Wine Flight with Sophia & Ben – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to our new drinks podcast, Wine Flight! Hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Every fortnight, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode of Wine Flight we're joined by wine educator and comedian Lee Isaacs. Lee is Unity Wines' brand ambassador and previously managed The Oxford Wine Company's flagship store for five years. A wine educator and communicator by day, Lee is also a stand-up comedian and brings this talent to his wine tastings. He has even been described as the ‘Stewart Lee of wine tasting’. He has also contributed to Harpers Wines & Spirits, The Times of London, The BBC and Channel 4. Both Lee and Ben judge at the Independent English Wine Awards.

We had lots of fun having Lee on the podcast as we shared some delicious wines from South Africa, Croatia, Spain and Australia. We talked about exploring flavour, mental health, performing and music amongst other topics, and Sophia's new quick fire quiz. At the end of the episode, Lee wraps up series 1 by picking the winning favourite wine. Who will triumph?

You can find out what Lee is up to by following him @wineman147 on Instagram and Twitter.

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Saint Hills Posh Posip, Croatia (Ben)

Wine 2 - Constitution Road Chardonnay, South Africa (Sophia)

Wine 3 - Contino Riserva Rioja, Spain (Ben)

Wine 4 - Saint Hallet Barossa Shiraz, Australia (Sophia)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in February 2023. 

Series 2 will return later in 2023.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to our new drinks podcast, Wine Flight! Hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Every fortnight, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode of Wine Flight we're joined by entrepreneur, marathon hero and fitness enthusiast Nikki Hawkes. Nikki currently runs the fintech business Stratiphy, and previously founded an events business that launched the Ciderthon in Somerset. Having recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Nikki shares her hiking, running and fitness stories - including doing a marathon dressed as a water bottle to promote the reduction of single use plastic at events. With Mexican heritage, we chat a lot about food and travel, too.

Throughout the podcast, Nikki drops tips on hangover cures, getting famous on TikTok and how to get into running, all while we drink a selection of exciting wines from New Zealand, Chile, Spain and Australia. As usual, at the end of the podcast, Nikki must choose her favourite wine and this episode's winner! Find out who wins by listening in.

You can find out what Nikki is up to by following her @nikkihawkes on Instagram, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Robert Oatley Chardonnay, Australia (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Field of Stones 9.5% abv Marlborough Rosé, New Zealand (Ben)

Wine 3 - Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir, Chile (Sophia)

Wine 4 - Finca Constancia Castilla Tinto, Spain (Ben)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in February 2023. 

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to your favourite new podcast, Wine Flight! Hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode of Wine Flight, we talk to drinks expert and Metro's wine columnist Rob Buckhaven. Rob has been a wine writer for over 14 years and has just released his debut book, The Alcorithm. The book celebrates the pleasures of raising a glass with a unique take on trying something new, led by your taste buds. It has received praise from Michel Roux Jnr, The Daily Telegraph, and Club Oenologique, and it's a Finalist in the Guild of Food Writers Award for Drinks Book of the Year. 

Throughout the episode, we talk about what's happening in the wine trade, Rob's experience in writing about booze and his travel adventures. He enjoys a flight of wines from Sophia and Ben and, as always, at the end of the episode, he must pick a winner!

Buy Rob's brand new book, The Alcorithm, from Waterstones here.

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Tormaresca Calafuria Rosé, Italy (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Georgiev & Milkov Rubin Rosé, Bulgaria (Ben)

Wine 3 - Oliver Zeter Pinot Noir, Germany (Ben)

Wine 4 - Canned Wine Co. No. 5 Old Vine Garnacha, Spain (Sophia)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in November 2022.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Happy New Year! Welcome to Wine Flight, a new wine podcast hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In the first episode of 2023, we introduce you to cheese and wine aficionado Jessica Summer, the founder of Mouse & Grape. Mouse and Grape is a luxury online cheese and wine business that specialises in paired hampers, a cheese and wine subscription service, and corporate and private tasting events. Alongside managing her new business, Jessica is also a cheese and wine writer, judged at the British Cheese Awards 2022, and competed as a finalist at the Young Cheesemonger of the Year Awards. Keen to always be learning, Jessica also works part time as a cheesemonger at La Fromagerie in Marylebone.

