Uncorked: Peter Richards MW

Writer, broadcaster and wine educator Peter Richards formed the vinous double-act, Susie & Peter, with his wife Susie Barrie MW. In 2010, as wine’s answer to Richard & Judy, they won the IWSC Communicators of the year.

What Vintage are you? 

1976 – A torrid year, they had standpipes on British streets and a steaming vintage in Europe

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

If you could bottle Chile, that would be it. I had no privileged insight into wine early on, though I was an enthusiastic participant. The turning point came when I went to work in Chile as a journalist. That’s where my adventure in wine began, initially via the highways (actually the atrocious back-routes) of Chilean wine country. It was dusty and confusing initially, but always exciting and so it has relentlessly proved since.

Ambition or talent – what matters more?

The one is meaningless without the other, and if I could add two more: hard work and the right attitude. The former is self-explanatory. The latter is more about positive enthusiasm – that quality which is so engaging, and whose opposite is so alienating.

What would you be as a wine?

A slow-maturing Barolo. Persistent yet comforting and a fine partner with which to enjoy good food. Unless when disturbed at the wrong moment, in which harshness can ensue. A modicum of elegance complemented by a healthy dose of rusticity. Sizeable in proportion, with notable length.

Where are you happiest?

All sorts of places. Absorbed in this delightful thing we call work, whatever and wherever that may be. On the sofa with the kids. In the middle of a beautiful bottle…I suppose I need to add Susie in at this point! That last mile of a road race. Then there’s writing pretentious guff about myself…

What’s your greatest vice?

If we changed that to guilty pleasures, then; The Simpsons, peeled plum tomatoes for breakfast, the odd power nap and Mumbai martinis.

Best advice you ever got?

‘People don’t want to read about wine. They just want to drink it.’

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

The irony of risking drowning to rescue wine is not lost on me, but I might be tempted to rescue the 1976 Rivesaltes Hors d’Age I’ve been keeping for my 40^th.

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

Best – the amazing privilege it is working with such brilliant, diverse, inspiring people in such a delicious niche. Worst – the hangovers.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)

I’m two thumbs up on that one.

Desert island vine?

Something refreshing and versatile, and which goes with fish. I do like a nice Greco.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

A delicious Hampshire fizz. If I’m on my way to becoming part of the terroir, it’s the least the local producers can do.