The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Cork Talk with Gordon Newton Johnson

After a degree in economics, Gordon Newton Johnson decided he didn’t want to go to work in a suit and tie. Instead he joined a new wine business that his father, Dave, had set up in the cool climate Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Over the last 25 years, he’s helped to turn Newton Johnson Family Vineyards into a South African first growth, making some of the country’s best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, while remaining one of the wine industry’s true gentlemen.

To read more about Gordon have a look at the Newton Johnson Family Vineyards website. You can also follow him on Instagram @gordonnjohnson

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Duncan Forsyth

By his own admission, Duncan Forsyth spent a lot of his twenties travelling, skiing and partying. A chance attendance at a wine tasting back in Queenstown inspired him to get a job at Chard Farm. It was the start of career that has seen him become one of the key figures in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, especially since he and a partner bought Mount Edward in 2004. He’s an opinionated, funny and unconventional interviewee.

To read more about Duncan have a look at the Mount Edward website. You can also follow him on Instagram @wineswinger.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Jason Haas

Jason Haas studied archaeology at university and worked in the tech industry for four years before joining the family winery, Tablas Creek, in Paso Robles in 2002. Since then, he’s helped to turn it into one of the leading Rhône style specialists in California. Listen to us chat about alpacas and sheep, organics, biodynamics and regenerative agriculture, the hidden wonders of Vaccarèse, his passion for blogging and why continuity matters.

To read more about Jason have a look at the Tablas Creek website. You can also follow the company on Instagram @tablascreek.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 David Gleave

Born in Toronto, David Gleave started out working in bars in London and Dublin and fell into wine by chance. He’s since gone on to become one of the world’s leading experts on Italian wine as well as the founder and now chairman of Liberty Wines. Listen to us chat about the Master of Wine qualification, what makes the perfect restaurant wine list, his passion for cycling and why travel is essential to his job as a wine merchant.

To read more about David have a look at the Liberty Wines website. You can also follow the company on Instagram @liberty_wines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Giovanni Manetti

Giovanni Manetti’s family has lived in Tuscany since the 1650s, but they were in the business of producing terracotta tiles, not wine, until his father bought the run down Fontodi estate in 1968. Since he took over in 1979, Giovanni has helped to transform this spot in the Conca d’Oro into one of the leading wineries in Chianti Classico, using organic, biodynamic and regenerative practices, and focusing on Sangiovese from a very special place.

To read more about Giovanni have a look at the Fontodi website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @az.agr.fontodi.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Álvaro Espinoza

Álvaro Espinoza’s dad was a winemaker, but it wasn’t automatic that his son would follow the same career path. As it happens, he nearly became a marine biologist. But despite that, Álvaro has had a huge impact on his country’s wine scene, producing Chile’s first Carmenère and being the person who brought biodynamic viticulture to South America. Now running his own project, Antiyal, in the Maipo Andes, he’s a fascinating interviewee.

To read more about Álvaro have a look at the Antiyal website. You can also follow the bodega on Instagram @antiyalwines.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Pablo Alvarez

Pablo Álvarez was still in his twenties when he was given the responsibility of running Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s greatest wineries. Over the last 40 years, he’s taken it to even greater heights. Listen to us chat about how you go about improving an icon, the secret of Vega’s extraordinary ageing potential, why Pablo decided to invest in other regions outside Ribera del Duero and the challenges of running a family business.

To read more about Pablo have a look at the Tempos Vega Sicilia website. You can also follow the bodega on Instagram @temposvegasicilia.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Prue Henschke

Prue Henschke might have ended up working with baboons. But luckily, she met her future husband Stephen Henschke and chose vines, following him to Germany to attend the Geisenheim Institute. Listen to us chat about regenerative agriculture and massal selections, what it’s like being the custodian of the 160-year-old Hill of Grace vineyard and her dream of owning a vineyard in Bandol.

To read more about Prue have a look at the Henschke website. You can also follow her on Instagram @pruehenschke.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Raj Paar

Born in Calcutta, Raj Paar didn’t drink wine until he was 20. He made up for it in no time, rapidly become one of the best sommeliers in the United States and developing a legendary palate. In 2009, he began to make wine in a serious way and now farms 4.5 hectares in Cambria near San Luis Obispo. Listen to us chat about balance in wine, his love of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and why he never stops asking questions.

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

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. 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 Franck Massard

Born in Brittany and brought up in the Loire, Franck Massard made his name as an award-winning sommelier in the UK before moving to Spain in 2004. Acquiring a small vineyard in Priorat changed his life, inspiring him to become a winemaker. Our chat covered his love of Carignan, the affinity he feels with medieval monks, his views on sustainability and why controlled risks pay off in the vineyard and winery.

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

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