The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Cork Talk with Matt Wilson

Born in England, but based in Chile, Matt Wilson has been described as the “bad boy of wine photography”. He’s famous for his surreal images of winemakers wielding chainsaws among other things. Listen to us discuss his use of light, both natural and artificial, his favourite places to visit with a camera, some tips for amateur photographers and why he hates what he calls “holding-a-bottle shots”.

To read more about Matt, have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram @matt.wilson.gc

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 Paul Symington

Paul Symington’s family has been associated with the Douro Valley and the Port trade for 13 generations. You could say that Portugal’s great fortified wine courses through his veins. Now in his sixties, he’s not planning to retire any time soon. Listen to us chat about the region’s extensive line up of grapes, why Port has fared better than Sherry and Madeira over the last 30 years and how Symington Family Estates are coping with the challenges of climate change.

To read more about Paul, have a look at the Symington Family Estates' website. You can also follow him on Instagram @paul.symington

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 Barry Smith

Professor Barry Smith was brought up in a hotel and, as a child, was fascinated by the aromas that surrounded him. Now a distinguished academic philosopher, he’s also the founder of the University of London’s Centre for the Study of the Senses. Listen to us chat about his views on the objectivity of taste, how COVID has changed our understanding of anosmia, his favourite wine and why smell is the least appreciated of our senses.

To read more about Barry, have a look at the University of London website. You can also follow him on Twitter @smithbarryc and watch his TED talk here. 

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 Bruno Prats

In a career spanning 104 harvests in two hemispheres, Bruno Prats has established himself as one the world’s great wine figures. He took Château Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux to Super Second Growth status and now divides his time between projects in Chile, Portugal and South Africa. Listen to us chat about the changes he’s seen over the last 50 years, what makes a great terroir, and why he’s happiest on a boat.

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 Johan Reyneke

Johan Reyneke is South Africa’s leading biodynamic grower, cultivating the grapes that make his wonderful wines so distinctive. Listen to us chat about the weathered granite soils of the Polkadraai Hills, what he’s learned from his herd of cows, his love of surfing and philosophy, his belief in team work, and why, as he puts it, there can be no “greatness without goodness”.

To read more about Johan, have a look at the Reyneke Wines  website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @reynekewines and Johan himself on Twitter @ZAVineHugger.

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 Rafa Urrejola

Rafa Urrejola of Viña Undurraga briefly thought of becoming a sports journalist, but then switched back to winemaking as a career. A narrow escape for both him and us! Listen to us chat about the Terroir Hunter project that takes him to every corner of Chile, how he ended up as a cool climate specialist by accident, his love of Maule Valley Carignan and why he dislikes the term “icon wine”.

To read more about Rafa, have a look at Viña Undurraga's website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @undurragawines.

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 Santiago Deicas

Santiago Decias may only be 35 years old, but he’s already established himself as one of South America’s leading winemakers and a person who’s unafraid to push boundaries – both literal and metaphorical. Listen to us talk about the changing styles of Tannat, (Uruguay’s signature grape), the country’s 99 soil types and the all-important influence of the Atlantic Ocean.

To read more about Santiago, have a look at his company's website. You can also follow him on Instagram @santiagodeicas

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 Philippe Guigal

Philippe Guigal’s father, Marcel, planted a vineyard in his honour on the day he was born, so it’s no wonder that wine has been an integral part of his life from the start. Now at the helm of this celebrated Rhône winery, he’s a globally famous winemaker and a great communicator. Listen to us chat about the so-called ‘La Las’ – La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque – his grandfather Etienne, his love of Port and why the Syrah grape rewards patience.

To read more about Philippe, have a look at his company's website. You can also follow him on Instagram @domaineguigal

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 Gérard Bertrand

Gérard Bertrand combined a career as a top-level rugby player and winemaker in his twenties, but is now entirely focused on his eponymous business in the Languedoc-Roussillon. In the course of a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his pioneering grandmother, Paule, his commitment to biodynamics, his passion for blending grape varieties, and why the south of France is in his DNA.

To read more about Gérard, have a look at his company's website. You can also follow him on Instagram @gerardbertrandofficial

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 Jane Anson

Author of Inside Bordeaux and publisher of janeanson.com, Jane Anson is one of the leading commentators on the wine’s of the Gironde region. I caught up with her to chat about the many links, both historic and current, between Bordeaux and Rioja. It’s a fascinating tale of priets, pioneers, wars, trade, railways, vineyard plagues, envy, collaboration and missed opportunities. What more can you ask for to start the new year?

To read more about Jane's work, have a look at her website. You can also follow her on Instagram @jane.anson

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.