The world is drinking less wine - and climate change is drinking it dry.

In this unforgettable episode, I talk with Jean-Michel, a third-generation French vintner from the Loire Valley, who’s fiercely defending his vineyard while the ground beneath him shifts.

Jean-Michel isn’t just trying to sell wine - he’s trying to save it.

Listen now on

🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify

💬 Carry on the discussion with the AI model of JM

We talk brutal harvests, vanishing exports, Gen Z’s sober curiosity, and more:
✅ Why climate change is wreaking havoc on vineyards
✅ The collapse of traditional export markets like China - and what that means for small producers
✅ Why Gen Z’s rejection of alcohol is hitting winemakers hard (and how JM is reluctantly trying to win them back)
✅ What it really feels like to balance tradition with survival, without turning wine into just another canned trend

If you’ve ever loved a bottle of French wine - or wondered what happens when legacy, climate, and culture collide - this one’s for you. Jean-Michel brings fire, honesty, and a few wild stories from the vineyard.

Jean-Michel has been brought to life using the voices at ElevenLabs.

 

J-M's Bordeaux picks

🍷 Château Moulis 2018 – Bold and brooding, with juicy dark fruit and fresh acidity
🍷 Château Lascombes 2016 – A Margaux masterclass: refined, structured, built to age
🍷 Château du Courneau 2020 – Velvety, expressive, and perfect for the cellar or your next steak night

 

Pair a book with your wine

📚 Wine and War by Don Kladstrup

 

🔗 Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.