1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,800
All right, diving into the world of wine today.

2
00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:05,120
Got a whole collection of stories for us,

3
00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:09,080
award winners, AI sommelies, you name it,

4
00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:10,600
ready to uncork some knowledge.

5
00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:12,000
Sounds like a plan.

6
00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,560
Always up for seeing what's new in the world of wine.

7
00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,180
Well, first up, the International Wine and Spirit

8
00:00:17,180 --> 00:00:18,400
Competition.

9
00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,960
It's like the Oscars of the wine world.

10
00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:23,640
And get this, sweet and fortified wines

11
00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:24,640
are making a comeback.

12
00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:25,640
Can you believe it?

13
00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:27,360
Sheri's having a real moment.

14
00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:28,520
Yeah, it's interesting to see.

15
00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,080
For a long time, people thought of sherry and Madeira

16
00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:32,760
as a bit old fashioned.

17
00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:34,560
But now, people are rediscovering

18
00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,600
how complex and delicious they can be,

19
00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,120
like they come in so many styles, from dry and nutty

20
00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:41,760
to those richer, sweeter ones.

21
00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:42,260
It's true.

22
00:00:42,260 --> 00:00:43,960
There's a sherry for everyone, I guess.

23
00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:45,760
And speaking of unexpected discoveries,

24
00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:48,720
looks like Georgia and Turkey are becoming real hotspots

25
00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:50,040
in the wine world.

26
00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:51,680
Not your typical wine regions, right?

27
00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:53,360
You got it.

28
00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,080
These places are home to some truly unique grapes,

29
00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,560
varieties you won't find anywhere else.

30
00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,520
Georgia, for instance, they've been making wine for,

31
00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:04,520
get this, over 8,000 years.

32
00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,200
8,000 years.

33
00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:07,240
Talk about tradition.

34
00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:07,680
Right.

35
00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:09,160
And they use these ancient methods,

36
00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,920
like they ferment the grapes in these clay pots that

37
00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:13,160
are buried underground.

38
00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:14,120
Wow, that's incredible.

39
00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,400
I bet that gives the wine a really distinct flavor.

40
00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:17,120
Oh, absolutely.

41
00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:19,240
I think like orange wines with these kind

42
00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:21,960
of nutty, honeyed notes, really unique stuff.

43
00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:22,960
And then there's Turkey.

44
00:01:22,960 --> 00:01:25,440
They've been quietly growing grapes for centuries,

45
00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:27,840
but now they're coming into their own with these bold reds

46
00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,400
from grapes most people have never even heard of,

47
00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:32,320
Ocuskuzu, Belascare.

48
00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:34,960
I'm going to need you to pronounce those one more time.

49
00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:36,560
Yeah, they're a mouthful.

50
00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:38,400
But trust me, the flavors are worth it.

51
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,960
And we have to give credit to the IWSC and their Global

52
00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:42,920
Judging Initiative.

53
00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,280
They're actually sending judges to these emerging regions,

54
00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,480
which is huge.

55
00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,000
It gives smaller producers a chance

56
00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:50,680
to compete on a global scale.

57
00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:51,520
That's fantastic.

58
00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:53,160
A more level playing field for everyone.

59
00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:53,800
I love it.

60
00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,320
So we're talking international wines,

61
00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:57,360
but next up we're hopping over to the UK,

62
00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:01,040
where things are getting pretty interesting for wine drinkers

63
00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:02,000
and their wallets.

64
00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,200
So the UK wine scene, right, it's

65
00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,200
like they're juggling this exciting growth

66
00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:07,680
in Anglo-Sparkling wine.

67
00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,040
But then, bam, this new alcohol duty system comes along.

68
00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,160
Yeah, it's a tricky situation for sure.

69
00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:15,600
The new system, it's all about taxing wines

70
00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:17,440
based on how much alcohol they have.

71
00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:19,360
Higher alcohol content, higher taxes.

72
00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:20,560
It's causing quite a stir.