Throughout the episode, we explore Jessica's journey into the cheese and wine world as we taste a series of wines alongside a treat of a cheeseboard provided by Jessica. At the end of the episode, Jessica must decide who wins with the best wine. Is it finally Ben's week? Find out by listening in!

Shop for cheese and wine hampers at Mouse & Grape here: https://www.mouseandgrape.com/ 

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Torres Pago del Cielo Celeste Verdejo, Spain (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Tilia Zelen, Slovenia (Ben)

Wine 3 - Sabar Estate Cabernet Franc, Hungary (Ben)

Wine 4 - Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'Black Label' Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (Sophia)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in November 2022.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to Wine Flight, a new wine podcast hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode, we introduce you to Jaega Wise - beer somm, brewer, food and drink broadcaster, and author of her new book Wild Brews. Jaega is the co-founder and head brewer at London's Wild Card Brewery; she won British Guild of Beer Writers' 'Brewer of the Year' award in 2018. Alongside all that success, Jaega is also a musician, campaigner and pub landlady. We have a fascinating conversation about the crossover between beer and wine, how she took the 'worst pub in Britain' to a sell-out destination venue, her experience as a session singer, and the process of writing her wonderful new book.

Throughout the episode we try some delicious wines and also a couple of Jaega's beers. At the end, Jaega decides who wins this week's episode! Will Sophia bag another win, or will Ben finally triumph?

You can buy Jaega's book Wild Brews now. Click here for Waterstone's link.

Shop for Wild Card beers here: https://shop.wildcardbrewery.co.uk/

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Domaine Garnier Chablis, France (Ben)

Wine 2 - Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment, South Africa (Sophia)

Wine 3 - Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand (Sophia)

Wine 4 - Markvart Syrah, Hungary (Ben)

Two wines in this episode are from Tap & Bottle, a fantastic two-storey wine bar near London Bridge. We recommend you go along and try their fantastic wines! The Delheim Chenin Blanc is from Borough Wines, and the Markvart Syrah is from Novel Wines.

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to Wine Flight, a new wine podcast hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode, we introduce you to Hollywood screenwriter Kris Pathirana. Kris has received multiple commissions from prominent Hollywood and UK studios, recently selling his first television pilot to Universal. A keen wine enthusiast, he has also written for celebrated food and wine publications like Noble Rot magazine. Kris was also Assistant Editor of a Tech magazine funded by the Mayor of London, and was the lead culture writer for 1820 Magazine. Expanding his wine knowledge, he took the wine course WSET Level 3 last year.

Kris shares insight to his writing career, his first plant-based year, challenging his perspective, how he's found it working in Hollywood, and - of course - wine as he tries wines hand selected by Ben and Sophia to pick the next champion.

Kris has set-up The Artist's Gym, which you should definitely get involved with if you're an aspiring writer or have an interest in the arts. Subscribe to it via substack: https://theartistsgym.substack.com/

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Jurtschitsch Belle Naturelle Grüner Veltliner Ernte, Austria (Ben)

Wine 2 - Sokol Blosser Evolution Oregon White, USA (Sophia)

Wine 3 - Bodega Norton Privada, Argentina (Ben)

Wine 4 - Finca Sophenia Es Vino Malbec, Argentia (Sophia)

The wines in this episode are from Tap & Bottle, a fantastic two-storey wine bar near London Bridge. We recommend you go along and try their fantastic wines!

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to Wine Flight, a brand new wine podcast hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode, we introduce you to TV's Andy Clarke, author of the brand-new book and perfect Christmas buy Home Bar. You may also know Andy through his other work as a TV producer, food and drinks writer, foodie judge, or as a face of Pub in the Park. His TV credits include presenting wine and spirits recommendations on Alan Titchmarsh's television show Love Your Weekend, and working as a producer for Saturday Kitchen on BBC1 and both James Martin French and American Adventures and Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip for ITV. 

