The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

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.

Cork Talk with Andrea Pieropan

Andrea Pieropan started studying winemaking and agriculture at the tender age of 14 – they do thing differently in Italy – and now works alongside his brother Dario as the fourth generation to run the family winery in Soave. Listen to us talk about the historic Garganega grape, about Pieropan’s two very different single vineyard wines, Calvarino and La Rocca, and the fascinating history of the region’s sweet wine, Recioto di Soave.

To read more about Andrea, have a look at the Pieropan website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @pieropanwines

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 Brian Croser

In a career spanning 50 years – and showing no signs of letting up – Brian Croser has distinguished himself as one of the driving forces of the Australian wine industry. He combines talents as a winemaker, teacher, terroir pioneer, consultant – even a politician. No surprise, he’s a fascinating person to interview. Opinionated, ferociously intelligent and passionately committed to the cause of Australian fine wine, we look back on his remarkable career and speculate about what’s next for this New World giant.

To read more about Brian, have a look at the Tapanappa website. 

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 Fiona Morrison

Author, master of wine and owner of three châteaux with her husband Jacques Thienpont, Fiona Morrison is a wonderfully dynamic presence on the Bordeaux wine scene. Listen to us talk about her book, Ten Great Wine Families, what it’s like running Le Pin, one of the most famous wine estates in the world, the intricacies of the Napoleonic Code and how her sense of humour helps her stay honest to herself.

To read more about Fiona, have a look at the Thienpont Wine website. You can also follow her on Instagram @fionamcleodmorrison

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 Felipe Tosso

Felipe Tosso wanted to be a professional tennis player or a civil engineer in his teens, but we wine lovers should be grateful he chose a different career. First with Concha y Toro and now, for over 20 years, at Viña Ventisquero, he has established himself as one of Chile’s leading winemakers. Listen to us chat about his love of the colour blue, what it’s like working with a vineyard in the middle of the Atacama Desert and why winemaking has so much in common with cooking and painting.

To read more about Felipe, have a look at the Viña Ventisquero website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram @ventisquero_wines

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 Gago

Peter Gago is one of the few winemakers who could be described as a celebrity. He’s been the chief winemaker at Penfolds since 2002 and is only the fourth person to oversee the production of its most famous wine, Grange, as well as a distinguished stable of other reds and whites. Listen to us chat about his English roots, his time as a high school teacher, the secrets of blending and what it’s like drinking wine with Bono from U2.

To read more about Peter, have a look at the Penfolds website. You can also follow Penfolds on Instagram @penfolds

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.