terroir, tannins, and why their Merlot-heavy blend is aging like a fine… well, Merlot. He also shares how biodiversity, regenerative viticulture, and a carbon-neutral winery by 2026 aren't just noble goals—they're part of the business plan. We discuss the art of modern Bordeaux: wines that can charm your palate after five years, not just after your retirement. And in true Tour des Termes fashion, Julien explains how the Château is becoming more open, more welcoming, and yes—more fun. Accessible yet age-worthy, fresh yet full of soul—Tour des Termes might just be the Saint-Estèphe you didn't know you needed. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines

For Episode 73, we head down under—and no, we're not playing "Land Down Under" on repeat, but we are bringing you a story as catchy as that classic tune. We're off to Barossa, Australia's legendary wine region, where old vines, bold Shiraz, and deep community roots come together in a glass. Our guest, James Lindner from Langmeil Winery, isn't just making wine—he's preserving living history. From relocating 140-year-old vines (yes, literally moving them) to championing the Barossa Old Vine Charter, James shares stories that prove wine is more than a drink; it's memory, place, and identity bottled up. We talk soil, sustainability, storytelling, and what it means to balance tradition with modern winemaking. And trust us: once you hear James, you'll want to grab a bottle of Barossa Shiraz and toast to the vines that just keep giving. Cheers to the land of plenty—and to never drinking another boring wine again. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines

In this episode, we swap vineyards for velvety service as we sit down with New Zealand's only Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas. From decoding restaurant wine lists to mastering food and wine pairings (yes, there's a "cashew test"), Cameron shares a lifetime of expertise in hospitality, sensory training, and beverage curation. We tackle misconceptions about sommeliers, the changing face of wine consumption, and why palate disruption is key to understanding flavour. It's an insightful, spirited masterclass you won't want to miss. This is just the beginning. Visit readbetweenthewinespodcast.com for bonus material of exclusive content with Cameron—available only on our website. You'll find deeper reflections on wine culture, strategies for expanding global wine markets, and more of Cameron's unmatched wisdom. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines

For Episode 69, we're, of course, staying in the world of wine, but we're casting a wider net. What happens when a wine-loving sommelier finds herself stuck at home during a global pandemic? If you're Sanna Yamit Viitaoja-Malmberg, you don't just pass the time with jigsaw puzzles—you turn them into a global business. In this episode, we uncork the fascinating story behind Water & Wines, the wine-themed puzzle company that took the world by storm. What started as a way to stay mentally engaged while recovering from severe COVID soon became a runaway success, with thousands of puzzles flying off the shelves in just weeks. Yamit takes us through the journey—from an idea sketched on a kitchen table to a brand now selling in over 40 countries. We also delve into why Water & Wines puzzles feel so different (spoiler: obsessive attention to detail), the importance of play in wine education, and how sustainability is at the heart of their business. Oh, and if you've ever wondered whether Italy or France reigns supreme in the puzzle world, we've got the answer. So, pour yourself a glass, grab a puzzle piece (or two), and join us for a delightful conversation that proves wine and playfulness are the perfect match. For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines