The Tim Atkin Cork Talk Podcast

Cork Talk with Michel Friou

Michel Friou is not afraid of challenges. Today he runs Almaviva in Chile, where he’s helped to enhance the reputation of one of the New World’s greatest reds. But before that, he worked at a sparkling wine factory in Southern India. And before that, as a forestry engineer in Borneo. Not the normal career trajectory for a notable winemaker, but a fascinating one nonetheless. We talked about oysters, joint-ventures, Carmenère and how Chile has changed over the last 25 years.

To read more about Michel's wines, look at the Almaviva website. You can also follow the bodega on Instagram @almavivawinery. 

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Dorli Muhr

Dorli Muhr has two wine careers. As well as running a PR and marketing company in Vienna that represents many leading producers worldwide, she’s also been making her own range of wines on the Spitzerberg in Carnuntum since 2002. Listen to us chat about the wonders of the Blaufränkisch grape, the growing quality of Austrian red wines, and the vineyard her grandmother was given as a wedding present back in 1918.

To read more about Dorli's wines, look at the her website. You can also follow her on Instagram @weingutdorlimuhr. 

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Sergio Verrillo

Sergio Verrillo moved to the United Kingdom from the United States for love. Once he was here, he got a job as a junior sommelier in a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and developed an equally passionate and enduring relationship with wine. Working out of the urban Blackbook winery in London, he’s now making some of the best still reds and whites in England. We talked about his Italian relatives, Essex terroir, why he hates Bacchus and the story behind his “I’d Rather Be A Rebel” label.

To read more about Sergio's wines, look at the Blackbook Winery website. You can also follow him on Instagram @blackbookwinery. 

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Tom Puyaubert

One of the founders of Rioja ’n’ Roll, Tom Puyaubert is part of an exciting new generation that’s helping to redefine Spain’s most famous region. Born in the southwest of France, he decided to become a winemaker after a spell working at a winery in Virginia, USA, of all places, going on to set up his own winery, Bodegas Exopto, in 2003. We talked about minority red grapes like Graciano and Maturana Tinta, the toasty world of oak barrels and what Tom would change in Rioja if he were in charge for a day.

To read more about Tom's wines, look at the Bodegas Exopto website. You can also follow him on Instagram @tomexopto

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

 

Cork Talk with Abrie Beeslar

Kanonkop has only had three winemakers since its first vintage in 1973 and Abrie Beeslaar is arguably the most successful of the lot, surpassing the achievements of his illustrious predecessors. Listen to us chat about the legacy of Paul Sauer, the underrated delights of Pinotage, accolades and 100-point scores and why the wheel of progress turns very slowly at Kanonkop. 

To read more about Abrie's wines, look at the Kanonkop and Beeslaar websites. You can also follow him on Instagram @beeslaar_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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Ricard Rofes

A Catalan to his fingertips, Ricard Rofes is the winemaker at Scala Dei in Priorat, in charge of one of Spain’s greatest historic properties. A lover of Garnacha, Ricard talked to me about monks, heretics, co-operatives, slate soils and why his native region is returning to its roots after taking a wrong turn towards Bordeaux in the 1990s.

To read more about Ricard's wines, look at the Scala Dei website. You can also follow him on Instagram @rrofes

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Daniel Daou

Daniel Daou was born in Lebanon, brought up in France and now lives in the United States. After selling the software business he created with is brother in the late 1990s, he decided to follow his dream and become a winemaker in Paso Robles, California after scouring the world in search of the perfect spot. We chat about Cabernet Sauvignon, affordable luxuries, why grapes should be treated like food and about the missile attack that changed his life for after.

To read more about Daniel's wines, look at the Daou Vineyards website. You can also follow him on Instagram @daniel.j.daou

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Sebastián Zuccardi

Sebastián Zuccardi started out making sparkling wines at school for fun (as you do), before working in vineyards overseas for seven years. Since he returned full time to his family’s winery in Santa Rosa, he’s transformed its fortunes, switching the focus to the cooler Uco Valley and producing some of Argentina’s finest wines in the process. We talked about limestone, Malbec, olive oil and why he prefers concrete tanks to oak barrels.

To read more about Sebastián's wines, look at the Zuccardi website. You can also follow him on Instagram @szuccardi.

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Laurent Miquel

Laurent Miquel is the eighth generation of his family to farm at Cazal Viel in the Langudeoc, but there’s nothing remotely traditional about him. A proponent of night harvesting as well as a fan of minority grapes such as Viognier and Albariño, he’s a risk taker and a force for change. I caught up with him to chat about the St Chinian appellation, Japanese philosophy, his time living in England and his love of a good curry.

To read more about Laurent's wines, look at the Laurent Miquel website. You can also follow him on Instagram @laurent_miquel.

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.

Cork Talk with Randall Graham

Randall Graham set out to make great Pinot Noir in California, but with typical self-effacement, he soon realised that his talents were better suited to other grapes, especially those from the Rhône Valley. Best known for his Le Cigare Volant blend, Graham is one of the wine world’s most interesting thinkers. We talked about oddball grapes, UFOs, his new, ground-breaking project at Popelouchúm, and why climate change is leveling the playing field between the New and Old Worlds.

To read more about Randall's' wines, look at the Bonny Doon website. You can also follow him on Instagram @randallgrahm240.

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 world’s most extraordinary wine figures.