this week’s podcast, Jancis Robinson
Jancis Robinson needs no introduction, but… is arguably the most respected, prolific and well-known person in wine today. She is the award-winning founder and Editor of JancisRobinson.com, a columnist for the Financial Times, the author of “The Oxford Companion to Wine” and… co-author of “The World Atlas of Wine”.
Forty-one years ago, Jancis began publishing “The World Atlas of Wine 5th Edition”. Today we’ll talk about wine and the upcoming 9th Edition of the Atlas.
the wine list
Jancis Robinson, 10/7/26
1. What are you drinking now- Jancis says you would be amazed how much wine comes through her door “Poor Me” says Jancis. Recently at a presentation of Georgian Wines aged in Qvevri. Only 10% of Georgian wines are made in Qvervi vessels. Lovely dry Rieslings from the Clare Valley in Australia including wines from Grosset and Stephanie Toole of Mt. Horrocks.. Central Otago Pinot Noir from Australia. Also, chilled red wine is big in the UK right now.
2. Favorite Wine and Food pairing- It will shock your listeners you don’t have to get the pairing right! There’s a little computer in our brains that kind of knows what goes with what. You should get the right pairing advice consulting the Somm at a Michelin star type restaurant, they know the food and wine so well.
3. Favorite wine bar and/or restaurant- Jancis is very loyal and supportive of her son who owns five wonderful restaurants in London as part of the Woodhead Restaurant Group, a diverse group of wine and food destinations. In NYC, Jancis loves Union Sq. Café, The Modern, and Gramercy Tavern. Also, Aldo Sohm Wine Bar.
4. Favorite all-time wine- One wine that lit the flame, while she was at Oxford was the 1959 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses, from Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé. The wine offered a huge amount of sensual pleasure and intellectual stimulation. Jancis was not brought up on wine so this was an important wine, years later she pursued a career in wine. Also, the Hirondelle Rose, a bit cheaper, was a gateway.
5. Best wine around $20-30, Red and White- We both agree on Muscadet from the right producer. Greece is making some lovely whites and transparent reds like Xinomavro. In Portugal, the Douro is making great reds and now whites from higher elevations. Both countries are making wines from indigenous grapes and are not expensive.