EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT: A Wine Podcast Exploring Wine Regions, Grapes & Education

In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, Janina heads to Umbria, Italy’s “green heart”, to explore one of the country’s most underrated wine regions: Orvieto DOC.

Joined by wine educator and ambassador Luisa Salussolia, this episode blends wine education, wine travel inspiration, and a deep dive into wine grapes that define the region. From volcanic soils and indigenous varieties like Grechetto and Procanico, to food pairings, tasting tips and travel advice, this is your guide to discovering Orvieto and expanding your understanding of Italian wine.

If you’re looking to learn about wine, discover new regions and plan your next wine trip, this episode is for you.

02:53 – Discovering Orvieto — why this underrated wine region deserves more attention.

04:19 – The Umbrian landscape — a perfect destination for wine travel with history, nature and value.

06:40 – Montefalco Sagrantino — one of Italy’s boldest red wine grapes.

08:42 – Arnaldo Caprai and the wine that helped redefine this part of Italy.

09:38 – Link back to the Episode 254 on Sangiovese and Brunello di Montalcino.

11:11 – Becoming an Orvieto ambassador — combining wine education with real regional experience.

12:36 – Why Orvieto DOC stands out — terroir, indigenous wine grapes and quality-driven producers.

14:53 – Classico Superiore explained — what it means for quality and aging.

15:53 – Historic wineries and Etruscan cellars — where history meets modern winemaking.

17:56 – Grechetto explained — one of the key wine grapes shaping Orvieto wines.

19:42 – Procanico (Trebbiano Toscano) — freshness, acidity and structure in the blend.

21:28 – Understanding Trebbiano — why this family of wine grapes is so complex.

22:20 – Tasting Decugnano dei Barbi 'Mare Antico' Orvieto Classico Superiore 2023 — texture, salinity and mineral expression. Buy with Eurowines.co.uk £22.99

25:01 – Food pairings — truffles, wild boar and classic Umbrian dishes.

27:32 – Tenuta Le Velette, Lunato, Orvieto Classico Superiore 2024 — volcanic soils and a savoury wine style.

35:17 – Planning your trip — practical tips for wine travel in Orvieto.

36:56 – Visiting wineries — authentic experiences in one of Italy’s hidden wine regions.

38:30 – Regenerative viticulture — an important topic in modern wine education.

41:30 – One key vineyard change — how no-till farming can impact wine quality.

42:23 – Tasting tips — how to learn about wine through a structured approach.

46:35 – Wine recommendations — discovering new regions and styles beyond the mainstream.

48:41 – Final Old Vine wine picks — Bodega Cerron, La Calera del Escaramujo Monastrell and Nuits-St Georges, Rue de Chaux, 1er Cru, Domaine Chicotot, Burgundy

 

📩 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat
🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Cheers to you 🥂

 

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST
Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot.

RECOGNITION:
– Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025)
– Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025 and 2026)
– Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list

In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, the wine podcast dedicated to wine education, Janina Doyle dives deep into the world of Australian Shiraz with one of the country’s most respected wine critics, Huon Hooke, lead reviewer for The Real Review.

Together they explore the diversity of Shiraz across Australia’s most famous wine regions - from the powerful wines of Barossa Valley to the savoury elegance of Hunter Valley and the peppery character of Grampians. They also discuss the oldest Shiraz vines in the country, how soil and climate influence style, which regions offer the best value today and where the future of Australian Shiraz is heading.

If you want to learn about wine, explore different wine grapes (with a few mentions of other varieties along the way, even though this episode focuses on Shiraz) and understand how climate and terroir shape flavour, this episode offers a fascinating journey through one of the world’s most iconic varieties. It’s also packed with insights for anyone planning wine travel in Australia or wanting to better understand the country’s diverse wine landscape.

Whether you love bold, plush Shiraz or cooler-climate, spice-driven expressions, this episode is a perfect introduction to the remarkable range of Australian Shiraz.

Shownotes

02:44 – What makes Australian Shiraz so distinctive and why it remains one of the country’s defining grape varieties.

04:18 – Huon Hooke shares how he first became interested in wine and how his career in wine reviewing began.

05:17 – The oldest producing Shiraz vineyards in Australia (Langmeil Vineyard) and what makes these historic vines so remarkable.

