From the archives, here is the interview I did with John Cleese. John Cleese of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame, as well as movies like A Fish Called Wanda, Fierce Creatures, Harry Potter and James Bond.

I recorded it at an event called "Cooking for Solutions" put on by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is an event on sustainable and organic food and cooking presented every year by the Aquarium to raise awareness not just for the dwindling food fishing resources, but for all food farming and production.

Mr. Cleese's role at the event was to speak as a food and wine enthusiast. He is, in fact, very well spoken on the enjoyment of wine. Not in a high-falutin' fashion but in a very down-to-earth and approachable way.

Now here is where I have to apologize. As you might know, John is a VERY funny person with a quick mind and it is very apparent in this interview, at least, in retrospect. I buttonholed him for this interview at a wine tasting seminar and I was overly conscious of not monopolizing his time, so I was very nervous about getting his comments and just finishing the interview so as not to wear out my welcome. He was gracious and considerate and had some really good comments on wine and wine appreciation. He was very funny too, though it seemed to go right past me in my nervousness. So, Mr. Cleese, I apologize for seeming like a very humorless dolt.

Links

• The podcast featuring John Cleese
• John Cleese's Official Website
• Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch website
• John's book, "Wine for the Confused" on Amazon.com