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Stalin’s Wine Cellar has been found…Wine seems to be better for you than other booze (even when it comes to keeping men looking young)…Gen Z aren’t shunning alcohol, as feared…Why GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are bad news for wine…And how Joan of Arc may have enjoyed a cheeky taste of Pinot Noir.

We discuss all this and more in our regular news recap – as well as engaging in our usual Guess the Missing Word in the Wine Headline tomfoolery.
We also give a short tribute to Sam Neill: outstanding actor, brilliant wine grower, and wonderful human being who will be much missed.
Also in this episode is an update on English and Welsh wine, given we’re fresh from co-chairing the WineGB Awards 2026, so full of insights and top wine tips after tasting some 380 UK wines blind.

We highlight some of our favourites from the tasting, especially those majoring on good value for money (NB: not the same thing as cheap).
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Sparkling

Still



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Here are some previous Wine Blast episodes cited in the show:
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