293: Why Wine Growing a Nail-Biter Experience with Sophie Menin, Co-Author of a Year in the Vineyard

Unreserved Wine Talk

Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Sophie Menin.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [e-mail] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What was the exact moment Sophie decided she wanted to become a writer?

What were the best and worst moments of Sophie's writing career?

Why would Sophie want to be a teacher if she didn’t pursue writing professionally?

What was the inspiration behind writing A Year In The Vineyard?

Which moments were most memorable from Sophie’s experience with the Olivier Leflaive vineyard?

How did Sophie’s collaboration with Bob Chaplin make A Year In The Vineyard different from other books on similar topics?

How did Sophie choose which wineries to feature in A Year In The Vineyard?

What was the most surprising thing Sophie discovered while researching the book?

How are some wineries changing the way they treat vineyard workers?

What was the most impactful feedback Sophie received on the book?

What were some of the challenges of writing A Year In The Vineyard?

How was the visual storytelling developed?

Which emerging trends in vineyard practices did Sophie observe in her research?

Why is natural resilience important in vineyards?

How did Sophie convince Hugh Johnson to write the foreword?

Why does Sophie consider vineyards to be gardens?

What does it mean for winemakers to hold an "aesthetic vision"?

Why is it important to live close to the earth?

What’s behind the recent practice of wineries planting roses at the end of each vineyard row?

Why is biodiversity important to vine health?

Key Takeaways

Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? Anything that could negatively impact the vineyard, such as mildew or pests, will affect roses first. The roses are like that proverbial canary in the coal mine.

What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? Well-cared-for vineyards begin to look like English gardens or even the Biblical Eden because they’re not only full of flowers and other plants, but they also have lots of bee activity. It’s a measure of their health and biodiversity.

What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"? Every choice winemakers take considers what kind of wine they want to make.

About Sophie Menin

Sophie Menin is an author and journalist who has contributed to several top publications such as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and more. Her wine writing focuses on the myriad ways that wine connects us with our senses and the rhythms of the natural world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/293.