The Drinking Hour: With David Kermode - FoodFM
FoodFM Radio·Hosted by David Kermode·269 episodes
David Kermode, wine expert, talks through his top drinking picks of the week.
Why listen
The Drinking Hour is a polished, expert-led tour through wine and spirits, hosted by David Kermode with winemakers, Masters of Wine, distillers, buyers, and drinks writers as guests. Each episode focuses on a region, producer, grape, trend, or bottle style, so listeners get practical context and insider stories without needing to be a wine professional. It is a strong fit for curious drinkers who like learning why a place, vineyard, distillery, or category tastes the way it does.
Episodes
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is a mystery… Or rather, it’s Peter Stafford Bow, a ‘nom de plume’ for the author behind the exploits of wine buyer and globetrotter, Felix Hart. The fifth book in the series, Black Odesa, sees our hero become a social media sensation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David takes the temperature at VieVinum, a biennial celebration of Austrian wines, held in Vienna. Focusing on the country’s high number of family wineries, he talks to new generation winemakers and finds out more about organics and biodynamics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. A former supermarket wine buyer, turned TV and Instagram star, bestselling author, judge and professional ‘knackered mother’, Helen McGinn is David’s guest to talk about her eagerly anticipated supermarket wine guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to North America’s Pacific northwest to discover Washington State, the USA’s second biggest wine producer after California, to find out more about the terroir, meet winemakers and answer the question ‘what are its signature grapes?’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David has highlights from the most recent series, with Master Distiller John Hall talking about reinventing gin; Mel Chester of Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley; Bob Biale talks old vine Zinfandel; there’s a look at the wines of Cyprus; while Billy Abbott talks about China’s spirits scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, McLaren Vale is carving a reputation for a new wave of fresher wines, courtesy of its Mediterranean climate, ocean influence and diverse soils. David meets celebrated winemakers Steve Pannell and Renae Hirsch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Once a bastion of the ancient wine trade, Cyprus offers a small treasure trove of indigenous varieties which are being brought back to life by a new generation. David finds out more with Demetri Walters MW and winemaker Marcos Zambartas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Though its origins lie in Europe, Zinfandel is one of California’s most famous grapes, renowned for the quality of the wines produced from heritage vineyards, yet it finds itself under threat. David finds out why, and how it can be saved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wine regions, the Barossa, to explore the complex tapestry of soils and climate that make it special, meeting Louisa Rose, Matthew McCulloch, Ian Hongell and Henry Slattery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s talks to Abbie Bennington, BBC political journalist turned wine educator, about her new podcast series Vintage Politics, to reflect on the role wine plays in politics, including stories about Jon Sopel’s expenses, Gordon Brown’s fridge door and which American President spent the least on wine for official receptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Vines have a long history in China, but wine is a more recent story, with a new wave of diverse and different wines garnering attention. David’s guest is Master of Wine John Hoskins, head of the IWSC Global Judging in 2025, to discuss the terroir, grape varieties and stylistic differences that define the wines of China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David meets Jaime Araujo, who studied medieval history, took to the London stage and worked in marketing in Paris, before returning to her native Napa to establish a winery, Trois Noix. Defined by being different, they talk about the region’s future, diversity and equality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. China is the world’s biggest market for spirits, dominated by Baijiu, which accounts for around 90% of sales, while domestic whisky is gaining ground. David’s guest is IWSC Spirits Communicator of the Year, Billy Abbott, of The Whisky Exchange. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David visits the Yarra Valley to meet Giant Steps winemaker, Mel Chester, who crafts plot-specific wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They talk about ancient soils, indigenous lands, and how the nuances of terroir are reflected in her wines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to chemist-turned-Master-Distiller, John Hall, at Cornwall’s Trevethan Distillery, an IWSC trophy winner, about his new creation, ‘Aureus Vita’, a premium London Dry Gin based on a sequence of numbers leading to ‘the golden ratio’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is the theme as Sarah Abbott MW joins David to talk through the terminology and diversity of styles that define Italy’s medal-winning, historically significant, sparkling wines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David reflects on series 21, with guests Sacha Lichine of Chateau d’Esclans, Languedoc legend Jean-Claude Mas, David Moulton of Margaret River pioneer Cape Mentelle, Jeremy McKenzie of Isabel Estate talking Chardonnay, and three of the female family members at the helm of Brown Brothers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’ talks to entrepreneur Calixte Payan, who has rewritten the rules of the zero alcohol category with his Sober Spirits brand, using original spirit content to create innovative drinks without compromise, while staying focused on sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To celebrate the Drinking Hour’s 250th episode, David’s special guest is the legendary Sacha Lichine, of Chateau d’Esclans, the father of modern rosé and creator of brands including Whispering Angel and Garrus, as he prepares to hand over the reins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Junior, joins David to talk about Sauvignon Blanc from the Austrian region of Steiermark, or Styria, which is gaining fans, and winning IWSC gold medals, for to its distinctive and generous gastronomic style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is Julian Langworthy, chief winemaker at Deep Woods Estate, winner of the IWSC Western Australia Producer of the Year, and one the original ‘founding five’ wineries of Margaret River to talk about makes the region unique and special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. In what’s become a popular annual ritual, David is joined by The Buyer’s editor-in-chief, Richard Siddle, as they stare into a crystal ball to look ahead at what lies in store for the drinks world in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David explores the innovation and incredible growth of the no alcohol category with Michael Bright, founder of IWSC trophy winning producer, Edenvale, and Silvia Cedeño, Managing Director of BevZero, a pioneer in dealcoholisation technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Established during the gold rush of the 1880s and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Brown Brothers is an Australian institution. David is joined by winemaker Katherine, sister Emma and cousin Angela, to reflect on how the winery’s long history influences modern day innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to the Jeremy McKenzie, winemaker