Talking of Wine

For the next few weeks, as we journey through to New Year, we thought we would run a series on cocktails. We start with possibly the most iconic of all, The Martini. It can generally be seen to both obey the rules of 2:1 plus third component while at the same lead the way when it comes to variations on a theme. Gin or Vodka? Olive or pickled onion? Shaken or, indeed, stirred? And introduces running themes such as vermouth, garnishes and even glassware. This episode sets a template for what makes a great cocktail, breaks down any component parts and provides some historical insights into both where a cocktail comes from as well the social vagaries that led to any permutations and mutations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Obviously this is a wide ranging subject that will pop up regularly but we thought we would give it its first solo gig. This episode introduces the basics of bottle closures. Particularly the progression from cork to screw-cap. Bags and cans are mentioned but will have their own little outing soon. Is a cork just cork? What is the connection with heart valves? We also answer the burning questions of who taught Joe how to fence and can he cook shortbread and why is Eddie the Head part of the conversation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the difference between tasting and drinking? Is one just more pretentious than the other? Or do we all in fact do a bit of both all the time? We think it basically boils down to whether you spit or swallow. Drinking is undoubtably great but tasting is clearly fundamental to making the stuff in the first place. Then there are the ubiquitous medal wines and why they are selected. Naturally we digress. The wonderful Impressionists, some dappled horses and we even manage to reference the Batphone. It's all in the Ep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, the second part of our Regions Ramblings. This episode we finish off with Spain, South America and, of course, NZ and Australia. Along the way we discuss Garnacha, Carmanere, Tempranillo and what exactly is Hunter Burgundy or Hunter Riesling? We hint at my Dad, John Avery's legacy, discuss a time when Chardonnay wasn't even in Australian vocabulary and reacquaint with our Crusading Knight who retires as a Hermit in the Rhône. Not forgetting Spaghetti Westerns, and bung in a dose of far too high brow for this podcast, chemical name dropping, methoxypyrazines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.