07:49 – The most expensive Australian Shiraz currently on release (Henske Hill of Grace) and the experience behind ultra-premium wines.

08:28 – A discussion about Torbreck, one of the most famous producers of Barossa Valley Shiraz.

09:41 – The oldest vintage of Australian Shiraz Huon has personally tasted and how Shiraz evolves over decades.

10:55 – Introducing the core theme of the episode: exploring Shiraz across Australia’s different wine regions.

13:45 – Which Australian Shiraz region may currently be the most underrated.

15:39 – Which regions may deliver the best value for money when buying Shiraz.

17:20 – If opening a bottle for a special occasion, which style or region Huon Hooke would personally choose.

18:55 – A closer look at Barossa Valley Shiraz and its signature bold fruit and rich structure.

21:12 – Comparing Eden Valley Shiraz and Barossa Valley Shiraz and how cooler conditions influence Shiraz style.

25:11 – How soil composition and geology shape the flavour and texture of Shiraz.

27:33 – Understanding the intensity of Shiraz and how different regions express power differently.

28:49 – Where Heathcote sits geographically within Victoria and its growing reputation for Shiraz.

30:49 – The role of Shiraz in Australian wine statistics and production.

33:51 – How Clare Valley Shiraz fits into the broader Australian Shiraz conversation.

36:00 – Grampians Shiraz and its distinctive spice-driven style and how it has evolved.

37:48 – The Canberra District and the effect of altitude and climate on Shiraz.

39:05 – The best wine regions to visit from Sydney for a weekend wine trip.

41:30 – Other emerging or lesser-known regions that deserve attention for Shiraz.

43:13 – The future of Australian Shiraz: trends in winemaking, blending and oak usage.

46:14 – How Huon Hooke’s wine reviewing career has evolved over the last two decades and how the Australian wine scene has changed.

49:01 – What wine lovers can find on The Real Review, including top wine lists and best-value bottles.

50:36 – Why Shiraz remains such a joyful and versatile grape variety and why we should all be drinking more of it.

53:56 – Next week: Janina heads to Sicily to explore Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.



 

Wineries Suggested for a comparison tasting

Torbreck Shiraz (Barossa Valley)


Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz (Grampians)


Tyrrell’s Shiraz (Hunter Valley)


📩 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat
🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Cheers to you 🥂

 

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST
Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot.

RECOGNITION:
– Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025)
– Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025)
– Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list

In this episode of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat wine podcast, Janina heads to Vittoria in the south of Sicily to explore one of Italy’s most exciting and evolving wine regions.

Joined by Stefano Girelli of Santa Tresa and Cortese, this episode blends wine education with a deep dive into organic viticulture, biodiversity, and the future of wine grapes in a warming climate.

From indigenous Sicilian varieties to experimental vineyards preserving rare grapes, you’ll learn about wine through both tradition and innovation. And if you’re dreaming of wine travel, this episode might just inspire your next trip to Sicily.

05:28 – An introduction to Santa Tresa and Cortese, and how the two estates differ in style, philosophy and wine expression.

08:24 – Travel tips for visiting Vittoria, including why Ragusa is an ideal and authentic place to stay when exploring the region.

09:27 – Why Vittoria still feels like a hidden gem compared to more famous Sicilian destinations, offering a more authentic wine travel experience.

11:39 – A fun dive into the portfolio: which wine is perfect for a romantic proposal or special celebration (Il Frappatto Sparkling).

12:41 – The ideal wine for a day at the beach (Grillo-Viognier) highlighting fresh, vibrant styles that suit Sicily’s coastal lifestyle (or a chilled Frappato).

14:19 – Wines for colder moments: richer, more structured styles that work perfectly by the fireplace. (Cerasuolo di Vittoria)

16:05 – The reality of going organic in Sicily, including the challenges, strict regulations and why many considered it a bold move.

18:04 – What does “organic” really mean in wine? Stefano's personal definition.

21:58 – How to recognise an organic or biodiverse vineyard just by walking through it, with practical visual clues for wine lovers.

24:03 – A return to traditional farming methods, and how modern viticulture is rediscovering practices from the past.

29:24 – Adapting to climate change: vineyard techniques such as shading, trellising and how they impact grape ripening.

31:17 – The scale of experimentation: dozens of indigenous and rare grape varieties being cultivated and studied.

33:59 – The search for the grapes of the future, and how forgotten Sicilian varieties may become key in a warming world.

37:31 – Albanello: a rediscovered white grape variety with distinctive herbal, minty and fresh characteristics.

39:54 – What will we be drinking in the future? A broader discussion on how climate change is reshaping wine regions and grape selection.

41:10 – Understanding Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily 's only DOCG, and how Nero d’Avola and Frappato work together in the blend.

45:23 – Comparing styles between producers and estates, including differences in structure, fruit profile and winemaking approach.

48:37 – How different winemaking techniques affect tannin structure and texture in the final wine.

50:26 – The impact of fermentation and aging choices on flavour, colour and overall wine style.

52:35 – A look at key Sicilian wine grapes, including both well-known and lesser-known varieties.

54:44 – Catarratto Lucido and other white grapes that deserve more attention in Sicily’s evolving wine scene.

56:14 – Final reflections from Stefano on the philosophy behind the estate and the future direction of their wines.

58:56 – Why this region and these wines are worth discovering.

59:40 – A unique white blend (Vanedda) made with extended skin contact, fermented like a red wine to build structure, texture and ageing potential.

01:00:43 – Visit Santa Tresa & book a wine experience

📩 Questions or feedback? [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat
🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk


Cheers to you! 🥂

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST
Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot.

RECOGNITION:
– Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025)
– Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025)
– Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list

In this episode of the wine podcast, Janina dives into one of Italy’s most prestigious and age-worthy wines: Brunello di Montalcino.

Joined by Italian wine expert Ian D’Agata, this episode blends wine education with a deep exploration of wine regions, helping you learn about wine through the lens of Sangiovese.

From wine grapes and clonal diversity to terroir, aging potential and tasting profiles, you’ll discover what makes Brunello unique and how this iconic Tuscan wine compares to others made from the same grape.

Plus, if you love wine travel, you’ll hear about an immersive opportunity to study wine directly in Montalcino, tasting up to 100 wines with producers in the region.

To find out more about joining The Ian D’Agata Wine Academy in Montalcino on 16th, 17th & 18th April 2026 click here.

Or email Giulia Corino <[email protected]>

For those attending the Ian D’Agata Wine Academy, there will be a special guest speaker session led by Maddy Jimerson MS, Master Sommelier and Director of Casa Mia in Denver. With a strong connection to Alto Piemonte, where she regularly spends time, Maddy will be guiding an in-depth session focused on the wines of this fascinating region of Italy.

 

SHOWNOTES:

02:52 – Ian explains why wine education is so important, sharing how great teachers shaped his career and why helping people understand wine makes a real difference.

05:56 – Why most people stick to familiar wines - and how learning about lesser-known Italian grape varieties can completely change how you choose a bottle.

10:00 – Looking beyond Brunello and Barolo, Ian highlights powerful Italian red wine grapes like Aglianico that deserve more attention.

11:02 – Introduction to Ian’s Wine Academy in Montalcino, where small groups taste up to 100 wines while learning directly in the region.

14:12 – Setting the scene in Tuscany: the rolling hills, vineyards and landscapes that make Montalcino one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world.

15:56 – Key differences between Montalcino and Chianti wine regions, and how climate and landscape shape completely different expressions of Sangiovese.

17:04 – Can you identify Sangiovese wines in a blind tasting? A breakdown of how blends, climate and structure influence the final wine style.

20:57 – The origin of the name “Brunello” and how a specific type of Sangiovese gave rise to this iconic wine.

24:42 – Exploring the complexity of Sangiovese: over 100 clones and how producers select and combine them to improve quality.

26:57 – What it means for a vine to be “virus-affected” and why this can sometimes lead to more concentrated, higher-quality wines.

29:11 – How to recognise Sangiovese in the glass: red fruit, acidity, tannins and the characteristic herbal and floral notes.

31:56 – The aging requirements of Brunello di Montalcino and why these wines can develop beautifully over decades.

34:32 – Castiglion del Bosco: a historic estate that has significantly increased its quality in recent years and plays a role in Ian’s course.

35:49 – Rosso di Montalcino explained: a more accessible, earlier-drinking style that offers great value from the same region.

