In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. ‘Democratising wine’ is the theme, as David chats to Alex Brogan, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine trophy, sponsored by London Wine Fair, for his innovative Not Yet Named Wine Co, where members decide on the winemaking. Featured wines: Casas del Bosque Pequeñas Syrah 2020 silver) Quinta da Raza Alvarinho-Trajadura 2021 (silver) Cabeça de Toiro Reserva Terroir Fernão Pires 2021 (silver) The Acorn Sauv...
May 19, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 110
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Can fine cider really rival a wine? Nick Showering certainly thinks so. Born into a Somerset cider family, the former Apprentice contestant (he reached episode 8 of last year’s series) chats to David about his triple vintage edition that’s made its way onto some Michelin-starred menus. Medal winning ciders, to coincide with entries opening for IWSC cider judging: Eden Specialty Ciders Heirloom Blend Ice Cider ...
May 12, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 109
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David reflects on a few of the highlights from the latest series, including ‘Mr Bubbles’, Pieter Feirrera of Graham Beck Cap Classique; Natalie Christensen, Chief Winemaker at Yealands in Marlborough; Trevor Durling, Chief Winemaker at Napa’s Beaulieu Estate; Pierpaolo Petrassi MW, head of beer, wine and spirits at Waitrose & Partners; Essi Avellan MW talking Grower Champagne; and the Queen of Scotch Whisk...
May 05, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 108
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by the founder of wine bars Diogenes the Dog and Aspen and Mersault, Sunny Hodge, to talk about the uniquely different way that he communicates wine and why natural wine is so often misunderstood. Banfi 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino (silver) Edouard Delaunay 2019 Volnay Santenots 1Er Cru (silver) La Chablisienne Chablis Premier Cru 2019 (silver) Benjamin Darnault 2021 Picpoul de Pinet (silver) Do...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 107
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by Club Oenologique spirits columnist, Joel Harrison, and The Wine Society buyer and IWSC judge, Freddy Bulmer, to talk about the latest trends in spirits and wine as we approach a summer season and a trio of bank holidays. Drinks featured (all spirits, all gold outstanding): AQ - Sakagura Ohtemon Aku No Kurobuka Deanston 21 YO Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky Koch ‘Arroqueño’ Mezca Black ...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 106
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Representing the seventh generation of his family at the helm of Billecart-Salmon, its President, Mathieu Roland-Billecart, talks about what it takes to be in charge of one of the most famous names in Champagne and invites David to the release of its latest premium cuvée, Nicolas François 2008, at multi-Michelin-starred restaurant, Mirazur, in the South of France. Drinks featured: Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Ext...
Apr 14, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 105
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Celebrating the success of fashionable Grower Champagne, David is joined by Master of Wine, Essi Avellan, one of the world’s most influential sparkling wine critics, to discuss her special report on Grower Champagne for Club Oenologique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 07, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 104
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is Trevor Durling, Chief Winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, one of the Napa Valley’s most historic wineries, to hear how he went from a future Top Gun to a celebrated cellar master making sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines featured: Cellar 777 Beauzini Zinfandel 2019 (gold) Dark Horse Zinfandel 2020, Gallo (gold) Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (gold) Chateau Ste Michelle & Dr....
Mar 31, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 103
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. A pioneer of premium rum, Richard Seale, Master Distiller and Master Blender at Foursquare Distillery, representing the fourth generation to work in the family business, he tells David about the innovation that’s put rum at the pinnacle of fashion. Drinks featured: R L Seale & Co Doorly's 14 YO Rum (gold) R L Seale & Co Foursquare Indelible Rum (silver) The Equiano Rum Co Equiano Light Rum (silver) Mou...
Mar 24, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 102
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To celebrate the ‘double’ of winning IWSC Best Supermarket for Wine and also Spirits, Pierpaolo Petrassi MW joins David to talk about buying for Britain’s best-loved supermarket, sustainability and the latest trends in wines and spirits. Drinks featured: Bodagas Toro Albalá Don PX Gran Reserva 1999 (gold) Gabrielskloof The Landscape Series Cabernet Franc 2020 (gold) Montidori Sangiovese 2020 (silver) Waitrose ...
Mar 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 101
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. For the 100th episode of the Drinking Hour, David talks to Dr Rachel Barrie, Master Blender for Brown Forman's Single Malt Scotch distilleries, the first female to hold the title and the first woman to be inducted into Scotch whisky’s Hall of Fame. Drinks featured: GlenDronach Distillery 16 YO Boynsmill Single Malt Scotch Whisky (gold / trophy) Benriach Distillery ‘The Twenty Five’ 25 YO Single Malt Scotch Whi...
Mar 10, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 100
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. He’s known as Mr Bubbles for his prowess with traditional method sparkling wine. Graham Beck’s winemaker, Peter Ferreira, talks to David about why he has dedicated his entire career to South Africa’s trademark sparkler, Cap Classique. Wines featured: Graham Beck Cap Classique, Ultra Brut 2016 (bronze) Robertson Winery, Constitution Road, Chardonnay 2021 (si...
Mar 03, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 99
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David is joined by entrepreneurs Rob Wallis and Sam Hunt, co-founders of ready to drink cocktail brand MOTH, Britain’s fastest growing RTD brand - and also The Wine Society buyer Freddy Bulmer, taking about his recent trip to New Zealand. Drinks featured: Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2020 (gold) Craggy Range Single Vineyard Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2...
Feb 24, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David meets the Chief Winemaker of Yealands, Natalie Christensen, to talk about her journey from classical music to sustainable winemaking in New Zealand’s Marlborough region, including her latest creation, a Kiwi Albariño. Wines featured: Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (silver) Yealands Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (silver) The Ned Pinot Noir 2020 ...
