Ameliarate Through Wine

For the last episode of Series 2 it is an honour to have as my guest – the passionate and innovative podcaster and multimedia storyteller, Hannah Harley Young. After running her own photography company for 10 years, Hannah made the brave decision to embrace her other love in life FOOD by creating the multimedia platform and company – Crazy Sexy Food. I find what she has created in 5 years extraordinary. She launched her Crazy Sexy Food podcast in 2020 which within the first month was in the top 10 for UK podcasts. This has evolved into a multimedia platform full of fantastic short films exploring her foodie forays around London with some of the movers and shakers in the food scene. Similarly as how I view wine, Hannah adores food but equally loves the conversations, industry leaders and connections with culture that one can experience through Food. 

This is a jam packed episode where we explore how her mixed heritage made her appreciate the wider context around cuisine, the evolution of the photography industry as well as the London food scene, what it takes to be a solopreneur and content creator, the nuances of body positivity and imposter syndrome PLUS much more. I had SUCH fun choosing wines for this ep – the first being a gorgeous slightly sparkling Spanish white from Txakoli which paired perfectly with pickled onion monster munch crisps ( Hannah’s fave!). We then tasted one of the most exciting whites I have had all year – a stunning white blend from Syria’s only privately owned winery and finished with the perfect Italian summer red from a Tuscan winery close to my heart. 

There really is something for everyone in this episode and I couldn’t have imagined wrapping up Series 2 with a better guest or wine. 

Supermarket Wine: Ocado 

Wine: Txomin Extanix, Getariako Txakolina, Spain 2023 

Distributor: Swig Wines 

Wine:  Bargylus Blanc, Domaine de Bargylus, Grand Vin de Syrie, Syria 2017 and 5th edition Vino Rosso Cupano, Cupano, Tuscany, Italy 

To buy the wine and drink along, order online at Ocado and for the Swig wines visit www.swig.co.uk 

Social Links 

@swig_wine

@domainedebargylus

@cupanomontalcino 

Today I am excited to have on the podcast; the super inspiring athlete, entrepreneur and philanthropist, former England Rugby captain, Chris Robshaw! Chris is renowned for being the Former player and Captain of the London Based Harlequins as well as the Former England Rugby Captain who enabled England to win the 6 Nations in 2016.  

He is now a multifaceted entrepreneur and his passion for wine means he leads Vin X - a Fine Wine investment platform – in their Sports and Entertainment division. Together with his equally talented and passionate wife, opera singer Camilla Kerslake, they created the Kerslake Robshaw foundation. A charity which enables children from underprivileged backgrounds to have access to Sport and the Arts. 

We covered his thoughts on the recent Euros and how one captains a team through the highs and lows, what he has learnt about wine since working for Vin X, the trials of early retirement for sportsmen, his views on how our country could be doing more for the Arts and Sports PLUS advice he would give to aspiring athletes as well as his children.. one of which is about to be born any day now!! 

I look up to both him and his wife as inspiring cross pollinators of culture as well as making an unexpected and brilliant blend as a couple. The wines chosen were picked on that basis. 

First up is a gorgeous chilled red made from the Marzemino grape as Chris loves Pinot and this Sainsbury’s option is a great alternative. The other two wines come from renowned distributors and sponsors of this podcast, the Rothschild Wine Collection. I chose two of my favourite wines which epitomize brilliant yet not conventional blends. A fantastic white Bordeaux Blend from @chateauclarke and an opulent yet elegant Malbec/Cabernet Blend from @bodegascaro. Videos for these wines are being featured on my Instagram this week for more info!

Supermarket Wine: Sainsburys 

Wine: Marzemino, Taste the Difference Range, Trentino, Italy 2022 

Distributor: Rothschild Wine Collection 

Wine:  Le Merle Blanc, Chateau Clarke, Bordeaux, France 2022 and Amancaya, Bodegas Caro, Mendoza, Argentina 2021 

To buy the wine and drink along, visit your local Sainsburys and for the Rothschild Wines visit www.goedhuiswaddesdon.com 

Social Links

@goedhuiswaddesdon

@chateauclarke

@bodegascaro 

On this episode I have the inimitable LOYD GROSSMAN – OBE, CBE who also has few honoury doctorates AND possibly the most unique voice in media history ever… 

He is a food lover who presented the original Masterchef and is the innovator of celebrity food with his iconic sauces range. Loyd is also a journalist and published author, and his love of history and the arts has led to leading roles in cultural institutions from English heritage to the Arts society, the royal parks and the royal historical society.   

