Ep 280 - Are Gen Z Drinking Less Wine? Value, Valpolicella & New Wine Experiences with Maisie Turner

Are Gen Z really drinking less wine - or are they simply drinking differently? And what does a £15 bottle offer that a £6 bottle can't? In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat , Janina is joined by Maisie Turner , assistant wine buyer at Berkmann , Master of Wine student and winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award , to explore the changing world of wine and what it takes to make it exciting for a new generation. From finding brilliant-value wines in Germany, Beaujolais and the Balkans to discovering North Macedonia’s key grape varieties and the character of its wines, Janina and Maisie explore how to buy better, understand more and get more pleasure from what's in your glass. They also delve into the grapes behind Valpolicella's fresh reds, Ripasso and Amarone, look at how AI is changing wine education, discuss what life is really like as a professional wine buyer, and consider why Bordeaux is experimenting with lighter, fresher reds designed to be enjoyed with a slight chill. But this conversation goes beyond what's in the bottle. How can the wine industry connect with younger drinkers without losing the romance, heritage and sense of discovery that make wine special? With stories from wine travels in Rioja and Verona, creative winery experiences and plenty of practical advice, this is a conversation about making wine more accessible, more relevant and a lot more fun - without losing any of its magic. A huge thank you to today’s episode sponsor, Tedeschi Wines , for supporting Eat Sleep Wine Repeat and helping us share more wine stories with you! Shownotes 03:45 – Is Gen Z really drinking less wine? — Maisie looks beyond the headlines to explain how younger drinkers are spending their money differently and why disposable income matters as much as changing drinking habits. 04:52 – Why ready-to-drink cocktails are growing — from BuzzBallz to wine, Maisie explains why convenience is winning attention while younger drinkers increasingly look for quality, provenance and stories when they do choose a bottle. 06:36 – What are you actually paying for in a £6 bottle of wine? — duty, VAT, packaging, transport and margin leave surprisingly little for the grapes and winemaking itself. 09:45 – When does wine start becoming meaningfully better? — Maisie identifies the price points where more of your money begins reaching the wine itself and where grape variety, producer and place become easier to taste. 11:17 – Where to find great wine for around £15 — Portugal, Valpolicella, Germany, Beaujolais and less fashionable regions offer some of Maisie's favourite opportunities for serious value. 13:08 – Why German Pinot Noir is worth exploring — Janina recommends looking beyond the label language and highlights affordable Spätburgunder as a brilliant route into fresh, cool-climate Pinot Noir . 14:58 – Beaujolais Villages: a modern sweet spot — Janina explains why higher-altitude sites once considered harder to ripen are becoming increasingly exciting as temperatures rise. 17:02 – Beaujolais and its extraordinary geology — hundreds of different soil types and rocks hundreds of millions of years old have helped earn the region UNESCO Global Geopark recognition. 18:28 – Bulgaria, Romania and Gamza — why Eastern Europe can deliver fascinating value and how Gamza offers the freshness, red fruit and spice increasingly sought by modern wine drinkers. 20:03 – How do you make wine exciting for Gen Z? — Maisie argues that wine needs to become more visual, relatable and connect