at Isabel Estate, in Marlborough, one of the early pioneers of New Zealand’s wine boom. They talk about the region’s smash hit Sauvignon Blanc and why Chardonnay and Pinot Noir do so well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. With one distinctive grape variety, Chenin Blanc, and four very different styles of wine, the Loire region of Vouvray has seen an increase in demand, especially from the UK. David meets two producers to explore what defines Vouvray’s wines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is David Moulton, chief winemaker at Margaret River’s pioneering Cape Mentelle, the third winery to be established in this beautiful corner of Western Australia. They talk about the combination of soils and climate that make the region ideal for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is the Languedoc legend, Jean-Claude Mas, one of the region’s most famous names, responsible for around 25 million bottles of wine every year, including his Domaines Paul Mas brand and also a multitude of retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David looks back at series 20, with highlights including Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt on the history of Laurent Perrier, cellar master Pierre De Klerk at Graham Beck, Olly Smith on his new book, Rebekah Wineburg at Napa’s Quintessa Estate, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, and Benjamin Abric at the Weyborne Estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Jancis Robinson OBE MW is among David’s guests as he reports from the Old Vine Conference in California, where he also talks to co-founder Sarah Abbott MW, Alder Yarrow from the Old Vine Registry and renowned viticulturist, Rosa Kruger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to the Napa Valley, ahead of the Old Vine Conference, to meet the winemaker at Quintessa, Rebekah Wineburg, to find out why she’s so passionate about biodynamic winemaking and old vines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is Benjamin Abric, the general manager and winemaker at The Weyborne Estate in the Sussex Downs, a relatively new player in the field of English sparkling wine that has already won a trophy at the IWSC for its Oriana 2019 cuvée. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wine and the climate crisis In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David is joined by the authors of ‘Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine’, Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather, to talk about the existential crisis that climate change poses and how the wine industry might adapt to it. Listeners are offered a 10% discount on the book at acadamieduvinlibrary.com with the code TDH10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is the country’s top TV wine expert, star of BBC ‘Saturday Kitchen’, Olly Smith, to talk about his new book ‘Wine - Everything You Need to Know’ and to reflect on two decades of sharing his passion with UK audiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Master Blender Michael Henry of Loch Lomond Distillery, winner of the IWSC’s Scotch Producer Trophy, joins David to talk about the innovation that’s come to define Loch Lomond whisky, the impact of different stills, and the art of nosing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt, ambassador for Laurent Perrier’s top cuvée, Grand Siècle, and the granddaughter of Bernard de Nonancourt, who went from French Resistance hero to a celebrated pioneer in the world of Champagne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Now in its 49th year, Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book is an annual release that’s eagerly anticipated, updated each year by General Editor, Margaret Rand, who joins David to chat about the latest issue, including a supplement on the price of wine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Südtirol Alto Adige is a mountain wine region that’s part of Italy, though German is the majority language. David meets its winemakers to learn more about the grape varieties, the terroir and the fusion of cultures that make it unique and special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is Club Oenologique columnist, Joel Harrison, a Keeper of the Quaich, to talk about his new book: a curated guide to 52 distilleries around the world that welcome whisky lovers, sharing the secrets of what goes into a great dram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Pierre de Klerk, cellar master at Graham Beck - winner of the prestigious IWSC South African Producer Trophy - to talk about the country’s distinctive and great value traditional method sparkling wine, Cap Classique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David looks back at some highlights, including Eric Heerema, owner of Nyetimber; pioneering English winemaker Dermot Sugrue; rising star Tommy Grimshaw of Langham Estate; Maria Boumpa, the IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year; Nina Basset talking about her late husband Gérard Basset; and wine writer Tamlyn Currin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to spirits writer and author Millie Milliken for a snapshot of North America’s evolving whiskey scene, reflecting on the changes she observed at the IWSC’s prestigious annual Kentucky judging this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David visits Langham Wine Estate to meet head winemaker, Tommy Grimshaw. The pair discuss the burgeoning English sparking scene, Dorset’s distinctive chalk soils, his winemaking style, and what it takes to make an IWSC gold medal winner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David’s guest is Nina Basset, co-founding trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, named in honour of her late husband - a legendary wine figure, OBE, MS, MW, MBA, MSc and winner of the World’s Best Sommelier - to talk about his remarkable life and legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Fresh from being crowned IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year 2025, Maria Boumpa - wine director at London’s double-Michelin-starred Da Terra - is David’s guest to talk about her victory in the rigorous contest and the wines that excite her most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Babylonstoren, the Cape Dutch farm in the Western Cape familiar to garden lovers for its patronage of the Chelsea Flower Show, to meet cellar master Klaas Stoffberg and find out more about the wines produced on the estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David explores Franciacorta, the Italian traditional method sparkling wine, with Renato Della Bartolomea of Freccianera Fratelli Berlucchi, winner of the IWSC’s Franciacorta Wine Producer Trophy, to learn more about the category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David talks to Eric Heerema, owner of Nyetimber, the pioneering English sparkling wine brand, and, since last year, The Lakes Distillery in Cumbria, to hear about his plans for expansion to showcase England’s burgeoning drinks scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David travels to Beaujolais reporting on the rebirth of the region - once famous for ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’, but now rightly celebrated for a lighter, fresher style and its complex tapestry of terroir - talking to Director General, Olivier Badoureaux. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. To celebrate English Wine Week, David is joined by the country’s top winemaker, Dermot Sugrue, of Sugrue South Downs, who’s celebrating one of the highest scores at the IWSC this year for his cuvée ‘The Trouble with Dreams’ from the 2009 vintage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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