In times of war, all the goods are being requisitioned or stolen and wine is no exception. However, the two stories I will tell you today go way beyond simple tales of plundering by brutal and drunken soldiers in the cellars of the invaded country, there are testimonies to the terrible conflicts that have torn apart Europe in the XXth century. From the naval battles of the Great War and the commandos of the Resistance and the heart of Nazi Germany, I invite you to dive in our history when wine bottles become spoils of war. Enjoy! Picture credit: National WWII Museum / Gift in Memory of Nicholas Patano

For 300 years, Russia has had a very special relation with Champagne. Praised by the tsars to the point of ordering tailor-made cuvees and launching sparkling wine production in Russia, social and political symbol in the Staline’s Soviet Union and diplomatic leverage for Vladimir Putin in 2021, Champagne has a special place in Russia. From the creation of Roederer Cristal to the soviet gulags and a Russian wine winning medals against the Champenois, here is the astonishing story of the ties between Champagne & Russia. Enjoy! Picture credit : Valentin Kunov/TASS

The Canary islands and the Azores have long been considered to be the last remains of the lost continent of Atlantis. But beyond the myth and the postcard, these volcanic archipelagos hide a well-kept secret: they are home to some of the world’s most fascinating vineyards able to produce exceptional wines. Today, I invite you to a journey across the Atlantic to discover the wines of the Azores and the Canary Islands where we talk about devastating eruptions, singing crabs and braided vines. Enjoy! Picture credit: Jason deCaires Taylor/CACT Lanzarote - Museo Atlantico de Lanzarote

In January 2010, Aubert de Villaine, co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti receives in his personal mailbox, a letter from a blackmailer who threatens the domaine and demands a 1M€ ransom. He intends to poison the vines of the mythical Burgundy grand cru. Today, I tell you an incredible story of blackmail and extorsion with a tragic ending. Who tried to poison Romanée-Conti ?

The gnarled and twisted aspect of an old vine has an aura, something almost mystic that echoes of history, traditions and romanticism as much as it promises a nectar. But what makes the quality of these ancient vineyards. Discussing viticulture, wine tasting and travels around the world, I invite you to discover the world’s oldest vineyards in a podcast talking about Louis XIV, smugglers and Jimi Hendrix. Enjoy ! Picture credit : Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Pinterest

What’s the common point between the popes in Avignon, Alexandre Dumas, the creation of AOCs and UFOs? Chateauneuf-du-Pape: 3,200 hectares, 320 producers, 13 grape varieties and 4 main terroirs. Follow me in Provence to discover what makes this unique village, a figurehead of French wine. Bonne écoute! Crédit photo : Syndicat des Vignerons de Châteauneuf-du-Pape

In March 2012, Rudy Kurniawan was arrested in his home by the FBI and sentenced a year later to 10 years in prison and nearly $50M in punishment and retribution for mail fraud and wire fraud. While the investigation did uncover the counterfeiter’s workshop, many unanswered questions remain about the character, the money or potential accomplices in this incredible case. Discover the secrets of the Kurniawan case in the 2nd part of this podcast about the fine wines counterfeiter. Enjoy ! Picture credits : US Department of Justice & Chai Consulting

In the early 2000s in California, a 25-year-old Indonesian starts to make a name for himself as a fine wine buyer and collector. Within a few years, he becomes a fascinating character in the world of wine thanks to his tasting skills and his extraordinary cellar filled with crazy bottles. But this picture of a of passionate and ambitious young wine collector hides a disturbing secret… Today, the first episode of the Rudy Kurniawan case telling the story of the most notorious wine forger in history based on elements from the trial and the FBI. Enjoy ! Picture credits: US Department of Immigration