David Kermode, wine expert, talks through his top drinking picks of the week.
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to chemist-turned-Master-Distiller, John Hall, at Cornwall's Trevethan Distillery, an IWSC trophy winner, about his new creation, ‘Aureus Vita', a premium London Dry Gin based on a sequence of numbers leading to ‘the golden ratio'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is the theme as Sarah Abbott MW joins David to talk through the terminology and diversity of styles that define Italy's medal-winning, historically significant, sparkling wines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David reflects on series 21, with guests Sacha Lichine of Chateau d'Esclans, Languedoc legend Jean-Claude Mas, David Moulton of Margaret River pioneer Cape Mentelle, Jeremy McKenzie of Isabel Estate talking Chardonnay, and three of the female family members at the helm of Brown Brothers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David' talks to entrepreneur Calixte Payan, who has rewritten the rules of the zero alcohol category with his Sober Spirits brand, using original spirit content to create innovative drinks without compromise, while staying focused on sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To celebrate the Drinking Hour's 250th episode, David's special guest is the legendary Sacha Lichine, of Chateau d'Esclans, the father of modern rosé and creator of brands including Whispering Angel and Garrus, as he prepares to hand over the reins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Junior, joins David to talk about Sauvignon Blanc from the Austrian region of Steiermark, or Styria, which is gaining fans, and winning IWSC gold medals, for to its distinctive and generous gastronomic style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is Julian Langworthy, chief winemaker at Deep Woods Estate, winner of the IWSC Western Australia Producer of the Year, and one the original ‘founding five' wineries of Margaret River to talk about makes the region unique and special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. In what's become a popular annual ritual, David is joined by The Buyer's editor-in-chief, Richard Siddle, as they stare into a crystal ball to look ahead at what lies in store for the drinks world in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David explores the innovation and incredible growth of the no alcohol category with Michael Bright, founder of IWSC trophy winning producer, Edenvale, and Silvia Cedeño, Managing Director of BevZero, a pioneer in dealcoholisation technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Established during the gold rush of the 1880s and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Brown Brothers is an Australian institution. David is joined by winemaker Katherine, sister Emma and cousin Angela, to reflect on how the winery's long history influences modern day innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to the Jeremy McKenzie, winemaker at Isabel Estate, in Marlborough, one of the early pioneers of New Zealand's wine boom. They talk about the region's smash hit Sauvignon Blanc and why Chardonnay and Pinot Noir do so well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. With one distinctive grape variety, Chenin Blanc, and four very different styles of wine, the Loire region of Vouvray has seen an increase in demand, especially from the UK. David meets two producers to explore what defines Vouvray's wines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is David Moulton, chief winemaker at Margaret River's pioneering Cape Mentelle, the third winery to be established in this beautiful corner of Western Australia. They talk about the combination of soils and climate that make the region ideal for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is the Languedoc legend, Jean-Claude Mas, one of the region's most famous names, responsible for around 25 million bottles of wine every year, including his Domaines Paul Mas brand and also a multitude of retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David looks back at series 20, with highlights including Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt on the history of Laurent Perrier, cellar master Pierre De Klerk at Graham Beck, Olly Smith on his new book, Rebekah Wineburg at Napa's Quintessa Estate, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, and Benjamin Abric at the Weyborne Estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Jancis Robinson OBE MW is among David's guests as he reports from the Old Vine Conference in California, where he also talks to co-founder Sarah Abbott MW, Alder Yarrow from the Old Vine Registry and renowned viticulturist, Rosa Kruger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to the Napa Valley, ahead of the Old Vine Conference, to meet the winemaker at Quintessa, Rebekah Wineburg, to find out why she's so passionate about biodynamic winemaking and old vines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is Benjamin Abric, the general manager and winemaker at The Weyborne Estate in the Sussex Downs, a relatively new player in the field of English sparkling wine that has already won a trophy at the IWSC for its Oriana 2019 cuvée. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wine and the climate crisis In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by the authors of ‘Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine', Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather, to talk about the existential crisis that climate change poses and how the wine industry might adapt to it. Listeners are offered a 10% discount on the book at acadamieduvinlibrary.com with the code TDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is the country's top TV wine expert, star of BBC ‘Saturday Kitchen', Olly Smith, to talk about his new book ‘Wine - Everything You Need to Know' and to reflect on two decades of sharing his passion with UK audiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Master Blender Michael Henry of Loch Lomond Distillery, winner of the IWSC's Scotch Producer Trophy, joins David to talk about the innovation that's come to define Loch Lomond whisky, the impact of different stills, and the art of nosing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt, ambassador for Laurent Perrier's top cuvée, Grand Siècle, and the granddaughter of Bernard de Nonancourt, who went from French Resistance hero to a celebrated pioneer in the world of Champagne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Now in its 49th year, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book is an annual release that's eagerly anticipated, updated each year by General Editor, Margaret Rand, who joins David to chat about the latest issue, including a supplement on the price of wine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Südtirol Alto Adige is a mountain wine region that's part of Italy, though German is the majority language. David meets its winemakers to learn more about the grape varieties, the terroir and the fusion of cultures that make it unique and special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is Club Oenologique columnist, Joel Harrison, a Keeper of the Quaich, to talk about his new book: a curated guide to 52 distilleries around the world that welcome whisky lovers, sharing the secrets of what goes into a great dram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Pierre de Klerk, cellar master at Graham Beck - winner of the prestigious IWSC South African Producer Trophy - to talk about the country's distinctive and great value traditional method sparkling wine, Cap Classique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David looks back at some highlights, including Eric Heerema, owner of Nyetimber; pioneering English winemaker Dermot Sugrue; rising star Tommy Grimshaw of Langham Estate; Maria Boumpa, the IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year; Nina Basset talking about her late husband Gérard Basset; and wine writer Tamlyn Currin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to spirits writer and author Millie Milliken for a snapshot of North America's evolving whiskey scene, reflecting on the changes she observed at the IWSC's prestigious annual Kentucky judging this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David visits Langham Wine Estate to meet head winemaker, Tommy Grimshaw. The pair discuss the burgeoning English sparking scene, Dorset's distinctive chalk soils, his winemaking style, and what it takes to make an IWSC gold medal winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is Nina Basset, co-founding trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, named in honour of her late husband - a legendary wine figure, OBE, MS, MW, MBA, MSc and winner of the World's Best Sommelier - to talk about his remarkable life and legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Fresh from being crowned IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year 2025, Maria Boumpa - wine director at London's double-Michelin-starred Da Terra - is David's guest to talk about her victory in the rigorous contest and the wines that excite her most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Babylonstoren, the Cape Dutch farm in the Western Cape familiar to garden lovers for its patronage of the Chelsea Flower Show, to meet cellar master Klaas Stoffberg and find out more about the wines produced on the estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David explores Franciacorta, the Italian traditional method sparkling wine, with Renato Della Bartolomea of Freccianera Fratelli Berlucchi, winner of the IWSC's Franciacorta Wine Producer Trophy, to learn more about the category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Eric Heerema, owner of Nyetimber, the pioneering English sparkling wine brand, and, since last year, The Lakes Distillery in Cumbria, to hear about his plans for expansion to showcase England's burgeoning drinks scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Beaujolais reporting on the rebirth of the region - once famous for ‘Beaujolais Nouveau', but now rightly celebrated for a lighter, fresher style and its complex tapestry of terroir - talking to Director General, Olivier Badoureaux. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To celebrate English Wine Week, David is joined by the country's top winemaker, Dermot Sugrue, of Sugrue South Downs, who's celebrating one of the highest scores at the IWSC this year for his cuvée ‘The Trouble with Dreams' from the 2009 vintage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to Tamlyn Currin, wine writer for JancisRobinson.com, sustainability expert and Fortnum & Mason 2024 ‘drinks writer of the year', famed for her vivid tasting notes, her passion for old vines and her penchant for Madeira. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, some highlights from series 18, Mumm's new cellar master Yann Munier, Sunny Hodge on his cynics guide to wine, Andrew Caillard MW on the Australian Ark, Ian Hongell talks Barossa, Elaine Chukan Brown on California - and Alex Watson on Renais Gin… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. In 2015, when Champagne Taittinger announced it was teaming up with its importer, Hatch Mansfield, to launch an English sparkling wine, it caused a sensation, and now, a decade later, Domaine Evremond is on the market. David visits the winery, at Chilham in Kent, to meet co-founder Patrick McGrath MW. IWSC English gold medal winners featured: Sugrue South Down The Trouble with Dreams 2009 in magnum Bride Valley Reserve Brut 2018 All Angels Ten Year Anniversary Classic Cuvée Brut 2014 Gusbourne Single Vineyard Commanders Chardonnay 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Elaine Chukan Brown, author of The Wines of California, telling the story of the state's wine industry, from its establishment by indigenous peoples, through Prohibition, to the pioneers who created today's wine map, while looking to the challenges Californian wine faces in the future. Plus, David has news of the IWSC wine judging results for 2025, announced this week, featuring the three highest scoring wines: The Trouble With Dreams Magnum Brut 2009 by Sugrue South Downs Verdelho 2001 by D'Oliveiras Old Premium Rare Muscat NV by Morris Wines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David's guest is Ian Hongell, chief winemaker at Torbreck, one of Australia's most celebrated names, celebrated for its Barossa Shiraz from dry-farmed, old vines descended from those planted in the mid 19th century. IWSC medal winners featured: Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Muscat NV (gold and trophy winner) Morris Old Premium Rare Muscat NV (gold) Peter Lehmann 8 Songs Shiraz 2021 (silver) Soumah Chardonnay 2023 (silver) Fourth Wave Wine Little Giant Single Vineyard Cabernet 2021 (silver) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to Master of Wine, Andrew Caillard, winner of the IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year award, about his epic three volume work ‘The Australian Ark', the story of the country's wine industry, from its origins to the present day. IWSC medal winning wines featured, all gold medal winners: Dandelion Vineyards Firehawk Shiraz 2022 Golden Amrita Sunshine Hill Shiraz 2021 Ponting Wines The Pinnacle Shiraz 2022 Levantine Hill Katherine's Paddock Chardonnay 2021 Orlando Wines Lyndale Chardonnay 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to Alex Watson about Renais Gin, the brand he has founded with his actor sister, Emma Watson, a premium gin produced from the skins of grapes, from the vineyards of Chablis where their father is a winemaker. IWSC gold medal winning gins featured: Three Engineers Oy 3E Gin North of Eden Admiral Navy Strength Gin Karu Distillery Affinity Gin Enceladus Distilling Company Limited Astra Premium New Zealand Gin Vinha Alta Balancal Barrel Rested Gin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. England's nascent still wine scene gets ever more exciting, with premium cuvées now taking the limelight. David chats to the co-owners of Whitewolfe, Clare Whitehead and Luke Wolfe, to hear about their self-funded project to create a trio of wines from Chardonnay, grown at Kit's Coty in Kent. IWSC winning wines featured, all silver medals : Chapel Down Kit's Coty Coeur De Cuvée Extra Brut 2016 Louis Pommery England Brut NV Hattingley Valley Wines Blanc de Blancs Brut 2015 Denbies Wine EstateCubitt Blanc De Noirs Brut 2015 Vagabond Wines Pinot Noir 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Lisbon, Portugal's beguiling capital, is also an enticing wine region stretching north for 130 kilometres along the country's Atlantic coast. Libby Brodie chats to David about the terrain, climate, grapes and gastronomy of the Lisboa region. Wines featured, all IWSC silver medal winners from Lisboa: Quinta Do Conde Galodoro 10 Barricas Reserva 2022 Aveleda, Mandriola De Lisboa 2022 Aluado Reserva Alicante Bouschet 2020 Casa Santos Lima Quinta Do Espírito Santo 2021 M&S Lisboa Bonita 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Sunny Hodge is David's guest to talk about his new book, The Cynic's Guide to Wine, demystifying the subject, using science to take a deep dive into the glass, pulling apart conventional tasting notes and challenging established assumptions. Wines featured, all gold medal winners from Turkey, with Sunny among the judges: Sevilen Sarap Sanayi Sevilen Centum Syrah 2020 Likya Wines Likya Arkeo Acikara 2022 Kuzubag Hür Amfora Merlot 2022 Kayra Imperial Merlot Blend 2015 V'asbosExpression Cabernet Franc Edition 1 NV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. In the second special episodes, David's focus is Côtes du Rhône Villages, the next tier up from Côtes du Rhône in the region's hierarchy of quality, chatting with Raphaël Knapp, of Château la Borie, and Anthony Taylor, of Gabriel Meffre. Medal winners featured: Château De Ruth 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile (silver) Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Chartreuse De Bonpas 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Villages (silver) Domaines Vincent Moreau 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile (silver) Julie Rouffignac Tesco Finest 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Blanc (silver) J. Jacques Beaumet 2022 Cairanne (silver) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. In the first of two special episodes, David explores the wines of Côtes du Rhône, chatting with Frédéric Lavau, a négociant, and Louis Barruol, of Château Saint Cosme, to find out what makes the region such a favourite with wine lovers. Medal winners featured: M&S Pont de Fleur 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Blanc The Wine Society's Exhibition Vinsobres 2020 (silver) M&S Les Closiers 2022 Lirac (silver) Asda Cuvée Traditionnelle Grignan-Les Adhemar 2022 (silver) Château la Verrerie Grand Deffand Syrah 2021 Luberon (silver) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David meets the new face of GH Mumm, Yann Munier, who joined last April as cellar master. A native of the Champagne region, he talks about his passion for Pinot Noir, the grape that defines Mumm, and reflects on the latest 2024 vintage. Medal winners featured, all silver winners: Nicolas Feuillatte Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2015 Laurent-Perrier Blanc De Blancs Brut Nature NV Lanson Brut 2013 Mandois Vieilles Vignes Victor Blanc De Blancs Brut 2013 Champagne de Saint Gall Premier Cru Rosé Brut NV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
David reflects on some special moments in series 17, including the creator of ‘The Chocolate Block', Marc Kent; the winemaker of another South African trailblazer, Journey's End, Mike Dawson; a Champagne pioneer, Alice Paillard of Maison Bruno Paillard; there's Sicily's Cerasuolo di Vittoria with Stefano Girelli, of Santa Tresa and Cortese; and the man behind Ribera del Duero's ‘Pingus', Peter Sisseck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Austria is the focus as David chats to Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Junior, and top sommelier, Melania Battiston, wine director at Cornus. They talk about the incredible versatility of Grüner Veltliner, what defines Austrian Riesling and the red wines to look out for, as they reflect on judging in the country for the IWSC. Wines featured, all gold medal winners. Weinkultur Preiss Grüner Veltliner Ried Berg Reserve Traisental DAC 2022 Weingut Gerhard Deim Grüner Veltliner Ried Kalvarienberg Kamptal DAC 2022 Weingut Stefan Bauer Grüner Veltliner Hutzler Wagram DAC 2021 Weingut Eder Wachau Grüner Veltliner Ried Süssenberg Smaragd Wachau DAC 2021 Weingut Leth Roter Veltliner Fels Ried Scheiben 1 ÖTW Wagram DAC 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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