Victoria Moore and Andy Neather answer your burning wine questions. Discover why cork is greener than screw caps, how to handle "unacceptable" (that's not our word) glassware situations and whether you need to be a "super taster" to justify spending more on wine.

Andy also gets stuck in to a question about natural wines, explaining what "funky" really means and how to avoid borderline faulty bottles. And Victoria predicts the next big wine trends—think darker rosés and chilled reds.

Plus, Andy reports from Australia's Yarra Valley, exploring how climate change is reshaping cool-climate winemaking and some seriously good restaurants. From sustainability to stemware etiquette, this episode answers the questions every wine lover wants to know.

Recommendations:

Yeringberg Marsanne-Roussanne Yarra Valley Australia

Fox Tales Winemakers Selection Saperavi 2024 Australia

Wine sales are falling and moderation is up: is this thebeginning of the end for wine? (Spoiler: no…) Andy Neather and Victoria Moorediscuss what falling wine sales and increased interest in moderation mean forwine lovers. They also taste some no and low drinks – and end up with reasons to becheerful about wine’s future in 2026.

Featured:

· Momo kombuchas: https://momo-kombucha.com/

· Saicho sparkling teas https://www.saichodrinks.com/

· Samuel Billaud “Les Grands Terroirs” Chablis2023, France - £30-35 at good independentwine stores

· Moorooduc Estate PinotNoir 2020, Mornington Peninsula, Australia – from £25 at good independent wine stores

Music: Rosa Neather ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw

Andy Neather and Victoria Moore discuss when to decant wine; what wine to enjoy at Christmas with your Stilton cheese; brain food for Christmas, including a podcast with Coravin inventor Greg Lambrecht, plus Ruby Tandoh's new book; a party game with AI wine tasting notes; and some Christmas wine recommendations.

Featured:

Taittinger Champagne NV Brut

Waitrose Blueprint Amontillado Medium-Dry Sherry

D'Oliveiras Medium-Sweet 5 year-old Madeira

Talisker 10 Year-Old Single Malt Whisky

Domaine Bousquet "Ameri" Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Gualtallary, Argentina https://vintageroots.co.uk/domaine-bousquet-ameri-gualtallary-sauvignon-blanc/

Tim Atkin's Cork Talk interview with Greg Lambrecht: https://timatkin.com/cork-talk/cork-talk-with-greg-lambrecht/

Ruby Tandoh's book: “All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now"

Music: Rosa Neather https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlw