Get Yourself a Glass

Coping with wine’s energy shock

The war in the Persian Gulf has already sent oil prices soaring and hit global supplies of natural gas and fertiliser - so how well cushioned is the wine industry? Costs of diesel, electricity, bottles and shipping are all going up for wine producers and importers. But some of the industry’s moves towards sustainability will help blunt the impact. We look at renewable energy and hear from Rathfinny Estate’s owner, Mark Driver, about how they’re using solar power to cut bills. We explore how bottles have got lighter, cutting energy use. And we look at how bulk shipping has cut the energy used to get a bottle of wine to your table. Featured: Rathfinny Estate, Sussex Simpson’s Wine Estate, Kent Gusbourne Estate, Kent Mouchão, Portugal Domaine Bousquet, Argentina Rippon Vineyard, New Zealand Andy’s book with Jane Masters MW is Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine http://bit.ly/4t7OKlV [http://bit.ly/4t7OKlV] Recommended wines: Zuccardi Regiones Cabernet Franc Speri Valpolicella and Valpolicella Superiore Original music by Rosa Neather ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw [https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw]

Lebanon's wines in time of war

Episode 6: Lebanon makes fabulous wines, part of the country’s rich tradition of hospitality and good food. But now Lebanon’s winemakers find themselves in desperate straits under yet another assault by Israel, part of the wider conflict in the Middle East. Andy Neather and Victoria Moore discuss what makes Lebanese wine special and find out how winemakers are coping in the latest war, with contributions from award-winning Anglo-Lebanese writer Michael Karam. Featured: Michael Karam's book, Wines of Lebanon: The Journey Continues Château Ksara "Le Prieuré" Domaine des Tourelles "Cuvée Pierre Brun" We also discuss Château Musar, Ixsir and Château Kefraya Original music by Rosa Neather https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw [https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw]

Q&A: A cork-screwcap green-off, glass tribulations, trends - and Andy checks in from Australia

Victoria Moore and Andy Neather answer your burning wine questions. Discover why cork is greener than screw caps, how to handle "unacceptable" (that's not our word) glassware situations and whether you need to be a "super taster" to justify spending more on wine. Andy also gets stuck in to a question about natural wines, explaining what "funky" really means and how to avoid borderline faulty bottles. And Victoria predicts the next big wine trends—think darker rosés and chilled reds. Plus, Andy reports from Australia's Yarra Valley, exploring how climate change is reshaping cool-climate winemaking and some seriously good restaurants. From sustainability to stemware etiquette, this episode answers the questions every wine lover wants to know. Recommendations: Yeringberg Marsanne-Roussanne Yarra Valley Australia Fox Tales Winemakers Selection Saperavi 2024 Australia

Drinking in moderation: bad news for wine?

Wine sales are falling and moderation is up: is this the beginning of the end for wine? (Spoiler: no…) Andy Neather and Victoria Moore discuss what falling wine sales and increased interest in moderation mean for wine lovers. They also taste some no and low drinks – and end up with reasons to be cheerful about wine’s future in 2026. Featured: · Momo kombuchas: https://momo-kombucha.com/ [https://momo-kombucha.com/] · Saicho sparkling teas https://www.saichodrinks.com/ [https://www.saichodrinks.com/] · Samuel Billaud “Les Grands Terroirs” Chablis 2023, France - £30-35 at good independent wine stores · Moorooduc Estate Pinot Noir 2020, Mornington Peninsula, Australia – from £25 at good independent wine stores Music: Rosa Neather ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw [https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw]

Episode 3: Christmas special

Andy Neather and Victoria Moore discuss when to decant wine; what wine to enjoy at Christmas with your Stilton cheese; brain food for Christmas, including a podcast with Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht, plus Ruby Tandoh's new book; a party game with AI wine tasting notes; and some Christmas wine recommendations. Featured: Taittinger Champagne NV Brut Waitrose Blueprint Amontillado Medium-Dry Sherry D'Oliveiras Medium-Sweet 5 year-old Madeira Talisker 10 year-old Single Malt Whisky Domaine Bousquet "Ameri" Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Gualtallary, Argentina https://vintageroots.co.uk/domaine-bousquet-ameri-gualtallary-sauvignon-blanc/ [https://vintageroots.co.uk/domaine-bousquet-ameri-gualtallary-sauvignon-blanc/] Tim Atkin's Cork Talk interview with Greg Lambrecht: https://timatkin.com/cork-talk/cork-talk-with-greg-lambrecht/ [https://timatkin.com/cork-talk/cork-talk-with-greg-lambrecht/] Ruby Tandoh's book: “All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now" Music: Rosa Neather https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw [https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw]