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

Romania is home to some of Europe's most exciting indigenous grape varieties, yet remains one of the continent's most overlooked wine destinations. In this episode, Janina sits down with Winemaking duo and Husband and Wife, Nora Iriarte and Hartley Smithers of Cramele Recaș to explore Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală and Fetească Albă, uncovering why Romanian wine deserves far more attention from wine lovers around the world. 

Along the way, they debate cork versus screwcap, discuss natural fermentation and minimal intervention winemaking, explain how climate change is affecting Romanian vineyards, and reveal the realities of producing quality wine at scale. 

You'll also discover Romania's key wine regions, get wine travel recommendations for Timișoara, learn why Fetească Neagră is one of Europe's most exciting red grapes, and hear firsthand what modern Romanian winemaking looks like today. 

Shownotes
 

1:45 – Introduction to Cramele Recas and their sustainability credentials

 

3:49 – An overview of the wine regions in Romania

06:19 – Nora's unforgettable introduction to the wine world and the hilarious misunderstanding that filled her car with wine samples.

09:13 – Hartley's biggest lesson after decades in wine: why not everything in wine education should be accepted without question.

13:03 – Cork versus screwcap: a candid discussion about wine closures and preserving wine quality.

14:35 – The winemaking tasks they secretly love most, from lees stirring to hand plunging.

17:24 – Nora's passion for blending logistics, mathematics and winery efficiency.

18:53 – Romania's key indigenous wine grapes explained: Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă and Fetească Neagră.

21:34 – Tasting M&S Fetească Albă (£8 Ocado): flavour profile, food pairing suggestions and why Romanian whites deserve more attention.

24:10 – Why Romanian wines deliver exceptional value and how Cramele Recaș maintains quality at every price point.

26:18 – The hidden challenges of producing wine in million-litre fermentation tanks.

29:19 – Minimal intervention winemaking and preserving the true expression of the grapes.

30:54 – Tasting Selene Fetească Neagră 2023 (£19.14 Firth & Co): Romania's flagship red grape and its distinctive silky tannins.

32:51 – Other native Romanian varieties and the growing international interest in indigenous wines.

35:02 – Exploring Romania's wine regions: Banat, Transylvania, Moldova and the influence of climate and geography.

36:50 – Expanding beyond Banat: the story behind Cramele Recaș's second winery near Moldova.

37:33 – Higher altitude vineyards, sparkling wine production and where Romania's coolest wine regions are found.

38:46 – Climate change, vineyard resilience and adapting to increasingly unpredictable vintages.

39:50 – The biggest challenges facing Romanian wine over the next twenty years.

44:54 – What Nora and Hartley brought back from Australia to improve modern Romanian winemaking.

45:38 – Which wine grape is the hardest to get right every vintage? The challenge of Fetească Neagră.

48:12 – A perfect wine travel itinerary for Timișoara, one of Europe's most underrated cultural destinations.

51:29 – ROVINHUD: the Romanian wine festival every wine lover should know about.

52:52 – What visitors should pay attention to when touring Cramele Recaș.

 

📩 Email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
📸 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, Janina sits down with Max Riedel of Riedel Glassware to explore one of the most debated topics in wine education and wine tasting: does the shape of a wine glass really change the way wine tastes?

From the science behind bowl size, rim diameter and aroma delivery to grape-specific wine glasses, decanters and the evolution of modern wine styles, Max shares insights from the Riedel family's glassmaking tradition dating back to 1756. Together, they discuss how different wine regions, wine grapes and winemaking approaches influence glass design, why varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay require different shapes, and how wine lovers can improve their wine appreciation through simple tasting experiments.

The conversation also explores decanting wine, collecting fine wine, memorable bottles, and the changing landscape of global wine culture. Whether you're passionate about wine education, curious about the impact of glassware on sensory perception, or simply looking to learn about wine and deepen your understanding of wine, this wine podcast episode is packed with practical insights, expert advice and fascinating stories from one of the most influential names in the wine world.

03:06 – Demystifying wine glasses — why aesthetics and weight matter less than functionality and sensory performance.

05:07 – The science behind glass shape — bowl size, rim diameter and how they influence aroma and flavour perception.

08:53 – Developing glasses for different wine regions — how feedback from winemakers shapes future designs.

10:56 – Why the right glass matters — Max explains the famous Riedel tasting experience comparing wines in different Riedel Veloce glasses.

13:31 – Chardonnay vs Pinot Noir glasses — why one Burgundy glass is not enough for two very different wine grapes.

16:38 – Growing up in the Riedel family — glassmaking history, storytelling and a family business dating back to 1756.

19:13 – Inside Max’s cellar — collecting wines, buying en primeur and the excitement of aging bottles over time.

20:42 – How many bottles are in Max Riedel’s cellar? A glimpse into a serious wine collection.

