73. Chateau Musar and the Magic of Lebanon with Marc Hochar

I've been thinking about properly investing in wine for years now. So I thought, I should ask someone who is really on the top of this game. The Danish company, RareWine Invest, is one of the largest and most trusted name in the industry. Mr. Jensen, the CMO of the company, has been delving deep into the topic with me and covered the ABC of wine investing in this hour-long episode. You can learn which allocation they recommend for a well-balanced portfolio, what makes a region or a winery eligible for investment, how it might change in the future, and of course: how you can start to invest. Fascinating insights, I learned a lot. Topics in chronological order: - Why and who should invest in wine? - What are the criteria for investing in certain wines? - Regions to invest - Climate Change and what does it change for investment? - Biggest surprises on the wine market - How could one start with wine investment? - Italy as the potential for growth Guest: LARS GRANAT JENSEN / RAREWINE INVEST Follow the Wine Ghosts Instagram page for more content here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wineghosts/⁠⁠  Or write me a mail to [email protected] Get 20% off your one-time-purchase by using the code 'WINEGHOST20' at the checkout on the ⁠Magic Mind website⁠ here: ⁠⁠https://magicmind.com/

The 'von der Vogelwaide' winery counts almost as a rebellion in almost every sense in the region of Wachau. They only use native yeast, planted Syrah, make cuvées instead of single varietal wines, don’t show the vineyard or the ripeness level on the label, vinify in small oak, not afraid of malolactic fermentation, you get the point. They are also one of the few gay vintner couples in the country and they built up their successful winery like a true start-up in the last couple of years by recultivating steep vineyards in often abandoned territories. I love to see more diversity in the Wachau as much as I admire the courage and perseverance of these two guys to bring a new taste to this wonderful region. Enjoy! Guest: Daniel Vogelwaid & Michael Donabaum / Winery: von der Vogelwaide Winemaker's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vondervogelwaide Follow the Wine Ghosts Instagram page for more content here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wineghosts/ Or write me a mail to [email protected] Get 20% off your one-time-purchase by using the code 'WINEGHOST20' at the checkout on the ⁠Magic Mind website⁠ here: https://magicmind.com/

Réka Koncz dared to make natural wines where no professional winemakers labelled wine ever before. In this episode, she tells us her story how working in a Danish natural wine bar changed her approach towards wine and winemaking. I also tasted 3 of her vivid wines during the conversation and we talked Kékfrankos, Furmint, PIWI varieties, oak usage and so much more. I really enjoyed our dialogue and the way how her free spirit unfolded in these 50 minutes. Enjoy! 1:25 - How did Réka get into winemaking? 6:40 - The impact of Denmark on Réka 10:30 - Barabás, the terroir and the beginnings 19:36 - Varieties, and a case for PIWI 28:35 - Eastern Accents - White Cuvée 35:16 - Psychedelic labels 38:42 - Furmint Disorder 44:40 - Kékfrankos 50:00 - Who enjoys Réka’s wines? Guest: Annamária Réka Koncz Winemaker's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nussancs/ Follow the Wine Ghosts Instagram page for more content here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wineghosts/⁠ Or write me a mail to [email protected] Get 56% off your first Magic Mind subscription here: ⁠https://www.magicmind.com/wineghost⁠ Or get 20% off your one-time-purchase by using the code 'WINEGHOST20' at the checkout on the ⁠Magic Mind website⁠.

In this 2nd episode with Emma Symington, we are solely focusing on Australia’s flagship grape: Syrah. The Master of Wine gives her insides in the evolution of the Shiraz plantings Australia, covers specific regions with particular styles, then highlights market trends on domestic and international markets. You can also get Emma’s personal tips if you are planning to throw a surprising blind tasting on Australian Shiraz! Please enjoy this deep dive into the topic, subscribe to the show if you haven’t done already and share this episode if you want to help others to learn about Australian Shiraz from Ms. Symington! 0:45 - Evolution of Australian Shiraz 5:30 - Phylloxera 6:48 - GSM blend & different methods 11:00 - Specific regions 13:45 - Classics and examples for surprises 19:25 - Market trends & Future of Shiraz 25:50 - Clones and Bush Vines Guest: Emma Symington MW Follow the Wine Ghosts Instagram page for more content here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wineghosts/⁠ Or write me a mail to [email protected] Get 56% off your first Magic Mind subscription here: ⁠https://www.magicmind.com/wineghost⁠ Or get 20% off your one-time-purchase by using the code 'WINEGHOST20' at the checkout on the ⁠Magic Mind website⁠.

