Ep. 056 Aleksandar Zecevic, WineEnthusiast Writer

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🎙️ Authenticity, Wine Hybrids, and Hemingway: A Conversation with Aleksandar Zecevic

In this killer episode, I chat with a wine writer for WineEnthusiast and former Wine Spectator reviewer Aleksandar Zecevic. What starts as a deep dive into PIWIs (fungus-resistant hybrid grapes) for my WSET Diploma research paper becomes a thoughtful exploration of authenticity, sustainability, and the shifting values in the wine world and beyond.

What we explore in this episode:

  • The ethics and environmental promise of hybrid grape varieties (PIWIs)

  • The paradox of wine marketing vs. wine’s agricultural roots

  • Alexander’s personal journey into wine and journalism

  • The challenges of tasting notes, subjectivity, and structure in wine reviews

  • Reflections on authenticity, storytelling, and the influence of Hemingway

  • Why describing a cat says just as much about your values as your job does

  • A touch of philosophy, a dash of sarcasm, and plenty of honesty

Here is the WineEnthusiast article I referenced: https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/hybrid-and-piwi-grape-climate-change/?srsltid=AfmBOooW3tzvU3osg06ZHzB4FIqRu3V7jc4eFZ8Fo2nd84iReE0KPqxR