Episodes
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Renowned whisky collector, Sukhinder Singh, joins David to talk about his journey, with brother Rajbir, from family off-licence to The Whisky Exchange and building their own distillery, plus his plans for the year as IWSC ‘Industry Champion’. Drinks featured (all gold medal winners): Elixir Distillers, Elements Of Islay, Cask Edit Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Glenmorangie Barrel Select Release 12 YO...
Published 04/26/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To mark Earth Day 2024 David is joined by Christopher Carpenter, winemaker for Jackson Family Estates’ Napa properties, to talk about leading the transition to organic, as well as regenerative viticulture, cutting carbon and reducing water use. Wines featured: Capensis Wines, Silene 2021 (gold and trophy) Torres 15 Reserva Privada Brandy (gold) Familia Torres Sangre De Toro Rosé 2022 (silver) Yealands The...
Published 04/19/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To launch the new series, David’s guest is Eduardo Chadwick, representing the sixth generation of the family behind some of Chile’s finest wines including Viñedos Chadwick and Seña, he’s celebrating twenty years since the Berlin Tasting, which saw his wines beat some of the great names and helped change perceptions of the wines of Chile. Wines featured: MontGras Intriga Máxima Cabernet Sauvignon 2020...
Published 04/12/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Includes Oz Clarke OBE; Nyetimber’s chief winemaker, Cherie Spriggs; Stephen Duckett of Hundred Hills winery; Romain Ott of Château Léoube, Emanuel Pesqueira, group head of wine for Gordon Ramsay restaurants and Hannah Crosbie, author of ‘Corker’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published 04/05/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. From pouring wine in a restaurant at 17 years old to being profiled in Vogue, it has been quite a journey for writer Hannah Crosbie, who joins David to talk about her debut book ‘Corker’, billed as “a deeply unserious wine book”. She tells him about ripping up the old rules and how to match wines to some of life’s defining moments. Wines featured: La Togata Seconda Stella A Destra, Brunello di Montalcino...
Published 03/29/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. A special episode dedicated to New Zealand’s biggest wine region, Marlborough. Oz Clarke OBE recalls the moment he first tasted its signature Sauvignon Blanc - which went on to be a global phenomenon - and David meets leading winemakers, including Cloudy Bay’s Daniel Sorrell, to find out what makes the region special, its diversity, and what the future might hold beyond Sauvignon. Wines featured: Yealands...
Published 03/22/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. South Africa’s dynamic, constantly evolving wine scene is the focus as David chats to Master of Wine Dirceu Vianna Junior and Sophia Longhi, to reflect on judging wines in South Africa for the IWSC last summer. Wines featured: Mont Rochelle Miko Chardonnay 2018 (gold and a trophy winner) Capensis Silene 2021 (gold and a trophy winner) Constantia Glen Five 2020 (gold) Bloemendal Wine Estate Kanonberg 2017...
Published 03/15/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To mark International Women’s Day, David revisits some of his conversations with pioneering women in the world of wine and spirits, including Dr Laura Catena, Dr Rachel Barrie, Sarah Pidgeon, Louisa Rose, Corinne Seely, Cherie Spriggs, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW. Wines and spirits featured (all from the women winemakers/master distiller featured): The GlenDronach Distillery 21 YO Parliament Single Malt...
Published 03/08/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. The Ott name is Provence rosé royalty, but Romain Ott chose to forge his career on a neighbouring estate, Château Léoube, a stunning stretch of the Côte d’Azur, where, as head winemaker, he crafts organic wines. He chats to David about rosé’s revolution in quality and how he crafted a ‘Super Tuscan’… in Provence. Wines featured: Love by Léoube 2022 (silver) Mirabeau X 2022 (silver) Château La Gordonne La...
Published 03/01/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. How to select wines for pairing fine dining, and how to make the best use of a sommelier’s incredible skills? These are among the questions David poses, as he chats to Emanuel Pesqueira, influential group head of wine for Gordon Ramsay restaurants, which include 1890, Pétrus and the Savoy Grill. Wines featured: D’Oliveiras Sercial 1977 (gold) D’Oliveiras Boal 1992 (gold) Casa da Passarella Abanico Reserva...
Published 02/23/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to Oz Clarke OBE about his latest book, ‘Story of Wine’, which is actually more than a hundred different stories, journeying through time to explore the places and people who have shaped the wines we enjoy today. Wines featured (all fortified, from Portugal, all gold medal winners) Cálem 40-Year-Old Tawny NV  Graham’s 20 YO Tawny NV  Kopke Colheita 2005 Justino’s Tinta Negra 1995 Cossart Gordon...
Published 02/16/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Not so much a revolution… more an evolution, Argentina’s wines are winning new fans as the pursuit of quality over quantity reaps rewards. David is joined by two Masters of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Junior and Beth Pearce to reflect on the first ever ‘in situ’ judging of its wines by the IWSC. Wines featured:  Domaine Bousquet Gran Bousquet Organic Malbec 2021 (gold) Chakana Ayni Malbec 2020 (gold) Bodegas...
