Yellow Tail is a brand needing no introduction. We had the chance to speak to Simon Lawson, managing director of Casella Europe about how one of the world's largest wine brands is managed. We discussed managing customer relationships for a brand that is a household name. We wanted to learn about lessons from emerging markets and where opportunities lie for wine outside of the mature markets. Simon also took up the mantle to answer our question about existential threats to wine and his answers are both motivating as well as shrewd.
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#11 - 2021 Rendezvous, RDV Vineyards with Joshua Grainer MW
Joshua Grainer MW is MD and winemaker for RdV Vineyards in Virginia. He makes wines of critical acclaim, overcoming numerous challenges to do so. Josh provided a very useful overview of the history and current state of the Virginia wine production. He explained the environmental challenges, including combatting downy mildew. The Virginia climate and soils tends to give grapes with high pHs and Josh unpacks his expertise with high pH winemaking. The 2021 RdV "Rendezvous" is a superb Bordeaux blend that expresses what Virginia wine can do.
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#10 - 2023 Whispering Angel, Chateau d'Esclans with Paul Chevalier
Paul Chevalier has overseen and driven the rise of Whispering Angel to its position as the first name in the Rosé wine scene. We discussed the strategy of how the brand built its position and their strategy for today. The role of marketing is perhaps poorly understood in wine but in this podcast we cover the key points that are important for Whispering Angel. Finally we discussed the role of the different wines in the portfolio and how the Rosé category is evolving for the future.
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#9 - 2023 Chablis Le Finage, La Chablissienne with Olivier Masmondet
La Chablisienne is one of the most important wine cooperatives that exists today. They are responsible for a significant proportion of the overall production of Chablis but also for maintaining quality standards that set a benchmark for the region. Olivier Masmondet is the export director of La Chablisienne and as such, is one of the most important cogs in the business of wine. The role of the Co-Op in the modern world has faced increasing pressure to adapt and we explored how La Chablisienne works to meet today's demands. Aligned to this is their role in managing the supply and demand of a limited region with a global presence, Olivier gave us an insight into the pricing dynamics that is rarely a part of the public-facing story. We also discuss how they manage several different cuvees labelled as Chablis AOC and their purpose within the range, focusing on this episode's wine Chablis 'Le Finage'.
Sebastián Zuccardi is a winemaker whose influence extends beyond his own wines and his family's projects. He has adapted and revolutionised both ideas around Malbec and the Uco Valley.We discussed different areas and soils of the Uco Valley, how it is possible to make a 100 point wine without oak and explored how Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal represents both the changing face of and the future of Malbec.
Small growers to large co-ops from all over the world.Viticulture, winemaking, sales and branding.Real-life examples.We drink one bottle. We ask three questions.
New Zealand