This is episode highlights the cold side of Australia with Emma Symington Master of Wine. Emma has been working with Wine Australia for more than 10 years now, and was kind enough to sit down with me for 2 episodes and introduce us first to the cool climate regions of Australia and then to the many faces of Australian Shiraz in the 2nd episode, coming up in 2 weeks. These shows are meant for both professionals as well as keen beginner wine lovers, who want to get an idea about the lesser known corners and strengths of the Australian wine world. Guest: Emma Symington MW Follow the Wine Ghosts Instagram page for more content here: https://www.instagram.com/wineghosts/ Or write me a mail to [email protected] Get 56% off your first Magic Mind subscription here: https://www.magicmind.com/wineghost Or get 20% off your one-time-purchase by using the code 'WINEGHOST20' at the checkout on the Magic Mind website.

Lebanon wine is intertwined with the legendary Chateau Musar. A winery that survived almost a century of wars and obstacles, while gaining a worldwide reputation amongst the most authentic fine wines of the world with famed ageing potential. I met Marc Hochar a couple of months ago at a masterclass in Germany just before the latest war in the Middle East broke out. The wines were of course amazing and impactful as I expected, but Marc’s gentleman-like aura further elevated the experience with deep thoughts and eye-opening questions. I never took so many notes on a wine tasting before. So please listen to our conversation about Lebanon, a truck-fermented vintage, Sergism, what the future might hold for Chateau Musar and much more. Please consider supporting the channel with a small monthly contribution on my Patreon channel in return for some extra benefits like submitting your own questions to my future guests, or have a monthly online roundtable with me. 10:09 - Serge Hochar’s heritage - Sergisnm 17:00 - What should Chateau Musar represent? 23:13 - Bekaa Valley 46:30 - 1984 and the truck 51:05 - Elevage 1:02:52 - What does Marc look for in a wine? 1:07:00 - Rosé 1:11:00 - Musar Vintage Library 1:17:05 - New coastal plantings 1:19:55 - Topics in 5 years Guest: Marc Hochar | Chateau Musar | Wine Ghosts Instagram: @wineghosts | More content: www.wineghosts.com Support & Get Exclusive on the Wine Ghosts Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/wineghosts

Today’s episode will focus on a very special and not very well-known Spanish DO, the Vinos de Madrid. This area has started to get more attention thanks to a handful of enthusiastic Garnacha producers, but the region is still far from being well-developed. I sat down with Juan from the Bernabeleva winery that makes distinctive Albillos and Garnachas in the mountainous area west of Madrid. I’ve known his Albillo Cantocuerdas for a couple years now, which always a great surprise ghost at any blind tasting session it appears on, but we will get into more details in the conversation later. Please consider supporting the channel with a small monthly contribution on my Patreon channel in return for some extra benefits like submitting your own questions to my future guests, or have a monthly online roundtable with me. Guest: Juan Bulnes | Bernabeleva Wine Ghosts Instagram: @wineghosts | More content: www.wineghosts.com Support & Get Exclusive on the Wine Ghosts Patreon Site: https://www.patreon.com/wineghosts

