The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

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. 

Cork Talk with Oz Clarke

Oz Clarke started his working life as a West End actor, but slowly got drawn into the world of wine, where he has helped to change the nation’s drinking habits thanks to a host of great books and his appearances on Food and Drink and Oz and James. Witty, opinionated and still passionate about what he insists isn’t a real job, he’s the perfect guest for a Podcast. Listen to me trying to get a word in edgeways.

To read more about Oz's new book, have a look at the Académie du Vin Library website. You can also follow him on Instagram @oz.clarke

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 Edward Slingerland

Edward Slingerland is a Professor of Philosophy with a fascinating take on the role that alcohol consumption has played in the history of civilisation. Over the course of a fascinating, in-depth discussion about our favourite drug, we chatted about hunter-gatherers, neo-Prohibition, Dionysus, Apollo, creativity, the pre-frontal cortex and how chemical intoxication helps solve a number of distinctively human challenges.

To read more about Edward, have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Twitter @slingerland20

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

Cork Talk with Jean-Marc Lafage

Jean-Marc Lafage is something of a one off in France, not least because he learnt his craft as a so-called flying winemaker, a career usually reserved for Antipodeans. Listen to us chat about what makes the Roussillon unique, how he and his equally talented wife Eliane divide responsibilities at Domaine Lafage and why Grenache and Carignan are ideally suited to a warmer world.

To read more about Jean-Marc, have a look at the Domaine Lafage website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @domainelafage

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

Cork Talk with Michael Brajkovich

Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated winemakers, a man whose Chardonnays are often talked about in the same breath as the great white wines of Burgundy. Listen to us chat about his family’s Croatian origins, how his time in Australia and France changed his outlook on wine, the challenges and rewards of growing grapes in West Auckland and why screwcaps are his closure of choice.

To read more about Michael, have a look at the Kumeu River website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @kumeu_river

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

 

Cork Talk with Roberto de la Mota

Roberto de la Mota grew up among the barrels at Cavas de Weinert in Mendoza, where his father, Don Raúl, was the legendary figure behind the 1977 Estrella de Weinert. Listen to us chat about what he learned from his studies in France, why Argentinian white wines are underrated, the secrets of making great Malbec and the differences between Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley.

To read more about Roberto, have a look at the Mendel website. You can also follow him on Instagram @roberto.de.la.mota

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

 

Cork Talk with Peter-Allan Finlayson

Peter-Allan Finlayson is the scion of one of the most famous and important families in the Cape wine industry – and he’s extremely talented in his own right, equally at home making Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chenin Blanc at Crystallum and Gabriëlskloof. Listen to us chat about why he studied philosophy and economics at university, why his first vintage was a disaster and the camaraderie of South Africa’s New Wave producers.

To read more about Peter-Allan, have a look at the Crystallum website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @crystallumwines

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

Cork Talk with Franco Massolino

Franco Massolino is the fourth generation of his family to make wine in the Piedmontese village of Serralunga, but the first to train formally as an oenologist. He’s as thoughtful as he is talented and a fascinating person to talk wine with. Listen to us discuss modern and traditional styles of Barolo, why Nebbiolo is a servant of its environment, his new project in Barbaresco and the special magic of his Grand Cru site, Vigna Rionda.

To read more about Franco, have a look at the Massolino website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @massolinowinery

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