The Beverage Clique Podcask

Recorded during the Wines of Portugal Challenge 2026 Gala Awards dinner , this episode features Portuguese winemaker Diogo Lucas , the voice behind Ribeiro Santo in Dão and Herédias in the Douro . While Portugal is often recognised internationally for Port wine, Douro reds, Madeira, Vinho Verde and Alentejo , this conversation turns the spotlight towards Dão — a historic region gaining renewed att...

In this episode of our Sommelier Mini-Series, I sit down with Shirley Tan, Head Sommelier at 67 Pall Mall Singapore, for a conversation focused on the craft, discipline, and philosophy behind modern wine service.   Rather than looking at 67 Pall Mall from a broad institutional perspective, this episode shines the spotlight on Shirley’s own journey and modus operandi on the floor: how she reads gue...

Recorded in Hiroshima, Japan , during the International Wine Challenge Sake Competition , Sean Ou sits down with Chris Ashton , one of the key figures behind the International Wine Challenge , for a conversation on wine, sake and the future of global beverage judging.   As a judge for both IWC Wine and IWC Sake , Sean reflects on the importance of blind tasting, credible competitions and the growi...

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcast, we speak with Jérémie Roumegoux, Asia Pacific Sales Director for Clarendelle, the Bordeaux wine brand by Domaine Clarence Dillon and famously “Inspired by Haut-Brion.” We explore how Clarendelle makes Bordeaux more approachable for today’s wine drinkers, while still carrying the elegance, heritage and blending philosophy associated with one of Bordea...

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcast, we travel to Chengdu, China, to explore one of the world’s most important yet often misunderstood spirits: Chinese Baijiu. Recorded during a recent visit to local Baijiu distilleries, Sean sits down with Vincent Xu, founder of the Chinese Baijiu Certificate, or CBC, to better understand the history, culture, production, aroma styles and global potent...

Recorded during the IWC Sake judging trip in Hiroshima, Sean sits down with his sake sensei, John Gauntner , one of the most respected English-language voices in sake. John is the educator behind the Sake Professional Course , Advanced Sake Professional Course , Sake Industry News , and the author of Sake Confidential — a book that helped shape Sean’s early sake journey as a beverage trainer. This...

What happens when a wine brand becomes so visible that people start underestimating it? In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcast , Sean sits down with Belinda Jackson , Marketing & Sales Manager of Lawson’s Dry Hills , to explore the story behind one of Marlborough’s most recognisable wine producers . Known by many for its strong presence across retail, restaurants, and even Singapore Ai...

Vietnam is becoming one of the most talked-about drinks markets in Asia, with a young population, rising middle-class demand, and growing interest in wine, hospitality, and premium lifestyle experiences. In this episode, Sean speaks with Vi Le Hoang, Vice President of the Vietnam Sommelier Association, about the evolution of wine culture in Vietnam and the opportunities and challenges facing the s...

In this episode of the Sommelier’s Playbook mini-series, I sit down with Reuben Khew, Head Sommelier at Burnt Ends, for a conversation on wine service, pairing, and what it takes to perform on the floor of one of Singapore’s most recognised dining rooms. Known for its fire-driven cooking, wood-fired oven, and strong Australian identity, Burnt Ends has built a wine program that champions Australian...

In this instalment of our Sommelier Mini-Series, we step into temper.—the moody, music-led wine room inside Mondrian Singapore Duxton, built for discovery with an unusually deep by-the-glass culture.   My guest is Yue Chow, a Singapore-based sommelier currently pursuing the Master of Wine (Stage 1), recently recognised with a scholarship that signals serious potential.  Rather than zooming out int...

Fernando from Casa Ferreirinha on Douro and Portuguese Wines In this episode, Sean Ou sits down with Fernando Garcia-Agulló Guedes of Casa Ferreirinha for a deeper look into one of the most important names in Portuguese wine. For many wine students and enthusiasts, the Douro Valley is often associated first with Port. But Casa Ferreirinha has played a major role in showing the world that the Douro...

Welcome to the first featurette of our Sommelier Mini-Series —where we spotlight the people shaping how Asia drinks today. In this episode, I sit down with Yeo Xi Yang , the mind behind Convivial , Singapore’s sparkling-wine-forward bar built around one simple idea: bubbles should feel welcoming, not intimidating. We talk about Yang’s philosophy on hospitality and what it really means to curate a...

