Vintage Politics

She’s one of the BBC’s most recognisable faces in Europe, reporting on everything from Brexit and political turmoil to the war in Ukraine. But after years of asking the difficult questions, it’s Katya Adler’s turn to answer a few.

The BBC’s Europe Editor joins me for a glass or two as we explore the extraordinary characters she’s encountered, the stories behind the headlines and what she really thinks about Europe’s increasingly uncertain future.

We talk about languages, life on the road, the challenges of reporting on a continent in crisis and whether Europe is quite as divided as it sometimes seems.

And with some wonderful wines on the table, we discover a rather different side to one of Britain’s best-known journalists.

Katya Adler joins me on Vintage Politics — where wine meets politics, and the conversation is anything but ordinary.

#ad. Wines are supplied by Corney & Barrow, with Anthony’s vintage bottle provided by Vintage Wine & Port. For your chance to win an ETO, visit: https://www.vintagepoliticspod.com

From apprentice at 16 to Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan took an unconventional route into politics. On Vintage Politics, she talks openly about how her years in business shaped her, the pressures of leading the Department for Education, including the RAAC crisis, and what it was like to leave Westminster behind. There are serious reflections, some unexpected laughs, and a glass of rosé along the way.

#ad. Wines are supplied by Corney & Barrow, with Anthony’s vintage bottle provided by Vintage Wine & Port. For your chance to win an ETO, visit: https://www.vintagepoliticspod.com

This week on Vintage Politics, former Chancellor George Osborne joins me for a conversation about the highs and lows of his political career, Britain’s decision to leave the EU, and why he’s optimistic about AI. He also explains why the Bayeux Tapestry matters and how he helped bring it to the British Museum. All this and wines from Old World Europe and a very special vintage Barolo.

#ad. Wines are supplied by Corney & Barrow, with Anthony’s vintage bottle provided by Vintage Wine & Port. For your chance to win an ETO, visit https://www.vintagepoliticspod.com

Anthony Scaramucci joins Vintage Politics to talk about his new book All the Wrong Moves, where America went wrong, why Trumpism took hold and what happens next.

He talks Trump, the future of the Republican Party, whether he could ever return to public life, and those infamous 11 days in the White House.

In the glass: an alcohol free orange wine, an American Pinot Noir and a remarkable 1964 Barolo.

#ad. This episode is sponsored by ETO - wine preserved beautifully. Wine supplied by our partner Corney & Barrow, with Anthony’s vintage bottle provided by Vintage Wine & Port. For your chance to win an ETO, visit vintagepoliticspod.com (terms and conditions apply).

Season Two of Vintage Politics begins with BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen.

Over four remarkable wines, Jeremy joins Abbie Bennington to reflect on more than four decades of frontline reporting, the human cost of war and the challenge of finding truth in some of the world’s most contested places.

It’s a candid and deeply personal conversation about journalism, politics and the stories that stay with you, generously hosted by Corney & Barrow at its London headquarters.

To discover more about the wines featured in this episode, visit vintagepoliticspod.com.

And if you’d like to get closer to the show, do consider joining the Vintage Politics Club. Members receive extra insight from the episodes, longer uncut edits, special discounts from our wine and education partners, invitations and plenty more as the Club grows.

Find out more and join at vintagepoliticspod.com.

#ad. This episode is sponsored by ETO - wine preserved beautifully. To celebrate the partnership between ETO and Vintage Politics, ETO are giving one lucky winner the chance to win an ETO decanter. Enter the competition here: https://www.etowine.com/pages/eto-x-vintage-politics (terms and conditions apply).

Season Two out on the 24th September. Great guests, incredible wines and even better stories. Including: Jeremy Bowen, Anthony Scaramucci, George Osborne and many more.

Keir Starmer is preparing to leave Downing Street — and Andy Burnham is waiting in the wings.

James Lyons, Starmer's former Director of Strategic Communications, joins me to unpack what went wrong, what happens next, and whether Labour is about to open a very different political vintage.

And in a Vintage Politics first, we'll be tasting our guest's own vintage wine in person — alongside the Prime Minister's favourite beer.

From advising some of the biggest names in British politics to finding freedom in comedy, this week on the last Vintage Politics of the series I’m joined by Baroness Hazarika, broadcaster, comedian, former political adviser and now member of the House of Lords.Over a series of remarkable wines (and the first rosé of the series) we talk about the pressures of family expectation, navigating Westminster, what politics was really like behind closed doors including some pretty bad warm white wines!Ayesha reflects on working at the heart of government, the personalities who shaped her career from Tony Blair to Harriet Harman and the surreal reality of going from the political trenches to becoming Baroness Hazarika. Honest, funny and deeply insightful, this is a conversation about ambition, identity, power and finding your own voice in some of Britain’s toughest institutions.Wines featured:M&S Classics Gavi (M&S)Bosio Boschedor 2015 (Hedonism)Les Clos Peyrassol 2024 (Majestic)Glenfarclas 20 Year Old Whisky 1975 (Hedonism)Barbeito Single Cask Boal Vinha do Charlot 2005 (Hedonism)

In this penultimate episode of Vintage Politics series one I’m joined by Lord Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, who oversaw the historic 1997 handover.

We look back at that pivotal moment and ask how relations between Hong Kong, China and the West have shifted and, in his view, deteriorated in the years since.

We also explore why the University of Oxford seems to produce so many British prime ministers, and what that reveals about power and political networks.

And after a lifetime in public life from Westminster to the world stage, Lord Patten reflects on the lessons that still resonate today and the role he considers his greatest achievement - it might just surprise you.

All over some great wines from Oxford to China and a first for Vintage Politics… a cocktail with a royal connection.

Wines featured:

Yalumba Y Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022/23, Australia (Majestic)

Hundred Hills First Edition 2018 England (The Finest Bubble)

Célèbre Red, Yunnan China 2018 (Vinum Eurus)

Heritage Grande Champagne Cognac 1944 (Hedonism)

A true heavyweight of political journalism joins Vintage Politics.

This week, John Pienaar brings decades of reporting from the front line of politics to the podcast — with candid insights on Boris Johnson, Brexit and why it remains “lying in the bloodstream of our politics”, US presidential elections, and the legendary political all-nighters that sometimes ended with a champagne breakfast.

It’s a rich conversation full of stories, sharp analysis and hard-earned perspective — with, of course, great wines along the way. Expect great conversation, great insight and a vintage political discussion not to miss.

Wines featured:

Mid week wine: Morrisons The Best Beaujolais (Morrisons)

Pauline Collin Bereche Ludes Vielles Vignes 2019 (Hedonism)

Côte de Brouilly, Domaine Lafarge Vial, Beaujolais 2016 (Corney and Barrow)

Aloxe-Corton Les Vercots 1er Cru Maison Morey-Blanc 2019 (Corney and Barrow)

Hermitage Grande Champagne 1957 (Hedonism)