John Duval is one the legends of the Australian wine industry. He’s known for his work as chief winemaker at Penfolds, where he was in charge of making Grange (among others things), and as the head of his eponymous family winery since 2003. I caught up with him from his beloved Barossa Valley to chat about Shiraz, old vines, his love of Priorat, Chile and the northern Rhône, what he learnt from Max Schubert and why Cat’s Pyjamas is a bad name for a wine.
To read more about John have a look at the John Duval Wines website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @johnduvalwines.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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39:14
CorkTalk with Toti Undurraga
Toti Undurraga’s family have been well known in the Chilean wine industry since the late 19th century, but he was always determined to forge his own path. After six years overseas, he returned to set up Koyle in Los Lingues. Today he works on both sides of the Andes – at Casas de Bucalemu in the Leyda Valley and Doña Paula in Mendoza. A passionate advocate of biodynamics, he’s one of South America’s most thoughtful and talented winemakers.
To read more about Toti have a look at the Koyle website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @totiundurraga.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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39:46
Cork Talk with Jen Parr
Jen Parr started out working in the software industry after studying English and Spanish literature at university, but moved into the wine business after she did a harvest in Gaillac. Thirty three vintages later, and still entirely self-taught, she’s one of best winemakers in New Zealand, a woman with a passion for Pinot Noir, a great palate and bags of energy and ideas. As she puts it, she always choses what’s interesting over what’s safe.
To read more about Jen have a look at the Valli website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @jenlparrjp.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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44:24
Cork Talk with Elizabeth Gabay
Elizabeth Gabay MW was born in New York, grew up in London and has lived in the French Alps for the last 20 years. Following a mixed early career in journalism, publishing and the theatre, she set up her own wine company after doing a tasting course at Christie’s. Almost by accident, she was asked to write a book about rosé, a style of wine she claimed to dislike, and has now become an evangelist as well as the world’s leading expert on pink wines.
To read more about Elizabeth have a look at her website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @elizabethgabaymw.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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41:39
Cork Talk with Rod Smith
Rod Smith began his working life as an illustrator but moved into wine after landing a part-time job at Oddbins. After a brief spell in the fine wine world in London, he upped sticks to the Côte d’Azur to supply the superyacht industry. Now running his own business, the Riviera Wine Academy, he was recently appointed chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and has fascinating views about how the organisation should develop and evolve.
To read more about Rod have a look at the Riviera Wine Academy website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @rodwsmith68.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
New Zealand