Andy Burchell on Mount Gambier Wine, Volcanic Soils and Cool Climate Most people can name Barossa, Margaret River, maybe Coonawarra… but Mount Gambier ? In this Episode 23 field chat (recorded right at the start of 2024 vintage ), I sit down with Andy Burchell of Good Intentions Wine Co. to unpack why this corner of the Limestone Coast deserves way more attention. We get into the terroir story tha...

A field recording from our Bordeaux Educator program in the Blaye region , where Damien Lecomte of Vignobles Bouillac walks us through a working vine nursery —from vine material being nurtured in the fields to a cool storage facility where vines are held before being shipped locally and overseas. A rare, behind-the-scenes look at the start of a vineyard’s life. Key moments / chapter markers 00:00...

In this episode, Sean catches up with Steve Baraglia of Pikes Wines right after they wrapped up judging at the 2025 Wine Show of Western Australia . The conversation dives deep into Clare Valley – its unique growing conditions, why it’s such a special place for Riesling , and the range of wine styles coming out of the region. Steve shares his winemaking philosophy, his ideas on what truly makes a...

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the history and evolution of California wine with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. Building upon Part 1, we now explore the modern era, key industry shifts, and what the future holds for this renowned wine region. Once again, a huge thank you to Capstone California for making this episode possible and to the wineries that contributed to this mastercl...

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask, Sean Ou had a chance to sit through a Masterclass with esteemed Evan Goldstein MS for a deep dive into the rich history of California wine. A huge thank you to Capstone California for making this episode possible and for sharing their invaluable insights. We also extend our gratitude to the wineries that contributed to this masterclass, providing a r...

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask, Sean Ou sits down with François Dugoua from Ulysse Cazabonne, one of Bordeaux’s leading négociants and home to renowned brands like Rauzan Ségla. Recorded during Sean's recent trip to Bordeaux as part of the CIVB Bordeaux Educator program, this conversation delves into the challenges and future of Bordeaux wines amidst shifting consumer habits, incre...

Check out our latest podcast episode this month with special host, Clement Lim (Principal Consultant of Tea and Sake at The Beverage Clique Academy), joined by special guest and brand story teller, Marc Checkley! Join us as Marc shares his journey into the world of wine, how he hopped into creating bespoke European wine tours for visitors from all over the world, his experience in curating tours f...

Check out our latest podcast episode this month joined by Cynthia Chaplin, a professional sommelier that wears many other hats such as a WSET certified educator and co-manager of the Vinitaly International Academy!  Together with Sean, Cynthia shares about her experience with Wine in many different capacities, what are the motivations that moved her from her hometown in Ohio to eventually settling...

In this month's podcask, Sean catches up with his old friend, Mehdi, a French national who fell in love with sake at first sip so much so that he decided to move to Japan and embark on his journey of japanese sake brewing! They discuss about the difficulties faced as a foreigner entering this highly guarded industry, how Mehdi persevered and eventually settled in at Terada Honke, a cozy sake brewe...

Surprise! We have a special episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask brought to you by the Japan Sake and Shochu Maker's Association!   In this special episode, Sean catches up with Olivia Chey, Sake and Shochu expert from Kurara on all things Shochu!  They talk about the versatility of Shochu brewing (did you know there are over 50 different types of base ingredients you could use to distill shochu...

In this week's special episode, Sean ventures across the Straits to interview Ronald Binati, President of Sommelier Association of Malaysia (Somlay)! They discuss about the beginnings and philosophy of Somlay, wine and sake trends in Malaysia and some gaps within the industry that continue to challenge the trade. 

In this month's episode, Sean speaks with Philippe Blanc, the General Manager of Château Beychevelle to get a glimpse into the workings behind Château Beychevelle. They discuss about the importance of the Asian market, Philipe Blanc's philosophy behind viticulture and the relevancy of the 1855 Medoc Classification to the Beychevelle Brand.  That and more in this month's episode, you wouldn't want...

In this episode that marks the end of Sean's adventures in Munich, he spoke with fellow course mate, Rodrigo Dahl from Super Bock - the leading beer brand in Portugal! In a country best known for Wine, they discuss beer's consumption Portugal, its emerging future in the market and ways to influence new habits to increase beer consumption.