Vint Wine Podcast
The Vint Wine Podcast offers an insider’s look into the world of wine and spirits through conversations with the people and producers shaping today’s food and drink culture. From Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine to acclaimed writers, winemakers, and growers behind some of the world’s most celebrated bottles, host Billy Galanko brings you thoughtful stories and expert insights.
Whether you're a passionate enthusiast or work in the industry, you’ll enjoy learning more about the wines you love while gaining exclusive access to a wide range of voices and perspectives from across the wine world.
Follow Billy on Instagram @billygalanko_wine_nerd for special bottles and behind the scenes clips. For partnership inquiries or guest suggestions, email Billy at billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Vint Wine Podcast
Inside the Cork: Jochen Michalski on Natural Cork, Innovation, and the Future of Wine Closures
Cork Supply founder & CEO Jochen Michalski joins Billy Galanko to unpack 40+ years of cork innovation, how the industry tackled TCA (cork taint), why oxygen transmission matters, and when to choose natural, technical, synthetic, or screwcap. Jochen explains Legacy (Cork Supply’s premium natural cork) and its X100 imaging, AI-assisted electromagnetic scanning that screens individual corks for TCA and internal structural risks to reduce bottle-to-bottle variation. We also dig into manufacturing, QC, climate impacts on cork forests, and why consumers still equate cork with quality.
What you’ll learn
- How TCA went from industry crisis to near-zero—and what “1 ppt” really means.
- Natural vs. technical corks: ideal use-cases and aging implications.
- Why oxygen control is central to wine development and consistency.
- How X100 imaging + sensory panels power Legacy’s screening.
- How bottle neck shapes, cork length, and bottling lines affect sealing.
- Forestry, climate, and the future of sustainable cork.
Timestamps (Optimized)
00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:23 Introducing Jochen Michalski and Cork Supply
05:31 Jochen’s Early Life and Career
07:43 Starting Cork Supply in California
13:28 Challenges and Successes in the Cork Industry
25:02 Innovations and the Future of Cork
26:54 Screening Corks for TCA
27:40 Sensory Analysis vs. Technology
29:13 Electromagnetic Imaging and AI
32:18 Legacy Cork and Market Trends
34:21 Technical Corks and Market Shifts
38:21 Impact of Climate Change on Cork Forests
40:01 Innovations in Cork Harvesting
41:15 Global Market Dynamics
43:10 Consumer Perception and Cork Quality
49:03 Future Prospects and New Markets
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!
