D’Amato & Szabo: Wine Thieves
A riveting insider's look at the world of fine wine, telling the stories of the people and places that shape the world's most compelling finds. John Szabo, Master Sommelier, and Sara d'Amato, a jack of all wine trades, get to the root of the vine. Each episode explores the personalities and regions behind remarkable wines. The podcast offers an engaging, behind-the-scenes perspective on wine culture.
Episodes
S3 E10: Exploring the State of Victoria, Australia, with Wine Victoria CEO Stephanie Duboudin
Send us Fan MailVictoria may be Australia’s smallest mainland state, but when it comes to wine, it punches wildly above its weight. Home to 21 wine regions and more than 800 producers, it’s a remarkably diverse patchwork of cool-climate Pinot and Chardonnay, peppery Shiraz, ageworthy fortified Muscat and, yes, Australia’s original Prosecco and many other Italian grape varieties. Its wine history i
S3 E9: Inside Vinitaly and the Vinitaly International Academy, with Stevie Kim
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Wine Thieves, Sara d'Amato and John Szabo MS turn their attention to one of the most important institutions in global wine: Vinitaly. Guest Stevie Kim — Managing Partner of Vinitaly and the founding force behind the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) — joins from New York for a wide-ranging conversation about Italian wine on the world stage.Sara and Jo
S3E8: A Tale of Two Crozes-Hermitage, with Daphné Chave and David Combier
Send us Fan MailIts’ syrah-o’clock somewhere and the Wine Thieves are back to unlock the secrets of the northern Rhone’s largest appellation where syrah takes many shapes: Crozes-Hermitage. But it’s really a tale of two crozes, two very distinct parts. There’s what growers refer to as the northern half of Crozes-Hermitage to the north of the imposing hill of Hermitage itself – where it is narrower
S3 E7: Meet me in Paris? A Conversation with Wine Paris CEO Rodolphe Lameyse
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we take a look behind the scenes of one of the wine and spirits industry’s most important trade fairs: Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris. The Thieves speak with with Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, the company that runs the fair – and spoiler alert: Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris are two names for the same show – Rodolphe explains why the trade fair has a dual name,
S3 E6: Mapping Chianti Classico's UGAs Part 2 with Alessandro Masnaghetti and Caterina Mori
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves are back with part two of a series on the Unità Geografiche Aggiuntivi of Chianti Classico (or UGAs) the recently announced additional geographic units that will begin appearing on labels of the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione category as of this year. Joining us again are Caterina Mori, Director of Communications for the Chianti Classico Consorzio, and the "
S3E5: A Gran Win for Chianti Classico - Part 1 on The New UGAs with Alessandro Masnaghetti and Caterina Mori
Send us Fan MailIn part one of this two-part episode, the Thieves go behind the scene in Chianti Classico with Caterina Mori, director of Communication for the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico and Alessandro Masnaghetti, aka Map Man Masnaghetti, to take a deep dive into the recently approved “added geographic units” of this important Tuscan region , which were officially signed into law this past
S3E4 Chianti Classico: Past, Present and Future with Giovanni Manetti, Chairman of the Consorzio Chianti Classico
Send us Fan MailThe first of a three-part journey into Chianti Classico. in this episode we look at the past, present and future of the denominazione with our special guest, Giovanni Manetti, Chariman of the Chianti Classico Consorzio and proprietor of the venerated Fontodi estate in Panzano. This is Manetti’s second term as the Chairman , where he has been a driving force of innovation and evolu
S3E3 South Africa: The Wild Side with Pieter Walser & Peter Allan Finlayson
Send us Fan MailThe Thieves embark on a South African “wine safari” with Pieter Walser of Blank Bottle Wines based in Sommerset West near Stellenbosch, one of the most unusual and innovative wine businesses anywhere, and Peter-Allan Finlayson of Crystallum Wines and Gabrielskloof in the Bot River region. Finlayson is a third generation winemaker and the son of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir wi
