Ep 232: Wine Science: Rootstocks, Soil Health, Aromas, Faults & the Future of Wine with Sunny Hodge (The Cynic’s Guide to Wine)

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Recorded29 Sep 2025

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Handlerec:10165025

Show notes

In the Season 6 premiere of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, Janina is joined by Sunny Hodge, founder of Diogenes the Dog wine bar in London and author of The Cynic’s Guide to Wine (use code EATSLEEP15 for 15% off this book and all Academie du Vin books). Known for shaking up traditional wine education, Sunny takes us on a journey into the science behind wine, from rootstocks and yeast strains to soils, sulphites and histamines. This episode dives deep into how low-intervention vs. natural wine is defined, what mouse taint and Brettanomyces really mean for your glass, and why the future of wine chat might balance both the romance of terroir and the hard facts of winemaking. Expect myth-busting, geeky insights, and plenty of food for thought on how wine is grown, made, and enjoyed. If you’ve ever wondered what truly changes your wine beyond the grape – from organic regulations in the EU vs. USA, to terpenes, esters, and thiols – this is an episode that will transform the way you understand every sip. A quick shout out to this episode’s lovely sponsor Viavinum. I’ve got a special discount code that could earn up 5 or even 8% off your wine tour. Find details at the bottom.* You’ll also discover: [05:51] – Why Sunny wrote The Cynic’s Guide to Wine: moving beyond storytelling to answer the “whys” and “whats” of wine through science and real understanding. [09:04] – Diogenes the Dog: The Wine Bar in Elephant and Castle, London. [10:04] – Three places to expand your map: Texas (Malbec) from Messina Hof; Weightstone WE White No.4 from Taiwan; an organic project in Eastern Thrace, Turkey with Xavier Vignon. [12:27] – Hybrids/PIWI: bred for heat/humidity resilience to reduce spraying. [14:55] – Janina links her previous episode on Turkish wine for deeper context. [16:38] – The philosophy behind Aspen & Meursault: team training and a dedicated low-intervention concept. [18:15] – Low-intervention vs natural: how to define these wine terms with no legal definitions. [21:43] – Sulphur dioxide, alcohol and histamines: why hangovers aren’t usually caused by sulphur dioxide — and when histamines might matter. [27:57] – Organic in Europe vs America: EU allows wines with reduced sulphur dioxide; US organic wine forbids added sulphur dioxide — changing how wines taste and age. [34:32] – Soil really matters: mycorrhizal “underground internet,” rootstocks, and how they nudge ripening, acidity, and vigor. [36:52] – From cellar to consumer: why better definitions and transparency help real-world wine choices. [42:11] – What are thiols? Setting up the chemistry behind those tropical fruit notes. [45:30] – Feeding vines: getting nitrogen without synthetic fertilisers (and a detour through Fritz Haber’s legacy). [47:32] – Terpenes & esters: aroma families and where they come from [52:26] – Mouse taint: why it’s more common in low-intervention wines and how it shows up. [56:15] – Brettanomyces: fault or character? Unpacking the sweaty-horse debate. [57:59] – What’s next for Sunny? (Spoiler: more geeky wine chat) [60:04] – How to contact Sunny and where to buy The Cynic's Guide to Wine – Academie Du Vin Library (Don’t forget to use code EATSLEEP15 for 15% of this book and all others on the site) *VIAVINUM WINE TOURS: If you’re dreaming of a wine-filled escape to Italy, I’ve got something special for you. Book a customized wine tour of more than 6 days / 5 nights through my trusted travel partners and use my code EATSLEEPWINE to unlock an exclusive discount: 5% off for private groups of 2 to 5 people 8% off for groups of 6 or more Right now, the full range of private tours isn’t live on the website as they’re being refreshed for the new season — but if you're ready to plan something unforgettable, this is the perfect time to design your own bespoke wine adventure. 📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected] 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time – cheers to you! 🥂 THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES, AND NAMED BY FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE PODCAST. RECOGNITION: – FINALIST, 67 PALL MALL AWARD FOR BEST GLOBAL WINE COMMUNICATOR IN AUDIO (2025) – SHORTLISTED, IWSC EMERGING TALENT IN WINE COMMUNICATION (2025) – RANKED #18 IN 2024 AND #22 IN 2025 ON DRINKS RETAILING’S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN DRINKS LIST

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.