The Maker and The Merchant

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.

S4e4 1234

Do you like numbers? How about addition, multiplication, and addition? Do you have a keen interest in English wine of the economics of wine production? Are you interested in starting your own vineyard or winery? Then have we got an episode for you. In this mathematically heavy yet vital episode, Ferg guides Lee through the numbers and sums behind a bottle of English wine. Yes, there are the usual tangents, efforts at humour, and tenuous links, but at the heart of this episode beats a strong desire to unpick the real numbers and analyse just how the whole thing works.
 
Ferg drops the numbers, Lee does the sums, and we end up a real-time breakdown of costs, a metaphysical discussion on the concept of labour, and a final number at how much you'll need to start you own winery.
 
So strap in, put your accountant on speed dial, and prepare your abacus for TM&TM 1234. Available down the back of the sofa from Thursday morning.

S4 E3 I'm Not Trying To Roll Quenelles Here...

Last week we teased Lee talking about some TV thing he's wangled his way into. This being Lee he does talk about it, but he talks about a load of other stuff first. That's right, this is a long haul. Firstly, Lee finally gets round to talking about Kingsbarn's Coaltown whisky, that he was kindly sent some time ago. Lee talks about his love and history with whisky and guides us through what sounds like a fabulous single malt. Lowland whisky, matured in ex-peated casks, and with more aromas and flavours than you can shake a quaich at. With sincere thanks to Charles Wilson and the Wemyss Family for this gifted bottle. We'll share shortly some advice on where and how to procure yourself a bottle or 3.
 
Ferg fills us in on his busy schedule from sushi pairing and G-splitting to bottling and being buttered up, he continues to live at unimagineable speed. We ask all our listener to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't wear himself out before his stag do. Wedding, we mean wedding. That's obviously more important.
 
Lee goes on (which is a complete sentence in itself) to explore a webinar he cohosted for his day job with the WSET and describes a little more about his day to day work. Then there's some noise about how he's an Oxford lecturer and then, the big reveal, which we revealed last week, that he is involved in a fabulous new wine TV concept. Just what is Incogvino? Who is in it? How can you find out more? Well, you can start by listening in here.
 
So sit down, tune in, and pour a large dram for the podcast with a stellar cast...available next to the Soylent Green in Aisle 5 from Thursday morning...

S4 E2: Iambic Pentameter

The first thing we need to say about this week’s episode is that it follows straight on from last week’s. Which sounds obvious now we’ve written it down. But it does follow on, as in, we didn’t bother to record even the shortest, sweetest intro to remind you what happened last week. So, if you didn’t listen to last week there will be loads of gags, callbacks, and references and you’ll miss out. But we’ve warned you now so it’s on you.
We continue our English wine introspective and ask not what can English wine do for you, but what can you do for English wine? How can we continue to grow, and what exactly is the role of the off-trade and how can we work together to build an unbeatable team of superheroe…English wine scene.
We briefly cover Lee’s hobbies which seem to now include attempts at topical humour, considering wine terminology, and telling Richard Harris stories. Which naturally leads us to Shakespeare, asking what links James Bond and Indiana Jones, and asking our dear listener a big question.
While Lee solidifies his nerd credentials, Ferg gets creative, and we consider just who owns the rights to TM&TM and exactly who it is all for? Lee drops a bombshell about recording a PILOT (and explains why this should be in upper case).
So, Season 4 continues [should we insert an adjective to suggest to presence of momentum and excitement?] with TM&TM: Iambic Pentameter. Available to podcast from your download place this Thursday morning

S4 E1: What A **** Shambles...

We know the disappointment. We feel your pain. The ennui…yes, we’re back. And your worst fears have been realised: Lee has returned with us. For the one of you that missed Ferg’s witty and insightful commentary, and Lee’s…whatever, you can rejoice. TM&TM is back and being piped into your earboxes through the medium of sound.
In our first episode back after a lengthy mid-season break Lee extolls the virtue of snooker (yes, it really does get off to a rocky start). Ferg takes us ‘under the hood’ of English wine. We’re not sure how that works or why he’s practicing to be an American. We move seamlessly from cats to duty rates and why they’re a brilliant thing and the best decision any government has ever made.
If you’ve ever wondered what influencers and dolphins have in common, this is the show for you as we also ask ‘when is a middleman not a middleman’
TM&TM: What A **** Shambles… available to lodpod from your castloads this Thursday morning.
We’re back.

Grubby Hole Diggers pt II (ft Jack Merrylees) The last drop

We know, we know—this episode is a bit late! With Lee off on a well-deserved summer holiday, Ferg took over the editing duties, which somehow turned into a 10-day epic. But, as they say, good things come to those who wait!
In this season finale, Ferg and Jack take the reins for the second part of our deep dive into the history of wine. From the Romans’ questionable attempts to cultivate vineyards in chilly Britain to the Dark Ages, where viticulture all but vanished, our dynamic duo explores how wine managed to survive and thrive in England against all odds. They dive into the role of monasteries in keeping the wine flowing through medieval times and how the love for a good glass of vino persisted despite plagues and freezing temperatures.
But it’s not all serious history! Expect plenty of laughs as Ferg and Jack debate the Romans’ wine-making skills and share how English wine made its comeback post-war. As they wrap up this two-part special—and the series—you'll find out why the story of wine in England is as much about resilience as it is about taste.
So, grab a glass and join us for one last toast before we cork it up for a well-earned break. Cheers! 🥂

TM&TM: Grubby hole diggers - Jack Merrylees and the potted history of wine

The end is nigh, after 7 months and 42 episodes season 3 of The Maker and The Merchant is finally coming to a conclusion. Fear not however as we have two more episodes to share with you as we bring this season to a close prior to our summer break. Unfortunately Lee misread the communication from TM&TM hr and has already started his summer hols. Fortunately Ferg was joined by the inimitable Jack Merrylees, Marketing director at Balfour Winery and general history buff. This week Ferg and Jack desperately try to get from the first grape vine to "hommo Winemaker" the evolutionary state human attain prior to ascension. Expect random interludes when the chickpea curry arrives, a very loud cough Ferg wasn't able "to fix in post" and the regular inclusion of a rather loud German Shepherd. It's a fascinating episode leaving you, dear listener on a knife edge to hear more. TM&TM Grubby Hole Diggers get it ere now