Published 02/09/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Nyetimber’s Canadian-born head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs. She talks candidly about working with husband Brad Greatrix, why the couple were attracted to England, what defines English sparkling wine and how they developed their premium cuvée, the critically acclaimed 1086. Wines featured: Everflyht Brut NV (silver) Busi Jacobsohn Wine Estate Cuvée Brut 2019 (silver) Coates & Seely Reserve...
Published 02/02/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by Master of Wine Alistair Cooper and Libby Brodie to talk about Margaret River, a region in Western Australia that punches well above its size, with premium wines that are winning new acclaim - and plenty of top medals. Wines featured (all are gold medal winners): Stella Bella Wines Luminosa Chardonnay 2022 Cape Naturaliste Vineyard Torpedo Rocks Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Cherubino...
Published 01/26/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to Stephen Duckett, whose dream of producing top quality English sparkling wine led him and wife Fiona to a grassy valley in The Chilterns, where they started from scratch to establish Hundred Hills. Wines featured: Raimes English Sparkling Classic Brut 2018 (gold and a trophy) Hattingley Valley Wines Classic Reserve Brut NV (gold) Roebuck Estates Rosé De Noirs Brut 2017 (silver) Gusbourne...
Published 01/19/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Idris Elba is among the guests as David selects some moments from the 12th series of the Drinking Hour, which also features Dr Jamie Goode talking about wine faults, Amanda Barnes on Uruguay’s wines, Jeany Cronk espousing the virtues of winter rosé and there’s also a special focus on two iconic French regions: Alsace for its Pinot Noir and Bordeaux, for its sweet wines. Learn more about your ad choices....
Published 01/12/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Richard Siddle, editor in chief of The Buyer, returns for his annual chat - one of the most popular episodes of last year - to give David his predictions for what we’ll be drinking in 2024 and what might impact the drinks world in the year ahead. Drinks featured (from low/no category): Opius BV Albedo (gold) Wilderton Bittersweet Aperitivo (gold)  Lucano 1894 Amaro Lucano Zero (silver) Brown Brothers Cienna...
Published 01/05/24
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by the head buyer at The Wine Society, Pierre Mansour, as the country’s oldest co-operative turns 150 years old in 2024 to find out more about its history and how it manages to remain so relevant to today’s wine lovers. Wines featured:  Beronia Gran Reserva 2015 (gold) Heredad De Urueña Santo Syrah 2016 (gold) Bodegas Fundador ‘Harvey’s’ Palo Cortado Medium Blend 30 year old (gold) Emilio...
Published 12/29/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Joel Harrison, spirits judge, writer and author of 60 Second Cocktails joins David with his selection of festive hacks. Drinks featured: Dangerous Don Mezcal (gold) Via Carota Craft Cocktails Old Fashioned (gold) Salty Stone Distillery, Young Salt Negroni (gold)  Bloody Drinks, Bloody Virgin Mary (gold) Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Irish Cream Liqueur (gold) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published 12/22/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. The perfect party starter and a versatile gastronomic wine, Provence rosé is so much more than a summer wine. David is joined by Jeany Cronk of Domaine Mirabeau to spread some seasonal cheer and turn your winter pink. Featured wines: Villa Moncigale Cicada La Légende 2022 (gold) Mirabeau Pure 2022 (silver) Château La Gordonne Vérité Du Terroir 2022 (silver) Château Beaulieu Cuvée Alexandre 2022...
Published 12/15/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. An historic region, with a distinctive identity of its own, Alsace is also evolving all the time. Though 90% of production is white, it’s forging a new reputation for red, exclusively from Pinot Noir. David is joined by two pioneers of biodynamic viticulture, Olivier Humbrecht MW and Véronique Muré. Featured wines: Jean Bailly Riesling 2019 (silver) Cave de Ribeauvillé Riesling 2019 (silver) La Cave du...
Published 12/08/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guests are Master Sommeliers Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross, authors of How to Drink Australian, a comprehensive guide to that country’s wines, its vinous history, the latest trends and the innovative producers to watch. Wines featured (all gold medal winners): Leo Buring ‘Leonay’ Mature Release Riesling 2017 (also a trophy winner) Gemtree Wines Ernest Allan Shiraz 2021 Penny's Hill Skeleton Key...
Published 12/01/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by scientist and critic, Dr Jamie Goode, author of Flawless, Understanding Faults in Wine, for a whistle-stop tour of everything that might go wrong with a bottle of wine - and how to spot a fault. Drinks featured (*spirits chosen this week, to avoid associating wines with faults) -  All gold medal winners: Shibui Whisky Company 10 YO Pure Malt Loch Lomond Whiskies 10 YO Single Malt Scotch...
Published 11/24/23
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David explores the wines of Sauternes and its smaller sub-zone Barsac - some of the oldest and most famous in the world - to discuss its terroir and the magical effects of ‘noble rot’, with guests Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu, co-President of the Sauternes & Barsac appellations and Mathilde Aseretto, owner of Château Quincarnon. Wines featured: M&S - Maison Sichel L'or Du Ciron 2016 (gold) Chateau de...
Published 11/17/23