21:30 – Family memories in wine — wedding wines, children's vintages and a remarkable bottle dating back to 1756.

23:13 – Decanters explained — sediment, aeration and why decanting is about more than just old wines.

24:59 – Choosing a favourite decanter — Max discusses the iconic Riedel Amadeo Decanter and its connection to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

27:00 – How to clean a decanter properly — simple maintenance tips for keeping crystal glassware spotless.

29:43 – Wine regions that inspire Max — from Austria and Alsace to the future of German Riesling.

32:23 – Why Pinot Noir is so challenging — regional differences, minerality and the need for highly specific glass shapes.

33:55 – Choosing a Riedel range — from machine-made collections to handmade lines such as Fatto A Mano and Manufaktur. 

36:09 – Sunday Wine Fun Day — family adventures, social media fame and opening great wines in unusual places.

38:07 – The oldest wine Max has tasted — an extraordinary blind tasting of an 1865 Bordeaux.

39:15 – The largest bottle Max has opened — sharing wine from an 18-litre bottle and the challenges that come with it.

40:24 – The wine grape that continues to surprise him — why Grüner Veltliner deserves more attention from wine lovers.

42:05 – Upcoming RIEDEL experiences — Max shares details about future tastings and wine glass events across the UK. 

📩 Email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
📸 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, Janina heads to one of the oldest and most fascinating wine regions in the world: Armenia. Joined by Master of Wine Caroline Gilby, this episode explores why Armenia is becoming one of the most exciting destinations for adventurous wine lovers, wine travel enthusiasts and anyone wanting to learn about wine beyond the classic regions.

Together, they dive into Armenia’s volcanic terroir, high-altitude vineyards, ancient winemaking history and indigenous wine grapes, including Areni Noir and Voskehat. They also discuss pre-phylloxera vines, clay amphora traditions, Armenian oak, modern winemaking evolution and why this ancient culture is entering a remarkable new chapter in wine education and global recognition.

If you want to learn about wine beyond the classic regions, explore indigenous wine grapes, or discover one of the world’s most fascinating wine travel destinations, this episode is for you. 

02:42 – From science to wine — Caroline Gilby MW’s transition into the wine world and the tasting experiences that changed her career.

04:37 – Why Central and Eastern European wine regions became Caroline’s lifelong focus instead of classic destinations like France or California.

07:13 – Armenia explained — mountains, altitude, volcanic soils and one of the oldest wine cultures in the world.

09:25 – Volcanic terroir and minerality — how Armenia’s soils shape freshness, acidity and linear wine styles.

10:41 – Pre-phylloxera vineyards — volcanic soils, ancient vines and the impact of Soviet-era brandy production on Armenian wine.

13:12 – Vayots Dzor explained — Armenia’s flagship wine region and home to some of the country’s most exciting producers.

13:35 – Zorah and the Areni-1 Cave — discovering the world’s oldest known organised winery.

16:26 – The “newest old world wine country” — how Armenia’s ancient wine history connects with modern precision winemaking.

19:04 – Areni Noir explained — Armenia’s signature red wine grape, often described as Pinot Noir meets Corvina.

21:01 – Voskehat explained — Armenia’s flagship white wine grape and why it is gaining attention in modern wine education.

22:42 – Indigenous wine grapes — Armenia’s hundreds of native grape varieties and the revival of forgotten vineyards.

25:11 – Wine travel in Armenia — visiting wineries like Old Bridge and exploring Vayots Dzor’s remote wine culture. 

25:52 – Planning wine travel in Armenia — winery visits, tastings and local hospitality experiences at Armas Wine Tours & Tastings and Old Bridge Winery Restaurant.

27:26 – Armenian hospitality — slower-paced wine travel, local food, monasteries and authentic cultural experiences.

27:45 – The Armenia Vineyard Trail — running through vineyards at altitude and finishing with a glass of Areni Noir.

29:19 – Beyond Vayots Dzor — other Armenian wine regions and emerging grape varieties to know.

30:54 – Armenian wine vs Georgian wine — clay vessels, skin contact wines and key stylistic differences between the neighbouring wine cultures.

33:02 – Relearning lost traditions — Armenia’s efforts to revive ancient clay vessel winemaking techniques.

36:20 – The biggest transformation in Armenian wine over the last 15 years — cleaner winemaking, experimentation and growing confidence.

37:16 – Tasting Areni Noir in clay, stainless steel and Armenian oak — how different vessels shape texture and style.

38:30 – Armenian oak explained — a distinctive oak species with unique balsamic characteristics and current supply challenges.

39:30 – Why Armenian wine is still evolving — experimentation, identity and the excitement of a young modern wine industry.

40:19 – The Armenian wine moment that changed Caroline Gilby’s perspective forever.

