Champagne isn’t just a beverage, it’s a cultural symbol, a product of place, and increasingly, a lens into the shifting climate of our time. Peter Liem, one of the world’s most respected voices on Champagne, brings rare insight into the region’s transformation over the past two decades. A James Beard Award–winning author and founder of ChampagneGuide.net, Liem has dedicated his career to chronicling the nuance and evolution of the region.

From demystifying the myth of Dom Pérignon to tracing Champagne’s evolution amidst climate change, this conversation is a masterclass in nuance. Liem explores why terroir has taken center stage, how grower Champagne reshaped the market, and what the future holds for this iconic wine, including the role of dosage, the rise of still wines, and the region’s ongoing identity shift.

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned wine lover, this episode deepens your understanding of Champagne as both a tradition and an ever-evolving craft.

📍 What You’ll Learn:

• Dom Pérignon was not the inventor of sparkling wine.
• Champagne has arguably the longest history of traditional method sparkling wine.
• The perception of Champagne has evolved significantly in the last 20 years.
• Climate change is affecting harvest times and wine styles in Champagne.
• Producers are adapting to climate change by exploring new viticultural practices.
• The concept of terroir has become much more important in Champagne winemaking.
• Dosage in Champagne is crucial for enhancing expression, not just balancing acidity.
• The rise of grower Champagne has changed the landscape of the market.
• Champagne is now producing more still wines, but sparkling remains dominant.
• The future of Champagne may involve experimenting with different grape varieties.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms
🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners, including Fearrington House and Heather Donovan Real Estate.

Backend Tags:

Peter Liem, Champagne podcast, ChampagneGuide.net, Dom Pérignon myth, grower Champagne, Champagne terroir, sparkling wine history, James Beard Award wine, climate change and wine, Champagne dosage, still Champagne wines, Champagne evolution, Champagne education, wine podcast episode, Champagne wine regions, wine expert interview, traditional method sparkling, Champagne wine trends, viticulture in Champagne

What does it take to earn the Master Sommelier pin? Max Kast pulls back the curtain on the intense journey, from the pressures of blind tasting to the emotional highs and lows of fine wine service. He reflects on the 2018 Court of Master Sommeliers scandal, how it reshaped the industry, and why integrity remains his guiding principle.

In this episode of Wine Centric, Max shares the path that led him from a childhood as one of nine children of German immigrants to becoming Director of BOND Winery in Napa Valley. It’s a conversation about mastery, humility, and a lifelong respect for the vine.

Listeners will love Max’s reflections on:

• The mindset behind becoming a Master Sommelier
• Does Max have a wine Kryptonite?
• The philosophy and precision behind BOND Winery’s vineyard expression
• The two people (dead or alive) he’d love to share a bottle with and the wine he’d pour

This is more than a conversation about wine: it’s a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and purpose.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey to Master Sommelier

10:15 The Scandal and Its Aftermath

20:31 The Mindset of a Sommelier

32:25 Evolving Perspectives on Wine Tasting

35:23 The Evolution of Wine in California

38:08 Personal Journey: From Detroit to Missoula

41:17 The Path to Becoming a Wine Director

44:30 Building a Wine Program: Challenges and Triumphs

49:58 Transitioning to Wine Imports

52:54 Current Role at Bond Winery: A New Chapter

🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms
🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners, including Fearrington House and Heather Donovan Real Estate.

Travel to Germany’s legendary Mosel Valley with Johannes Selbach — the heart and mind behind Selbach-Oster and J. & H. Selbach wines. With roots tracing back to the 1600s, Johannes opens up about what it means to carry a family legacy while staying true to nature and terroir.

From the dramatic steep vineyards blanketed in slate to spontaneous fermentations and aging in traditional Fuder barrels, we explore the elements that shape Mosel’s unmistakable Riesling profile. Johannes breaks down the nuances of dry versus sweet styles, why site expression matters, and how history and humility guide his craft.
From preserving heritage to empowering the next generation, Johannes offers insight into how great wines are born from great places — and a deep respect for them.

Key Points

• The Selbach family’s 400+ years of history in the Mosel Valley
• How Johannes balances tradition with modern winemaking practices
• The unique terroir of the Mosel: slate soils, steep vineyards, river influence
• Selbach-Oster’s philosophy: minimal intervention, vineyard-driven wines
• Understanding Riesling styles — from bone-dry to lusciously sweet
• Why Riesling is misunderstood and how it pairs with food
• Climate change and its impact on recent Mosel vintages
• The evolution of the U.S. market and Selbach-Oster’s strong American ties
• Memorable stories from standout vintages and family vineyards
• Johannes’s perspective on the future of German wine and Riesling’s global role

🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms
🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners, including Fearrington House and Heather Donovan Real Estate.