S3E2: Practical, Philosophical, and Moral Dimensions of Biodynamics with Rodrigo Soto and John Hamel
Send us Fan MailThis episode takes a wide-ranging look at biodynamic agriculture, which, perhaps not so coincidentally, seems to be the foundational philosophy underlying a disproportionately large percentage of the world’s best wines. The Thieves speak with two prominent Californian practitioners of biodynamics to discuss several aspects of this philosophy-cum-practical manifesto, first developed
S2E10: Portugal's Leading Brands Safeguarding Lands with Martim Guedes, Luís Almada, and Pedro da Fonseca
Send us Fan MailOriginally aired November 2022: The Thieves are back in Europe to explore the wealth of indigenous grape varieties and stunning stunning old vineyards found in Portugal. Exactly how this sliver of the Iberian peninsula has been able to safeguard traditions, vineyards and distinctive regional character is what Sara and John are out to learn in this special reissue episode. They h
S3 E1: Lighten Up! Australia's Refreshing Reds with Mac Forbes and Sam Berketa
Send us Fan MailWe’re kicking off 2023 and season three of the podcast with a look at one of the hottest wine trends down under: cool and fresh red wines from Australia. Once famous, and still well-known for robust, full-bodied, sunshine-filled jammy reds, today there’s serious momentum gathering, and already flowing, for lighter styles of red, fresher, less oaky, with lower alcohol and higher dri
S2E11: Ontario: The Chopin of Chardonnay with Andrew Jefford
Send us Fan MailWith a broad, international perspective, award-winning author, Decanter columnist and broadcaster, Andrew Jefford shares his thoughts on Ontario Chardonnay after his role as a keynote speaker at this year's i4C (International Cool Climate Celebration) in Niagara, Ontario. Join John & Sara as they listen in to Jefford's consequential speech which connects the dynamic a
S2E10: Portugal's Leading Brands Safeguarding Lands with Martim Guedes, Luís Almada, and Pedro da Fonseca
Send us Fan MailThe Thieves are back in Europe to explore the wealth of indigenous grape varieties and stunning stunning old vineyards found in Portugal. Exactly how this sliver of the Iberian peninsula has been able to safeguard traditions, vineyards and distinctive regional character is what Sara and John are out to learn. They have a hunch that large-volume producers have a role to play, and
S2E9: Australia's Refreshing Whites, with Louisa Rose of Hill-Smith Family Vineyards and Con-Greg Grigoriou of Delinquente Wine Co.
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves are finally back with a new episode, perfect for the late summer, at least in the northern hemisphere, in which we share some cool news and information on the white wines of Australia. Many picture Australia as a warm country with beautiful beaches and great surfing, well suited to heat-loving red grapes like grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre (aka mataro) that make
S2 E8: The Old Vines Project, A South African Perspective with Rosa Kruger and Andre Morgenthal
Send us Fan MailIn today’s episode: how cataloguing old vines in South Africa has raised standards for fair employment, and sustainable farming and may just prove the key to solving the problem of the country’s most prevalent vine virus. We continue investigating the topic of old vines, this time from a different perspective, as we look to the Certified Heritage Vineyards of South Africa. We hope
S2E7: Old Vines Myths & Facts: the South Australian Perspective with Prue Henschke and Dr. Dylan Grigg
Send us Fan MailToday's episode takes a critical look at the fashionable and fascinating subject of old vines, some extremely old, how they got so old, how they perform and the wines they produce. Do they make better wine than young vines?The Wine Thieves ask two world experts from South Australia to weigh in: Prue Henschke, viticulturist for the renowned Henschke winery, including two of A
S2 E6: Technicolour Beaujolais with Mee Goddard, Cyril Chirouze, and Mathieu Lapierre
Send us Fan MailWho doesn't love Beaujolais? This in-depth episode is all about this picturesque, hilly region and its geological and stylistic diversity. Recent cataloguing of the Beaujolais soils helped bring to light over 300 soil profiles that have been analyzed and described by geologists in tandem with growers, underscoring that diversity (be sure to check out the soil map, published o
