Emma Rice, Hattingley Valley Wines, England

Knock Tales Whisky Podcast with Gordon Bruce

In this episode Gordon jumps feet first into a vat of grapes, hard graft and global success as he gets the lowdown on English wine – courtesy of Emma Rice, Head Wine Maker at the multi award-winning Hattingley Valley Winery in Hampshire. Don’t expect polite chit chat over a glass of fizz…the pair get straight into the joys of working in the countryside, getting your hands dirty, grape varieties and whether or not you have to be born with a good ‘nose’ for the job.

As you’d expect from someone who heads up the Wines of Great Britain Technical Wine Making Committee, Emma’s expertise, accomplishment, and dedication to crafting world class sparkling and still wines shine through. With 30 plus commercial wineries now operating in Britain and some 700 vineyards established, she explains where English wine has come from and why it’s now having a moment. She also spills a few trade secrets about the making of Hattingley Valley’s sought after wines – including Emma’s favourite rosé: a liquid so delicious the winery can’t make enough of it to keep up with demand!

And forget the old saying, ‘grape or grain, never the twain’: tune in to hear Gordon and Emma find plenty of shared ground between whisky and wine making: from oak barrels and sustainability to the importance of community and staying friends with your competitors.