The Premier Cru - Wine Podcast

We have decided to pause The Premier Cru podcast. This episode is just a quick announcement and an opportunity to say a huge thank you for tuning each week and supporting the show. We hope you enjoyed every minute of the content!We will be keeping up The Premier Cru Instagram account (@the_premier_cru), starting up a new wine of the week series, featuring a wine that we love or want to try weekly. Follow us on Instagram if you want recommendations on what wines to drink next. Of course, we will be the first to let you know, if/when we get the opportunity to get the podcast back up and running. Thank you again for all your support in the meantime!

We welcome Gabriele Gorelli, Master of Wine, to The Premier Cru!I recently had the opportunity to visit Montalcino and go on a tour of the region. It was exceptional fun and a highlight was attending a seminar, delivered by Gabriele and the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino, introducing a new research project they have conducted. The output is a new map of the region, which is as detailed as you find in other fine wine regions, such as Burgundy or Barolo. For wine geeks, its the perfect resource to understand and investigate the profiles of producers and individual wines in more depth. In addition, they have created a new method to evaluate the characteristics of each vintage. They have moved away from a quantitative 5-star rating, to a qualitative evaluation using 3 words that summarise the vintage. Traditional wine media has given higher scores for vintages that are more powerful and intense. This new method has the potential to be far more nuanced and to enable consumers to select the vintage that best matches their palate. Both developments are going to greatly enhance our understanding of Brunello, making this episode a must listen for anyone passionate about the region and Sangiovese!On this episode we briefly introduce you to Brunello as a region and then discuss all of Gabriele's research. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. If you have not already, then please also follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome Sunny Hodge to The Premier Cru! Sunny is the Founder of two wine bars, Diogenes The Dog and Aspen & Meursault, and the author of a newly published book, called a "Cynic's Guide to Wine".Sunny's academic background is in engineering and that made him continually question his wine education once he started his career in hospitality. Finding wine textbooks and answers from people in the trade insufficient, Sunny started researching the scientific principles that answered his questions. The book is the output of his research and uses science to challenge many assumptions and ideas that have been handed down generations in the wine trade.So the focus of this episode is wine science as we investigate what TRULY impacts the flavour of your favourite wines. We also taste a wine on the episode, applying Sunny's frameworks and principles! This episode is for you if you love science or simply have a slightly cynical perspective on some of the b*llsh*t you hear from sommeliers (and myself!).If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to part three of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines. In this episode we move from the the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne to the Côte des Bar, which is one of the most exciting sub-regions within Champagne. Historically it has been viewed as secondary to sub-regions further north. However, the silver lining is that land prices are therefore a lot cheaper making it an attractive destination for some of Champagne's rising stars. The inspiration to many of the new growers in the sub-region is none other than Bertrand Gautherot of Domaine Vouette & Sorbée, who I have the pleasure of welcoming to The Premier Cru. Bertrand practices biodynamic viticulture with a capital "B" and low intervention winemaking and won critical acclaim for his wines long before people paid close attention to the Côte des Bar.On the episode we discuss:The history of the DomaineThe terroir of the Côte des BarBiodynamic viticultureWe also taste two of the Domaine's wines on the podcast: Fidele and ExtraitIf you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to the part one of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines.We welcome Arthur Larmandier of Domaine Larmandier-Bernier to The Premier Cru! Larmandier-Bernier make quintessential Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. They started in the 1970s and have become one of the leading Grower Champagne Domaines. Simply put, Grower Champagne does not get much better than Larmandier-Bernier.On the episode we discuss:The history of the DomaineThe terroir of the Côte des Blancs and why it is so well suited to ChardonnayTheir approach to viticulture and winemaking to get the best terroir expression in their winesWe also taste two Larmandier-Bernier wines on the podcast: Latitude and Terre de VertusIf you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome Alex Pitt, Co-Founder of Lower Wine Bar, to The Premier Cru!When a wine bar gets set up by a team that's worked at Brat, The Clove Club, Kiln and The 10 Cases, you know it will be good. Lower has a brilliant wine list and at some of the best prices you will find in London. Right in the heart of Waterloo, the bar is intimate and welcoming with a functional cellar as an awesome private dining room. Their signature dish, Spanish tortilla, is not to be missed either.On this episode we discuss:How Lower Wine Bar was foundedAlex's favourite wine regions and producersThe best spots in London to try your favourite winesIf you want to listen to a blind tasting live then this is the episode for you. Tell us in the comments if you want more blind tastings.If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome Clément Cousin, Co-Founder of Bavette Bistro, to The Premier Cru!Clément and his partner Sandy met whilst working at Terroirs (now closed), an iconic wine bar located in central London. After honing their crafts for 10+ years , as front of house and chef respectively, they decided it was time to set up their own venture and Bavette Bistro was the result. It has been incredibly well received, winning Good Food Guide's award for "best local restaurant of the year 2024", and is a great addition to the culinary scene in Leeds.Clément is from Anjou, in the Loire Valley in France, where his father and brother manage their family's vineyards. They produce a great range of cuvées (predominantly red) that are all underpinned by organic/biodynamic viticulture and low intervention winemaking. The wines have to be labelled as Vin de France as they break many appellation "rules", making them similar to the style made popular by the likes of Mark Angeli and Richard Leroy. We taste two of his father's wines on the podcast, which are both included on Bavette Bistro's wine list.Tune into the episode as we discuss: How Bavette Bistro was founded The food and wine on offer The Cousin family vineyards in FranceIf you have not already then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