S2E5: Massaging the Octopus: Galician Cuisine & Rias Baixas with Michelin chef Pepe Solla
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves venture out beyond wine (but not too far) to speak with Michelin starred chef-sommelier José González-Solla (Pepe to his friends) of the renowned Casa Solla, near Pontevedra in Galicia. Once-known for its excellent, traditional, home cooking, when Solla took over from his parents he transformed the business through his inventive style of cooking that's still
S2E4: Rias Baixas: Albariño & Friends in O Rosal with Emilio Rodriguez of Terras Gauda
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 4 in a five-part series on Rias Baixas, the Wine Thieves speak with winemaker Emilio Rodriguez of the Terras Gauda winery in O Rosal, the largest privately owned winery in Rias Baixas. Emilio has been at Terras Gauda for longer than he can remember, and he is a big fan of some of the other native grapes of the region beyond Albariño, especially caiño blanco. He speaks
S2E3: Rias Baixas: Redefining Albariño in the County of Tea with Isabel Salgado of Fillaboa
Send us Fan MailRias Baixas episode 3 of a five-part series: redefining Albariño, emerging styles, ageworthy wines, and the Condado do Tea subregion with special guest Isabel Salgado, winemaker at Fillaboa. In this episode we shift our focus over to the Condado do Tea sub-region. Condado de Tea is the second largest sub-region of the five, behind the Salnès Valley. It starts inland from O Rosal ab
S2E2: Rias Baixas: The Secret of Salinity in Wine with Diego Rios of Granbazán
Send us Fan MailThis is part two of a five-part series on the Wine of Rias Baixas. In the first episode, we took you through the region, including a brief history and the technical details of climate and soils, sub-regions and the denominación of origin rules and regulations. If you missed it, you may want to go back and have a listen to our interview Katia Alvarez, winemaker at the Martin Codax w
S2E1: Rias Baixas: Reaching for Sunlight with Katia Alvarez of Martín Codax
Send us Fan MailWelcome back and thank you for joining us for another season of Wine Thieves! We're off to a fresh start with our latest series in which we explore albariño, seaside vineyards and fresh Atlantic wines as we travel through the diverse wine-growing region of Rias Baixas. This small corner of northwestern “Green Spain” in the region of Galicia has emerged over the last couple of
From the Archives: Riesling Day: 586(7) Years Young!
Send us Fan Mail A replay of last year's terrific episode celebrating Riesling day, March 19th, featuring Johannes Selbach (Selbach-Oster) of the Mosel Valley, Johannes Leitz from the Rheingau, Philip Wittman of the Rheinhessen, and twins Hans and Valentin Rebholz of Ökonomierat Rebholz. The earliest-known written record of Riesling dates back precisely to March 13, 1435 in Germany, in the
S1E58: A Toast to Yerevan! With Mariam Sagetelyan
Send us Fan MailThis is the last in our 5-part series featuring Armenia’s modern wine renaissance and our final episode of 2021. This time we focus on what’s most important, that is . . . eating and drinking in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia! Following the evolution of wine culture in the country that moved from a brandy-producing and brandy drinking culture to embracing their millennia-old wine
S1E57: No Branch, No Wine, No Service! Viennese Drinking Habits with Fritz Wieninger and Alex Zahel
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Thieves visit one of the world’s great wine capitals: Vienna. Up until the late Middle Ages, grapevines were still growing within city walls in what is now the first district in the heart of Vienna. Vineyards were slowly pushed to the outskirts, but Vienna remains the only European capital to have acreage of commercial consequence; just under 600ha are planted
S1E56: Styria, Steeply, Sauvignon with Alex Sattler of Sattlerhof, and Stefan Tement of Weingut Tement
Send us Fan MailYou probably already know about Austrian grüner veltliner. It’s the country’s most planted variety, and the wine you’re most likely to find on store shelves and restaurant wine lists. You may even know that Austria makes exceptional riesling and fine reds from local specialties like blaufränkisch and sankt laurent. But what may be news is that this middle European country is also t
