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Corked with Marc Fennell

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Corked with Marc Fennell

By: Marc Fennell
Narrated by: Marc Fennell
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How can you cheat… at drinking wine? It turns out you can. And when you do, a whole world of power, ego and money will unravel.

Corked is the scandalous saga in the glamorous, competitive and mysterious world of fine wines. Its topmost echelons are fiercely guarded – and harder to reach than outer space.

Join James Beard & Walkley winning journalist (and prodigious drinker of the 2nd cheapest bottle on the menu) Marc Fennell as he steps into a world he patently does not belong to (but clearly enjoys the taste of). Marc will uncork this scandal with —at first— an amusing and lighthearted touch that immerses listeners in the particularities, delights, tensions, and absurdities of this world. Travel across the world as he attempts to learn the florid language of wine, attends exclusive tastings, meets colourful wine devotees in dimly lit cellars. He even takes a gallant stab at being a sommelier himself. But as the podcast goes deeper, the story takes a darker turn, and this scandal unveils a pattern of abused power and authority.

The fallout after the cheating allegations were exposed is our small doorway into a very big story playing out in institutions across the world. Culture is shifting. The old world order is being upended. Is that a change for the better? And are the unintended consequences worth exploring?©2025 Vespucci (P)2025 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. Editors Select Food & Wine Popular Culture Social Sciences True Crime Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing

Editorial Review

A fine-wine scandal with a sparkling host
I used to be a bit skeptical about fine wine, until I was lucky enough to spend a week in Napa Valley with some industry elites who schooled me with their blind-tasting skills and incredible knowledge. And yet none had earned the title of Master Sommelier, a distinction so rare that your odds are better of becoming an astronaut or Olympic athlete. I never much wondered why, until James Beard Award-winning journalist Marc Fennell (It Burns, Nut Jobs) did. The ever-relatable Aussie (his go-to wine is the menu’s second-cheapest bottle) investigates a cheating scandal that marred the 2018 Master Sommelier exam, and the resulting documentary uncorks a world of closely guarded knowledge, secrets, privilege, and even ghosts. Once you sample this intriguing saga, you’re going to want to drink it all down.—Kat J., Audible Editor

Exceptional Storytelling • Captivating Narration • Compelling Plot • Creative Presentation • Surprising Revelations
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Politics of being a wine sommelier?? Who knew!! Consider the amount of personal finance and years of study and effort of the students.Tragic for the “class” of 2018 with no recourse and no accountability of the “board”. Shame on them…then and whoever enables these practices to continue .

Who knew??

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I had no idea this event took place and I’m so glad I clicked on this to listen to. Intrigue, scandal, and a new way to look at the bottle of wine and the world that surrounds it. Please make more of these!

It’s more than just wine…

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Something that the normal person can relate to, placing the expensive restaurant whine expert in perspective. What the experts have to aspire to and then dedicate time and money and above all, sacrifice to attain knowledge and then recognition.

Fascinating world of wine expert recognition

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Interesting . I had no idea there was such skull Duggery in the Somalia industry wow!

Wine world scandal

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It was informative and held my attention as I learned about this process and in this case scandal.

So engaging!

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This reporting and story is amazing. I did not even know it had happened but the way it was presented, etc. I loved every second of it.

Great great great!!!

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I loved it all. Nothing to not love. Best listen in a very long time

Best listen in a very long time. Well done indeed

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This was fascinating as I never imagined so much time, study, money and dedication went into achieving the position of Master Sommilier.

obsession and misuse of elite power

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Thank you for how hard you worked to present both sides and asking hard questions. This was a great listen and I am left with the same question as Mark, how are there no consequences for the Board who ruined the lives of those from the class of 2018?

The injustice is infuriating

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I thought this was fantastic from start to finish. I recommend this as a quick listen. I had no idea about this scandal.

Great listen!

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