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

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Journey’s End estate at the far end of the Stellenbosch region, close to the ocean, to meet winemaker, Mike Dawson, to talk about terroir, sustainability, the rising stature of South African wine and the impact of the Cape Doctor.

Wines featured, all gold medal winners:

Journey’s End The Pioneer Malbec 2022

De Morgenzon Reserve Syrah 2021

Newstead Blanc de Blancs MCC Brut 2017

Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2022

Cederberg Shiraz 2020

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Sicily’s only DOCG, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, is David’s focus this week as he chats to Stefano Girelli, of Santa Tresa and Cortese, a passionate advocate for the region who sold his wineries in northern Italy to pursue organic viticulture on the island.  

Medal winners featured:

Scoccia Siciliano Amaro Al Carrubo E Zagara (gold)

The Wine Society’s Sicilian Reserve Red, Nosio, 2020 (Silver)

Fattoria La Vialla Passito Moscato 2022 (Silver) 

M&S Found Lucido 2023 (Silver)

Asda Extra Special Sicilian Reserve 2020 (Silver)

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. China is now the world’s sixth most important producer of wine and the country’s cuveés are winning new acclaim from international experts. David is joined by two Masters of Wine, Susie Barrie and Antony Moss, to reflect on the inaugural IWSC global judging in China.

Wines featured, all gold medal winners:

Mihope vineyards, Chateau Mihope Reserve Dry Red Wine 2019

Ningxia Mulando Co, Mulando M365, Red 2021

Yunnan Zangditianxiang Wine Pabala Ecological Icewine NV

Xuzhou Hanxiang Liquor Co, Nabaifu Vidal Icewine Reserva 2018

Tiansai Vineyards Skyline of Gobi Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2021

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. It is one of South Africa’s most celebrated and successful premium wines, ‘The Chocolate Block’, a red blend led by Syrah, that changes every year according to the vintage, and has evolved with the times. David meets its creator, Marc Kent at Boekenhoutskloof, in Franschhoek, to hear the story of its success.

Medal winners featured, all gold medal winners:  

Vilafonté Series M 2019

Constantia Glen Two 2022

Spier 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Warwick Estate The Blue Lady 2020

Klein Constantia Vin De Constance 2020

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Castilla y León to explore Ribera del Duero, meeting the winemakers who have put this Spanish region on the fine wine map, including Master of Wine Almudena Alberca and the creator of Pingus, Peter Sisseck.

Medal winners featured:

Finca Sobreño Ildefonso 2018, Toro (gold)

Bodegas Valdubón Honoris 2021, Ribera del Duero (silver)

Jesús Madrazo Seleccion 2019, Ribera del Duero (silver)

Tesco Finest Ebeia 2022, Ribera del Duero (silver)

Pradorey Real Sitio de Ventosilla Salgüero 2019, Ribera del Duero (silver) 

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s joined by CEO and co-owner of Champagne Bruno Paillard, Alice Paillard, to talk about taking over from her father, who established the house in 1981. Their wide-ranging chat includes extra brut, post-disgorgement ageing, climate change and her role as a female pioneer.

Medal winners featured:

Charles Heidsieck Blanc Des Millénaires Brut 2014 (gold)

Henriot Cuvée Hemera Brut Grand Cru 2013 (gold)

Lanson Le Blanc De Blancs Brut NV (gold)

Abelé 1757 Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut NV (gold) 

Pommery Apanage 1874 Brut NV (silver)

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Bourbon or rye, blended or single malt, the USA and Canada offer a wealth of whiskies, from heritage styles that predate Prohibition or the latest innovations. Dawn Davies MW of Speciality Drinks chats to David about the inaugural IWSC judging in Kentucky.

Gold and gold outstanding winners featured:

Toasted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Peerless Distilling

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Bulleit Rye 10 YO American Straight Rye Whiskey

Five Trail Barrel Proof Batch 003 Blended American Whiskey, by Coors Spirits

Cabernet Cask Select American Single Malt Whiskey by Virginia Distillery Company

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Continuing his look at what’s in store for 2025, David talks bar trends with Emma Hutchison, Executive Creative Director at Sweet&Chilli - an agency with offices in London, Sydney, New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo, and Paris - to hear more about what the world’s best bars might be serving up this year.

Drinks featured, all gold medal winners:

St. Nicholas Abbey 12 YO Cask Strength Rum

Three Ships 13 Yo Cape Ruby Cask Finish

Código 1530 Blanco Tequila

Calvados Lecompte 25 YO Calvados Pays d’Auge

8 Friends Vanilla Advocaat

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In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. ‘The Chief’ is back with his annual predictions for what’s in store for the drinks world. As editor in chief of The Buyer, Richard Siddle, has his finger on the pulse and he shares his insights with David, including tax changes, a stylistic shift in English wine and what a returning President Trump might mean for booze.

Drinks featured:

Destilaria Portuguesa Amarguinha Sour RTD (gold)

Levantine Hill Katherine's Paddock Chardonnay 2021 (gold)

Marisco Vineyards The Craft Series Pride And Glory Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (gold and trophy)

Oyster Bay Cuvée Brut NV (gold) 

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