73
00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:22,200
Especially for those fortified wines

74
00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:23,640
that are having a moment.

75
00:02:23,640 --> 00:02:27,160
A 44% tax hike on some Sherries and Ports,

76
00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:28,800
that's got to make people think twice.

77
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:29,840
Oh, definitely.

78
00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,520
Producers are trying to figure out

79
00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:35,000
how to handle these new costs without scaring customers away.

80
00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,520
And wine drinkers, they're going to have to make some decisions,

81
00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:38,520
right?

82
00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,000
Pay more for those higher alcohol favorites,

83
00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,720
or maybe explore some lower alcohol options.

84
00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,840
It's a fascinating look at how people react to, well,

85
00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:48,160
price changes.

86
00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,520
But amidst all this tax talk, there's

87
00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,160
some cool stuff happening too.

88
00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,680
Like, remember that pub, the White Horse, in Mayfair?

89
00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:55,200
Yeah.

90
00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:56,360
It's gotten a total makeover.

91
00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:56,880
Oh, yeah.

92
00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:00,240
From a traditional pub to this, like Haven for Wine Lovers,

93
00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,920
all curated by Houdonism Wines, it's pretty impressive.

94
00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:04,360
Right.

95
00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,160
They still have the pub vibe, but now they've

96
00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,840
got this amazing wine list, like 100 bottles,

97
00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,440
curated by an actual sommelier, plus access to their collection,

98
00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,200
over 6,000 wines.

99
00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,240
It shows you how things are changing.

100
00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,840
It's not just about fancy restaurants anymore.

101
00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,160
People want that high quality wine experience everywhere.

102
00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:23,080
Totally.

103
00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:26,120
And speaking of experiences, English Sparkling Wine,

104
00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,840
who knew Sussex would become such a hot spot?

105
00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,360
It's all about the terroir.

106
00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:32,760
You know those chalk hills that run through Champagne?

107
00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,320
Well, they actually continue under the English Channel,

108
00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:36,800
right into Sussex.

109
00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,400
Perfect for those classic sparkling wine grapes.

110
00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:39,900
They way.

111
00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:41,280
So it's the same soil, basically.

112
00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:42,000
Pretty much.

113
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,000
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, you name it.

114
00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,040
They thrive in that chalky soil.

115
00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,760
And you've got the ocean breezes keeping things cool.

116
00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:50,480
Makes sense their wines are giving Champagne

117
00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:51,680
a run for its money.

118
00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:52,960
So it's not just a fluke.

119
00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,760
They actually have what it takes to make

120
00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:56,640
fantastic sparkling wine.

121
00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:57,440
Exactly.

122
00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:00,040
And they're winning awards, too, not just making a lot of it.

123
00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,240
Rathfinny, Night Timber, Ridgeview,

124
00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,280
these are names people are starting to recognize

125
00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:05,960
internationally.

126
00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,000
That sounds like a wine tour is in order.

127
00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,800
OK, but for our next stop, let's hop over to Moldova.

128
00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,720
Now, it might not be the first place you think of for wine,

129
00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,080
but they're doing something really cool,

130
00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:19,120
using AI to make wine.

131
00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:20,320
It's pretty cutting edge.

132
00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,400
And it's not about replacing the human touch.

133
00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,560
It's more like giving winemakers extra tools.

134
00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,720
So what's AI doing for them?

135
00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,320
It's all about data.

136
00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:31,280
They can analyze everything, soil conditions, the weather,

137
00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:32,600
past harvests.

138
00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,200
AI helps them make better decisions at every step.

139
00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,680
Like having a supercomputer as your wine consultant.

140
00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:38,640
Exactly.

141
00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:42,160
It helps optimize things like irrigation, fertilization, even

142
00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:43,040
when to harvest.

143
00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:45,240
And this is important, especially with climate change.

144
00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,160
It can help them adapt and protect those precious grapes.

145
00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:48,760
That's amazing.

146
00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:50,880
Using tech to combat those challenges.

