Today we are going to delve into the mysterious world of reductive champagne winemaking. If you’re a champagne lover – or any wine lover – no doubt you’ve heard this discussed in a way that is oversimplified, or maybe misleading. But it is a hugely complex and sometimes confusing topic.

The best examples of reductive winemaking, produce wines of freshness and fruit character that are pure and layered with elegance and tension. This stands in contrast to oxidative winemaking which allows a controlled exchange with the air, producing styles that can be medium to full bodied with a rounded mouthfeel and notes of jelly fruits in the case of chardonnay or hazelnut and tobacco in Pinot Noir.

During this podcast, we will navigate through the complexity with the multi-award winning sparkling winemaker Kate Laurie from Deviation Road Winery in the Adelaide Hills. If you’re in Australia, perhaps you’ve heard of Kate, but you may not be unaware of her extensive background living and studying in Champagne, notably at the Lycée Viticole d’Avize. Her studies and work experience included writing a thesis in French and gaining experience at numerous growers whom she still counts among her many local friends.

I hope you enjoy this detailed discussion.