The Maker and The Merchant

S4 E14: Grapefruit

Have you ever wondered what happens on a winemaker's stag do? Exactly how middle class was Ferg's experience and what exactly happened to his ankle? It's a bumper episode of stuff and waffle but there's a lot of ground covered (unlike Ferg's attempt to play 'Territory').
 
In a change to the usual order of things, Lee reads the news which smooths seamlessly into some VERY bad impressions, discussions of orphans, wild tigers, and ankle injuries, and a blow by blow account of Ferg's stag do. We ask 'Exactly how far away IS Norfolk?' (especially if you're trapped in a car with Lee). How many pints is optimum and just who has the best Macallan? 
 
From here we finally discuss something wine related with talk of The London Wine Fair; Lee extolls the virtues again of @hatchmansfield (specifically looking at Chapoutier, Zuccardi, and some cool new cans from @villamariawines) and Ferg asks if there is a bigger opportunity for WineGB to play a part. Out of nowhere we review films and sitcoms, with a special shout out to Paddington. Sandwiched between all this and Ferg showing off about his rosé we make some official announcements.
 
Friends of the pod @notyetnamedwineco have some upcoming events YOU should definitely look at, one of them featuring @uk_phelps. The tremendous @thewinesociety1874 have launched some very exciting fine wine tasting kits (utilising other friends of the pod @ecosipwine revolutionary packaging). And finally it seems Lee will be out in wild hosting an event at @oxfordwinefest in September.

S4 E13: Perfectly Paired

Well dear listener, you enjoyed last week's episode with Oneka John so much, we've asked her back for a Part II. This week we uncover the challenges and potential pitfalls of importing wine into Barbados. While there are some things more unique to this beautiful island, we uncover some universal truths about forecasting, cash flow, and the perennial Ops vs. Sales. We also raise the question once again as to whether wine is an FMCG product (bet you can't guess what we think).
 
From there we consider the community surrounding wine and how to make it more accessible and inviting. Oneka talks about her Perfectly Paired events and how she uses her immense market and product knowledge to invite, excite, and engage a wide variety of consumers in the burgeoning wine scene. We look at how WSET works in the classroom setting and how it can be amended and utilised in the more consumer focused arenas. Just what is quality and how can we encourage drinkers into the discussion.
 
There's a lot here that will resonate and shows how the challenges and opportunities echo across the trade globally. 
 
Once again, with enormous thanks to our wonderful guest Oneka for finding the time to talk to Lee, and apologies that Ferg wasn't on hand to do a proper job.
 
TM&TM: Perfectly Paired Sandying your Lane from Thursday morning.
 
@onekajohn @vignobleswineconsultancy @fergelias #podcast #wine #winecast #Barbados #import #distribution.

S4 E12: It's Good To Wake Up In Paradise

Where is Ferg? Is he over there? Maybe he's over here? What we can say is he's nowhere to be found on this episode. Travelling for work or some noise. Given that the general approach of TM&TM is to record 2 friends talking, we have continued in that vein as Lee talks to one of his closest friends (we are amazed to learn he has them too), the wonderful Oneka John.
 
Oneka John is a wine educator and communicator living and working in Barbados. We learn how Oneka started on her wine journey, and how she had the misfortune of running into the lesser of our 2 hosts. From there we explore the culture surrounding wine consumption in Barbados and examine the macro and micro trends and how they do (or indeed do not) reflect the larger global feel of wine consumption.
 
There's talk of history, migration, and the way wine captures a huge amount of social, religious, and geographical changes. Oneka discuss the differences in wines to be found in local rum shacks all the way up to prestigious hotel and restaurant settings, with great insight from her time 'Selling down the trade' and extensive HORECA experience. We touch on consumer attitudes and potential opportunities (before we dive into this in more detail in our follow up episode)
 
Having no Ferg is rough on the pod, and we couldn't trust it with Lee, but we think you'll agree that Oneka is a fabulous guest.
 
TM&TM: It's Good To Wake Up In Paradise Pudding your souse from Thursday morning.
 
@fergelias @onekajohn @vignobleswineconsultancy #podcast #wine #winecast #Barbados 

S4 E11: Profound insights (Norway pt 2)

We knew you wouldn't be happy with only 1 episode dedicated to and filled with the lustrous rich tones of Christian Helsvig A.K.A. Our Man In Norway. Not wanting to lose out on that rich timbre and deep knowledge, we flew Ferg back out to @vin_oslo (with huge thanks to them once again for hosting) to continue the conversation from last week. Having touched on the inner and outer workings of the Norwegian Monopoly and interrogating some sales data, in this episode we find ways of asking similar questions in multiple ways. There's a strong cultural focus this time as we look at seasonal trends, Buckfast (still not sure why to be honest) and a truly amazing sales statistic.
 
We also finally bring back our favourite patented TM&TM game in the form of [guest name][affirmative][guest name][negative]. As we cast an eye to the future of wine consumption in Norway Christian shares a piece of thought and insight that is perhaps the most profound thing ever uttered on this podcast and that has wide reaching implications for us all. Ferg and Christian also finally get something to eat; tune in to find out what's on the menu.

S4 e10 TM&TM: Monopoly Wine Monopoly Properly (Norway pt.1)

We've heard Ferg talk about Norway, wine in Norway, trips to Norway, and brown cheese but can we really take him at his word? Is all this just the romanticism of drinking Balfour Brut Rosé whilst pining for the fjords? TM&TM Senior Leadership made the groundbreaking decision that Ferg should return to this magnificent country but gain insight and intel from a real man on the inside. Dear listener, we are delighted to introduce to you the mighty, the majestic, the outrageously handsome Christian Helsvig. Wine importer extraordinaire; Christian doesn't just set pulses racing, he's not just got his finger on the pulse of the Norwegian wine scene...he IS the pulse.
 
