João Portugal Ramos went to a German school in Lisbon, an education that has helped him bring a bit of organisation to his subsequent career. Among the key figures in the modern Portuguese wine revolution, he’s a champion of the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest region, and the Douro Valley, as well as native grapes such as Arinto and Touriga Nacional. Our conversation covered his remarkable, ground-breaking 40-year career in fascinating depth.
To read more about João have a look at his website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram at @joao_portugal_ramos.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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Cork Talk with Charlie Melton
Charlie Melton was on a road trip across Australia when he got a part-time job as a cellar hand in the Barossa Valley. More than 50 years later, he’s still there, having created his own winery in 1984 and turned it into one of Australia’s most iconic producers. A lover of Grenache, dry-farmed, historic vineyards and wines that “take you to a place”, he’s benefitted from hard work, talent and what he calls “serendipitous ignorance”.
To read more about Charlie have a look at the Charles Melton Wine's website. You can also follow the winery on Instagram at @charlesmeltonwines.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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Cork Talk with Willy Pérez
Willy Pérez originally wanted to be a musician, but after surviving cancer in his late teens, he decided to follow his father, Luis, into the wine business. A passionate defender of traditional Sherries and vinos de pasto based on vineyard origin rather than maturation and fortification, he’s one of the key figures in Spanish wine, a profound thinker about climate change, as well as singing the praises of Palomino, the region’s most widely planted grape.
To read more about Willy have a look at the Bodegas Luis Pérez website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @willyperezv.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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Cork Talk with Marquis Sauvage
Marquis Sauvage got into wine when he was at college in Colorado, beginning with White Zinfandel of all things. After opening Denver’s first wine bar, he moved into distribution before creating his own winery, Burn Cottage in Central Otago in New Zealand. A lover of hearty food, heavy metal and fine Burgundy, Marquis is passionate about biodynamics, basketball and attention-grabbing labels. In short, he’s a hoot.
To read more about Marquis have a look at the Burn Cottage website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @burncottagevineyard.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
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Cork Talk with Spyros Zoumboulis
Spyros Zoumboulis is a Greek winemaker with an international perspective, having worked in France, Argentina and Bulgaria as well as his native country. Following his motto of “maximum nature, minimum intervention”, he’s a specialist in biodynamics and natural wines. A fan of great rosés, old vines and Greece’s fund of indigenous grapes, he’s a man with passion, good taste and a belief that sustainability is all about replenishing.
To read more about Spyros have a look at the Zoumboulis & Associates website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @spyroszoumboulis.
Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.
España