Buy the Grape: Pays d'Oc IGP
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves make their way to the south of France to the country’s most productive IGP, the Pays d’Oc. This long coastal strip spanning 240 kilometres across the Mediterranean Sea from just east of Nîmes to the Spanish border is a multi-faceted region with endless sunshine, benevolent winds and variations in elevation that make it possible to successfully grow no fewer than 58
Autocthonous: Originating in Armenia
Send us Fan MailThis week we're back in Armenia focusing more deeply on the origins and proliferation of Armenia’s autochthonous grape varieties. Indigenous and autochthonous seem to be used interchangeably, but as we've learned, in the scientific community, autochthonous is the preferred term for grape varieties that were born, so to speak, in a certain place. So, get ready for a very
Napa's Women in Wine
Send us Fan Mail(Previously aired 07/21) In this important episode, we connect with two of the many women who make up the fabric of Napa Valley's wine trade. We speak with Megan Baccitich, a Healdsburg native and winemaker at the forward-thinking Geodesy Winery, and Ana Diogo-Draper, born raised and educated in Portugal but in Napa for the last 15 years, and now Director of winemaking at Ar
Regenerative Revolution: Beyond Sustainable in New Zealand
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Thieves explore one of the most important and timely topics in the wine world today: Regenerative Agriculture. “Regen Ag”, or simply RA as it’s often called, has become THE buzzword of the year not just in the wine industry, but in the agri-food sector at large. What is regen ag? It’s a simple question but the answer is anything but. In very basic terms, it’s
Napa Valley Grand Crus Part 2 with Paul Hobbs, Chris Tynan & Tom Hinde
Send us Fan Mail(Previously aired July 2021) This is not an episode about Napa's “icon wines” or “icon wineries” whose labels, rarity, and high cost cause a frenzy among consumers resulting in exclusive waitlists for the privilege of purchasing a bottle. No, today we’re talking about the “star” vineyards that, in some cases, have become brands in their own right. In Part One, we spoke with An
Armenia: Repurposing Old Techniques
Send us Fan MailIn this third episode focused on the re-nascent wine industry in Armenia, the Wine Thieves get into a deep and detailed conversation about ancient and recent techniques applied to the wealth of autochthonous grapes in the country. Joined by guests Artak Gabrielyan, chief winemaker at the Armenian National Agrarian University and lecturer at the EVN Wine Academy, and Jean-Paul Berge
The Crus of Napa Valley Part I: In Conversation with Andy Beckstoffer
Send us Fan Mail(Previously aired 07/15) Join the Wine Thieves in Napa Valley this week for the first of a special two-part series on the "grand crus" of Napa Valley, that is, the very best vineyards, the historic and more recently famous sites that produce Napa's finest wines. Today we're going straight to the source to talk to the Napa Valley’s, and probably all of California
Exploring Sub-appellations of the Niagara Peninsula and future crus, with Shauna White and Ilya Senchuk
Send us Fan MailIn this episode we take a deeper look at VQA Ontario wines, and more specifically the Niagara Peninsula and its 10 sub-appellations. We begin to unravel the mystery of the cru, those single parcels of vineyard that have, or yet may rise, to the top of the heap of Ontario VQA wines. What features do they share? What makes them unique?With grapegrowing experience stretching back to t
Touring Mendoza with Joaquin Hidalgo
Send us Fan MailToday we're exploring viticulture on top of the world, the wines of Mendoza which is the most prolific wine-growing region of Argentina. In fact, Mendoza holds 75% of the total vineyards in Argentina and the largest number of wineries in the country. In this episode, we’ll be talking about the diversity within Mendoza in all its corners from Lavalle to San Rafael so you’ll ben
Armenia Part 2: Renaissance Ready
Send us Fan MailWay back in episode 41 entitled Armenia: Stepping Back Through Time, the Wine Thieves introduced listeners to this fascinating country with 6100 years (at least) of winemaking history. Armenia is the site of the oldest known winemaking facility, the Areni-1 cave discovered in 2007 in the Armenian highlands in the region called Vayots Dzor. Be sure to listen for the full backstory.
