Join us in this captivating episode as we venture into the heart of Penedés, Spain, a region renowned for its contribution to the world of sparkling wine, particularly Cava. Our special guest, Pepe Raventós, scion of the esteemed Raventós family, takes us on a journey through the picturesque vineyards that have been integral to the family's legacy in winemaking.Family Heritage:- Pepe shares insights into the rich history of the Raventós family and their longstanding connection with the Penedés region. Learn about the traditions that have been passed down through generations, shaping the family's approach to winemaking.Cava Origins:- Delve into the fascinating tale of how Pepe's family played a pivotal role in formalizing the recipe for Cava, Spain's iconic sparkling wine. Discover the meticulous methods employed to craft this effervescent elixir and the significance of Penedés' terroir in its production.Terroir Talk:- Explore the unique terroir of Penedés and its impact on the flavor profile of the wines produced in the region. Pepe discusses the interplay of soil, climate, and grape varieties that contribute to the distinctive character of Penedés wines, particularly Cava.Sustainable Practices:Gain insights into the Raventós family's commitment to sustainability in winemaking. Pepe sheds light on their eco-friendly practices, emphasizing the importance of preserving the natural balance of the vineyards.Innovations and Future Trends:- Pepe shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of the wine industry and the innovative approaches embraced by the Raventós i Blanc winery. Learn about their experiments with different grape varieties and winemaking techniques to create wines that captivate the modern palate.Tasting Notes:- Experience the sensory journey as Pepe guides us through a virtual tasting of some exceptional wines from Raventós i Blanc. From crisp and refreshing Cavas to nuanced still wines, discover the diverse expressions that emanate from Penedés.Life Beyond Wine:- Beyond the vineyards, Pepe opens up about life in Penedés, sharing anecdotes about the local culture, gastronomy, and the unique charm of this Spanish wine region.Whether you're an avid oenophile or simply curious about the world of Cava and Penedés, this episode promises to be an engaging exploration of history, tradition, and the dynamic evolution of winemaking in one of Spain's most celebrated wine regions. Tune in and let Pepe Raventós be your guide to the enchanting world of Penedés wines. ¡Salud!

Entering the world of wine as a career path can be as challenging as it is rewarding. It's a realm where passion meets precision, where tasting, talking, and writing about wine is not just a job but a lifelong journey.To shed light on this fascinating but demanding field, we recently had the privilege of hosting a guest who knows the wine industry inside out a prestigious wine magazine editor from Decanter Amy Wislocki.Her insights are invaluable for those seeking a path in the world of wine.The Complex Landscape of Wine Careers:The wine industry is not just about sipping exquisite vintages; it's a multifaceted world encompassing viticulture, winemaking, marketing, journalism, and more. Finding one's place in this vast terrain can be daunting. The competition is fierce, and building a successful career often requires dedication, perseverance, and a deep love for wineEnd don't forget to pick up a copy of the latest Decanter Magazine and to check out their digital website here: https://www.decanter.com/

The #huntervalley Zone is around 200km north of #Sydney. It contains one o Australia’s oldest, simply called Hunter which, with plantings exceeding 2,300 ha, covers a slightly smaller area than the Hunter Valley Zone but the region is also often split, unofficially, into Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter. Lower Hunter is closer to the coast and benefits from some sea breezes, which means it is slightly cooler than the Upper Hunter. The landscape is made up of undulating hills at relatively low altitudes. Soils range from sandy loams to clay loams, often over a clay baseSemillon was first planted here in the 1830s. Hunter Valley Semillons are renowned for their ability to improve with age. The better examples develop in bottle for more than 15 years.In the theme of long maturation, we are exploring today the hunter valley with Mount Pleasant, that have been keeping alive their heritage vineyard from 1880, I connected to the @MountPleasant thanks to the work of the Old Vine Conference and is thanks to them that I managed to connect to Mount Pleasant. Maurice O’Shea’s established Mount Pleasant as the only top-quality wine in Australia and inspired the likes of Penfold’s Max Schubert, Hunter Valley legend Max Lake and countless others who would go on to make Australian wine what we recognize today. With the help of my guest we explore the region unique growing condition, how is like to work with 100 plus vines and how hunter valley climate affect the style of the wines produce. If you are enjoying the show remember to subscribe and to share the show!Find More information on the winery here:https://www.mountpleasantwines.com.au/About the region:https://www.winecountry.com.au/About The Old Vine Conferencehttps://www.oldvines.org/

An underdiscussed and under-appreciated part of the wine journey from the cellar to the end consumer is its storage which often is the cause of wines mature too quickly, losing freshness and downright oxidise.Storing wines in ideal conditions of 12 to 13 degrees with high levels of humidity constant year-round for a long time is not as easy as it may seem, Octavian Wine Services has done just that for the past 30 years.Logistically fine wine storing comes with more difficulties than one may think, Recognising the need to drive quality and have the most rigorous stock management processes possible, Octavian took the strategic decision to invest heavily in the development of its stock control function.Wine labels and packaging were never designed for stock management, so subtle discrepancies over the vintage or the chateaux are inevitable. Accuracy is vital and each case is treated equally,” she explains.As Vincent explains, for most of the lifecycle of a wine the storage facility is closer to the wines than their owners, trackability services, photos and visits are part of the services that Octavian provides to their customers

For more than 350 years, the cultures of Africa, Europe and the East have mingled in Cape Town, the gateway to the South African Winelands, a city rich in colourful history and culturally vibrant. It was here that Nelson Mandela, in 1990, took his historic walk to freedom.Today South Africa, a country of enormous diversity, is a peaceful democracy, home to the 'rainbow nation' From the very beginning, nearly 400 years ago, winemaking in South Africa has been on a zigzag course, pulled one way by considerable promise, and pushed in other ways by incompetence, self-interest, and a brutally opaque bureaucracy, to the point where, even now, it still seems to be reinventing itself.At least, and at last, it seems to be on a more enlightened path, on matters of politics—always a strong factor there—and wine, though not without a variety of hazards, many serious. As my guest today Jim Clarke, author of the book The wines of South Africa notes, “there is an entire story of winemaking and wine growing to be told.” His aim is to provide context and wide-reaching information for appreciating South African wines, and he achieves that with ease and clarity In this conversation, we covered the post-1994 movement, why Chenin Blanc is so popular in South Africa, what is the cape doctor and why is it vital to South Africa wine. The Cape Doctor is a south-easterly wind during spring and summer and extends the impact of the Benguela current. It also has the advantage of inhibiting disease and bringing some occasional rain to the South Coast. It can, however damage leaves, thus affecting photosynthesis and ripeness, and severely affect the flowering process and berry set, reducing yields. Remember to subscribe!Here are some links to learn more about the book and South Africa Wines: https://infiniteideas.directfrompublisher.com/catalog/book/wines-south-africahttps://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-south+africahttps://www.wosa.co.za/home/