There are surprisingly few wine podcast shows in Australia, so we at Drinks Adventures are doing our best to fill that void.
From champagne, to the iconic red wines of Penfolds, to the canned wine trend, featured below are some of our best wine podcast episodes to date.
Louisa Rose on becoming the 47th Yalumba signatory: S6E9
In Season Six, Episode Nine we met Yalumba’s head of winemaking, Louisa Rose, the signatory on the newly released Yalumba The Signature 2016.
You’ll hear from Louisa how the The Signature traditions began at Yalumba, and the significance of this wine; a Great Australian Red as previously explored with Matthew Jukes on this podcast.
Two Paddocks Pinot Noir: Sam Neill on his wine obsession – S6E6
Actor Sam Neill joined us in Season Six, Episode Six to discuss the winemaking career he has had in parallel over the last 27 years.
It’s been a pivotal few years for Two Paddocks, which Sam tells us is now making the best wines it ever has, and is finally getting the respect it deserves from critics.
McWilliam’s Wines concludes 143 years of family ownership: S6E4
In Season Six, Episode Two we explored the July 2020 sale of McWilliam’s Wines following some well-publicised financial struggles.
Drawing on archive audio, this special podcast documentary features interviews with the McWilliam family, Bruce Tyrrell, Stephen Henschke, Jeni Port and Max Allen.
Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia, with author Max Allen – S6E2
Veteran drinks writer Max Allen joined us on Season Six, Episode Two to discuss his latest book, Intoxicating: Ten Drinks That Shaped Australia.
I’ve long been a fan of Max’s writing so I was excited to host him on the show to discuss this personal journey through Australia’s colourful and complex drinking history.
China wine and spirits market: SARS lessons with Nimbility co-founder Ian Ford – S5E8
Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits co-founder Ian Ford joined us in Season Five, Episode Eight for an insightful discussion about the China wine and spirits market.
Since selling Summergate to Australian retailer Woolworths in 2014, Ian founded a new company called Nimbility, which provides expertise to wine, spirits and beer producers seeking to export their products to Asia.
Ed Carr of House of Arras, Australia’s Sparkling King: S5E5
Australia’s Sparkling King, Ed Carr, joined us in Season Five, Episode Five, to share some fascinating insights about his winemaking career over the last four decades.
As group sparkling winemaker at Australia’s Accolade Wines, Ed Carr oversees production of sparkling wine for brands including House of Arras, Croser, Grant Burge and more.
Unico Zelo Wines’ Laura Carter on sustainable wine: S4E7
Unico Zelo Wines co-founder Laura Carter joined us in Season Four, Episode Seven to discuss the sustainable practices that underpin her business.
These initiatives include the selection of grape varieties that minimise water use, and the creation of innovative spirits using waste stream fruit.
NZ’s low alcohol wine pioneers, with Dr David Jordan: S4E6
Renowned viticulturalist Dr David Jordan joined us in Season Four, Episode Six to discuss the NZ Lighter Wines initiative.
Eighteen Kiwi winemakers are collaborating on the innovative project, creating wines that are naturally low in alcohol while retaining their varietal and regional character.
Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4
Legendary wine critic Jancis Robinson joined us for an extended interview in Season Four, Episode Four of the podcast.
Jancis was in Australia recently to launch the eighth edition of The World Atlas of Wine, recognised as the essential and most authoritative wine reference book available.
Matthew Jukes on The Great Australian Red: S4E3
In Season Four, Episode Three, Drinks Adventures brought you highlights from Matthew Jukes’ hugely entertaining 2019 masterclass on cabernet shiraz blends.
Jukes is co-founder of the The Great Australian Red, a competition created to recognise these definitive Australian wines.
Canned wine trend is coming to Australia, says Riot Wine’s Tom O’Donnell: Wine podcast S3E5
More Australian wineries are sure to follow Riot Wine Co into cans and kegs, co-founder Tom O’Donnell told the podcast in Season Three, Episode Five.
Riot wines have been pouring on tap at bars and restaurants across Australia since 2017, and the company hopes to educate Australians on the benefits of canned wine, which is a rapidly growing market segment overseas.
Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s Sue Hodder on Black Label Cabernet & more: S3E3
Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate joined us on the podcast in Season Three, Episode Three, having just completed her 27th vintage at Wynns.
There, she oversees production of some of Australia’s most cellared wines, including Black Label Cabernet.
Wine collaborations – Prickly Moses Brewery x McWilliams Wines, and Brix Distillers x Thomas Wines: S2E6
In Season Two, Episode Six, we took a look at some of the exciting collaborations that are happening on the fringes of beer, wine and spirits.
Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines joined us for a chat about his collaboration with Sydney’s Brix Distillers, while Scott McWilliam of McWilliam’s Wines told the story of the Chardonnay IPA.
Tasmanian adventures with Bruny Island Beer and Sailor Seeks Horse wines: Wine podcast S2E3
In Season Two, Episode Three, I caught up with Paul Lipscombe of Sailor Seeks Horse, an exciting new wine company located in Tasmania’s Huon Valley.
Paul and his wife Gilli also make the highly acclaimed pinot noirs for Home Hill Winery in the Huon, and this is a chat exploring the evolution of Australian pinot noir.
Inside the Vin de Champagne Awards, plus Champagne Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan: Wine podcast S1E8
In Season One, Episode Eight, we took a look at the Vin de Champagne Awards, a uniquely Australian award organised on behalf of the Comité Champagne.
We also talk champagne with renowned wine writer Huon Hooke, as well as meeting Champagne Lanson chef de cave Hervé Dantan.
More:
Whisky podcast episodes on Drinks Adventures
Bordeaux wine vintages: Finding the best value
Canned rosé drove growth for Riot Wine Co