Jorge Nunes is the regional manager of the Symington Family Estates in Asia, providing deep insider knowledge about the making of port wine as well as about the trade itself. Jorge has already appeared on the Wine Ghosts podcast in the 66th episode, when he gave tips about passing the WSET Diploma with an “A”, and I must say, he is an excellent communicator and professional. You can learn about varieties, the vineyard work in the Douro, the different extraction methods and styles, the contradiction around the “beneficio” and about current market trends regarding Port wine. I learned a lot and I hope you’ll do the same! To be able to continue making these episodes in the future and keep the Wine Ghosts podcast alive, you can help support the channel with a small monthly contribution on Patreon via the link in the description. In return for 4 dollars a month, you get to know my guest list in advance, you get to submit your own questions for them as well as joining our monthly remote drinking evening when we talk, drink and share our favourite wines with a passionate circle. Any help is greatly appreciated. But now, enjoy Jorge’s insides! 1:30 - Introduction & what makes Port Special 9:30 - Varieties 17:30 - Vineyard Work 28:10 - Extraction Methods 40:35 - Aguardente 44:00 - Maturation & Blending 51:45 - Classification 57:45 - Age Indications 1:02:35 - Beneficio 1:12:20 - Trends for Port Wine Guest: Jorge Nunes | Symington Family Estates Wine Ghosts Instagram: @wineghosts | More content: www.wineghosts.com Support & Get Exclusive on the Wine Ghosts Patreon Site: https://www.patreon.com/wineghosts

There are about 2 weeks till the next D3 exams in the WSET Diploma Program. On this occasion, I invited Alex Tsui as my next guest to the podcast to give tips and last minute encouragement for those who sit the exam on 25th of October. Alex has passed the diploma with distinction recently and won the SOGRAPE prize for his extraordinary achievement, plus he is the moderator of the most popular and active WSET Study Group on Facebook, and the creator of many helpful study guides. On the side, he is a PhD student at Oxford, so wine is basically just a hobby. I think it tells a lot about this humble man who I enjoyed talking to very much. You can also find some helpful links in the description that might ease some burden on your shoulders and help you get the most out of your preparation. Please vote on the question asked in the show notes and share this piece with anyone who might get something out of it.  4:45 – Why does Alex help others pass the Diploma? 8:45 – How to approach the study material? 16:15 – Flash Cards and other methods to learn 24:45 – Chat GPT and other resources 41:20 – Frameworks and structuring 46:30 – What to do 2-3 weeks before the exam?! 53:40 - Predictions More info: www.wineghosts.com Diploma Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/5186994742/ Amble Wine Maps:https://amblewine.com/

This episode is one that I’ve been waiting for in the last couple years already. If you want to become a better blind taster, Nick Jackson’s book: Beyond Flavour is a must have in your library. Nick is a young British Master of Wine who studied Theology in Cambridge and now lives in the sunny Florida, where he imports artisanal European wines, helps private wine collectors and much more. In many ways, his approach to tasting is a rather unique, but most certainly a helpful one. But I let him explain the origin story and methodology of the ‘Tasting by Structure’ approach. We talked about the major updates in the second edition of his book, about minerality, sapidity and the two-texture situation. You hear his criteria for selecting recommended producers, his take on the Florida wine market and of course: how to understand varieties. It was a great experience to look behind the curtains and pick Nick’s brain a bit on how to structure something that probably never meant to be structured, but rather enjoyed. Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/41PL5v3 2:10 - Starting with wine, Theology, Evolving Palate and wine world 10:24 - The 2nd edition of the book, Tasting for structure 18:26 - Concept of Acid Shape 22:45 - ‘Confusions’ section - One major update 28:10 - ‘Two-texture’ situation 32:37 - Oak Tannin 36:15 - Structure & Skeleton 41:00 - Minerality & Sapidity 52:26 - Producer Recommendations & Nick’s Criteria 54:34 - What Nick is doing nowadays? 58:40 - Florida Wine Market 1:02:00 - Nick’s emerging wine countries 1:05:00 - Is blind tasting getting more difficult? 1:08:25 - How do you take blind tasting skills to the next level? Guest: Nick Jackson MW | @nickjacksn Wine Ghosts Instagram: @wineghosts | More content: www.wineghosts.com Support & Get Exclusive on the Wine Ghosts Patreon Site: https://www.patreon.com/wineghosts | Join the Wine Ghosts Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/wineghosts/ | Wine Ghosts' Channels (Instagram, Podcast etc.): https://linktr.ee/wineghost