VQA Ontario Wine: The Historical Archives
Send us Fan MailWhat do a British diplomat, a Paris wine shop owner, and a Mosel winegrower have to do with Ontario wine? Listen in to find out - they all defined or shaped Ontario's wine industry in some way. In this rich episode on the history of the Ontario wine industry, you'll also hear many more legends, tales and genuine anecdotes archived from the mists of distant times in the v
VQA Ontario Riesling
Send us Fan MailThis week the Wine Thieves embark upon the all-important discussion of riesling grown in Ontario, Canada. Ontario’s cool-climate wine growing regions enjoy special status as one of the few areas outside of northern Europe where Riesling is a signature grape variety. It is home to vineyards that are now over 40 years old and as of this year, riesling makes up 15% of all VQA Ontario
Armenia: Stepping Back Through Time
Send us Fan MailThe world’s most ancient wine-producing region, with 6,000 years of history, is just beginning a modern winemaking renaissance. Why haven't you heard about Armenian wine? Unlike neighbouring Georgia, whose wine production has continued unbroken for millennia, Armenia’s ill-fated wine culture was drowned by successive waves of troubled historical events. But thanks to the cou
Femmes du Vin: In Conversation with Madeline Puckette and Priya Rao
Send us Fan MailIn our ongoing series featuring Femmes du Vin, we speak with Madeline Puckette, author, co-founder and wine education content creator of the wildly popular Wine Folly. Stemming from her own experience with formal wine education, Madeline decided to take a rather radical departure from formalized pedagogy, working instead within a visual framework to better communicate information
Taking the Helm: Next Generation Vintners of Napa Valley
Send us Fan MailWe’re back in the Napa Valley with stories about the early days of the re-birth of the Napa Valley from the 1970s and 1980s. We’ll hear about the hard work, the physical labour of establishing a vineyard, the uncertainty that hung over wineries at the time, and certainly the financial drain. John and Sara speak with two second-generation winemakers from the Napa Valley who both hav
Napa Valley Grand Crus Part 2 with Paul Hobbs, Chris Tynan & Tom Hinde
Send us Fan MailThis is not an episode about Napa's “icon wines” or “icon wineries” whose labels, rarity, and high cost cause a frenzy among consumers resulting in exclusive waitlists for the privilege of purchasing a bottle. No, today we’re talking about the “star” vineyards that, in some cases, have become brands in their own right. In Part One, we spoke with Andy Beckstoffer, the winegrowe
The Crus of Napa Valley Part I: In Conversation with Andy Beckstoffer
Send us Fan MailJoin the Wine Thieves in Napa Valley this week for the first of a special two-part series on the "grand crus" of Napa Valley, that is, the very best vineyards, the historic and more recently famous sites that produce Napa's finest wines. Today we're going straight to the source to talk to the Napa Valley’s, and probably all of California’s, most famous grape gro
Napa Valley's Women in Wine
Send us Fan MailIn this important episode we connect with two of the many women who make up the fabric of Napa Valley's wine trade. We speak with Megan Baccitich, a Healdsburg native and winemaker at the forward-thinking Geodesy Winery, and Ana Diogo-Draper, born raised, and educated in Portugal but in Napa for the last 15 years, and now Director of winemaking at Artesa. We explore why disc
In Conversation with Paul Grieco
Send us Fan MailThe Man, The Myth, The Legend. On occasion, the Thieves feature conversations with sommeliers and wine industry leaders with unique perspectives, who are great storytellers, and whose work they admire. In this episode, John and Sara speak with the one and only Paul Grieco, 'General and Manager' of Tribeca's Terroir wine bar in New York City, one of the finest not onl
Drink Chenin Day
Send us Fan MailDrink Chenin!In honour of Drink Chenin Day, June 18th 2021, the Wine Thieves make a special trip to South Africa, a global leader in Chenin Blanc production with 55% of the world's plantings. It’s the #1 most planted grape of any colour in the Cape Winelands, accounting for 17.5% of national acreage. The grape has a complicated history but is likely to have been established in
Ontario VQA Chardonnay
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves are thrilled to be back on home soil in beautiful southern Ontario investigating what might just be Ontario's finest and most reliable grape variety, Chardonnay. Of the 51 varieties authorized for VQA production, chardonnay is number one by volume accounting for 13% of total VQA production. This episode gives you an overview of Ontario appellations and sub-app
Hudson River Region, Lake Erie and the Urban Wineries of New York
Send us Fan MailAn episode devoted to a few lesser known topics relations to New York Wines including growing in the Hudson River Region, Lake Erie and the burgeoning urban winery scene. An historic growing region, the Hudson River Region is one of the oldest established AVAs in the US having received the designation in 1982. It's also home to the oldest commercial vineyard and the oldest con
Vinho Verde
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves are back in Europe this spring, the ideal time of year to rediscover Portugal's Vinho Verde. Crisp, delicately perfumed, dry to off-dry, low in alcohol and sometimes with the merest prickle of effervescence, these are classic descriptors of this northern Portuguese specialty (and mostly white, but there are rosé and red versions, too).But as we'll discove
New York Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Red Friends
Send us Fan MailContinuing their journey through New York, John and Sara take a deeper dive into the red wines grown across the state in search of an elusive flagship variety. The Thieves make the call that New York's signature red grape must surely be cabernet franc, even if their wine producing friends are reluctant to say it themselves. Merlot may be more widely planted but it remains a Lo
Sauvignon Blanc Day: A Toast to New Zealand!