147
00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:51,920
So smart.

148
00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:53,680
But it's not just about technology, right?

149
00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,720
They're also having this revival of their traditional grapes.

150
00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:57,760
It's true.

151
00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,680
They're rediscovering varieties that are native to Moldova,

152
00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,600
like Fitesca Niagara, Rara Niagara.

153
00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,240
These grapes make wines with a real sense of place.

154
00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:07,760
You know, they tell a story.

155
00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:08,480
I love that.

156
00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,160
Honoring their roots while embracing the future.

157
00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:12,480
It's a great combo.

158
00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:14,920
Moldova's really got it going on.

159
00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:17,080
And it makes you think about all the factors that go

160
00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,080
into how we experience wine.

161
00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,680
Like that article about wine labels

162
00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:21,920
and how women perceive them.

163
00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:23,400
That was eye-opening.

164
00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,720
It's amazing how much influence design has, right?

165
00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,360
Like they found that women, they tend

166
00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:31,120
to rate wines with those more feminine labels, florals,

167
00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,480
pastels, cursifons, that kind of thing.

168
00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:35,200
They often write those as tasting better,

169
00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:37,040
even if it's the exact same wine.

170
00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:38,160
No way.

171
00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,200
So it's like our brains are making these connections visual

172
00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,520
to taste without us even realizing it.

173
00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:44,400
It's pretty wild.

174
00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,080
It shows you how much branding and packaging,

175
00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,200
all those visual cues, they really

176
00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,520
do play a role in how we perceive and enjoy wine.

177
00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,680
Makes you wonder how much we're influenced by marketing

178
00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:55,800
in general, right?

179
00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:58,640
Like all those canned wines, the ones with those fun labels,

180
00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:00,640
you know they're going for a certain vibe.

181
00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:01,480
Oh, absolutely.

182
00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,240
They know their audience, that's for sure.

183
00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,080
Not that there's anything wrong with that.

184
00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:06,680
It's just interesting to be aware of.

185
00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,240
Try not to judge a wine by its label, right?

186
00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:09,920
Branch out.

187
00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:10,920
Try different things.

188
00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,360
Wine tastings are always a good way to do that.

189
00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,360
Speaking of, sometimes a good story

190
00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,760
can enhance the whole experience, even with wine.

191
00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,360
Like celebrity wines, what do you think about those?

192
00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:23,720
You know, they've gotten a bit of a bad rap,

193
00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,400
and for good reasons sometimes.

194
00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:27,040
But I do think things are changing.

195
00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,280
A lot of celebrities are really getting involved

196
00:06:29,280 --> 00:06:32,000
in the process now, working with established wineries.

197
00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,440
Right, like Reese Witherspoon with her new drop of Sunshine

198
00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:36,240
brand.

199
00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,120
It's all about female empowerment,

200
00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:40,800
bringing women together.

201
00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,160
Fits right in with her whole Hello Sunshine thing.

202
00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:45,640
Exactly, and they're good wines too.

203
00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,760
And then you've got Dolly Parton, gotta love her,

204
00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,760
coming out with her own line, complete with those signature

205
00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:51,840
butterfly bottles.

206
00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:52,800
You've seen them.

207
00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:54,080
So cute, so Dolly.

208
00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,480
So from AI winemakers to celebrity wines,

209
00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,640
it's clear the world of wine is changing.

210
00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,880
It's such a dynamic industry, and we've only

211
00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,360
just scratched the surface today.

212
00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:04,280
I know.

213
00:07:04,280 --> 00:07:07,280
So much to explore, new regions, different grapes,

214
00:07:07,280 --> 00:07:09,040
the stories behind each bottle.

215
00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:11,120
There's a whole world out there for wine lovers.

216
00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:12,160
Cheers to that.

217
00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:13,160
Cheers.

218
00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,480
And to all our listeners, thanks for joining us

219
00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,960
for this deep dive into the world of wine.

220
00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:43,720
Until next time.