Want to learn more about wine? A podcast from the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts features interviews with wine industry innovators from around the world. The episodes have something for everyone, from newbies to connoisseurs.
Doris Miculan-Bradley and Adrian Caravello, program coordinators and professors at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, host Wine Pod. The pair introduces listeners to celebrated winemakers and industry leaders, including Italy’s Gaia Gaja of Gaja Wines, Master Sommelier and restaurateur Alpana Singh, and 2017 Ontario Winemaker of the Year Shiraz Mottiar of Malivoire Wine Company.
“We want to take the intimidation factor out of wine,” Caravello said. “Wine has been associated with sophistication and, sometimes, a snobby attitude. At the end of the day, it’s a beverage. Most wine consumed on the planet is easy drinking, and a fruit-forward style that is meant to complement a meal or conversation. It isn’t meant to be sniffed and smelled and analyzed to death.”
Climate change and social justice in the wine industry
Wine Pod is about much more than discussing the look, smell and taste of reds and whites, or what experts have stored in their cellars. Climate change is disrupting the industry, affecting grape cultivation and the cultural legacy of wine-making regions around the world. Discussions about climate change, environmental sustainability and social justice are a priority for the Wine Pod hosts.
“Behind that bottle of wine there’s a story to be told about why it’s there. It includes nature, the environment, social justice and good employment practices—they’re all in that bottle of wine,” Miculan-Bradley said.
“What we see with our students is that they don’t care about the critics, they care about the environment and they care about social justice.”
You can listen to Wine Pod on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Explore wine education
If you like what you hear on WinePod and want to learn more or if you want to work in the wine industry, check out full-time programs at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, including the Advanced Wine and Beverage Management postgrad program.
You can also find part-time wine education options through our Continuing Education Hospitality and Culinary Arts programs.
Wine recommendations
The Wine Pod hosts shared their recommendations for great-tasting and relatively inexpensive wines to sip while sitting back and listening to a podcast.
Doris Miculan-Bradley
Sandro Bottega rose prosecco (available at the LCBO)
“It’s a sparkling wine that's made by an incredibly conscientious producer in the Veneto region of Italy.”
Segura Viudas rose (available at the LCBO for a limited time)
“It’s made by a producer that uses local endemic grapes—talk about a regional wine! They’ve been producing since the late 1800s.”
Adrian Caravello
Bacan Rosso Veronese (available at the LCBO)
“It’s got some age on it. It's delicious.”
