▻ “The Story of Wine”

Let's Talk About

16 Dec

Written By Sarah Kemp

▴ Hugh Johnson, photo by Lucy Pope — *▴ Hugh Johnson, photo by Lucy Pope*

Interview with author Hugh Johnson

Episode Summary:-

Sarah Kemp talks to Hugh Johnson about his book "The Story of Wine" which traces the story of wine from the dawn of civilization to the present day. They discuss how the earliest traces of grape pips were found in fosils 5000-7000 BC, how the Egyptians had the name of the owner, the oeonolgist, the vineyard and year on the capsules of their bottles, how wars and trade treaties shaped our tastes in wine.

““The religious significance of wine is hugely important, even today””

— Hugh Johnson

Running Order:-

0.00 – 1.25
After 30 years "The Story of Wine" is republished.

496 pages of unputdownable stories.

Hugh Johnson is the world's most successful writer with his pocket wine book selling millions and "The World Atlas of Wine" winning every prize going. One book however, has been out of print for decades, The Story of Wine. It has now been republished by the Academie du Vin Library.
1.25 – 13.41
The TV series was the catalyst for the book

"I found the ideal producer in Michael Gill, who was responsible for Civilisation with Kenneth Clark"

Hugh Johnson discusses how the TV series on the Story of Wine was the basis for the book. A bright history graduate from Cambridge who could read German and French helped with the research. Hugh talks about the filming of the series and the questions he was keen to answer, from Dionysus to why wine is banned in the Quran.
13.42 – 19.56
How religion and politics shaped our palates

"The Cistercians were the first great multi-national company"

After the Roman Empire collapsed the Church took over the administration of Europe and were instrumental in progressing wine growing, especially in Burgundy. Hugh talks about the role of the Church and how treaties and politics shaped our palate (Britain drinking Portuguese wine due to the war with France) plus how the owner of Haut Brion got round the problem by pirating the ship with his own wine!
19.57 – 26.46
The rise of the New World and how varietal labelling became the norm.

"If you asked a château owner what are the grapes, he'd be very surprised"

Hugh discusses the major changes over the last 50 years, the rise of varietal labelling and the influence of Jancis Robinson's book "Vines, Grapes and Wine". He looks back on some of the most significant individuals who helped changed what we today enjoy in our glass.
26.47 – 32.55
Climate change and the future story of wine

"In the new "World Atlas of Wine" we will start to map places like Scandinavia"

Sarah Kemp and Hugh Johnson conclude by discussing the role of climate change and how it will change the future story of wine.