We uncover the hows wheres and why of Christian's relationship with wine and starting his business. From here we engage in a perilous quest to understand the nuances, challenges, successes, and trends of wine in Norway. What works and what's hot? Where are the opportunities and just why do the Norwegians love English wine so much? This is an episode packed more tightly than a coiled sponge but fear not...there's a sequel in post-production.
 
With huge thanks to @vino-oslo the fabulous wine bar for hosting Christian and Ferg during the recording and for keeping them well fed and watered. Lee remained in the hovel that is TM&TM Towers.
 
TM&TM: Monopoloy Monopoly Wine Monopoly Properly sailing into the inlet on Thursday morning.

S4 E9 Ipso Facto It's Already Wrong

What came first: wine or existence itself? The answer might surprise you. But after tackling such a huge subject in our intro Ferg & Lee head into the mysterious world of Low & No. What exactly are these beverages and who is drinking them. Importantly, why are they drinking them and does the quality measure up? We consider where these products sit now against where they were, and just where they might be going. Are you a Low & No drinker? What are your favourites? Following this we somehow veer off into the world of beer, faults, and just how much Lee's standup is actually worth. Alongside the revelation that Ferg has a new Pinot we then consider wines, regions, and countries that may not be considered 'mainstream' but are nonetheless gaining some consumer attention. Where should we be looking for 'the next big thing'?
Finally we touch on the concept of natural and minimal intervention. Covering the whos the whys and thewhats Ferg & Lee look for some definitions and conclusions.

S4 E8: Captain Of Industry

Just what is an expert? Are you an expert? Do you know an expert? What about being a lieutenant (junior grade) of commerce? Ferg opens by telling us about his new moniker before we dive into the shocking news of declining Champagne sales. Who is not drinking Champagne? Why not? And just what are they drinking instead? We explore this piece of news with the rigorous investigative standards you would expect from TM&TM and attempt to understand the changing face of sparkling wine consumption in the UK. Where are the opportunities for non-Champagne fizz and what do they need to do to further engage and excite the drinker?
 
TM&TM: Captain of Industry being fermented in bottle from Thursday morning.

S4 E7: Strategic Nutrition

What two things are aesthetically perfect in this world? Is one of them a vineyard in spring? As sure as spring follows winter there is an array of work to be completed in those vineyards and who better to guide us through this work than Supreme Head Chief Director of Wine, Winemaking, & News Generation, our very own Fergus Elias. In an unexpectedly corporate shift, he guides us through a SWOT analysis of an English vineyard in spring.
 
Just what are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats that need to be considered? Have we mistimed our recording and release dates for this episode? How would things look if we had a whale's eye view? And just what do we need to think about when it comes to shoot thinning, spray timing, and labour efficiency?
 
We include famous Bristolians, groundhog like prognostications, and learn just how exactly Lee convinced Jancis to publish something he'd written.
 
This is more than just an allegory with a cork, this IS a 360 overhead real time big picture view of an English vineyard in Spring.

S4 E6: Heisenberg's Uncertain Tasting Note

Logic, logic, logic...is the beginning of wisdom, not the end. But where does logic belong in a tasting note? If it belongs at all? Can something so abstract be articulated accurately? Can we construct a universally understood framework in the face of an uncaring, entropic, and non-objective reality? What is the very fabric of this thing of which we speak so freely and just who is it for?
 
Yes...it's one of 'those' episodes dear listener. We delve into the concept of tasting notes and attempt to explore how they're constructed and what we hope to achieve in the process. Alongside this Lee finally defines his name and we learn exactly* where you can procure the fruits of Ferg's labours. We learn more about how Ferg proposed to his beloved fiancée (and soon to be wife: EXCITED!) and Ferg answers one of Lee's longest held questions: What IS a boysenberry?
 
We explore also the perils of talking to the public, the power of hydrogen, reducing sugars, and ethanol as well as asking what YOU in the trade want from wine comms...and conversely what YOU the consumer would find helpful?
 
All this and more in TM&TM: Heisenberg's Uncertain Tasting Note - quantumly entangled in a Hadron collision from Thursday morning.
 
*well, maybe not 'exactly'

S4E5: A Critical Mass Of Talent

Grapes: the final frontier. These are the recordings of The Maker & The Merchant. Their continuing mission: to explore strange new wines; to seek out new puns and new levels of humour; to boldly go where no pod has gone before!
That's right. Ferg hasn't just attended the Next Gen Fruit Conference, he IS the Next Gen fruit conference. Wearing his finest starfleet dress uniform, Ferg gave a talk on growing grapes in the UK to some of the finest agricultural minds in the industry. But just what is The Next Gen Fruit Group? What is its Prime Directive, and can they redirect all power to forward shields? Joking aside we learn from Ferg about the differences in knowledge, understanding, and potentially foresight between UK fruit growers and grape growers. What are his key takeaways? Where can grape growers learn from those who grow top fruit and soft fruit (and, err, what is the difference between those two things?)
 
As well as this we take a quick look at the large news of Majestic purchasing Enotria & Coe and what this may or may not mean for the trade and the UK wine consumer. There's also something about Ferg causing trouble in the middle east.
 
TM&TM: A Critical Mass Of Talent available to beam down to the planet's surface from stardate 030425.