39:46 – The key soil types of Montalcino (galestro, alberese and more) and how they influence structure, minerality and mouthfeel.

41:11 – What the course experience looks like day-to-day, from tastings and classes to winery visits and shared meals.

42:09 – Moscadello di Montalcino: the lesser-known sweet wine of the region that still survives today.

44:54 – The range of wines tasted during the course, covering multiple Italian wine regions, styles and grape varieties.

47:49 – Who the course is designed for: both wine professionals and enthusiasts who want to deepen their wine knowledge.

50:46 – Course dates and availability, including upcoming sessions in April and November.

52:24 – How the course aligns with major wine events like Vinitaly, making it ideal for those already travelling in Italy.

53:27 – How to get more information and book your place on the course. Email Giulia Corino <[email protected]> and more details on Ian D’Agata’s website.

 

📩 Questions or feedback? [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat
🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk


Cheers to you! 🥂

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST
Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot.

RECOGNITION:
– Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025)
– Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025)
– Ranked #18 in 2024 and #22 in 2025 on Drinks Retailing’s Most Influential People in Drinks list

In this flashcard-style wine education podcast episode, Janina takes a deep dive into the Rhône Valley, exploring the climate, terroir, wine grapes, and AOCs that define both the Northern and Southern Rhône. Designed to support students preparing for the WSET Diploma theory exam, this episode focuses on the key facts, yields, blending rules, and appellation regulations essential for understanding one of France’s most important wine regions.

While structured for exam preparation, it’s also ideal for anyone who wants to learn about wine in a focused, detailed way - whether you’re studying formally, strengthening your professional knowledge, exploring wine travel, or simply keen to deepen your understanding of French wine.

A rigorous, well-organised exploration of the geography, regulations, and styles that shape the Rhône Valley - created for serious learners and curious wine lovers alike.

 

💡 Want more flashcard-style episodes? Previously, Janina has also produced episodes to help with Fortified Wine and Sparkling Wine exams. You can find them here:

Ep 256 Languedoc- Roussillon

Ep 113: Shery, VdNs, Rutherglen Muscat

Ep 120: Port & Madeira

Ep 129: Sparkling Wine Production

Ep 136: Champagne

Ep 142: All other sparkling wines

 

Shownotes

00:01:45 – Climatic differences between Northern and Southern Rhône
00:04:15 – Grape Varieties Overview
00:05:15 – Grenache Noir
00:08:15 – Syrah
00:09:45 – Mourvèdre
00:11:45 – Cinsault
00:13:15 – Viognier
00:14:45 – Marsanne
00:16:00 – Roussanne
00:17:30 – Grenache Blanc
00:18:15 – Clairette
00:19:15 – Bourboulenc
00:20:00 – Northern Rhône – Climate & Overview
00:21:15 – Côte-Rôtie AOC
00:25:00 – Condrieu & Château-Grillet AOC
00:27:20 – Saint-Joseph AOC
00:29:30 – Crozes-Hermitage AOC
00:32:45 – Hermitage AOC
00:36:30 – Cornas AOC
00:38:10 – Saint-Péray AOC
00:39:15 – IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
00:40:10 – Southern Rhône – Climate & Overview
00:41:20 – Southern Rhône – Appellation Hierarchy
00:42:50 – Côtes du Rhône AOC
00:44:20 – Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
00:46:00 – Gigondas AOC
00:47:25 – Vacqueyras AOC
00:48:15 – Vinsobres AOC
00:50:05 – Rasteau AOC
00:51:25 – Cairanne AOC
00:52:05 – Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
00:52:45 – Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
00:57:45 – Lirac AOC
00:58:30 – Tavel AOC
01:00:15 – Satellite AOCs Overview
01:00:30 – Costières de Nîmes AOC
01:01:30 – Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
01:02:00 – Ventoux AOC
01:03:20 – Luberon AOC
01:04:10 – Southern Rhône IGP Wines

 

📩 Questions or feedback? [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat
🎥 YouTube: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat
🌐 Website: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST
Featured in Decanter Magazine and Radio Times, and ranked among the Top UK Wine Podcasts by Feedspot.

RECOGNITION:
– Finalist, 67 Pall Mall Award for Best Global Wine Communicator in Audio (2025)
– Shortlisted, IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication (2025)