The Maker and The Merchant
A pod about wine amongst other things by Fergus Elias (The Maker) and Lee Isaacs (The Merchant)
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Episodes
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
We are absolutely thrilled to bring you a special wine and cheese episode, featuring the magnificent Jessica Summer A.K.A Mouse And Grape.
Mouse and Grape is a luxury online cheese and wine business that specialises in paired hampers, a cheese and wine subscription service, and corporate and private tasting events.
Using all her knowledge, tasting experience and qualifications, Jessica carefully curates her pairings using artisanal cheese and wine from independent producers, and shows her customers how to combine and enhance these heavenly flavours for ultimate indulgence and maximum enjoyment. Today Mouse & Grape ships wine and cheese hampers across the UK and Jessica hosts corporate tasting events for companies in London and the surrounding areas as well as private events like birthdays and hen parties. Whether you are a novice, or consider yourself a connoisseur, Mouse & Grape will open up a world of delicious variety of cheese and wine, and mouth-watering combinations. Jessica also writes about cheese and wine for an online blog, was a judge at the British Cheese Awards 2022, competed as one of six finalists for the Young Cheesemonger of the Year Awards at the World Cheese Awards 2022 and will be a wine trade judge at the People’s Choice Awards this year
Ferg and Lee split a hamper between them and are guided by Jessica into the incredible world of wine and cheese pairing.
Whether you're a vinophile, a turophile, or a healthy combination of the 2, there's something here for you.
Ferg and Lee are off for their gout medication.
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
By now you all should know about The Online Wine Tasting Club, but how much do you know about the presenters and their stories? In this episode, we ask Alex Taylor and Jamie Smith the big questions:
What is Alex's favourite cereal?
Just how long is Jamie's list of accomplishments?
What does a brand new packaging machine look like?
Listen in to learn the answers to these questions, and more, on Episode 5: Beep Beep.
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
Who puts the sexy into sexy? What links the wines of Australia to England's smallest vineyard and winery? Does Bum Bum yeast really exist?
We have a our first guest to answer all these questions, and more; Mike 'Bin Two' Boyne has sacrificed his not inconsiderable street cred by spending an hour talking to TM&TM. From running one of the UK's best independent wine merchants to producing ridiculously named pet nat and skin contact Solaris via the medium of extreme winemaking calendars, Mike has done it all.
Ferg and Lee taste Mike's skin contact Solaris, Elektron, and the concrete egg Solaris, Supernova.
Huge thanks to Mike for taking the time to ruin his reputation by being associated with us.
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Is big better? Why are people from the wine industry inviting Lee to stuff? How many tonnes of fruit is too many in a day? why has fergs hair moved from his head to his face and what has a plough got to do with anything? All this and more in episode 3 (please someone make this podcast end).
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
What do winemakers eat during harvest? How good is good ordinary claret? Why has this podcast been allowed to reach episode two? Will there actually be any serious dialogue at any stage? Answers to all this and more may or may not be in episode two of The Maker & The Merchant. Only one way to find out.
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Well, we’ve listened to the advice...and ignored it. We’ve heard your warnings, but we’re both brave and foolhardy...
The inaugural episode of the podcast that literally no-one asked for is here!
In episode 1 the boys discuss themselves (naturally), wine, and living in the wine world.
They also review a Pinot Noir from an underdiscussed region and (surprise surprise) a Malbec from Argentina.
Friday Sep 09, 2022
Friday Sep 09, 2022
A little trailer for the least anticipated podcast this week.
The Maker & The Merchant out very soon, wherever you listen to your podcasts
Fergus Elias
Head Winemaker for Balfour Winery at the Hush Heath Estate, Fergus Elias (Ferg)’s passion for English winemaking is in his blood. Growing up around his father Owen’s own illustrious winemaking career, Ferg spent his childhood days on the land at Chapel Down surrounded by disgorging lines, bottling and fascinately watching as fruit was transformed from vine to wine.
Despite a slight foray into ancient history, with visions of pursuing a career in law, after graduating from the University of Liverpool, Ferg found his way back to his Kentish - and winemaking roots, joining the Balfour Winery in 2014. Thankfully, he discovered those long-inherited passions were still alive, and he began rising through the ranks, completing an MSC in Viticulture and Oenology on the way.
LEE ISAACS
Having been around wine since the age of 5, Lee turned down a place at university to join the wine trade. Twenty years later Lee has become an internationally sold out speaker, educator, and published communicator. Lee's background is in independent wine retail and wine education. While running The Oxford Wine Company's flagship store he achieved the industry's benchmark qualification: the WSET Diploma. A WSET certified educator, Lee was Head of Education for Oxford's oldest wine school and taught and lectured around the world. He also regularly lectures at Regent's University. Lee has travelled extensively around Argentina and Italy, as well as spending time in my other of the world's greatest wine producing countries and regions. He is a panel chair and judge at The Independent English Wine Awards and hosts over 100 tasting events every year. He hosts Bebida Argentina on Instagram, a series focusing on the key people, producers, and wines of Argentina. Using his background as a standup comedian he often takes a comedic edge to events and serves up plenty of tall tales and anecdotes from his 2 decade career. He was also Patient Zero for the still misunderstood condition: Chronic Riesling Dependency.