The Maker and The Merchant

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, st...

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 ini...

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 approac...

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...

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 he...

Who can believe it’s already Monday of Welsh Wine Week? These days are flying by so quickly, and there are so many wines to get through. Today’s episode focused on one of the biggest names in the world of Welsh Wine. From their beginnings as a postman and nurse, Robb and Nicola Merchant have become figureheads of an entire industry. From their first plantings in 2009 to crowdfunding their own wine...

Our Welsh Wine Series continues today with an interview with the amazing Gwen Davies of Vale Vineyard. Up in Denbigh (or down in Denbigh depending upon your own geographical location) Vale Vineyard has a unique set of characteristics that allow grapes to thrive. It’s not an obvious location for grapes, but that’s what makes these wines (and Welsh producers generally) so inspiring.   Gwen talks abo...

Following yesterday first episode of TMTM:WWW we’re hitting you with our second. Today we feature a wonderful conversation with Lucy Alford from The Dell Vineyard in Raglan. Planting on a family farm without much experience of wine, the Alford’s have gone on to create award winning wines. Their 2022 Rosé picked up a major trophy at last year’s Welsh Wine Awards. Not bad considering the battles fou...

Welsh Wine Week is finally upon us. As you may know, @fergelias & Lee are fans of Welsh Wine and we wanted to highlight some key figures within this growing and dynamic industry. This is the first of ten episodes, one each day of Welsh Wine Week, and we’re starting with a bang as Lee talks to the wonderful Sara, founder and director of Vin Van Cymru. This is a fabulous wine shop and tasting ro...

Our regular programming has been interrupted…and for a very good reason. Tomorrow sees the start of Welsh Wine Week. A 10 day (which is a week in Wales; it is its own country and can have whatever timezone, currency, and other things it chooses!) celebration of all things vinous and Welsh.   Wanting to get in on the action, and desperate for content, TM&TM Senior Management took the executive...

If you listened to last week’s episode you will be primed and ready for Part II of the TM&TM interview with the WSTA’s Miles Beale. We promised a more serious episode and we are delivering. Following the fun and frolics of last week, it is time to get down to business. We open with Miles explaining exactly who the WSTA are and what is their role within the drinks industry. There is more to thi...

This week on TM&TM we find ourselves in The Thick Of It as we keep ourselves In The Loop with one of the key figures, no, THE key figure in the UK wines and spirits industry. TM&TM Towers is a House Of Cards (the original, not the remake), but we had to say Yes Minister when the chance to speak to the most influential person on the UK scene. We had so many questions for this individual tha...

You should be careful what you wish for. You asked for it. The Maker & The Merchant is now A 2 PART PODCAST! Once a fortnight wasn’t enough for you, so you’re getting us twice a week now. This here is Part II of Ferg’s Norse Saga. Like the mythical tales of old it involves merriment, danger, and dealing with wine journalists. Ferg talks us through the Norwegian Monopoly and explains a little a...

It may have escaped your attention, but Fergus has recently been on hol…working in Norway. Not only this, but he has been featuring on other podcasts in direct contravention of the strict TM&TM Charter. Yet this is an in house issue with which you do not need to concern yourselves. In this episode, Lee asks Ferg the BIG questions; Does a Peer Gynt? What does elk taste like? Why is English wine...

Last week we were introduced to actor, legend, wine & cheese raconteur Dan Belmont. From his early days on the stage to becoming a leading light in the worlds of the controlled spoilage of milk and grape juice. He could have been Hamlet, Macbeth, Kowalski...instead he wrote the book on New York State Wines. In this episode we shoot straight to the heart of all things Big Apple. Dan shares his...

What do The Meisner Technique, controlled ageing of milk, and New York Wines have in common? We know, it's a bit too easy this one. The answer is of course: Dan Belmont. Dan literally wrote the book on New York wines. Literally in the traditional (and best) definition of the word. From a background in the theatre to becoming a leading expert in the worlds of both cheese and wine, Dan joins us for...

Last week on TM&TM we promised you a bonus episode. This is more like a threat, but either way, we have delivered. You get what you deserve.   Early in March (so it's a timely one) Lee bothered The Welsh Wine Showcase in London. This event celebrated the great and the good of Welsh wine and showcased the diversity, dynamism, and creativity to be found in this mighty country. From the first pla...

You will well know that at TM&TM we tackle the pressing intellectual questions of the day. There’s next to no prevarication in our latest episode as Fergus & Lee ask just what was Humpty Dumpty? Is the Forbidden Fruit actually a PIWI? And what connects the Tuscan Maremma with Sussex? But it’s not all fun and games. Firstly we wish FotP Janina our best wishes as she has lost her voice (she...

Despite what you may think about TM&TM (an you're probably right), we somehow keep getting interview with increidbly high profile, smart, and talented guests. This time around we are delighted to talk to the enormously talented, trend-setting, winemaking wonder that is Zoë Driver. Given her stature and credibility within wine, you may expect us to take things a little more seriously. If that's...

TM&TM Have long stood in admiration at the many great people who make English wine happen. It doesn't just appear magically y'know; there are people working literally *hours* to bring you the best bottles possible. We are absolutely thrilled to say that we have one of them on this episode.   In our efforts to bring you the best that English Wine has to offer, Fergus & Lee are thrilled to i...

For the second episode in a row we have as a guest a proper, genuine, home grown, corn fed, English wine heavyweight. Following on from a deeply insightful interview with Ingrid Bates last time out, this time we tackle the winemaking behemoth that is Tommy Grimshaw. Yes, that's right, Tommy G of Langham fame brings the Devonshire Class which TM&TM so desperately needs.   Ferg has been honing h...

After months of incessant demands, outrageous riders, and Lee's ineptitude, we finally give our listening public (hashtag: Ferg's Mum) what they want. Yes, Ferg and Lee are joined by super-cool, Bristol-grower extraordinaire Ingrid Bates. After a discussion about scones we learn mroe about Ingrid's journey from Nearly The Next Sir David Attenborough to founding Dunleavy Vineyards. Along the way we...

We're not completely stupid at TM&TM. We've analysed the viewing figures, done indepth consumer research, and looked at salaries. We know what isn't working and how to fix it. We've retained fan favourite Fergus Elias and binned (for this episode) Lee Isaacs, who has cost this show dearly. A mid season cast change NEVER goes wrong, and in this episode we beta test our new concept...THE MAKER A...

Do you want to get your new year off with a bang? Do you value the thoughtful and reasoned input of two seasoned, rational, articulate wine professionals? Do you want up to date pop culture references?   Then look elsewhere. The Maker And The Merchant are back! In imperious form too. Having not yet quite recovered from Christmas debauchery, Fergus & Lee tackle the big issues of the day head on...

Quelle surpise! Ferg and Lee have actually managed to fulfill their contractual duties by recording an episode. We know, who would have thought the most basic requirment of hosting a podcast is to record a podcast?   You'll be equally surprised to know this is a topsy turvy episode. We start with Lee sharing some genuine and heartfelt thanks to a great many people before we talk up our recent comp...