The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Miguel Merino didn’t always want to be a winemaker, despite the fact that his dad owned a bodega. He worked in sports journalism and as a TV screenwriter, before finally turning to his roots in his late 20s. I caught up with him to chat about Rioja’s new generation, single parcel wines, pruning just after a full moon, the impressive quality of his region’s whites and the advantages of clay soils in a warming world.

To read more about Miguel have a look at the Bodega Miguel Merino website. You can also follow him on Instagram @bodegamiguelmerino.

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. 

Maureen Downey has been described as the Sherlock Holmes of wine, an expert in exposing counterfeiting and fraud. I caught up with her from her home in California to talk about wine investment, auction houses, provenance, body guards, working under cover and what she calls the six Ds – death, disaster, debt, donation, divorce and despair. It’s a fascinating insight into the murkier side of the wine business.

To read more about Maureen have a look at the Wine Fraud website. You can also follow her on Instagram @moevino.

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. 

Charles Back has had an enormous influence on the South African wine industry as an innovator, maverick and campaigner for transformation and social change. Listen to us chat about the story behind Goats do Roam, his most famous brand, his rediscovery of the Swartland thanks to a tank of Sauvignon Blanc, his love of Rhône and Mediterranean grapes and how he always tries to turn a negative into a positive.

To read more about Charles have a look at the Fairview website. You can also follow him on Instagram @fairviewwineandcheese.

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. 

As president of Bordeaux négociant CVBG, Mathieu Chadronnier is among the world’s most important fine wine figures. As well as making a brilliant varietal Merlot with his wife, Anne Laurence, at Château Marsau in the Côte de Francs, he also trades with 66 different countries. Listen to us chat about why great wine is defined by quality not geography, New World icons, the changing Bordeaux wine trade and why he’s happiest walking in the Alps with his camera.

To read more about Mathieu have a look at the CVBG website. You can also follow him on Instagram @mathieu_chadronnier.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.