Send us Fan MailMay 7th is Sauvignon Blanc day but we'll be celebrating all week! Join the Wine Thieves at ground zero for new world sauvignon blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand. John and Sara explore its rise to prominence from the first plantings in the 1970s, through to its explosion on the international scene in the 1990s, and now to the current ‘third wave’ (a good third wave, that is) of p
FLX Riesling
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves' weakness for riesling compels them to tarry a little longer in the Finger Lakes region of New York (FLX). Riesling has become a signature grape of FLX, home to 85% of all the riesling planted in New York State. Here it delivers electric, laser-sharp wines the way we like them, bone-dry to sweet, from steep, lakeside slopes on gravelly, shaley, and loamy soils
Femmes du Vin Part II: Emily Pearce and Michelle Bouffard
Send us Fan MailLast fall we interviewed some of the exceptional speakers of the Femmes du Vin Harvest Series and we are delighted to be able to present them to you now. Femmes du Vin is a grassroots women’s organization dedicated to promoting and amplifying the voices of all women in wine. Visit femmesduvin.org to find out more about their upcoming seminar series. In this episode we welcome two s
Finger Lakes, New York
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves continue their journey through New York, venturing into the best known wine region of the 4th largest wine producing state in the USA, the Finger Lakes AVA. Encompassing 11 slender, glacially carved, finger-like lakes running roughly north-south, this diverse region may be best known for its riesling, but John and Sara discover just how many more grape varieties
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir: New Zealand Part 3
Send us Fan MailThe world clearly loves New Zealand sauvignon blanc, but some industry insiders believe that pinot noir and chardonnay just might be the country's best expressions. In this episode the Wine Thieves speak to two of New Zealand's legendary producers, also counted among the world's best pinot and chard artists: Sherwyn Veldhuizen of Bell Hill in North Canterbury, and Bl
New Zealand's Unexpected Varieties
Send us Fan MailThe New Zealand wine industry may be focused on just a handful of grapes, but in this episode, the Wine Thieves go hors-piste in search of the unexpected. New Zealand enjoys a surprisingly wide range of climate zones - more than you might think - making the country suitable for far more than just those headlining grapes, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay. Last week we loo
Farming in the Forks: Long Island's Maritime Vines
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves find themselves in a New York state of wine as they begin a new series investigating the disparate terroirs and wealth of wine styles in the only US state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. Long Island is their first destination, a stone's throw from New York City. This maritime-influenced region was first planted with grapes in the 160
Playing the Long Game: New Zealand Syrah
Send us Fan MailSyrah might offer a quick return on investment in New Zealand but it may just be another grape that puts New Zealand on the world wine map in the future. In this episode the Wine Thieves are in conversation with Kate Radburnd of Radburn Cellars and Warren Gibson of Trinity Hill, two of New Zealand's top syrah producers, as they attempt to unlock the secret of this dynamic gra
Riesling Day: 586 Years Young
Send us Fan MailThe earliest-known written record of Riesling dates back precisely to March 13, 1435 in Germany, in the cellar log of Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen in Rüsselsheim, a town just south of the Rheingau. The log notes a purchase for 22 shillings of “seczreben Rießlingen in die wingarten – “Riesling cuttings for the vineyard”. That’s why March 13th has been officially designated as Ri
The Cost of a Mile: New Zealand's Green Journey
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves begin a new virtual adventure to Aotearoa, the "land of the long white cloud", more commonly known as New Zealand. In this first episode, John and Sara get a handle on what sustainability means to Kiwi grape growers, 96% of which are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, or SWNZ. Along with their special guest, Dr. Ed Massey, General Manager S
