Wine Scholar Guild Podcasts

Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS, is the Education Director for the Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) program. During an eight-day summer tour, he led a group of IWS educators through three of Italy’s northern wine producing regions, Trentino, Franciacorta and Lugana.

Mastering Bordeaux, a primer with Jane Anson and Andrew Jefford of Decanter Magazine. In this episode Jane, also a resident of Bordeaux, goes deep into the gravel and guides us through appellations, terroirs, and the En Primeur world. She also has some tips on discovering some gems beyond the Medoc. Finally, we're treated to a preview of the Bordeaux Master-Level program launching April 26th. All of this in about half an hour! Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Master of Wine Jane Hunt is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about Tuscany and its wines. Jane has a long, distinguished career in various aspects of the wine trade, and will be leading a Wine Scholar Guild immersion tour through some of the legendary Tuscan wine estates. “Wine is a liquid food,” she tells us, and it is an essential part of daily Italian life. Jane would know, as she spends half her year living in Italy, and she speaks fluent Italian. She also runs WSET courses in Italy as Director and Lecturer for the Wine Academy Italia. In this 35-minutes Italian wine learner’s go-to episode on Tuscany, Jane shares with Andrew her invaluable knowledge of – and passion for – great Italian wines as well as insights on the growers, grapes, and wine styles. Jae also offers an informative primer for the upcoming Tuscany Study Tour (May 27 - June 1, 2018). (Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS)

Christophe Tassan is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about the Rhône Valley and its wines. “I was born in the dining room, in hospitality,” Christophe tells us, which seems appropriate, as this interview took place in a San Francisco restaurant around the corner from The Battery, where he is currently the wine director. Born in Avignon, and having come of age alongside Rhône’s wine’s growing popularity over the last several decades, Christophe has literally mastered his craft. In 2004 he earned the distinction of Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Sommelier (MOF), France’s highest honor for sommeliers. This is a 43-minute conversation covering historical and cultural aspects of the Northern and Southern Rhône regions, and the styles. Christophe says, “It’s better to understand the wine when you see where it comes from” as he teases the upcoming Rhône Study Tour (June 17-22, 2018). Produced by Valerie Caruso, DWS, CWE, FWS

Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford describes the diversity of the Languedoc-Roussillon region’s appellations, geography, and wine styles. Andrew is a Montpellier local, a webinar presenter for the guild, and an immersion trip leader. His enthusiasm for the region and its wines is as contagious as his expertise is vast. “You have to be a bit crazy” to make great wines in the Languedoc, Andrew tells us. However, brilliant wine making is certainly being done on a level that puts some of these wines in competition with premium priced offerings from more well-known regions. He also provides sage advice on sorting through the vast array of styles and producers for those must-find jewels. In less than 25 minutes, this interview provides a delightfully informative primer for the Languedoc-Roussillon wine study tour (October 14-19, 2018), where Andrew will be your trusty guide.

Pascaline Lepeltier, MS, discusses the itinerary for the upcoming WSG Study Trip to her native Loire. In this podcast interview with Decanter's Andrew Jefford, Pascaline discusses the Loire’s best and brightest…all of which happen to be estate visits on the upcoming five-day journey she'll be leading students on in October. Pascaline’s insider perspective coupled with Andrew Jefford’s insightful commentary make a valuable listen for serious wine students or professionals looking to more deeply understand the Loire-past and present. The two cover the length of the Loire and all the hot topics in the span of 36 minutes.