41:28 – How to buy Armenian wine — specialist importers and producers like Zorah and Armas. 

42:25 – Armenian wine prices — why these wines are not cheap and why they still represent strong value.

43:14 – Tasting Zorah Areni Noir — freshness, concentration and excitement for Armenia’s future. 

44:43 – Feeling overwhelmed by wine regions and wine grapes? Caroline’s advice for building wine knowledge through curiosity and exploration.

45:20 – Armenian culture beyond wine — monasteries, museums, food, history and why Armenia is a powerful wine travel destination.

📩 Email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
📸 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

Grounded in the uploaded transcript and markers.

In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, Janina explores one of the most fascinating topics in wine education: aged wine. This is a deep dive into how wine changes over time, designed for anyone who wants to learn about wine, understand classic wine regions, and build confidence in tasting and evaluating wine.

Joined by award-winning wine writer and educator Kelli White, this wine podcast episode unpacks what really happens inside a bottle as it ages - from tannins and acidity to sediment, closures, and storage conditions.

Together, they explore how and why certain wine grapes and wines from regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Napa Valley, and Barolo develop complexity and character with age, while others lose their structure.

Along the way, they also discuss wine travel experiences, the emotional side of opening mature bottles, and what it really means to build a wine collection — whether you are just starting out or already passionate about aged wines.

Whether you’re looking to learn about wine more deeply, explore iconic wine regions, or simply understand what makes aged wine so special, this episode brings together science, storytelling, and the romance of wine in one place.

 

 
02:31 – The first bottle that made Kelli White realise wine could be something profound.

03:46 – The first truly old wine Kelli tasted — an unforgettable Burgundy experience during harvest in France.

05:19 – Ceremony, emotion and memory — how older wines become part of life experiences.

06:57 – What’s currently in Kelli’s cellar — older Napa Valley wines, including a rare Charbono from Inglenook.

08:22 – Saving wines for special occasions — Burgundy, patience and deciding when to open a bottle.

09:08 – When does a wine become truly complex? Understanding the transition from youthful fruit to mature character in wines from regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy and Barolo.

10:48 – What actually happens inside a bottle over time — tannins, aromas, colour, acidity, classic wine grapes and texture explained. 

19:23 – Why wine aging is unpredictable — evolving components, plateaus and misconceptions about “peak drinking windows.”

24:04 – What really helps wine age? Acidity, tannin, balance, craftsmanship and the role of wine storage.

26:11 – Ideal wine storage conditions — temperature, humidity, darkness and why consistency matters.

28:51 – Wine aging experiments — underwater cellaring, wines sent into space and a past wine podcast episode featuring Jane Anson.

29:32 – Common wine storage mistakes — kitchen heat, air conditioning units and sunlight exposure.

32:32 – Cork vs screw cap — closures, oxygen transfer and how modern wine technology is evolving.

34:39 – Hill of Grace by Henschke — one of Australia’s iconic fine wines proving premium wines can age under screw cap.

35:08 – Sediment explained — tannins, tartrate crystals, lees and why older wines develop deposits.

38:13 – How to train your palate for aged wine — practical ways to explore mature wines and discover your preferences.

42:46 – Decanting old wine — when oxygen helps and when it can completely destroy a fragile bottle.

45:26 – Janina’s experience opening a 1940s Château Troplong Mondot Bordeaux during restaurant service.

47:48 – Advice for anyone building a wine collection — curiosity, experimentation and keeping an open mind about wine styles.

48:28 – Unexpected wines that age beautifully — including rosés from López de Heredia, Clos Cibonne and Domaine Tempier.

50:32 – Kelli White’s book Wine Confident and Janina’s listener discount code EATSLEEP15 for Academie du Vin Library.

📩 Email: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
📸 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

If you're studying for the WSET Diploma D3 exam, or you simply want to deepen your understanding of one of the world's most iconic wine regions, this episode is your essential listen. Janina takes you on a deep dive into Bordeaux, delivering everything you need to know in an engaging, audio flashcard format. She asks the questions, you pause and think (or just absorb it all), and by the end you'll have a solid command of everything from the rivers that shape the region to the soils beneath the vines.

By the end of this episode, you'll be able to confidently name Bordeaux's key grape varieties and explain what each brings to a blend, describe the major appellations on both the Left Bank and Right Bank, understand how climate, vintage variation, and soil type influence wine style, and walk through the winemaking decisions -from vineyard to bottle - that define great Bordeaux. Whether you're revising for an exam or just want to sound impressively knowledgeable at your next dinner party, this one's for you.

