Debra Master of Wine » Videos

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 38): Cecile Bonnefond, Veuve Clicquot Global

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:03:32 +0000

CEO of Veuve Clicquot Global, Cecile Bonnefond, chats with Debra about what it is like being a woman in the top job at one of the worlds top champagne houses, going pink with the brand, and why having a good pop is integral to enjoying a glass of champagne.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 37): Nick Lane, Cloudy Bay

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:26:27 +0000

Nick Lane, Winemaker of Cloudy Bay, Malborough New Zealand explains that despite being on top of the Sauvignon Blanc industry, they continue to relish the challenge of the varietal and have produced a new style of Sauvignon Blanc recently, the Te Koko, a very different style fermented in barrel, which pushes the boundaries of the varietal. Nick discusses the key Pinot Noir regions in New Zealand, including Central Otago, Martinborough and Malbourgh, and how climactic and regional characteristics are expressed in the wines. Nick also dabbles in prosciutto ham and sausages, following discovering a taste for it in France…the perfect match for Pinot Noir.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 36): Richard Riddiford, Palliser Estate

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:33:27 +0000

Richard Riddiford of Palliser Estate in Martinborough New Zealand talks with Debra about the winery’s strong export market via exposure on airlines like Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Emirates, Lufthansa, where his wines have been listed in the 1st class cabins. He discusses the differences between the Palliser Sauvignon Blanc and other New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, as well as the 2008 vintage and aging Sauvignon Blanc.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 35): Oliver Haag, Fritz Haag

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:17:30 +0000

Debra interviews Oliver Haag of Fritz Haag, in the Mosel Valley in Germany. With a 400 year history to contend with at the winery and a family of winemakers, Oliver explains how he has grown up winemaking and has been tasting wines since he could stand of two feet. They discuss the practise of wineries in Mosel being located on steep slopes (around 80% gradient), the unique winemaking tools they use to combat the hilly challenges and how the sun and river play a huge role in producing great wine.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 34): Michel Rolland, The Rolland Collection

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:46:26 +0000

Debra catches up with Michel Rolland at Hong Kong’s Vinexpo in May. Rolland, an influential oenologist based in Bordeaux, owns several wineries in the famed French wine region, along with a handful of joint partnerships around the world. He consults for over 100 wineries (or in excess of 600 labels) in over a dozen countries, which requires him to taste up to 40,000 samples per year. The wine celebrity discusses how he manages this monumental task, along with his feelings on the much-lauded 2009 vintage, other past great vintages, and more.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 33): Michel Chapoutier, M. Chapoutier

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:12:30 +0000

Debra catches up with wine legend, Michel Chapoutier, the seventh generation of the Chapoutier wine dynasty of the Northern Rhone, France. Michel took the reins at M Chapoutier at just 26 years of age in 1990, and has since vastly improved the quality of wines to its highly acclaimed status today. At Hong Kong’s Vinexpo in May, Debra asks Michel about his reputation as the “wild man” of Rhone Valley because of his drive for innovation and difference in his wines, labelling and agricultural methodologies. They discuss the whites of the Rhône Valley, Michel’s latest experimentation, wine ageing and more.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 32): Gustavo Ursomarso, Terrazas de los Andes winery

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:18:52 +0000

Gustavo Ursomarso of Terrazas de los Andes winery in Mendoza, Argentina, who is both a viticulturalist and a winemaker, explains to Debra what he is looking for in the perfect grape and how he judges a grape’s readiness. They chat about the challenges of Terrazas de los Andes, located in Mendoza, which is at the foot of Los Andes mountain range, where they plant different varietals at a range of altitudes on steep hillsides, and also discuss the how tannins in Malbec operate a little differently to other varietals.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 31): Brian Bicknell, Mahi Vineyards

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:20:49 +0000

Debra catches up with Brian Bicknell of Mahi Vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, who has a vast amount of global winemaking experience, including some unorthodox places, like Chile, Hungary and more. Brian compares winemaking in New Zealand to his experiences in Chile during the 1990′s, during an era of great change and investment in the wine industry, and the diversity and opportunity available in Chile. Brian explains the Maori origins and philosophy of the Mahi Vineyards name, as well as offering tips and food matches to wine lovers approaching Sauvignon Blanc and what the perfect balance of this famed varietal means to him.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 30): Susan Frazier, Whispering Brook

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:05:04 +0000

Susan Frazier of Whispering Brook, a boutique family winery in Hunter Valley, New South Wales (Australia) tells Debra about living the dream as a country-born girl, who pursued a career in FMCG and finance in the city, then returned to her roots in agriculture and got into the wine business. They discuss the best part of winemaking, Whispering Brook`s “handmade” policy to ensure the very best quality grapes, hosting cellar door visitors (and all their interesting questions!), the best part about Susan`s job and more.

Meet the Winemaker (Episode 29): Diego Urra, Lapostolle of Chile

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:26:47 +0000

Debra catches up with Diego Urra, Brand Ambassador, of Lapostolle of Chile. Despite being trained in all winemaking aspects, his current role sees his spend significant time in Asia talking about Lapostolle. They discuss the characteristics of Lapostolles originally Spanish Carmenère varietal, as well as the up and coming Syrah in Chile, which is well suited to Chiles many and varied terrior. As a former tourism expert, Diego tells Debra how to make the most of a 4-day holiday in Chile…vinophile style.