Sangiovese: A Reflection of Terroir in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves get their hands dirty with a star quartet of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producers to learn why and how soil matters most to sangiovese, more than any other production parameter. Weighing in from their estates in Montepulciano are: Andrea Lonardi of Tenuta Tre Rose, Luca Tiberini of Tiberini, Luca Corrado of Boscarelli and Antonio Zaccheo of Carpineto. Sangiovese
The Cartographer of Montepulciano
Send us Fan MailAt some point in every wine lover's deepening obsession , they fall down the cartographic rabbit hole. If you've fallen prey to this map-centric preoccupation, don't miss this episode of Wine Thieves. John and Sara speak with mapmaker straordinario Alessandro Masnaghetti, founder of Enogea, publisher of the world's most detailed maps of wine regions. More
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: past, present and future
Send us Fan MailThis week the Wine Thieves head to Tuscany and more specifically to the DOCG of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Italy's first DOCG and "the king of all wines" according to poet Francesco Redi. They foolishly consider rolling an empty barrel 600m up to the top of the medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano (in the "annual Bravio delle Botti"), to take advanta
Blaufränkischland
Send us Fan MailOur 20th episode is dedicated to Blaufränkisch, the widely acknowledged "grape of the future", and its epicentre of production in the Federal State of Burgenland on the eastern edge of Austria. Barbaresco or Côte Rôtie? Chinon or Pommard? What does Blaufränkisch remind you of? We go straight to two of the world's greatest artists of the ancient grape to get the in
Weinviertel, Along the Danube Part 2
Send us Fan MailThink you know Austria's Weinviertel (the "Wine Quarter")? Our continuing journey down the Danube may yet surprise you. We look north of Vienna and the river to this vast DAC , Austria's largest, and first protected designation of origin established in 2002. DAC Weinviertel on the label means fragrant, fresh, oak-free, dry and peppery grüner veltliner, the regio
Along the Danube, Part One
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves begin their cruise along the Danube exploring Neiderösterreich (Lower Austria), pausing to marvel at the magnificent, steeply terraced vineyards of the Wachau, the variegated side valleys of the Kremstal, Kamptal and the Traisental, with a pampered pitstop in Langenlois before next week's hike into the Weinviertel. Sara loses John briefly to a reverie on loess
Biodynamic Austria
Send us Fan MailContent in grüner Austria, the Wine Thieves spend this week delving into biodynamic history and practices in a virtual encounter at Austria's oldest biodynamic winery and second oldest winery to be certified in the world. We speak to Nikolaus Saahs of the Nikolaihof winery in the Wachau whose winemaking legacy dates back 2,000 years in the village of Mautern on the southern si
Green Austria Part I
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves launch 2021 on a highly positive note: "Green Austria”, the first in a mini-series on Austrian wines. This small country in the heart of Europe has quietly been green, and getting greener for over a century, showing the way towards more responsible, earth-friendly wine production. Austria registered the first organic farm in the world in 1927, and was the firs
Femmes du Vin: Mastering the Art of Tasting
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves speak with four women at the top of their game about how to taste. We invite Elsa Macdonald (Master of Wine), Elyse Lambert (Master Sommelier), Jennifer Huether (Master Sommelier) and Véronique Rivest (Canada's Best Sommelier and International Sommelier Champion) to a round table discussion about what matters most when blind tasting but first we talk about the
Médoc Part 3: Sustainability, Organics, Biodynamics & Agroforestry
Send us Fan MailIf these are not words that you often associate with Bordeaux and more importantly, Médoc then this next episode should prove perspective changing. It may be a region that is damp, affected by both maritime influences and that of the Gironde Estuary, but this is a welcome challenge to environmentally minded, innovative producers of the region. The greater region of Bordeaux is the