 

💡 Want more flashcard-style episodes? Previously, Janina has also produced episodes to help with Fortified Wine and Sparkling Wine exams along with several other wine regions for D3 exams. You can find them here:

Ep 253: Rhône Valley

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

 



Timestamps

0:30 — Bordeaux Overview: production split (85% red, 9% dry white, 5% rosé)

2:24 — Location & Geography — The Garonne, Dordogne & Gironde Estuary; Left Bank vs. Right Bank

3:26 — History — The Dutch, wine merchants & brokers, and how Bordeaux built its global reputation

4:29 — The 1855 Classification — How it came about and why it still matters today

(Listen to Ep 239 - 4mins in for more details on this classification)

6:07 — Climate — Maritime influence, the Gulf Stream, and what makes a great vintage

7:21 — Forests, geography & Left Bank climate protection (the Landes pine forests)

7:24 — Rainfall variability and its impact on vine health and vintage quality

8:26 — Climate change: hotter summers, lower acidity, higher alcohol

9:17 — Extreme weather: frost, hail & vintage variation

10:20 — Soils — Why gravel is king on the Left Bank; heat retention, drainage & the croupe

13:43 — Right Bank soils: clay, limestone plateau & Merlot's natural home

14:07 — Grape Varieties: Merlot — Growth cycle, risks, flavour profile & why it dominates the Right Bank

17:33 — Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon — Late budding, thick skins, disease risks & what it contributes to blends

18:46 — What happens when Cabernet Sauvignon doesn't ripen fully

19:20 — Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc — Bud break, coulure risk, herbaceous character & canopy management

20:29 — Grape Varieties: Malbec — Vineyard behaviour, the 1956 frost & why it declined in Bordeaux

21:41 — Grape Varieties: Petit Verdot — Late ripening, small blending amounts & why climate change is reviving it

23:20 — Grape Varieties: White — Sémillon — Noble rot susceptibility, flavour profile, aging potential & its role in dry and sweet blends

25:39 — Grape Varieties: White — Sauvignon Blanc — Its contribution to dry and sweet Bordeaux wines

26:33 — Grape Varieties: White — Muscadelle — Aromatic qualities, Botrytis risk & use in sweet wines

27:05 — Vineyard Management — Planting density, vine spacing & costs

28:22 — Pruning systems: double vs. single Guyot; cordon trained vines

29:12 — Canopy management, leaf removal, disease pressure & trunk diseases (Eutypa & Esca)

31:18 — Organic viticulture: Flavescence Dorée, certification & 18% of Bordeaux certified organic in 2021

32:08 — Yield management: bunch thinning, natural balance & why extreme low yields are falling out of favour

33:03 — Harvesting: hand vs. machine picking; labour shortages in northern Médoc

34:24 — Winemaking: Red Wines — Fermentation vessels, extraction, maceration times & pressing

37:13 — Barrel aging: barriques, new oak proportions, racking & blending timing

38:41 — Winemaking: Rosé — Saignée vs. direct press; traditional vs. modern styles

39:07 — Winemaking: White Wines — Early drinking, mid-priced & high quality approaches; lees aging, bâtonnage & new oak trends

40:53 — Winemaking: Sweet Wines — Yields, multiple harvest passes, noble rot selection & barrel aging for top estates

44:11 — Appellations: Overview — 65 appellations; Bordeaux AOC & Bordeaux Supérieur yields and styles

46:19 — Left Bank: Médoc & Haut-Médoc — Yield limits, style differences & the four famous communes

47:19 — Saint-Estèphe — Clay soils, higher Merlot, rustic tannins & no first growths

47:47 — Pauillac — High Cabernet Sauvignon, three first growths, exceptional aging potential

48:27 — Saint-Julien — Between Pauillac's power and Margaux's finesse

48:44 — Margaux — Elegance, perfume, silky tannins & earlier ripening

49:31 — Listrac-Médoc & Moulis — Further from the river, less gravel, good to very good quality

49:43 — Graves & Pessac-Léognan — Best white wines in Bordeaux; red/white split; yields & style

51:47 — Entre-Deux-Mers — White wine only; second-largest appellation; fresh and inexpensive

52:12 — Right Bank: Saint-Émilion — Merlot dominance, Grand Cru rules, classification system & satellites

53:55 — Pomerol — ~80% Merlot, no classification, tiny estates, super-premium pricing & wine style

55:35 — Lalande-de-Pomerol & Côtes de Bordeaux appellations

56:06 — Côtes de Bourg — Malbec focus

56:27 — Sweet Wine Appellations: Sauternes & Barsac — Noble rot conditions, Ciron River mists, 25 hl/ha yields & wine style

58:12 — Other sweet wine appellations: Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Loupiac & Premier Côtes de Bordeaux

58:42 — What's NOT covered in this episode (classifications, En Primeur, La Place de Bordeaux) — so follow these links to other episodes to supplement your wine learning:

Ep 185 : La Place de Bordeaux

Ep 182 : En Primeur

 

 

📩 Questions or feedback? janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk
📸 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 and 2026)