It is January, which means one thing for the wine calendar: Burgundy en primeur. As a result, we decided to welcome Jasper Morris to The Premier Cru. Jasper has established himself as the leading Burgundy wine critic, having previously imported many of the top domaines to the UK. More recently he wrote “Inside Burgundy” an in-depth guide to the wine region, which has developed into an online subscription platform. There was so much we wanted to ask Jasper that we decided to split our conversation into two parts. During part 1 this week, we discuss: How Jasper became Burgundy’s leading wine critic Weather conditions that shaped the 2023 vintage Which villages and producers performed particularly well Whether buying en primeur is worth it Follow ⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠ on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.

We welcome Patrick McGrath to The Premier Cru. Patrick has had an amazing career in the wine trade, becoming a Master of Wine in 1993 and the CEO of Hatch Mansfield. More recently he has also founded Domaine Evremond in collaboration with the Taittinger family. It represents the first attempt by a famous champagne house to produce wine in Britain. The project began in 2015 and their first non-vintage sparkling wine will be released to market in Spring 2025. Given the anticipation ahead of the release, we got the opportunity to try the wine and provide a preview! On the episode we discuss: How Domaine Evremond was founded Why the Taittinger family wanted to produce wine in Britain How they approached making their first wine How Domaine Evremond fits into the British wine landscape How Patrick became an MW Follow ⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠ on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.

We welcome Michael Sager to The Premier Cru. Michael is the Founder of: Sager + Wilde wine bar Bruno Sager + Wines Equal Parts Michael burst onto the UK wine and food scene via a wine pop-up, which inspired him to found his first venture, Sager + Wilde wine bar. It was an instant success and encouraged him to turn the concept into a brilliant restaurant in Bethnal Green (also called Sager + Wilde). Although he recently closed the restaurant, Michael has been busy establishing his latest wine bar, Bruno, and building his wine import business, Sager + Wines. Tune in as we discuss: Michael's story to founding Sager + Wilde The difficult decision to shut his flagship restaurant The challenges facing the hospitality industry His new venture in wine importing We also taste three wines imported by Michael:⁠ Esmeralda Garcia Vin Noe Parr Wines & Phelan Farm Follow ⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠ on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.

We welcome our first couple, Patrick Williams and Amy Corbin, to The Premier Cru! Patrick and Amy are the dynamic duo behind the Kudu Collective - a set of South African inspired restaurants in South London. Since opening in 2018, Patrick and Amy have been serving exceptional modern European food with a South African twist, influenced by Patrick's upbringing in South Africa. From establishing a loyal customer base as a neighbourhood restaurant to battling through COVID, they have since expanded to multiple sites. The Kudu Collective has something for everyone including a cocktail bar and a traditional braai grill! On the episode we introduce you to the Kudu Collective and discuss South African food and wine. We also taste three wines on their lists by: Pieter Ferreira Raats Family Wines Kaapzicht Follow @The_Premier_Cru on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.

We welcome Melania Battiston to The Premier Cru. Melania is one of the UK's top young sommeliers, having worked at The Medlar and Aman Hotel Group whilst running her own coaching business and judging at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Melania's latest adventure is joining David Liverpool and the team at Cornus, a new roof-top restaurant based in Belgravia. They serve delicious food grounded in the principles of French cuisine - think lobster pasta topped with caviar and Amalfi lemon. C'mon! The wine programme is equally exciting as the food, bringing together all of Melania's experience with exceptional prices. Get yourself a reservation now! On the episode we discuss what it takes to become a top sommelier and introduce you to Cornus. You can also follow @The_Premier_Cru on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.

Hedonism Wines has to be one of the most luxurious retail experiences in the UK. Think of it as a wine Disneyland including chandeliers made of wine glasses, multiple large format bottles and some of the greatest wines you can get your hands on! Hugo and Ben welcome Julien Le Doaré, General Manager of Hedonism Wines, onto the podcast. In the episode we discuss: The vision behind Hedonism Wines The range of wines available Expansion into hospitality via a Michelin star restaurant We also taste 3 wines from the Hedonism range that you can purchase online: Alkemi, Xinomavro Rose, 2022 "Clos des Epeneaux", Pommard, Comte Armand, 1990 "Le Desir", Verite, 2013 You can also follow @The_Premier_Cru on socials to keep up to date with future episodes and behind the scenes snippets.