In this episode of Five Questions , we sit down with Cokie Ponikvar, Advanced Sommelier, Master of Wine candidate, and wine communicator, for a candid conversation about her journey in wine. Cokie shares what she’s drinking now (including Soldera and Château Rayas), reflects on the thrill of tasting iconic bottles for the first time, and highlights underrated regions like the Chablis and grape varieties like Albariño, Gruner Veltliner, and Melon de Bourgogne (the variety used in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine). She also offers practical tips on temperature’s role in wine enjoyment, from chilling red wines to letting Champagne evolve over dessert, and opens up about the physical and mental demands of preparing for the MW exam.

🎧 In this episode:
• How Cokie uses Instagram to share her study journey and wine insights
• What it’s like tasting legendary wines for the first time with deep knowledge
• Underrated regions she loves—from Chalônais to Montevertine to Muscadet
• Why wine temperature matters more than most people think
• The physical and emotional toll of preparing for the MW exam

Follow Cokie on Instagram @cokiesworldofwine and subscribe to the Vint Wine Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping wine culture today.

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production by host, Billy Galanko. For partnerships and collaborations, please reach out to Billy@thewinepod.com

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko welcomes Matt Day, Head Winemaker at Klein Constantia, for a deep dive into one of South Africa’s most historic and forward-thinking wine estates. From reviving the legendary Vin de Constance, a wine once sipped by Napoleon, to pioneering terroir-driven Sauvignon Blancs in the Cape’s cool-climate vineyards, Matt shares his journey and winemaking philosophy in rich detail.

Listeners will also hear about South Africa’s evolving wine landscape, how Klein Constantia balances centuries of legacy with biodynamic practices and forward-thinking viticulture, and why Sauvignon Blanc deserves more serious attention. Plus, Matt explains how a single magnum of homemade Syrah helped him land the job of a lifetime.

Topics Covered:

• The legacy and revival of Vin de Constance, one of the world’s great historic sweet wines
• Matt Day’s early journey and how he became Head Winemaker at just 26
• The global influences shaping Klein Constantia’s Sauvignon Blanc program
• Why the estate grows 65% Sauvignon Blanc and produces multiple terroir-driven bottlings
• How Klein Constantia integrates organic, biodynamic, and precision farming
• The role of predators, pests, and even tourists in vineyard management
• The estate’s 340-year anniversary and what’s next for South African fine wine

Book Referenced: The Wines of South Africa by Jim Clarke - https://amzn.to/40zFEmu

Link to Klein Constantia Website: https://www.kleinconstantia.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Vent Wine Podcast
01:06 Exploring South African Wine Regions
04:27 Most Expensive Sauvignon Blanc
10:09 Interview with Matt Day Begins
10:54 Matt Day's Journey in Winemaking
16:46 The Legacy of Klein Constantia
22:31 Sustainability and Innovation at Klein Constantia
27:14 Focus on Sauvignon Blanc
30:41 Exploring Soil Types and Their Impact on Wine
31:16 Innovative Winemaking Techniques
32:32 Understanding Vineyard Blocks and Harvesting
34:24 The Art of Single Vineyard Wines
36:18 The Unique Vanda Constance Wine
44:54 Challenges and Innovations in Winemaking
53:43 Celebrating 340 Years of Winemaking
55:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production by host, Billy Galanko. For partnerships and collaborations, please reach out to Billy@thewinepod.com

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Matt Day, head winemaker at Klein Constantia, one of South Africa’s most historic and celebrated wine estates. Located on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, Klein Constantia is renowned for producing the legendary Vin de Constance, a wine once enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Jane Austen, and for elevating Sauvignon Blanc to new heights in the New World.

Highlights:

• What makes Klein Constantia’s terroir so unique in the Constantia Valley
• The legacy and revival of Vin de Constance, South Africa’s iconic sweet wine
• His inspirations from regions like Sancerre, Tokaj, Napa, and Saint-Émilion
• Landmark vintages in his winemaking journey, including 2010, 2007, 2012, and 2021
• What the future holds for Sauvignon Blanc and the estate’s global aspirations

📌 Be sure to check out our full-length interview with Matt Day following this episode, where we go deeper into his winemaking philosophy, Klein Constantia’s historic vineyards, and the global legacy of Vin de Constance.

🔗 Follow, rate, and share the show to hear more stories from the world of fine wine.

Cheers! 🍷

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production by host, Billy Galanko. For partnerships and collaborations, please reach out to Billy@thewinepod.com

Cheers!