The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Cork Talk with Stellios Boutaris

Stellios Boutaris is a fourth-generation winemaker who’s one of the key figures in the modern Greek wine scene, running both Kir-Yanni in Macedonia and Domaine Sigalas on the volcanic island of Santorini. A lover of both Xinomavro and Assyrtiko, two of the country’s most distinctive grapes, he has extremely topical views about sustainable viticulture in a changing climate and how Greece can sustain its global momentum.

To read more about Stellios have a look at Kir-Yanni website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @stelliosboutaris.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Matt Gant

A university course in the historical geography of viticulture prompted Matt Gant to get on a plane from London to New Zealand to do harvest. Since then, he’s never looked back, working at St Hallett in Australia before setting up two projects of his own, First Drop and Gant & Co. Dividing his time between Western Australia and Quinta de Pedra Alta in the Douro, he loves living Down Under but still cheers for England when it comes to cricket.

To read more about Matt have a look at The Gant & Co. website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @gantandcowines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Núria Altés

Núria Altés was born into a family of grape growers in Batea in southern Catalunya and worked at the local co-operative before she set up her own bodega, Herència Altés, with her husband, Rafa de Haan, in 2010. Now recognised as one of the leading voices in the dynamic Terra Alta region, she’s passionate and deeply knowledgeable about organic viticulture, old vines and local grapes such as Garnacha Blanca and Garnacha Peluda.

To read more about Núria have a look at her website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @herencia_altes.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Jerry Lockspeiser

Jerry Lockspeiser dreamt of being a professional footballer, but ended up in wine by accident in his early thirties. A serial entrepreneur and risk taker, who built Vinceremos and Bottle Green into major wine suppliers, he’s now the chair of North South Wines, and director of Positive News. From organic wine pioneer to marathon runner, philanthropist to published author, Jerry's career spans four decades. And he’s still going strong.

To read more about Jerry have a look at the North South website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @jerrylockspeiser.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Tony Bish

Tony Bish got a harvest job at a winery in Gisborne to fund a ski season in New Zealand’s South Island and has never looked back. After 27 years at Sacred Hill, he set up his own brand in 2013, entirely focused on Chardonnays of all shapes, sizes and styles. Sourcing grapes from some of the best vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, he’s on a mission to turn consumers into what he calls 'Chardonnistas', challenging the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) movement in the process.

To read more about Tony have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @tonybish.wines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Marta Casas

Marta Casas originally trained as a pharmacist but switched to wine after she met her future husband and accompanied him and his family on a fact-finding tour to Australia. Now the long-term, award winning winemaker at Parés Baltà in the Penedés, she’s an expert on biodynamics as well as a passionate advocate for local Catalan grapes, with their lower alcohol, naturally high acidity and resistance to climate change.

To read more about Marta have a look at the Parés Baltà  website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @martacasasjorba. 

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Philippe Melka

Philippe Melka grew up in Bordeaux studying geology — never planning to make wine — until a further university course in oenology and viticulture and an internship at Château Haut-Brion changed his life. Today he's one of the Napa Valley's most celebrated winemakers and consultants, with multiple 100-point wines to his name and a philosophy built on one simple idea: stand back and let the land speak.

To read more about Philippe have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @ateliermelka.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Cathy Marshall

Cathy Marshall studied Physical Education and English Literature at university, but got interested in wine because of a few late nights in the bars of Stellenbosch. After a further degree at Elsenburg College, where she became one of her country’s first female winemakers, she travelled the world before returning to the Cape to set up Catherine Marshall Wines. A lover of elegant reds and whites, she’s a key figure in the South African New Wave.

To read more about Cathy have a look at her website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @catherinemarshallwines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Michael Schmelzer

Michael Schmelzer is a citizen of the world, brought up in Italy, France, Germany and the United States. Today, his home is the beautiful Monte Bernardi estate in Chianti Classico, a property that his family has owned since 2003. Though Australia-trained, he’s a winemaker who believes in the traditional European ways of doing things, using biodynamic farming to get the best out of his vineyards and keeping intervention in the cellar to a minimum.

To read more about Michael have a look at the Monte Bernardi website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @michael_montebernardi.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Jade Gross

Jade Gross was all set to become a human rights’ lawyer when she got a bursary to study cookery in Paris. After a very flourishing career as a chef, culminating in the top job at the world-famous Mugaritz in San Sebastián, she changed tack once more, moving to the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja to make her own wines. A serial high achiever, and a self-confessed control freak, she’s bus making a success of her new life too.

To read more about Jade have a look at her website. You can also follow her on Instagram at @jadegrosswines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.