Drinking Well with Berry Bros. & Rudd
Drinking Well with Berry Bros. & Rudd
FoodFM
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.
Dan Keeling – The rituals of wine, making new discoveries and Poulsard
In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by wine merchant, writer and restaurateur Dan Keeling. Dan launched cult wine magazine Noble Rot in 2013, while working in A&R for a record label. It has now been succeeded by three Noble Rot restaurants. With a bottle of Poulsard, Dan tells Barbara more about the rituals of wine he enjoys, the delights of sharing bottles at special moments and the often misunderstood world of natural wines.    Featured bottle: 2022 Côtes du Jura, Poulsard, Clos des Fraisiers, Domaine de Montbourgeau   You can browse our full selection of Jura wines here.   Find out more about Noble Rot here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 27, 2025
39 min
Jeremy Sturges – tea blending, seasonal variation and Gigondas
Master Tea Buyer and Blender for Twinings Jeremy Sturges spends his days tasting raw materials for use in their teas and meeting the growers.     As they enjoy a bottle of Gigondas, Jeremy and Barbara cover the optimum tea brewing time, how seasonality can affect tea plants and the elegant symmetry between tasting wine and tasting tea.   Featured bottle: 2020 Gigondas, Cuvée Tradition, Moulin de la Gardette, Rhône   You can browse our full selection of Rhône wines here: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Rhône   If you’d like to find out more about Twinings and Jeremy’s role, you can do so here: Twinings - Masterful Buyers & Blenders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025
52 min
Neil Ridley – fun food pairings, rock ‘n’ roll and Mezcal
Our podcast guest for this episode is drinks writer, broadcaster and “crisp sommelier” Neil Ridley. Together, he 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 some of your favourite nibbles. Featured bottle: Convite Mezcal, Tobala, Joven, Mexico (42%) If you would like to browse our selection of Scotch whiskies, simply follow this link: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Scotch whiskies You can find out more about Neil Ridley here: Neil's website To purchase a copy of Neil’s book “The Crisp Sommelier”, follow this link: The Crisp Sommelier by Neil Ridley - Bloomsbury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 10, 2025
36 min
Melania Battiston – Retsina, the role of the sommelier and New Zealand Chardonnay
This week, Barbara speaks to Melania Battiston, Wine Director at Cornus restaurant. With a bottle of New Zealand Chardonnay, they discuss the surprisingly simple science of food and wine pairing, Melania’s passion for introducing new people to wine and why you should always be honest with a sommelier.   Featured bottle: 2016 Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu, New Zealand   To browse our selection of New Zealand wines, simply follow this link: https://www.bbr.com/region-3-new-zealand   Discover more about Melania’s wine list at Cornus (and perhaps make a reservation) here: https://cornusrestaurant.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 3, 2025
43 min
Robin Gill – Bees, natural wines and simple, seasonal dining
In this episode, Barbara is joined by chef and restaurateur Robin Gill. Together, they discuss Robin’s passion for local and seasonal ingredients, particularly at his vibrant restaurant, Darby’s. They also explore the natural wine movement, the vivacity of Italy’s wines and cuisine and why beekeeping isn’t such a buzz if you haven’t got the know-how.   Featured bottle: 2021 Capo Martino, Jermann, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy   You can browse our selection of Italian white wines here.   Find out more about Darby’s – and its excellent terrace – here: https://www.darbys-london.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27, 2025
40 min
Alessandro Palazzi – Martinis, lemons and the joy of Vermouth
In the opening episode of our sixth series, we are joined by Alessandro Palazzi – Head Bartender at Dukes Hotel, No.3 Gin ambassador and veritable maestro of the Martini. Together, he and Barbara discuss the elegance of simplicity in cocktails, the joy of Vermouth and why, in the world of hospitality, we are always learning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20, 2025
45 min
Jill Douglas - Cycling, MND and Loire Sauvignon Blanc
In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by broadcaster and sports journalist Jill Douglas MBE. For seven years, Jill was CEO of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (also Berry Bros. & Rudd’s chosen charity partner), created by late Scotland rugby player, Doddie Weir. With a bottle of Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Jill tells Barbara more about her work with MND, the buzz of covering the Olympics and her love for a dry martini. Featured bottle: 2023 Reuilly Blanc, Les Pierres Plates, Denis Jamain, Loire Click here to browse our selection of Loire whites.  If you would like to discover a white Burgundy for yourself then browse our range here. To find out more about the perfect No.3 Gin martini, click here. You can make a donation to My Name’5 Doddie here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 17, 2024
39 min
Michel Roux – Food and wine pairing, Sauternes and Sake
Chef Michel Roux has made the pursuit of taste and culinary excellence his life’s work, particularly at his much-missed restaurant, Le Gavroche. As they enjoy a bottle of aromatic sake, Michel and Barbara cover the joys of food and wine pairing, the magic of Sauternes and what Christmas looks like in the Roux household. Featured bottle: IWA 5, Assemblage 3, Shiraiwa K.K. Brewery, Toyama Prefecture, Sake You can browse our full Sake selection here: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Sake To browse our selection of Sauternes, follow this link: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Sauternes  If you’d like to find out more about food and wine pairing for Christmas, here is our expert guide: Berry Bros. & Rudd - What to eat and drink this Christmas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 3, 2024
37 min
Patrick Grant – Tea, tailoring and Scotch whisky
Our podcast guest for this episode is tailor and “The Great British Sewing Bee” judge Patrick Grant. Together, he and Barbara enjoy a special single malt Scotch whisky as they discuss sustainable fashion, craftsmanship and the importance of seeking out quality. To browse our selection of spirits from Nc’nean Distillery, follow this link: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Nc'nean Distillery If you would like to browse our selection of single cask whiskies, simply follow this link: Berry Bros. & Rudd - Single cask whiskies You can find out more about Patrick’s Community Clothing label here: Community Clothing To purchase a copy of Patrick’s book “Less”, follow this link: Less by Patrick Grant - Harper Collins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 26, 2024
44 min
Katharine Pooley – The inspiration of travel, collecting and South African Cabernet Sauvignon
This week, Barbara speaks to interior designer Katharine Pooley. With a bottle of South African Cabernet Sauvignon, they explore the theme of wine as art, the creative inspiration of travelling and Katharine’s collection of recipes.    Featured bottle: 2021 Damascene, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa To browse our selection of wines from Damascene, simply follow this link: https://www.bbr.com/producer-4868-damascene-vineyards Discover more about Katharine’s work, particularly a wine room she created for the Château de la Croix des Gardes in Cannes, at her website: https://katharinepooley.com/portfolio/cannes-chateau/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 19, 2024
41 min
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