The Maker and The Merchant

SATURDAY 15TH: NICOLA BATES WINEGB

Who better to talk to at the beginning of English Wine Week than Nicola Bates? The Chief Executive of WineGB very kindly found time in her ridiculously busy schedule to talk to us.
Nicola talks us through the vital work of WineGB and explains the many different complex areas in which this organisation works. We assess the impact on plans of the sudden election campaign and discuss how to move forward during these turbulent times.
 
Nicola also explains the key areas of focus for WineGB and its members, before we go all JFK and ask not what WineGB can do for us, but what can we do for WineGB. Finally, we ask Nicola to highlight some important events and activity to look for during this English Wine Week. There’s a lot of ground covered for such a short episode and we hope to entice Nicola back for a more indepth chat in future. Until then, enjoy this great primer to English wine and English Wine Week.
 
Our sincere thanks again to Nicola for finding the time to chat to us.
 
@nicolabateswinegb @winegb #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147
 

TM&TM EWW

TM&TM:EWW
Hot on the heels of Welsh Wine Week and the internationally* successful TM&TM: WWW Ferg & Lee are delighted to kick things off for English Wine Week. A huge celebration of all that is great about English wine. Well, not all, because we can’t fit that in. Over the course of English Wine Week we will be talking to the makers and shakers, the groovers and movers, the people who make English wine tick.
 
This is a dynamic and exciting scene filled with vibrance, creativity, and excitement. Over the course of English Wine Week you’ll hear from growers, makers, retailers, marketers, competition organisers, and best of all, the Chief Executive of WineGB herself. So keep your pods open and your ears logged on…we’re come at you like a bullet, like a ray, like a super cool English wine.
 
Our huge thanks to everyone involved in English Wine Week, especially those who have taken the time to chat to us. @nicolabateswinegb @winegb @tasetbristol @the.iewa @dnkrbywine @flintvineyard @coolhurstvineyards @allangelsvineyard @bottleopenerltd @messy.massey @lymebaywine @jameslambertwine @theenglishwineman @hawkinsbros @mariedenisedavies @stophamvineyard @nataliaharriswine #Englishwineweek #Englishwine #DrinkEnglish #EWW #ESW #EnglishSparklingWine @fergelias @wineman147
 
*Wales is another country after all

Take Your Cos And F**k O** (Tom, Paso Primero pt 2)

Amazingly following last week’s debacle, Tom of Paso Primero (and Guardian snack feature) fame has returned to TM&TM Towers! At least this time he was prepared for a recording that had no plan, no understanding of how to conduct a tightly structured interview, and two presenters he described as ‘duelling banjos’.
This time we delve deeply into the wines crafted by Tom’s own hands (and jocks). Thanks to the magnificent Online Wine Tasting Company, Ferg and Lee each had 6 of Tom’s wines to taste (drink) and work through under Tom’s expert tutelage. Through the medium of these wines Tom shares more of his winemaking stories, Spanish adventures, and exactly how he went about crafting them.
It’s fair to say that our pair of banjos were suitably impressed. Blown away. These wines fully deserve their cult status and following, and not just because Tom himself is a class act. If you would like to try them, you can purchase the same tasting pack through The Online Tasting Club. Do it, you won’t be disappointed.
From outdated pop culture references, chasing cockerels, and dubious use of sponsorship money, this episode is another big one, but it’s a huge amount of wine tasting and story telling fun. You’ll love it.
TM&TM: Take Your Cos And F*** O*** loaddownable from your poddingcasts Thursday morning.

Not Contributing To The Science (Tom, Paso Primero pt 1)

How does a Shrewsbury boy achieve fame through the medium of savoury snacks and The Guardian newspaper while simultaneously being a rock start winemaker in Spain with a cult following? All this will be explored, and much more, in Part I of TM&TM’s interview with Thomas Holt A.K.A. Mr Paso.
The winemaking genius behind Paso Primero started life as a potential kickball star before discovering booze. Or he was injured or some other excuse. Before long he was headed to University where his contributions to science have never been questioned…as it seems there aren’t any. Suddenly it was back home to Shropshire and into the loving arms of one of the UK’s best wine merchants (for once, this isn’t actually about Bin Two)…Tanners. It was here that Tom fell in love…in more ways than one.
Following sojourns around New Zealand and Canada, it was off to Spain to establish what has quickly become an iconic brand with a fabulous story. With success in Somontano came a journey back to the world of The Kickball as Tom became the winemaker-on-call for Shrewsbury Town.
In this episode we tackle winemaking techniques, the beauty of Shropshire (especially that there flower show), and high profile celebrity encounters. Ferg improves upon his [guest name] Doo [guest name] Don’t in a way no one could have foreseen and Lee returns to pitting the two winemakers head to head in a battle of vinous wits.
It’s a big one this, and rightfully so. So settle in, kick off your dancing shoes, and be ready for Part I of a Pasodyssey.
TM&TM: Not Contributing To The Science out Thursday morning to podcast from wherever you get your downloads

SUNDAY 02ND: Liz @ St. Hilary

We round out our series on Welsh wines with a look to the future. While there are now many established vineyards in Wales, it is still new territory with new plantings and producers popping up all the time. One such producer is St. Hilary. Planted in 2021, their first harvest took place last year, with the first wines expected imminently.
 