AND since 14 he has always been a guitarist in a band, playing Glastonbury 8 times BUT must be the only punk rock guitarist to ever chair the Churches Conservation Trust.

He is the definition of a life enthusiast and talking to him was inspiration for the soul. We covered everything from the 1960s American wine scene and what that meant to Loyd being a rock musician, his antipathy for food and wine pairings, his favourite summer drink which I can’t wait to try, the controversy around breakfast tv, how he created a multi million pound sauces range, why and how we should be protecting the Arts, his favourite dishes and places abroad, Indian wine plus lots more! 

For this energetic enthusiastic, I had to curate an equally engaging and diverse wine journey. We started with a Burgundian Chardonnay equivalent from Essex from London based, Black Book Winery. I then introduced him to his first ever Orange Wine from Greece which he adored and then…rather scarily for me… I presented Loyd with an Indian Shiraz paired with his Balti curry sauce. Thankfully it was a success! Thank you Hallgarten wine importers for those last two off piste yet delicious wine offerings. 

English Winery: Black Book Winery 

Wine:  ‘Pygmalion’ Chardonnay, Crouch Valley, Essex 2020 

Importer: Hallgarten & Novum Wines 

Wine:  Assyrrtiko Clay Orange Wine, Gaia Wines, Santorini, Greece 2020 & Sula Dindori Reserve Shiraz, Nashik, India 2022 

Social Links:  

Meet my extremely talented yet also ridiculously self deprecating next guest - Sebastian de Souza. He made his debut at age 16 on the tv series Skins and has not stopped since! Actor, screen writer, producer, musician, author and an aviation enthusiast. Due to his open mind and insatiable curiosity, I have chosen wines which enable us to vinously travel around the world, have interesting stories and which don’t fit into boxes. 

This conversation felt like talking to an old friend. I loved how honestly Seb talked about the joys and curveballs which come with having a multifaceted career, advice for actors, what drinks are enjoyed at wrap parties, his existential fears for the future which he explores in his book ‘Kid’, the best meals he has enjoyed on set, Oscar politics plus plenty more. 

This conversation went on quite a journey which was replicated by the varied provenances of the wine. Seb fell in love with a super delicious and accessible orange wine from Romania from the winery Cramele Recas. I also chose two wines from Wanderlust Wine – a wonderful importer who specializes in boutique wineries from far flung places. Seb tried his first wine, a beautiful Rosé from New York which made him want to go back there at once. We ended with a soulful white wine from the Azores islands to pair with his Portuguese heritage and love of minerality in wine. 

Online Retailers: Hennings Wine, Latitude Wine, Reserve Wines 

Wine: Cramele Recas, Solara Orange, Romania 2022 

Importer: Wanderlust Wine 

Wine: Channing Daughters, Rosato Cabernet Franc, New York, USA, Adega do Vulcão, Arinto Ameixamber, Azores, Portugal 

It was such a delight being reunited with my dear friend and highly esteemed wine expert, Oz Clarke OBE. He is a highly lauded wine writer, broadcaster, tv presenter and kickstarted the demystification of wine back in the 80’s. As well as being the wine world’s most popular guide and cheerleader, he has continuously been an inspiration and supporter in my own vinous career. 

We could have spoken for hours but I think this slightly longer than usual episode gives one plenty to think about and highlights why Oz shines in his field. We covered the complex topic of climate change and what it means for English wine, the downside of today’s highly evolved winemaking techniques, the best underappreciated regions to look out for, wine industry politics, how music relates to wine, discovering Australian wine with Patrick Stewart plus lots more. Being an accomplished RSC actor and performing musician, expect hilarious yet insightful anecdotes, animated wine tasting tips and of course Oz singing Gregorian chants.... I knew he would break into song at some point! 

This animated and insightful chat was enhanced by equally engaging and interesting wine from around the world. Majestic’s Chilean Merlot brought back memories for Oz of his first trip to Chile in the 80s, and in his words, is “serious happy juice.” I also had fun cheerleading my local wine store in Gloucestershire, Raffles Fine Wine, by serving two bottles from their shop. A New Zealand Pinot Gris which I was introduced to by Monica Galletti and a stunning Rosé from the Languedoc which gives Provence a run for its money. In Oz’s words, it’s a “rosé with stuffing! 

Supermarket: Majestic 

Wine: Single Vineyard Merlot, Montes, Chile 2021 

Importer: Raffles Fine Wines 

Wine: Kumeu River, Pinot Gris, New Zealand 2020 and Domaine La Lauzeta, Certeza Rosé, France, 2021 

To buy the wine and drink along, go visit your local Majestic and go online to: https://raffles-wine.com/ 

Social Links: