Jon Sopel: Trump, Tensions and a Taste for Fine Wine

About this episode

Jon Sopel reflects on his career in journalism and his passion for wine.

In the very first episode of Vintage Politics, broadcaster Jon Sopel—best known for The News Agents and his time as the BBC’s North America Editor—looks back on a career spent at the heart of global power. From covering the chaos of Trump-era Washington, including his own headline-making clash with the former president, to reporting across Europe, Jon shares what it’s really like to navigate politics on the world stage. But this isn’t just a story about politics—it’s also about passion. Jon’s love of wine, shaped during his time as Paris Correspondent and refined through the vineyards of Napa Valley, offers a more personal lens on a life lived between pressure-filled press briefings and carefully chosen bottles. Sharp, insightful, and unexpectedly intimate—this is Jon Sopel uncorked.

People in this episode

Host: Abbie Bennington

Guest: Jon Sopel

Topics covered

• Trump
• politics
• journalism
• wine
• global power
• personal stories

Keywords

• Trump
• politics
• journalism
• wine
• Napa Valley
• BBC
• Washington

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, The News Agents

Places: Washington, Europe, Napa Valley, Paris

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