Liz explains where the dream originated, what they planted, and their hopes for their wines, and those of the Welsh Wine industry too. Liz shares so much information and detail on the St. Hilary story you’d think they’d been established for a decade. This new vineyard has a lot of potential and early barrel sampling of the wine has yielded some very positive feedback from a knowledgeable industry figure. Learn more about them by following them at @sthilaryvineyard.
 
We have had such fun talking to all our guests over the course of this series, although we’re no closer to an answer on the badger question. Hopefully this series has revealed how adventurous, creative, and dynamic the Welsh wine industry really is. There are many more producers than the handful we’ve interviewed here, and perhaps we’ll be able to entice more to join us at TM&TM Towers soon.
 
Our sincere thanks to @vinvancymru, @thedellvineyard, @valevinesandwines, @welshwines, @terroir.iste, @whinyardrocks, @montgomeryvineyard, @velfreyvineyard, @ancrehill, and of course @sthilaryvineyard.
 
Go and get visiting and tasting Welsh wine and share with us your thoughts through social media or by emailing themakerandthemerchant@gmail.com
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147

SATURDAY 1ST: Jean @ Ancre Hill

We know what you’re thinking: how does a cool South African end up making wine in Wales? We put this question to Jean du Plessis, head winemaker at Ancre Hill. This is a BIG episode for such a short run time. Covering biodynamics, tisanes, making what nature gives you, how to get good fruit…passion pours out of every syllable.
 
So settle in and listen to the brilliant Jean share his knowledge, stories, and insights.
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation @ancrehill #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147

FRIDAY 31ST: Andy @ Velfrey

Can you believe it’s already the second Friday of Welsh Wine Week? It’s amazing how quickly time passes, especially when you’re having so much fun talking to the key players in the Welsh Wine Scene.
 
This adventure continues today with Andy Mounsey from Velfrey Vineyard. This ‘Accidental’ Vineyard is something of a Goldilocks place for growing vines. Andy shares the story of how The Mounsey’s initial plans were rather different, but a visit from an MW finally convinced them.
 
We then learn about the varieties planted, some of their vineyard techniques, and the wonderful wines they produce. This is another great 20 minutes with one of Wales’s best producers. Give it a listen.
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation @velfreyvineyard #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147

THURSDAY 30TH: Woody @ Montgomery

As we reach day 7 of Welsh Wine Week we’re fully in our stride of talking to the key players and movers and shakers of this exciting and dynamic industry. Today we head to Powys (virtually) to talk to Woody of Montgomery Vineyard. One of the most well known names in Welsh wine with great distribution Woody tells us what makes him, and Montgomery tick. From the UK’s highest vineyards to his approach to blending we learn about their varieties, location, and exercises in fine tuning.
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation @montgomeryvineyard #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147

WEDNESDAY 29TH: Susan & James @ Whinyard Rocks

Following on from yesterday’s chat with a knowledgeable consumer we head back out into the fields and valleys to continue our exploration of Welsh Wine Producers. Today we talk to Susan and James from Whinyard Rocks. Their story is one of epic romance, troublesome sheep, and altitude. Quite the combination.
 
We learn how they came to plant a vineyard on the Welsh/Herefordshire border and just how diverse their production really is. While one of the smallest producers in Wales in terms of production (perhaps the smallest at the moment?) they have plans to grow and evolve. Their story is perhaps the perfect encapsulation of the whole Welsh Wine industry.
 
From fabulously named wines, to creative production, Whinyard Rocks are not only an incredible amount of fun, they’re a producer to really keep your eyes (and ears in this instance) on.
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation @twhinyardrocks #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147

TUESDAY 28TH: Bethan Roberts

TM&TM’s exploration of the Welsh Wine Space continues apace but this time with something slightly different. We love hearing what consumers think about wines (well, sometimes we love it) and we wanted to bring in a wine drinker’s point of view. Someone who doesn’t have the baggage of us wine professionals and get caught up worrying about pH or margin.
 
Bethan Roberts is one of our nation’s heroes. A GP. When she’s not busy saving lives and curing ills, Bethan enjoys a glass of wine. Particularly Welsh Wine. For some reason Bethan has been
following and interacting with this pod for a while, so we thought it high time she answered for this. Ferg brings up something about badgers.
 
Bethan talks about her discovery of wine and gives a real consumer’s viewpoint on Welsh Wine.
 
Keep your eardrums open for another Welsh Wine Week episode coming tomorrow.
 
@welshwineweek @welshvineyardassociation @terroir.iste #WelshWineWeek #Welshwine #podcast #wine #winecast @fergelias @wineman147