Feb 17, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 97
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David reflects on the highlights of the latest series, including the FT columnist Alice Lascelles, old vine champion Sarah Abbott MW, Carlos Agrellos of Quinta do Noval, Mermaid Gin’s Xavier Baker, plus renowned Bordeaux expert Stephen Brook and find out what happened when David tried his hand at blending his own Bordeaux red. Learn more about your ad choic...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 96
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David turns his focus to the breathtaking beauty of the Douro Valley, as he talks to Carlos Agrellos, Technical Director at Quinta do Noval, about its still wines and Ports, including the much-coveted ‘Nacional’, from historic pre-phylloxera vines. Drinks featured: Sandeman 40 YO Tawny NV (gold) D’Oliveiras Malvazia 1992 (gold) Real Cave Do Cedro Aleixo Gra...
Feb 03, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 95
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. The Isle of Wight Distillery is on a mission to make top notch spirits in a sustainable, community-focused way. David talks to co-founder Xavier Baker about IWSC gold medal winning Mermaid gin and vodka and the ethos behind it. Drinks featured: Isle of Wight Distillery, Mermaid Pink Gin (gold) Opihr Aromatic Bitters Gin (gold) Seppeltsfield Road Distillers,...
Jan 27, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. What makes an old vine worth treasuring? David heads to Italy for the Old Vine Conference inaugural ‘field trip’, hearing from Sarah Abbott MW, Domenico Veronese and Claudio and Niccolo Zani. Wine featured (all old vine wines): Le Bortole - Suprème Dry 2021 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore (gold) Quest Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021 (gold) Luca Old Vine Malbec ...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 93
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. Virgile Joly winner of the IWSC’s inaugural Green Wine award and Master of Wine Ray O’Connor, wine director at Naked Wines, join David to talk about sustainability and its importance to the world of wine. Wines featured: (all Naked Wines this week) Virgile Joly 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Plan De Dieu (bronze) Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot No...
Jan 13, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David is joined by Richard Siddle, editor-in-chief of The Buyer, to look ahead to 2023 and how global events, and the latest trends, could have an impact on what goes in our glass. Drinks featured: (note first spelling is correct/lower case/upper etc - Maori name) te Pa Family Vineyards Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (gold) Diemersdal Wine Estate - T...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David is joined by Carl Anthony Brown and Tim Blake of alcohol-free producer, Crossip, sponsors of the IWSC ‘emerging talent - bartender of the year’ competition, to talk about innovation in the world of low and no alcohol. Drinks featured (all low/no and all gold medal winners): Crossip Dandy Smoke Flor de Madre - Agua de Madre - Blood Orange Bitters Water...
Jan 03, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. Australia is our theme with Freddy Bulmer, Wine Society buyer, as he reflects on an epic post-pandemic trip there, ahead of the Society’s festive rush, while Joel talks about his latest book, ‘One Minute Cocktails’ that’s perfect for New Year celebrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dec 23, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. For the second special edition, David focuses on white wines, speaking to Sarah; a co-operative producer responsible for some of the UK’s favourite wines and Guillain, a new generation winemaker from Graves. Wines featured: Baron Edmond de Rothschild Château Clarke 2016 (silver) Tesco Finest Margaux 2016 (silver) Château Beauvillage 2020 (silver) Asda , Mon...
Dec 16, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 88
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. The world’s most famous wine region, Bordeaux, is the focus for the first of two special editions. Red wines account for 85% of production, so David looks at the modern style of red, with Quentin (a new generation winemaker), and also creates his own red blend. Wines featured: Marks & Spencer L'or du Ciron Sauternes 2018 (gold) Baron Philippe de Rothsch...
Dec 09, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 87
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. Acclaimed Bordeaux expert Stephen Brook joins David to talk about his latest book, the fourth edition of ‘The Complete Bordeaux’. Wines featured: Church Road Mcdonald Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (gold) Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (gold) Hombo Shuzo Château Mars Hosaka Hinoshiro Cabernet Merlot Late Harvest 2018 (gold) Monte Xanic Edició...
Dec 02, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 86
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. Award-winning drinks columnist for the Financial Times Alice Lascelles joins David to talk about her new book, The Cocktail Edit, the latest trends, the drinks that really inspire her and also Professor Brian Cox’s champagne collection. Drinks featured: Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10 year old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Atom Brands (go...
Nov 25, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David presents his favourite moments from series seven, including veteran wine writer Hugh Johnson; the editor of his Pocket Wine Book, Margaret Rand; Essi Avellan MW talking about her Champagne Report for Club Oenologique; Schloss Gobelsburg’s Michael Moosbrugger; glassware expert Daniel Primack; and global rum ambassador and IWSC senior judge, Ian Burrell...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David chats to global rum ambassador Ian Burrell - a regular face on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch - about rum, its history, what makes a great example, its role in cocktail culture and why he decided to co-create his own brand, Equiano. Rums featured: Equiano Rum (gold) Cutwater Spirits Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum (gold) Bacardi Rum 10 YO Gran Reserva Diez Rum (gol...
Nov 11, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David talks to veteran wine writer Margaret Rand, editor of Hugh Johnson’s much-loved Pocket Wine Book about the latest edition, released this month - and also reflects on her many years of wine writing and criticism. Wines featured: Famille Carabello-Baum Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019 (gold) Weingut Karl Schaefer Dürkheimer Michelsberg Riesling Trocken...
Nov 04, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 82
In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. With sustainability currently on everyone’s mind, David is joined by expert and author, Nick Breeze, and Mafalda Vasques, winemaker at Herdade dos Grous, to learn more about how one of Portugal’s biggest regions has focused on its environmental impact with ‘the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme’. Wines featured: Barros Colheita 1974 - from Sogevinu...
Oct 28, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 81
