The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Cork Talk with Santiago Achával

Santiago Achával wanted to be a classical guitarist until he realised he’d never be another Julian Bream. Instead, he studied accountancy before ending up in wine, founding one of Mendoza’s most successful bodegas, Achával Ferrer. Listen to us chat about Malbec, extreme sites, his friendship with the Italian winemaker Roberto Cipresso and what he’s achieved at Matervini after the sale of Achával Ferrer.

To read more about Santiago have a look at the Matervini website. You can also follow him on Instagram @matervini.

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 Steve Daniel

Steve Daniel has had a profound impact on what we drink in the UK. First as Oddbins, where he was buying director in its pomp, and since 2010 at Hallgarten Wines, he’s always championed new styles and regions as well as what he calls “the underdog”. Listen to us chat about what makes a great retailer, his enduring love of Greece, his brewing skills and why fine wine can come from anywhere these days.

To read more about Steve have a look at the Hallgarten website. 

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 Penny Streeter OBE

Penny Streeter OBE has been described as “one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time”. Having left school with no qualifications, she ended up living on benefits with three children in emergency accommodation before founding the healthcare recruitment business that made her fortune. She’s also the owner of three wine estates – one in South Africa called Benguela Cove and two in the UK.

To read more about Penny have a look at her website. You can also follow him on Instagram @pennystreeterobe.

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 Dylan Grigg

Born in the Barossa Valley, Dylan Grigg started out pruning vineyards and has gone on to become one of the leading viticultural consultants in the world, with a PhD and the “tractor hours” to prove it. Listen to us chat about different training systems, the character of old vines, epigenetic adaptation, organics, carbohydrate storage and what it’s like studying and working with truly historic vineyards. 

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

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 Andreas Larsson

Andreas Larsson started his working life as a chef, but decided to move into wine after a trip to Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. And boy was that a good idea, because within eight years, he’d won the Best Sommelier in the World Award. Listen to us chat about his jazz guitar playing, great food and wine pairings, Sweden’s expanding vineyards and what makes a great taster.

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

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 Michel Chapoutier

By his own admission, Michel Chapoutier would fall over if he ever stood still. He’s one of the most creative and dynamic winemakers on the planet. I caught up with the enfant terrible of the Rhône Valley to talk about Syrah, his enduring love of food, his overseas investments, biodynamics, the potential of Chasselas in England and his conviction that “vintage is truth”. It’s quite an interview.

To read more about Michel have a look at the Chapoutier website. You can also follow him on Instagram @m_chapoutier.

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 Marcelo Papa

As technical director of Concha y Toro, Marcelo Papa oversees the production of millions of bottles of commercial wine, as well as some of South America’s most prestigious reds and whites. Listen to us chat about his Italian roots, what he learnt from working in California, the terroirs of Limarí and the Maipo Valley, his grandmother’s gnocchi and why a psychiatrist advised him to give up golf.

To read more about Marcelo have a look at the Concha y Toro website. You can also follow him on Instagram @mpapacortesi.

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 Michael Hill Smith

Michael Hill Smith MW is a sixth generation winemaker who always wanted to do his own thing, rather than go into the family firm, Yalumba. Show judge, entrepreneur, consultant and lapsed restaurateur, he’s one of Australian wine’s finest palates and advocates. Listen to us chat about his various projects in the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania and Blewitt Springs, the debt he owes to the legendary Len Evans and what makes a good airline wine.

To read more about Michael, have a look at the Shaw + Smith website. You can also follow him on Instagram @shawandsmith.

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 Savage

Duncan Savage gave up a business degree to study wine. First at Cape Point Vineyards and now at Savage Wines, he’s since become one of South Africa’s finest producers. Listen to us chat about what he learnt from Loire Valley legend Didier Dagueneau, the secret behind the success of the Cape’s New Wave, how he comes up with the unusual names for his wines and the terroir of surfing.

To read more about Duncan, have a look at the Savage Wines website. You can also follow him on Instagram @savagewines.

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 Nigel Greening

Nigel Greening had a number of careers – blues guitarist, designer and event organiser among other things – before he bought Felton Road in New Zealand in 2000, selling almost everything he had to do so. Listen to us chat about the climate and terroirs of Central Otago, one of the world’s most southerly wine regions, his views on biodynamics, his love of Pinot Noir and why he’s such a passionate cook.

To read more about Nigel, have a look at the Felton Road  website. You can also follow him on Instagram @longbrookluthier.

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.