My Favorite Podcasts

I was one of the undoubtedly millions of people who got an iPod for Christmas last year. And I really love it, but not most of all for listening to music. I love podcasts! I am an avid radio listener, and am a fan of public radio in both the US and Norway. But with podcasts you tap into a whole new medium, radio-like broadcasts from amateurs, magazines, networks and more!

But the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. So I loaded up iTunes and started looking for food and wine podcasts. Here is a selection of what I like best. It is by no means an exaustive list backed by months of painstaking research and sleepless nights, but I can by all means recommend the following:

NPR Food comes from the public radio network in the US, NPR (National Public Radio). Their many interesting, in-depth and entertaining news programs often feature something to do with food. This means everything from Mitterand's last meal (ortolons, an indulgent and indeed illegal meal), to the rebuilding of New Orleans via King Cake. Collections of 3-5 stories in 20-30 minute podcasts usually come out about once a week.

People in Wine is a creating of Fine Wine Press. This podcast focuses on interviews with important people in the wine world, but usually the winemakers, owners or sommeliers, rather than yet another interview with Hugh Johnson! It has a strong France-focus (at least as long as I've been listening), and publishes a 30-minute podcast about once a month. I have been pleased to see however that more small podcasts have come out recently about the 2005 Bordeaux vintage. It's good to be up-to-date with the latest en primeur tasting at Chateau Palmer! My only complaint is that the interviews are sometimes recorded over the phone or with otherwise poor sound quality, and this makes it difficult to listen to on the run.

Then I must mention The French Pod Class, a completely non-commercial enterprise by Sebastien Babolat. This is a 30-40 minute program for updating one's french, with not only the standard vocabulary and grammer points but with music, movie reviews and a fun and youthful slant on French culture. It has risen increasingly in popularity, but even with 25000 listeners worldwide he still finds time to write me a handwritten note. He also has a new videopodcast Discover France with Sebastien which is a travel podcast.

Not to forget the infamous Tiki Bar! Cocktails in an usual fashion....