In this episode, Liam & Fiona talk to Faouzi Issa of Domaine des Tourelles about winemaking in lockdown, the challenges of growing grapes in the Lebanon and his fascination with Cinsault and Carignan.

Batonnage Ep. 18 - Winemaking in and out of lockdown, with Duncan Forsyth of Mount Edward Wines

May 22nd, 2020

Liam & Fiona talk to Duncan Forsyth of Mount Edward Winery in the Gibbston Valley of Central Otago, New Zealand about winemaking in lockdown; Pinot and other varieties, wines that make you smile, and the evolution of Mount Edward as a brand.

Batonnage Ep. 17 - Getting under the skin of Piedmont, with Scarpa Wines

Apr 22nd, 2020

In this episode, Liam & Fiona talk to Andrea Rochione (Rochionie) from Scarpa Wines in Piedmonte about the challenges of the last few months, the wines that they make, the region as a whole, Fiona admits cooking with one of the samples, and the

Batonnage Ep. 16 - What can sherry do to win back fans?

Apr 12th, 2020

Liam and Fiona talk to sherry educator Owen Morgan, founder of the family owned Bar 44 group of tapas bars and restaurants about why sherry still struggles to win our affections. After its heyday in the 60s and 70s why did it fall out of fashio

Batonnage Ep. 15 - Challenging the way you think on Bordeaux, with Harold Langlais of Château Le Puy

Mar 6th, 2020

In this episode Liam and Fiona talk Bordeaux with Harold Langlais from Château Le Puy, a small Château situated just outside St Emilion, who are innovatively changing the way you think about Bordeaux wine.

Batonnage Ep. 14 - Lessons in rule breaking from the Beer Industry, with Brett Ellis of Wild Beer

Feb 1st, 2020

Liam and Fiona talk to Brett Ellis, a founder and Head Brewer of Wild Beer in Somerset, about wild yeast strains, creative brewing techniques and breaking the rules. The look at what this booming company has managed to achieved and lessons tha

Batonnage Ep. 13 - Is shipping wine in bottle a thing of the past? with Richard Lloyd

Jan 21st, 2020

Liam and Fiona talk to Richard Lloyd, the General Manager of Accolade Wines, Europe's largest bottler of bulk wines. They discuss the process of shipping wine in containers, the quality, environmental and economic impact as well as consumer per

Batonnage Ep. 12 - The revival of Southern France with Jason Yapp

Dec 15th, 2019 43m 5s

Liam and Fiona talk to Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers in Mere, one of the UKs leading independent wine merchants and authorities on the Rhône and the Loire. Today however they talk Southern France, fascinating region that it is.

Batonnage Ep. 11 - The Future of Wine with Robert Joseph

Nov 28th, 2019 55m 35s

Fiona and Liam discuss the future of wine with wine industry entrepreneur Robert Joseph. Together they talk about bottles and whether they are the long term solution for wine packaging. They consider whether the appellation system is aiding or

Batonnage Ep. 10 - When is a wine faulty? with Jamie Goode

Feb 26th, 2019 48m 39s

Fiona and Liam discuss wine faults with wine critic, Jamie Goode. What makes a wine faulty? How can you tell? What should you do next? To the scientist, these things may be clear-cut, but aesthetically wine faults can be a source of character -

Batonnage Ep. 9 - What's behind the British gin boom? with Susy Atkins

Feb 4th, 2019 45m 47s

Liam and Fiona talk to Sunday Telegraph drink writer Susy Atkins about the reasons for the unstoppable rise of gin and why it’s become a collector’s item. What makes a great gin, how to choose the right tonic, how best to serve it and and when

Batonnage Ep. 8 - Dan Jago & the UK wine trade

Jan 18th, 2019 55m 46s

In this episode, Fiona and Liam are sharing wine and conversation with an extraordinary player in the UK wine trade, Dan Jago. Having held top positions at Bibendum Wine, Tesco and latterly Berry Brothers and Rudd, Dan has a broader view than m

Batonnage Ep. 7 - What makes a good wine list? with Ruth Spivey

Jan 3rd, 2019 37m 37s

Fiona and Liam chat with sommelier and wine writer Ruth Spivey, the London ambassador for Star Wine List https://starwinelist.com/wine-story/meet-ruth-spivey-london-ambassador about what makes a great wine list. Which wines should you look out

Batonnage Ep. 6 - Christmas Special with Charlie Stein and Elly Owen

Dec 14th, 2018 48m 59s

Recorded during the 2018 Padstow Christmas Festival, Liam and Fiona discuss wine choices at Christmas with Charlie Stein, buyer for the Rick Stein group, Elly Owen at Fifteen Cornwall and David McWilliam, Batonnage producer and curator of the F

Batonnage Ep. 5 - Inside English Sparkling Wine with Liam Idzikowski

Nov 23rd, 2018 54m 54s

Liam and Fiona take an inquisitive look at sparkling winemaking in the UK with Liam Idzikowski, winemaker at Lyme Bay Winery, tasting serveral distinctive examples along the way.

Batonnage Ep. 4 - What is it with Bordeaux? with Will Lyons

Nov 7th, 2018 37m 9s

Bordeaux has made wine for centuries, but does it still carry the authority that it holds in the wine atlas? Fiona and Liam share stories with Will Lyons as they explore the region, tasting a few intriguing and affordable examples along the way

Batonnage Episode 3 'Wine with Curry: Seriously? ...with Romy Gill

Oct 24th, 2018 30m 52s

Traditionally we drink beer with our 'curry' as we know it, but really there's a lot to be said for succumbing to the pleasures of the grape. In this episode the team head to Romy Gill’s kitchen with a tote full of wine…

Batonnage Episode 2 'Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc'

Oct 14th, 2018 44m 21s

When, how and why? With the relatively recent yet strong emergence of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as one of New Zealand’s trademark wine styles, what are the secrets to its success? Where can it go from here?Listen on….

Batonnage Episode 1: 'Terroir' with John Atkinson

Oct 10th, 2018 46m 56s

In this first episode, Fiona and Liam discuss Terroir with special guest John Atkinson MW.Terroir is a word used by many to describe many or indeed all aspects of a unique vinous geography, but what does it really amount to? Whether you have a

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