Drinking in moderation: bad news for wine?

Episode 8: Think pink!

Today rosé wine isn’t just something we just turn to in a heatwave, perfect though it is then. Sales of rosé have exploded in Britain - as well as France - in recent years, especially the very pale-coloured rosés produced in Provence. But might we have reached peak Provence rosé now? Andy and Victoria explore the rise of rosé, why it’s the colour it is, and what other rosés are worth a try. Featured: Whispering Angel (Sacha Lichine) Maison Mirabeau (Stephen and Jeany Cronk) M de Minity Château Léoube Aix Recommended wines: Château Ollieux Romanis Racine rosé 2025, Corbières (The Wine Society, £11.95) Boutari “Dianthos” rosé 2025, PGI Imathia (Tesco, £11.50) Moropolous rosé 2024, PGI Arcadia (Lea & Sandeman, £19.95 or £17.50 as part of a mixed case of 12) Mas de la Rouvière rosé 2025, Bandol (Yapp, £23.50) Original music by Rosa Neather ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw [https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw]

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]