Welcome back, wine friends! This is part two with the brilliant wine journalist Kathleen Willcox, whose work you can find in Wine Searcher, The Drinks Business, Full Pour, and Wine Enthusiast. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and check it out—we covered the evolution of wine styles, winemaking techniques, and unique wines you may have never heard of!

This week, we’re diving into a truly fascinating topic: Why Bhutan might just become one of the world’s next great wine regions and how vineyards at high altitudes are cleverly evading the challenges of climate change. Kathleen shares incredible insights on how elevation impacts grape quality, the role of antioxidants in wine, and how canopy management is evolving to adapt to warmer temperatures. Plus, we explore the future of high-altitude viticulture and whether it could become more accessible beyond premium producers.

If you want to skip ahead:

04.00: Bhutan’s first commercial vineyards and why it’s an exciting new wine region.

06.00: Bhutan’s carbon-negative status and sustainable wine potential.

07.00: Bhutan Wine Company – how it started and who’s behind it.

10.00: The unique terroir of Bhutan and its winemaking potential.

12.00: Experimenting with 17 grape varieties to find the best fit.

14.00: Wine tourism in Bhutan – could it become a destination?

16.00: How elevation impacts grape quality and wine balance

18.00: Antioxidants in high-altitude wines

22.00: High-altitude viticulture worldwide

24.00: "California Sprawl" technique for shading grapes in Napa

26.00: Challenges of high-altitude viticulture - Labor-intensive farming vs. machine harvesting

This conversation was inspired by Kathleen’s article: Will Bhutan be the worlds next great wine region and How vineyards closer to the sun are evading climate change

You can also follow her on Instagram to be able to read more of her articles HERE

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Welcome Back Wine friends, and a happy new year! In this episode, I sit down with Kathleen Willcox, a renowned wine journalist featured in Wine Enthusiast, Wine Searcher, and more. Together, we explore exciting innovations in the wine world: Virginia wineries experimenting with Petit Manseng, non-vintage wines made using solera systems, unconventional methods like soaking grapes in seawater and using green tea tannins, and even wines blending grapes from around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or new to wine, this conversation will open your mind to bold techniques and inspiring stories shaping the future of winemaking.

A big thank you to our sponsor for this episode, Wild Idol! If you're embracing Dry January or simply seeking a sophisticated, alcohol-free option, Wild Idol is the perfect choice. Their handcrafted sparkling drinks use carefully selected grapes for exceptional flavor and aromatics. But it’s not just about great taste—Wild Idol’s dedication to sustainability is truly inspiring. From upcycled corks and recycled glass bottles to eco-friendly packaging printed with natural soy, they go above and beyond. As a proud 1% for the Planet member, they donate 1% of annual sales to support environmental causes. Whether you're celebrating, hosting, or treating yourself, Wild Idol has you covered. Find them at Harrods, the Dorchester, or your favorite online retailers. Cheers to a brighter, greener future with Wild Idol!

If you want to skip ahead:

7.00: Loveblock WInery Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) - They use green tea tannins as a natural antioxidant in place of sulphur

8.02: L.A.S Vino Vermentino (Margeret River, Australia) - They are soaking their grapes in sea water

16.53: Ochota Barrels Botanicals of the Basket Range (Adelaide Hills, Australia) - A winery focused on biodynamic and organic farming practices are infusing botanicals with their wines

18.59: Pangeaa Estate - The unique concept of blending grape varieties sourced from different terroirs across the world to create a global Bordeaux-inspired wine

24.00: Penfolds II (South Australia) - blending Cabernet Sauvignon from bordeaux with Syrah from Australia

27.00: Alois Lageder Comets Range Assyrtiko NV (Alto Adige, Italy) - recognized for planting in high elevations and experimenting and innovating through their Comets range

33.00: Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng NV (Virginia, USA) - Creating a perpetual lees system with Petit Manseng

39.40: Litchen Estate Pinot Noir MV (Anderson Valley, USA) - producing a Pinot Noir using a solera system

40.47: Sean Thackrey Pleiades NV (California, USA) - The creator of eccentric crazy blended wines

42.00: Valdivieso Caballo Loco NV (Maipo,Chile) - A Solera system Bordeaux blend wine first started 20 years ago

This conversation was inspired by Kathleen’s article: Wine Drinkers Thirsty for Change featured on Wine Searcher

You can also follow her on Instagram to be able to read more of her articles HERE

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Welcome back, wine friends! In part two with Jacinta Madison Williams, wine educator and owner of Inflorescence, we dive into five lesser-known red grape varieties perfect for your holiday table and beyond. Discover hidden gems like Bulgaria’s Melnik 55, Austria’s Saint Laurent, and a sweet surprise with Mavrodaphne.

As we wrap up the year, Jacinta also opens up about how her ADHD diagnosis has shaped her journey as an entrepreneur, offering inspiration for anyone considering new ventures in 2025. Tune in for wine wisdom, personal growth, and a toast to the year ahead!

And a special thanks to Coravin, our sponsor for this episode, for giving wine enthusiasts the chance to explore wines one glass at a time without uncorking the entire bottle. Tune in for an inspiring chat, and don't forget to pour yourself something special!

If you want to skip ahead:

4.00: The Bulgarian Melnik 55 grape variety

11.00: The Xinomavro variety from Greece

16.50: On to the St. Laurent grape from Austria

21.00: Back to Sicily (mentioned in Part 1) with the Frappato variety

26.55: The sweet fortified wine from Greece - Mavrodaphe of Patras

36.31: How Jacinta’s ADHD diagnosis helped shape her entrepreneurial journey

Follow Jacinta on Instagram @inflorescencewines

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.