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. Is the gin renaissance still flourishing and where should we be looking for the latest innovation? Self-confessed ‘gin nerd’ Olivier Ward, editor of Spirits Beacon, a member of the IWSC spirits judging committee and the gin expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, gives David the lowdown.

Gins featured: 

Opihr Aromatic Bitters Gin, Quintessential Brands (gold and trophy)

The Welsh Whisky Company Brecon Chocolate Orange Gin (gold)

Awildian Coromandel Spiced Gin, Coromandel Distilling Company (gold)

Dry As A Nun Gin, Distillers Republic (gold)

Stone Grange Elg Gin Likør (gold)

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 former Commercial Director of Krug, Jessica Julmy, talks to David about her latest project, overseeing the renewal of Provence Grand Cru Classé estate Chateau Galoupet, purchased by LVMH in 2019, putting sustainability front and centre. 

Drinks featured:

Domaine la Chautarde 2021 Coteaux Varois (silver)

Famille Ravoire Manon 2021 Cotes de Provence (silver)

Mirabeau Etoile 2021 (silver)

Aldi ‘Specially Selected” Cotes de Provence rosé 2020 (silver)

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Extra Brut 2013 Champagne (silver)

Caroline Kenyon talks to campaigning food writer Alex Renton about his new book 13 Foods that Shape our World, a panoramic sweep of everything from oils to spices, cocoa, bread and tomatoes, taking in politics, economics, geography and power on the way

Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Hannah Crosbie. The final episode of series two focuses on collecting and enjoying South American wine. The wines of Chile and Argentina normally feature quite strongly at the start of a wine lover’s journey – the wines are rich, ripe and enjoyable, but there’s a perception of simplicity. However, as we’ll learn with Buyer Catriona Felstead MW and Account Manager Fergus Stewart, South America offers incredible quality and value across its regions. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from our experts, visit bbr.com/podcast

Wine tasted: 2016 Pulenta Estate, Palma Carola Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

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 one of Australia’s most respected winemakers, Teresa Heuzenroeder, who moved from Yalumba to become the new senior winemaker at Petaluma last year, to talk about making wine in the Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra and the Clare Valley.

Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. For this episode, Hannah Crosbie is joined by Barbara Drew MW and Sebastian Balcombe from our Buying team to discuss the fascinating wines of Australia. Misconceptions abound when it comes to Australian wine. They are often dismissed as too big, too alcoholic or too oaky. But those myths will be dispelled as our experts illustrate why there are many that deserve a place in your cellar. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from our experts, visit bbr.com/podcast 

Wine tasted: 2013 Giaconda, Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Victoria, Australia

Belazu, food supplier to chefs and home cooks, launch Flavour Talks a podcast all about extraordinary and un-compromised flavour. This week on flavour talks we're chatting to Ixta Belfrage and Noor Murad, both of whom are cooks with a strong Yotam Ottolenghi connection. Both co-authors or authors of books, and both very good friends. We'll be talking about the pleasures and pitfalls of working in development kitchens & social media, how travelling has influenced their recipes and whether or not opening a restaurant is the ultimate goal of working in a kitchen.

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. Drinks entrepreneur Tom Gamborg, the founder of Van Hunks, joins David to talk about creating a successful new brand with Cap Classique bubbles and also why he thinks sparkling mead could be the next big thing. Plus, Freddy Bulmer of the Wine Society is back for an insight into life as a wine buyer.

Featured drinks:

Bacardi 10 Year Old Gran Reserva Diez Rum (gold)

Black Cow Vodka (silver)

Fetzer Vineyards 1000 Stories Chardonnay 2020 (silver)

La Chablisienne 2019 Grand Cru Chablis (gold)

Kilchoman 100% Islay Scotch Whisky (gold)

Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Hannah Crosbie. For this week’s episode, we sit down with our Buyers Max Lalondrelle and Adam Bruntlett to discuss the Loire.

Although the pair usually buy for Bordeaux and Burgundy, a bottle of Sancerre from Claude Riffault reveals why the Loire is of increasing importance in the world of fine wine. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from our experts, visit bbr.com/podcast

Wine tasted: 2020 Sancerre, Monoparcelle 469, Claude Riffault, Loire

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 been described as ‘the best winemaker in England’, An Irishman, Dermot Sugrue has changed the face of English sparkling wine. First at Nyetimber, then Wiston Estate and now with his own Sugrue South Downs project. Sugrue interrupts his honeymoon to chat to David about what makes England’s bubbles so special.