Welcome to the home of Drinking Well, the podcast designed to help you enjoy and shape your wine collection.
In the latest series of our podcast, we discover what happens when a Master Tea Blender, a restaurateur and a cocktail maestro sit down for a chat with a Master of Wine. Listen as we uncork the connections between creativity, craft and the culture of wines, spirits and hospitality. We delve into the magic of connecting through cocktail making, savouring wines paired with certain foods, and sharing these convivial moments.
Recorded in the Bourne room at our historic home, No.3 St James’s Street, join us in conversation hosted by Barbara Drew MW.
Series Six Episodes
Alessandro Palazzi: Martinis, lemons and the joy of Vermouth
We are joined by Alessandro Palazzi - Head Bartender at Duke's Hotel and maestro of the Martini. We discuss the elegance of simple cocktails and why, in the world of hospitality, we are always learning.
Robin Gill: Bees, natural wine and seasonal dining
In this episode, Barbara and chef Robin Gill discuss his passion for local seasonal ingredients, particularly at his restaurant Darby's. They also explore natural wine, the vivacity of Italy's cuisine, and why beekeeping isn't such a buzz if you haven't got the know-how.
Melania Battiston: Retsina, the sommelier and NZ Chardonnay
This week, we speak to Melania Battiston, Wine Director at Cornus, to discuss the surprisingly simple science of food and wine pairing and why you should always be honest with a sommelier.
Neil Ridley: fun food pairings, rock 'n' roll and Mezcal
Drinks writer, broadcaster and "crisp sommelier" Neil Ridley and Barbara enjoy a Mezcal as they discuss his former life at a record label, artisanal spirits, tricky pronunciations like Bunnahabhain and the fun of exploring flavour with your favourite nibbles.
Jeremy Sturges: tea blending, seasonal variation and Gigondas
Over a bottle of Gigondas, Jeremy Sturges - Master Tea Buyer and Blender for Twinings - and Barbara cover the optimum tea brewing time, how seasonality can affect tea plans and the elegant symmetry between tasting wine and tasting tea.
Dan Keeling: Poulsard, new discovers and the rituals of wine
Wine writer, merchant and restaurateur Dan Keeling tells us about the rituals of wine he enjoys, the delights of sharing bottles at special moments and the oft-misunderstood world of natural wines.
Series
Series One
In our first series, you'll hear from our expert Buyers and Account Managers as they explore the most exciting developments in key fine wine regions. They also reveal our team's favourite wines and producers.
Series Two
In our second series, we uncork and discuss wines which our experts have pulled from their own collections. These could be wine regions you might not have discovered, but which undoubtedly deserve to be on your radar.
Series Three
Our third series explores the joy of collecting and enjoying wines and spirits with six of our in-house experts. Covering topics from provenance to sustainability, we open a bottle with each guest to further explore these themes.
Series Four
Our fourth series explores the future of wine and spirits with in-house experts and industry friends. Listen as we cover everything from English spirits to the trends in fortified wines, over a favourite bottle of our guests' choosing.
Series Five
In our fifth series, we welcome guests from other creative industries: art, sport, craft, music and food. Over bottles of delicious wines and spirits, we discuss their favourites, memories and experiences, and how creativity and expression jostle into our world too.
Hosts
Barbara Drew MW
Barbara joined the wine trade in 2011, knowing, in hindsight, very little about wine. She became a Master of Wine in 2018, one of 415 MWs worldwide. For 10 years she worked in Berry Bros. & Rudd’s events team, hosting many of our dinners, masterclasses and courses. She now leads our content team, working on new ways to educate, inspire and support our customers as they build and enjoy wine collections
Hannah Crosbie
Hannah worked for Berry Bros.& Rudd as a writer in 2021-22 and hosted series one and two of Drinking Well. Hannah discovered a love for a wide variety of wine regions from her time working in hospitality; to this day she retains a special fondness for Champagne and Burgundy.
