The Future of Wine Forum – Nov 4, London

The Future of Wine Forum – Nov 4, London
Good morning all. Over the last few years it's been a fun journey learning about how sustainability has changed the wine sector over the last few years and hearing some of the leading winemakers speculate on what may lie ahead. So now I've decided to turn it into a business. Together with my friend Agatha…
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What does sustainability mean in Montalcino?

What does sustainability mean in Montalcino?
Q&A with Cristina Mariani-May, family proprietor of Castello Banfi estate in Montalcino and president and CEO of Banfi Vintners. Agatha Pereira recently interviewed her at the Climate Change Leadership conference in Porto, Portugal. AP: Everyone's talking about sustainability in wine these days but definitions vary a lot. What is your definition? CMM: My definition is really to be…
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The science of soil sustainability and wine (in South Africa)

The science of soil sustainability and wine (in South Africa)
Q&A with Heinrich Schloms, interview by Agatha Pereira Heinrich Schloms is a soil scientist at the department of agriculture at Western Cape in South Africa. Agatha recently interviewed him at the Climate Change Leadership conference in Porto, Portugal. AP: What is your definition of sustainability in the wine industry? HS: Sustainability is when you give…
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Morgane Fleury on making Champagne sustainable

Morgane Fleury on making Champagne sustainable
I recently met with the delightful and charming Morgane Fleury in London. We spent half an hour or so discussing sustainable champagne. How you define it, how you make it, and how you can sell it at 22-25 Euros a bottle and still make a living. She and her family are biodynamic and sustainable pioneers…
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How can climate models and forecasting help winemakers beat climate change?

How can climate models and forecasting help winemakers beat climate change?
Albert Soret Miravet and Marta Terrado from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center recently discussed with me, how computer-based climate and weather modelling and predictions can help agriculture tackle volatile weather patterns and manage against climate change. The audio interview with them is below, and there's a short video on what they are doing for grape growers in…
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Some of the best Bandols you can buy

Some of the best Bandols you can buy
I had a conversation with a fellow Bandol fan last night, at 67 Pall Mall in London. We exchanged ideas on the great wines of Bandol and the incredible differences between the wines, particularly interesting given the AOC is not large. We talked soil, and producers and years, decanting times and how wonderful Mourvedre is.…
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Chatizvariti: Making (more) sustainable wine in Greece

Chatizvariti: Making (more) sustainable wine in Greece
Any readers who know me will know when I'm in London, ten days a month or so, I am usually found propping up the bar at 67 Pall Mall, the wine lovers club that has transformed the London wine experience, at least for folks like me. One of the head sommeliers there is Klearhos Kanellakis, who…
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Richard Bampfield MW, on why radical transparency might be risky in wine

Richard Bampfield MW, on why radical transparency might be risky in wine
Here's a recent interview I taped with Richard, where we discussed sustainability in wine. From attitudes and work of major retailers, to sustainability standards and definitions in wine, to why radical transparency might have unforeseen risks, it was a wide ranging and fascinating chat. Enjoy. Highlights include: A brief chat about the Master of Wine qualification…
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