What’s it really like to work at a winery during the harvest? What is the magic behind blended wines versus single grape or varietal wines? How does English sparkling wine compare to Champagne?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Janina Doyle, sommelier and host of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What’s it really like to work at a Chilean winery during the harvest?

Why does Janina find it so fascinating to participate in the winemaking process?

How did Janina nearly lose an eye while in a winery experimentation room?

What hidden danger lies in bottles of bubbly?

What’s it like to blend Malbec wines in Argentina?

What makes Bodega Catena Zapata a must-visit winery for every wine lover?

What made Janina’s trip with her father to Rioja, Spain one of her most memorable wine experiences?

Which experiences should you try when visiting Rioja?

Why did Janina’s first trade wine tasting end in disaster?

What’s the difference between English and British wine?

What do you need to know about English wine?

Which English wine does Janina recommend for you to try if you’re new to the category?

How does English sparkling wine compare to Champagne?

What sort of tasting profile would you experience with Bacchus grapes?

What is the “Nyetimber Effect”?

Key Takeaways

I enjoyed Janina’s stories about what it’s really like to work at a winery during the harvest. As she mentioned, many people think winemaking is so glamorous and they have no idea how dirty it is and how many accidents happen and how hard it is. I call it fancied up farming.

She made some great points about blended wines, including the fact that Malbec, though it’s a single variety, is often a blended wine.

Janina shared some great insights into the differences and similarities between English sparkling wine and Champagne. I was surprised to hear that the English wine industry has grown by 70% in the last five years.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

Giveaway

You could win a 1-hour online masterclass with Janina Doyle. The class will be tailored to you, which wines you have access to, and what you want to learn about. You can have the class just for yourself, or gather a whole group together.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you heard about this giveaway on the podcast. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate.

I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate. You get a bonus entry for every wine-loving friend you tag and if you re-share this post in your stories.

Good luck!

About Janina Doyle

Janina Doyle started her wine career in several top-notch restaurants in London, UK, rising from waitress to head sommelier as she completed her WSET diploma. She has spent the last six years creating Eat Sleep Wine Repeat where she offers wine tastings, events and services. She also created the Bromley Wine Society, a local monthly wine group, and her podcast, Eat Sleep Wine Repeat. She is also Brand Ambassador for Ventisquero Wine Estates in Chile.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/170.