Drinking Well with Berry Bros. & Rudd

Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Barbara Drew MW, this podcast is designed to help you enjoy and shape your fine wine collection. You’ll hear from Buyers and experts from across Berry Bros. & Rudd as they share their insights into the world’s most important fine wine regions. You’ll discover which vintages to drink – and what to look out for – in the year ahead.

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Ep 6 - Rob Symington and the future of fortifie...
In the final episode of this series, we speak to Rob Symington, Marketing Director at Symington Family Estates and part of the fifth generation of the family business. With a bottle of Graham’s 40-Year-Old Tawny Port from Rob’s own cellar, he and Barbara discuss the changing fashion for fortified wines and new, exciting ways we can enjoy them today.
42 min
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Ep 5 - Chris Pollington and the evolution of Tu...
In this episode, Account Manager Chris Pollington talks to us about all things Tuscan – from the dominance of the Sangiovese grape to the region’s Bordeaux-inspired Super Tuscan wines. Over a bottle of 2019 Poggio Valente from Fattoria Le Pupille, he and Barbara examine the origins of Super Tuscans and what the rebellion of their creators means for the future of the region’s wines.
28 min
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Ep 4 - Mark Pardoe MW on climate change and hot...
Mark Pardoe MW is our Wine Director at Berry Bros. & Rudd. Having bought over 40 vintages in his career so far, he is no stranger to the nuances of vintage variation and how climate change is affecting them. With a bottle of Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair’s Bourgogne Rouge, Les Grands Chaillots from the hot 2020 vintage, Mark and Barbara explore how warmer years are becoming the norm and what this means for your wine collection.
39 min
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Ep 3 - Emma Fox and the future of the wines and...
For this episode of Drinking Well, we speak to Berry Bros. & Rudd CEO, Emma Fox. Emma has had a finger on the industry pulse in many CMO and CEO roles since becoming a wine buyer after university. Over a bottle of Hambledon Classic Cuvée Rosé,Emma and Barbara Drew MW discuss the future of the industry, what it’s really like running a family business and where English wine might be heading.
32 min
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Ep 2 – Yoan Bernard and the Loire Valley
In this episode, we speak to Buyer Yoan Bernard about the Loire Valley and why it’s a collector’s region of the future. With a bottle of 2020 Saumur-Champigny, Les Coudraies from Domaine des Closiers, Yoan talks to us about the new style of Cabernet Franc emerging from the Loire and those bottles you simply must have in your cellar.
33 min
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Ep 1 - Daniel Szor and English spirits
In the first episode of our fourth series, we speak to Cotswolds Distillery founder, Daniel Szor. With an Own Selection bottling of 2018 Cotswolds Distillery English single malt whisky, Daniel discusses the rise of English spirits, his journey from New York to the Cotswolds and why the best barley is always local.
34 min
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Ep 6 - Charlie Rudd and Domaine Comte Armand
In the final episode of this series, we speak to Charlie Rudd, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia and fourth generation of the Rudd family. Over a bottle of 2007 Volnay from Domaine Comte Armand, he and Barbara discuss the timeless appeal of Burgundy, the joy of Singaporean food matching and the wonder of making memories with wine.
36 min
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Ep 5 - Edward Richardson and Occidental
We discuss the intricacies and the history of collecting fine wine with Private Client Manager, Edward Richardson. Edward shares a bottle of Occidental’s 2019 Station Vineyard Pinot Noir from California. As well as discussing classic fine wine regions, Edward enthuses about his regions to watch, producers to keep an eye on and how to assess whether a wine is worth collecting.
36 min
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Ep 4 - Joe Whittaker and 1998 Ben Nevis Scotch ...
Our Global Spirits Brand Ambassador, Joe Whittaker joins us for episode four to discuss all things spirits. Accompanied by a bottle of 1998 Ben Nevis Scotch whisky, Joe discusses collecting spirits, their part in a balanced cellar and our role as an independent bottler.
38 min
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Ep 3 - Tara Field and Luigi Giordano
In this episode, Barbara speaks to Tara Field, one of our Account Managers. We explore Tara’s advice for new collectors, and she shares her passion for Italian wines with a bottle of 2019 Barbaresco, Cavanna from Luigi Giordano.
35 min
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Ep 2 - Philip Moulin and 2004 Ch. du Tertre
In this episode, Barbara speaks to Philip Moulin – our fraud and fakery specialist - about provenance, storage and counterfeit wine. Tasting the 2004 vintage of both Château du Tertre and Château Brane-Cantenac, Philip illustrates how wines develop and age – and how important perfect storage is to this process.
34 min
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Ep 1 – Lizzy Rudd and Leclerc Briant
In the first episode of our third series, Barbara Drew MW speaks to the Chair of Berry Bros. & Rudd and third-generation Rudd family member, Lizzy Rudd. Over a bottle of Champagne from organic and biodynamic producer, Leclerc Briant, Lizzy discusses history, family and the vital importance of sustainability in wines and spirits.
44 min
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325th Anniversary Special – The Family Reserve
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. For this anniversary special, celebrating 325 years of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Barbara Drew MW is joined by eighth-generation family member and Creative Director Geordie Willis and Adam Holden, Director to the Chair’s Office, to discover one of the greatest wine collections in the world: the Family Reserve. Recorded within the Family Reserve cellar itself, this episode explores how this fascinating wine collection started, and how it has evolved over time. In addition, you’ll hear stories of some of the iconic wines within the collection, as well as tips on how to develop your own cellar. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from the experts, visit bbr.com/podcast.
35 min
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Christmas Special 2 – Sparkling, Sweet & Fortif...
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. This second Christmas podcast special covers the sparkling, sweet and fortified wines to open this Christmas. With Account Manager Tom Cave, and Wine Educator Rebecca Lamont, this episode covers the best ways to serve sweet wines, which Champagne vintages are tasting magnificent now, and whether it is ever acceptable to pass the port to the right. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from the experts, visit bbr.com/podcast.
35 min
15
Christmas Special 1 – Red & White Wines
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. For this Christmas podcast special, Barbara Drew MW is joined by Account Manager Amy Johnson and Commercial Manager Martyn Rolph to discover which red and white wines to open this Christmas. The episode covers both classic and more unusual whites to serve to a crowd, the Bordeaux wines which are perfect for turkey, and why large formats win every time at Christmas. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from the experts, visit bbr.com/podcast.
27 min
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Ep 6 - South America
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
24 min
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Ep 5 - Australia
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
29 min
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Ep 4 - Loire
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
25 min
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Ep 3 - Germany
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Hannah Crosbie. This week, we’ll be exploring the multi-faceted world of German wine. Because a bit of knowledge is needed to decipher their wine labels and understand their styles, German wines are something of an insider’s secret. But today, Buyer Rob Whitehead and Barbara Drew MW will explain why German wine is undoubtedly worth the extra effort. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from our experts, visit bbr.com/podcast Wine tasted: 2012 Schlossberg Riesling QbA, Eva Fricke, Rheingau
35 min
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Ep 2 - South Africa
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. For the next episode of our second series, we travel across the equator to South Africa. Often associated with producing high volumes of ready-to-drink wine, Adam Holden and Victoria Bull from our Buying team will reveal the hidden gems of this emerging fine wine region. If you’d like to hear more episodes or learn more about fine wine from our experts, visit bbr.com/podcast Wine tasted: 2005 Sadie Family Wines, Columella, Swartland, South Africa
28 min
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Ep 1 - Spain
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Hannah Crosbie. The first episode of series two concerns Spain – a varied country with very distinct regional identities. Because of this, collecting Spanish wine can often be confusing, but our Wine Director Mark Pardoe MW and Javier Perurena are here to unpick its complexities. From Rioja to Priorat all the way down to the Sherry triangle, we’ll reveal why Spanish wine deserves 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: 2009 Viña Tondonia Blanco, Reserva, Bodegas R. López de Heredia, Rioja, Spain
38 min
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Trailer - Series 2
Drinking Well is brought to you by Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hosted by Hannah Crosbie, this podcast is designed to help you enjoy and shape your fine wine collection. For our second series, recorded in our historic home on St James’s Street, we’ll be uncorking six different wines our experts have pulled from their own collections. Over the next six episodes, you’ll learn about the wine regions you may not have yet discovered, but undoubtedly deserve to be on your radar.
1 min
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Ep 6 - Champagne
For the final episode in our first season, Hannah discusses the pleasures of Champagne with Buyer Davy Zyw and Senior Fine Wine Account Manager Tatiana Humphreys. They discuss the Champagne vintages to know, just what makes vintage Champagne so special and the bottles to pop open in 2022.
28 min
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Ep 5 - Burgundy
Hannah sits down with Buyer Adam Bruntlett and Head of Commercial Management Martyn Rolph to explore the wonderful wines of Burgundy. It’s a region that never fails to charm the dedicated wine lover, so grab a glass of something good as we discover what Burgundy we should be uncorking in 2022.
39 min
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Ep 4 - USA
This week, Buyer Catriona Felstead and Senior Fine Wine Account Manager Michael Jordan bring us the collector’s guide to US wine. No stone is left unturned: they discuss the producers to watch, California and Oregon wineries to know and what US vintages we should be opening in 2022.
33 min