This episode we discuss the phenomenon of AI - hard to avoid just now, and we’re being promised that it will transform our drinking experience. But will it? We test-drive the Wine Society’s new AI platform, My Taste Match (https://www.thewinesociety.com/), and talk to the Society’s CEO, Steve Finlan, about why they’ve launched it. And we consider the shortcomings of AI in dealing with something as intangible as taste. We also look at some of the ways AI is being used elsewhere in wine, including in the brave new world of agricultural drones and robots.

Also mentioned:

Whistler Wines “Shiver`” Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023

Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wines’ Pyramid Valley vineyard

Saga Robotics

Recommended wines: Whitewolfe Estates KC2 English Chardonnay 2022 (Elementary Wine Co, Fortnum & Mason, from £46)

Domaine Bon Augure “Aux Innocents les Mains Pleines” 2024 (The Sourcing Table, Dvine cellar, Hop Burns & Black, from £18)

Original music by Rosa Neather ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6U2rMSG1sTA3DAvYlXmE9f?si=Xh4HdR2nQhe6C79hYumNlwEND

Today rosé wine isn’t just something we just turn to in a heatwave, perfect though it is then. Sales of rosé have exploded in Britain - as well as France - in recent years, especially the very pale-coloured rosés produced in Provence. But might we have reached peak Provence rosé now? Andy and Victoria explore the rise of rosé, why it’s the colour it is, and what other rosés are worth a try.

Featured:

Whispering Angel (Sacha Lichine)

Maison Mirabeau (Stephen and Jeany Cronk)

M de Minity

Château Léoube

Aix

Recommended wines:

Château Ollieux Romanis Racine rosé 2025, Corbières (The Wine Society, £11.95)

Boutari “Dianthos” rosé 2025, PGI Imathia (Tesco, £11.50)

Moropolous rosé 2024, PGI Arcadia (Lea & Sandeman, £19.95 or £17.50 as part of a mixed case of 12)

Mas de la Rouvière rosé 2025, Bandol (Yapp, £23.50)

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

The war in the Persian Gulf has already sent oil prices soaring and hit global supplies of natural gas and fertiliser - so how well cushioned is the wine industry? Costs of diesel, electricity, bottles and shipping are all going up for wine producers and importers. But some of the industry’s moves towards sustainability will help blunt the impact. We look at renewable energy and hear from Rathfinny Estate’s owner, Mark Driver, about how they’re using solar power to cut bills. We explore how bottles have got lighter, cutting energy use. And we look at how bulk shipping has cut the energy used to get a bottle of wine to your table.

Featured:

Rathfinny Estate, Sussex

Simpson’s Wine Estate, Kent

Gusbourne Estate, Kent

Mouchão, Portugal

Domaine Bousquet, Argentina

Rippon Vineyard, New Zealand

Andy’s book with Jane Masters MW is Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine http://bit.ly/4t7OKlV

Recommended wines:

Zuccardi Regiones Cabernet Franc

Speri Valpolicella and Valpolicella Superiore

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