Ep. 148: Wine, War, and the Human Spirit With Authors Don and Petie Kladstrup

Vint Podcast

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller are joined by esteemed authors Don and Petie Kladstrup. The Kladstrups are renowned for their captivating books on the intersection of wine and history, including Wine and War, Champagne Charlie, and Champagne. Together, they discuss the impact of war on the French wine industry, the resilience of winemakers during World War I and II, and the fascinating stories behind some of the world's most treasured vintages. The Kladstrups share stories about the wine-making process under Nazi occupation and the strategic hiding of precious vintages.

The conversation also sheds light on how the Kladstrups' research brought to life the dramatic tale of Charles Heidsieck, better known as “Champagne Charlie,” and his pivotal role in shaping Champagne's presence in the U.S. markets during the Civil War. The episode touches on key historical moments, the human spirit of perseverance, and the wine industry's remarkable ability to survive and thrive amidst adversity. It's a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the cultural significance of wine across time.
This episode offers a deep dive into the untold histories of wine, perfect for both history buffs and wine enthusiasts.
Chapters:
01:12 Weekly Wine News: Dom Perignon's 2023 Vintage
04:54 Impact of Storm Boris on Austrian Wines
10:56 Interview with Don and Petey Kladstrup: Authors of Wine and War
14:18 Journey to France and the Birth of Wine and War
24:45 The Impact of World War II on French Winemaking
26:20 Stories of Survival and Resistance
26:57 Challenges in Documenting War Stories
28:09 The Resilience of Winemakers
29:25 The Legacy of Wartime Wines
37:57 The Role of German Wine Viewers
40:42 Champagne During World War I44:08 Marketing the Allure of Champagne
51:21 The Heidsieck Family Saga
53:18 Modern Challenges in Winemaking
55:57 Personal Reflections on Wine
58:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Vint Podcast is presented by Coravin, the world's leader in wine preservation systems. Listeners of the Vint Podcast can take 15% off their purchase on Coravin.com by using promo code VINT15 at checkout*. Members of the trade can access exclusive discounts at trade.Coravin.com.
The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.
To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at https://vint.co or Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at [e-mail], or Billy Galanko at [e-mail].
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Cheers!
Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O'Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown,...