The Covid pandemic led to another global outbreak, a plague of podcasts. I’m hoping there’s room for one more, about wine.

I wouldn’t call myself an avid podcast listener, but it strikes me that all the best ones have something in common with the BBC radio’s Desert Island Discs. When historians of the future study 20^th century Britain – since 1942 when it first began – they could learn pretty much everything from this venerable institution. Notable people are invited to share what eight pieces of music they would choose to accompany with them if marooned on a desert island. They were also allowed the complete works of Shakespeare and a Bible, or similar, along with one luxury. John Cleese decided he’d take Michael Palin as his luxury, but was only allowed this if his friend was dead and stuffed. You knew you’d made it if you made Desert Island Discs.

I thought it was time wine was given the same standing as music.

It’s called Three Wines With….. and instead of eight tracks my guests have to choose three wines. And they have a budget to work to, of $150.  I’m hoping the wines won’t just be podcast-worthy, but the stories attached to them too. For instance, my three would be as follows; Mount Mary Triolet $95, Domaine Rimauresq $37 and, what have I got left? $18, well, I’d grab a bottle of Yalumba Angas Brut which is well under $18. As to the stories, the Mount Mary reminds me of my days working at that incredible place, and being treated as a member of the Middleton family. I drank more Mount Mary in those ten weeks than I have in the 36 years since. Sam, the current winemaker was 3, and he and his sister Claire would make sure I was up early for work every morning. I’m pretty sure we made Triolet in 1986 but the website says it was first produced in ’87, perhaps that was the first commercial release? It’s an exquisite wine with all the complexity of a leading Graves.

There isn’t much of a story around the Rimauresq (although I could recount many about knocking back rosé on the Croisette in Cannes – if you’ve read my book you’d know) suffice to say I think it’s one of the best value wines I’ve ever had.

And finally, the humble Angas Brut. This was our wedding bubbly in 1991. I chose it after going to a blind tasting at Gatehouse Cellars in Melbourne where this $5 wine trounced many more expensive ones, including a couple of proper Champagnes. I think I could bang on for a good thirty minutes about those three wines. Particularly as I’d be drinking them at the time. That’s the beauty of this format – we get to drink the wines as we discuss them, so it’s guaranteed to get interesting.

I’ve done a rough version here, where I interview my father. It was recorded on an iPhone so the production is basic. Please have a listen. I’d love your thoughts. What would you choose? Who would you like to hear on the show?

And here’s a link to Frank’s book one of many and well worth a read.