Vint Wine Podcast

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko welcomes back William Kelley, Editor in Chief at Wine Advocate, for his first in-depth conversation since taking on the role. From restructuring the critic team and introducing perfumer-led aroma training, to emphasizing vineyard visits as part of the review process, William offers an inside look at how one of the world’s leading wine publications is evolving. The discussion covers scoring philosophy, the risks of score inflation, and how changing consumer habits in the digital era are reshaping wine criticism. William also shares his own experiences as a Burgundy grower, including pruning approaches, Lalou Bize-Leroy–inspired canopy management, and the technical decisions that influence wine style and longevity. We close with a comprehensive look at recent Burgundy vintages, 2021’s cool, classical character; 2022’s ripe concentration; 2023’s stylistic contrasts between reds and whites; the challenges of 2024, and why 2025 could be a standout year. 🎧 In this episode: • Updates and new hires at The Wine Advocate • Why vineyard work matters for credible wine reviews • Balancing objectivity and subjectivity in wine criticism • Scoring philosophy and avoiding score inflation • Innovations in pruning and canopy management in Burgundy • Burgundy vintage overview: 2021–2024, with an early look at 2025 • The future of fine wine in a shifting global market Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast 00:19 Host Introduction and Episode Overview 00:56 Listener Feedback and Upcoming News Segment 01:26 Billy's Travel Plans and Wine Tasting 01:57 Quick Wine News: Alcohol Labels and Blending 06:03 Interview with William Kelley Begins 07:30 William Kelley's Role and Team at Wine Advocate 17:56 Wine Criticism and Quality Assessment 24:58 Scoring Wines: Differentiation and Cadence 25:50 Challenges in Wine Reviewing 26:49 Balancing New Releases and Horizontal Tastings 27:59 The Administrative Burden of Wine Reviewing 30:13 The Future of Wine Reviews and AI 31:48 Innovative Pruning Techniques in Vineyards 35:00 Managing Canopies for Optimal Growth 42:30 Recent Vintages and Future Predictions 📬 Want more? Share your feedback with Billy on Instagram @billygalanko_wine_nerd or by email at billy@thewinepod.com. Follow, rate, and review the show to help spread the word, cheers! The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with William Kelley, Editor-in-Chief of The Wine Advocate and one of the wine world’s most insightful and articulate voices. Based in Beaune, France, William oversees coverage of Bordeaux and Burgundy, and brings a globally respected palate and deep historical perspective to his writing and reviews. 🎧 In this candid, fast-paced conversation, William shares: * Why Bordeaux may be the most underrated region today, despite its global reputation. * His recent interest in Northern Rhône Syrah, especially the expressive, precise wines from the Sorrel family in Hermitage. * A critical take on the idea that “imperfection equals authenticity” in winemaking. * His once-in-a-lifetime discovery of an untouched 19th-century Burgundy cellar, original corks and all. A concise conversation packed with useful takeaways and personal anecdotes from a leading voice in the world of wine. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast 00:19 Welcome to Five Questions 00:44 Interview with William Kelly Begins 00:52 William Kelly's Role in the Wine Industry 01:29 Current Wine Favorites 02:21 Underrated Wine Regions 04:30 Disliked Wine Trends 05:57 Memorable Wine Experiences 08:39 Conclusion and Thanks 👉 Subscribe to the Vint Wine Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping today’s wine world. Follow us and leave a review to support the show. The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen, the visionary winegrowers behind Bell Hill, one of New Zealand’s most distinctive producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From a chance blind tasting that led Billy to discover their wines, to the couple’s deep Burgundian inspiration and painstaking work establishing Bell Hill on a former limestone quarry in North Canterbury, this conversation explores what makes their wines so compelling. Sherwyn and Marcel reflect on their early days studying viticulture, their formative trips through Burgundy, and the long process of importing rootstocks that could thrive on Bell Hill’s high pH soils. They discuss the evolution of their vineyard—from their first plantings in 1997 to their recent experiments with extremely high-density vines—and share insights into single parcel bottlings, screwcap closures, cellar aging, and New Zealand’s growing reputation for world-class Chardonnay. 🎧 In this episode: • The founding story of Bell Hill and its Burgundian inspiration • How limestone soils and high-density planting shape wine expression • The unique winemaking philosophy behind their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay • Why North Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s most unique wine growing regions • Bell Hill’s evolving range, including rare single-vineyard releases • Reflections on climate, vintage variation, and the future of New Zealand fine wine This episode also includes a roundup of the week’s wine news: Napa’s cool summer and green harvesting risks, three producers to watch from an under-the-radar reds article, and why more sommeliers are ditching flutes in favor of white wine glasses for Champagne. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast 00:38 Discovering Bell Hill Wines 01:59 Podcast Format Changes and Listener Feedback 03:55 Wine News: California's Cool Summer 05:51 Wine Recommendations: Hidden Gems 08:48 Champagne Glass Debate 10:43 Interview with Bell Hill Winemakers 25:30 Addressing Rootstock Issues 26:34 Introduction to Bell Hills Wines 27:36 Bell Hill's Unique Vineyard Practices 29:49 Challenges and Strategies in Wine Production 32:46 North Canterbury Wines 37:25 High-Density Planting Experiments 46:24 Winemaking Philosophy and Techniques 51:52 Current Vintages and Final Thoughts 📬 Want more? Share your feedback with Billy on Instagram @billygalanko_wine_nerd [https://www.instagram.com/billygalankowinenerd] or by email at billy@thewinepod.com. Follow, rate, and review the show to help spread the word—cheers! The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen, the visionary winegrowers behind Bell Hill Vineyard in North Canterbury, New Zealand. From the limestone-rich soils in the Weka Pass, the duo crafts small-lot, high-density Pinot Noir and Chardonnay inspired by the farming traditions of Burgundy. We explore what makes Bell Hill so distinctive, from its limestone soils to their philosophy of “growing” wine rather than making it. Marcel and Sherwyn share which vintages have defined their journey, including their first Chardonnay in 2002 and a standout single-parcel expression from 2016. They also reflect on the influence of Champagne and Burgundy, their evolving approach to biodiversity and sustainability, and what lies ahead for the estate, including a sparkling wine project and long-term land stewardship goals. 📻 Tune in to learn: • Why limestone, vine density, and terroir expression are central to Bell Hill’s identity • How Burgundy’s wine-growing philosophy shaped their approach • The role of vintage variation and what they’ve learned from their earliest wines • What’s next for Bell Hill—from sparkling wine to rewilding and succession • How they’re redefining what sustainable viticulture can look like in the New World Subscribe to the Vint Wine Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping global wine culture. The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko welcomes Cokie Ponikvar, Advanced Sommelier, Master of Wine candidate, and the voice behind the educational Instagram account @cokiesworldofwine [https://www.instagram.com/cokiesworldofwine], for an in-depth conversation about wine study, communication, and global exploration. Cokie discusses how to start learning about wine from the ground up, how she built her Instagram following by breaking down technical topics into approachable lessons, and how she prepared for both the Advanced Sommelier and Master of Wine exams. She shares her unique blind tasting method using hundreds of mini bottles, offers advice for building a cellar on a budget, and reflects on her wine travels across Burgundy, Champagne, and Germany. Topics covered include: * The differences between the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and Master of Wine (MW) exam formats, especially in blind tasting and service * Her at-home tasting setup using hundreds of mini bottles for varietal calibration * How to start learning about wine and begin tasting with purpose before building a collection * Recommended first bottles to age, and how to build a cellar on a modest budget (hint: Riesling) * Why still wines from Champagne (Coteaux Champenois) are gaining attention in warm vintages * The importance of remaining open-minded to new grape varieties and styles * Cultural differences in wine appreciation across Canada, the UK, the U.S., and Europe * Vineyard visits across Burgundy, Champagne, and Germany, including time spent with Peter Liem and a barrel tasting at Egly-Ouriet 🎧 Follow Cokie on Instagram: @cokiesworldofwine [https://www.instagram.com/cokiesworldofwine] 📌 Subscribe to the Vint Wine Podcast for more interviews with the people shaping wine culture today. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Vent Wine Podcast 00:28 Interview with Kki Pock Far: Introduction 00:59 Weekly Wine News: Champagne Harvest and Still Wines 03:04 Exploring the Serene Syrah Clone 05:15 Diving into the Interview with Kki 07:27 Kki's Wine Journey and Instagram Success 12:02 Advanced Sommelier Exam Insights 17:05 Tips for Wine Beginners and Enthusiasts 27:51 Sweet Wines and Alcohol Content 28:26 Regional Differences in Rieslings 29:16 Aging Wines: Rioja vs. Bordeaux 29:50 Wine Culture Across Continents 32:09 Wine Adventures and Tastings 32:28 Blending Wines with Sarah Jessica Parker 37:19 Exploring Vineyards Solo 48:15 Upcoming Wine Travels and Studies The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!