Author Joanne Harris discusses literature and the grape with Oz, while Andrew visits the coal cellar of Charlotte Lessing to explore the benefits of sharing cellar space. Jancis looks at Riesling, and sommelier Joelle Marti explains the restaurant wine-list.
Week Two features a visit from author and wine-lover Joanne Harris, whose "Blackberry Wine" threatens to do for Fleurie what her "Chocolat" did for...chocolate. Joanne will be discussing the relationship between wine and literature, from Chaucer to Sideways.
Joanne grew up with a family tradition of sweet wines - Sauternes, and Barsac - to mark major events - although the much coveted bottle of Chateau d'YQuem was always reserved "for next time". She will be opening just such a special (and expensive) bottle, and explaining its significance, live on air, while Oz explains the unique conditions that bring this "liquid gold" into being.
Jancis Robinson's guide to varieties looks at Riesling, the once-popular star of German wine. Andrew's Cellar Story this weeks finds him at the home of Charlotte Lessing, who shares the coal cellar of her Victorian terraced house with David Furer. They discuss the fine art of sharing a space. Joelle Marti is sommelier at London's Great Eastern Hotel. She'll be explaining how wine-lists are formed, and whether the mark-up some restaurants charge on bottles can be justified.
The tasting section of the programme offers our listeners a chance to submit their own tasting notes and questions via email and text - details on this week's wine, a St. Jean de Minervois Muscat, can be found on the "Taste This" section of this site.
Join us as Oz and Andrew guide listeners through the world of wine and invite them to share their wine stories and oenological experiences.