Médoc Part 2: Family, Legacy and the Future
Send us Fan MailIn this second episode of our podcast series on Médoc, we take a look at the realities of a new cohort of proprietors in the Médoc. Protecting the future of the region requires reverence for what generations of the past have built. We consider what is being done differently now, pressures created by a rapidly changing global market and how the weight of a centuries-old legacy can a
Médoc Part 1: The Next Generation
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves are happy to introduce a new series devoted to the wine region of Médoc beginning this week. This perspective changing three-part podcast investigates the region through the lens of a new generation of family-owned estates. Forward-thinking and with commitment to sustainable and organic production, we explore the new dynamism of the Médoc. We investigate the presen
Terroir & Techniques: The Science of Rosé in Provence
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves' bid a fond farewell to Provence with an in-depth look at the terroir and techniques that make the rosé of the region so distinctive. We visit the Centre du Rosé in Vidauban and speak to researchers Nathalie Pouzalgues and Matthias Bougreau. Their mission? To carry out high-level scientific research and experiments on rosé wine to better understand terroir, gr
Coteaux Varois en Provence
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves continue their journey through lavender fields and mysterious forests up in the heart of the Provence wine region known as the Coteaux Varois en Provence. In this episode they welcome Keith Murray of Murray Family Wines, owners of Chateau Routas located on 290 hectares between Aix-en-Provence and the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Saint Tropez. They also get a chance
Provence for all Seasons: Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Send us Fan MailThe Wine Thieves make their way to the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation and chat with winemaker Philippe Bru of Château Vignelaure about ageworthy rosé, the importance of altitude and evidence of 2,600 years of wine history in Provence. Take a virtual stroll through quintessential Provencal town of Aix-en-Provence while picturing the landscapes of Cezanne and Hemingway&ap
Côtes de Provence Part Deux
Send us Fan MailAn iconic figure in the world of rosé globally but firmly rooted in Provence, Sacha Lichine, the creator of Whispering Angel, has a frank discussion with Wine Thieves John Szabo and Sara d'Amato about branding, rosé appeal and most importantly what makes Provence such a tour de force when it comes to this historically significant style.
Provence Part I: Rosé All Ways in Côtes de Provence
Send us Fan MailJohn and Sara set sail on Provence, navigating the Mediterranean coastline, sampling rosé, structured reds and coveted white wines while speaking to some of the region's top producers. It may come as no surprise that it is continental France's sunniest region but did you know that Provence is the country's oldest wine region? Together we'll discover that rosé is
Bourgogne for a Changing World: The Mâconnais
Send us Fan MailThe Mâconnais is the most southerly terroir of the Bourgogne wine growing region. Sara and John survey the region from atop the Roche de Solutré and speak to Olivier Merlin of Domaine Merlin in the village of La Roche-Vineuse. This is the final podcast in this series on Bourgogne.
Episode 4: Côte Chalonnaise
Send us Fan MailOur second to last episode on Bourgogne, we present you with Côte Chalonnaise. We explore this natural extension of the Côte de Beaune that is often referred to as the cradle of Crémant de Bourgogne. Remi Marlin joins us in conversation direct from the of the Cave de Buxy to speak to us about the multitude of styles produced in this dynamic region.
Episode 3 - Bourgogne for a Changing World: Hautes-Côtes
Send us Fan MailIn this second to last episode on the region of Bourgogne, John and Sara venture further south into the Côte Chalonnaise. This natural extension of the Côte de Beaune is often referred to as the cradle of Crémant de Bourgogne (and you know by now how they feel about Crémant!). Remi Marlin joins the conversation direct from the Cave de Buxy to speak about the multitude of styles pro
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