Batonnage

In this episode, Liam & Fiona talk to Faouzi Issa of Domaine des Tourelles about winemaking in lockdown, the challenges of growing grapes in the Lebanon and his fascination with Cinsault and Carignan.

Liam & Fiona talk to Duncan Forsyth of Mount Edward Winery in the Gibbston Valley of Central Otago, New Zealand about winemaking in lockdown; Pinot and other varieties, wines that make you smile, and the evolution of Mount Edward as a brand.

In this episode, Liam & Fiona talk to Andrea Rochione (Rochionie) from Scarpa Wines in Piedmonte about the challenges of the last few months, the wines that they make, the region as a whole, Fiona admits cooking with one of the samples, and they share a few glasses too!

Liam and Fiona talk to sherry educator Owen Morgan, founder of the family owned Bar 44 group of tapas bars and restaurants about why sherry still struggles to win our affections. After its heyday in the 60s and 70s why did it fall out of fashion? Was it right to focus on drier styles like fino and manzanilla? Does the level or alcohol deter today’s drinker or Is there just too much competition from other drinks? Or maybe, just maybe, the secret is chocolate . . .This recording was made last year before the current lockdown so Owen’s restaurants like all others in the UK are temporarily closed.This podcast was recorded at Bar 44, Bristol and is sponsored by Tanglewood Premium Wine Accessories https://tanglewoodwine.co.uk/

In this episode Liam and Fiona talk Bordeaux with Harold Langlais from Château Le Puy, a small Château situated just outside St Emilion, who are innovatively changing the way you think about Bordeaux wine.

Liam and Fiona talk to Brett Ellis, a founder and Head Brewer of Wild Beer in Somerset, about wild yeast strains, creative brewing techniques and breaking the rules. The look at what this booming company has managed to achieved and lessons that can be learnt by the wine industry.

Liam and Fiona talk to Richard Lloyd, the General Manager of Accolade Wines, Europe's largest bottler of bulk wines. They discuss the process of shipping wine in containers, the quality, environmental and economic impact as well as consumer perception. The future of the wine industry and why we should all be excited about it.

Liam and Fiona talk to Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers in Mere, one of the UKs leading independent wine merchants and authorities on the Rhône and the Loire. Today however they talk Southern France, fascinating region that it is.

Fiona and Liam discuss the future of wine with wine industry entrepreneur Robert Joseph. Together they talk about bottles and whether they are the long term solution for wine packaging. They consider whether the appellation system is aiding or hampering the industry, and what is the future of retailing, are supermarkets the long term solution or will the answer come through social media platforms. Robert as always is deliberately confrontational, challenging of conventions and leaving you thinking.Recorded at Bar 44, Clifton, Bristol

Fiona and Liam discuss wine faults with wine critic, Jamie Goode. What makes a wine faulty? How can you tell? What should you do next? To the scientist, these things may be clear-cut, but aesthetically wine faults can be a source of character - and even of wine typicity. Reduction for instance is a facet of wine-making, yet in extreme cases can make a wine revoltingly smelly. Let Jamie help you march with confidence through the minefield.Recorded at Hawksmoor Borough in London.

Liam and Fiona talk to Sunday Telegraph drink writer Susy Atkins about the reasons for the unstoppable rise of gin and why it’s become a collector’s item. What makes a great gin, how to choose the right tonic, how best to serve it and and when and if you should drink your gin neat. Twist off the top and dive in!

In this episode, Fiona and Liam are sharing wine and conversation with an extraordinary player in the UK wine trade, Dan Jago. Having held top positions at Bibendum Wine, Tesco and latterly Berry Brothers and Rudd, Dan has a broader view than most of the diverse UK wine market. This recording was made at the BBR offices in St James’s, London, a few days before his departure from his position as CEO of the company.

Fiona and Liam chat with sommelier and wine writer Ruth Spivey, the London ambassador for Star Wine List https://starwinelist.com/wine-story/meet-ruth-spivey-london-ambassador about what makes a great wine list. Which wines should you look out for, how to insist your wine is served at the temperature you want it and the one thing that really drives her mad when she arrives at a restaurant.

Recorded during the 2018 Padstow Christmas Festival, Liam and Fiona discuss wine choices at Christmas with Charlie Stein, buyer for the Rick Stein group, Elly Owen at Fifteen Cornwall and David McWilliam, Batonnage producer and curator of the Festival’s ‘Wine Theatre’.

Liam and Fiona take an inquisitive look at sparkling winemaking in the UK with Liam Idzikowski, winemaker at Lyme Bay Winery, tasting serveral distinctive examples along the way.

Bordeaux has made wine for centuries, but does it still carry the authority that it holds in the wine atlas? Fiona and Liam share stories with Will Lyons as they explore the region, tasting a few intriguing and affordable examples along the way.

Traditionally we drink beer with our 'curry' as we know it, but really there's a lot to be said for succumbing to the pleasures of the grape. In this episode the team head to Romy Gill’s kitchen with a tote full of wine…

When, how and why? With the relatively recent yet strong emergence of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as one of New Zealand’s trademark wine styles, what are the secrets to its success? Where can it go from here?Listen on….

In this first episode, Fiona and Liam discuss Terroir with special guest John Atkinson MW.Terroir is a word used by many to describe many or indeed all aspects of a unique vinous geography, but what does it really amount to? Whether you have a view or not, the issues aren’t as simple as you might think!Listen on….