We're thrilled to have Andy on the podcast as we chat about his career in TV, holidays in France, his new book and of course wine as he tries wines hand selected by Ben and Sophia to pick the next champion.

Buy Andy's book here.

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Quintas de Melgaço QM Rosé, Portugal (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Domaine Collotte Marsannay Blanc, France (Ben)

Wine 3 - Vivera 'Martinella' Etna Rosso, Sicily (Sophia) 

Wine 4 - Chateau Porto Carras 2012, Greece (Ben)

Cheese shared in this podcast is from Nibbles Cheesemonger in Bath.

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to Wine Flight, a brand new wine podcast hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode, we introduce you to Ailsa Buck, our awesome friend who is currently senior project manager for London's major city events, took a leading role in the organisation of London Marathon Events, event managed the Women's Tour, and has many other achievements to her name - including interior design!

Alisa talks about organising major events, Honeymooning on the Amalfi coast and her love of wine and food. At the end of the podcast, Ailsa picks the podcast's first champion.

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Lyrarakis Dafní Psarades, Crete, Greece (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Kurtatsch Cortaccia 'Hofstatt' Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige, Italy (Ben)

Wine 3 - Walter Glatzer St Laurent, Carnuntum, Austria (Ben)

Wine 4 - Idiom Zinfandel, False Bay, South Africa (Sophia)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can. 

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to our new drinks podcast, Wine Flight! Hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Every fortnight, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode of Wine Flight we're joined by food and drink author, entrepreneur and consultant, Mallika Basu. Mallika is one of the UK's most exciting food communicators, known for her two cookbooks Miss Masala: Real Indian Cooking for Busy Living (Harper Collins) and Masala: Indian cooking for Modern Living (Bloomsbury), and her articles in the London Evening Standard. She is a finale judge at The Guild of Fine Food Awards, has appeared as a television presenter, and writes courses for the British Library.

We had a great time on the podcast with Mallika, talking about Indian cookery, food and wine pairings, diversity in writing and the food industry, and our love for pleasure. We tasted wines from Greece, South Africa, Australia and France. As usual, at the end of the podcast, Mallika must choose her favourite wine! Who will triumph this week?

You can find out what Mallika is up to on instagram @mallikabasu_

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Cave de l’Ormarine ‘Carte Noire’, Picpoul de Pinet, France (Sophia)

Wine 2 - Barafakis Idea White Assyrtiko/Malagousia (Ben)

Wine 3 - Journey's End Shiraz/Malbec, South Africa (Ben)

Wine 4 - Wirra Wirra Church Block, Australia (Sophia)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in February 2023. 

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.

Welcome to your favourite new podcast, Wine Flight! Hosted by Sophia Longhi and Ben Franks. Each week, we interview a new guest with a shared love for wine. Sophia and Ben face off with a flight of wines and we ask each guest to pick a winner at the end of the podcast.

In this episode of Wine Flight we're joined by wine writer, presenter and judge Aleesha Hansel. Aleesha is a fantastic guest and we're very excited to have her on our podcast! Aleesha has an impressive career in television, journalism and wine with credits on BBC Radio 4 and ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. Alongside her prolific work in wine, Aleesha is also an advocate for diversity and gender equality, providing a platform for these issues to be talked about in the public space. What's more, Aleesha became a UN Women delegate for the 66th Commission on the Status of Women and has recently been announced as an ambassador for The Fairtrade Foundation.

During this edition of Wine Flight, Aleesha joins us to drink wines from Spain, the USA, Croatia and Spain as we discuss her journey through journalism, wine, meeting people, and tasting in colours. We also have our first corked wine - eep! As usual, at the end of the episode, Aleesha must choose her favourite wine of the line-up and crown the next winner!

You can find out what Aleesha is up to on instagram @aleeshahansel

The Wines:

Wine 1 - Tesco Finest Vinas Del Rey Albarino, Spain (Ben)

Wine 2 - Bonny Doon Vineyard Cigare Blanc, USA (Sophia)

Wine 3 - Saint Hills Black Dalmacija Plavac Mali, Croatia (Sophia)

Wine 4 - CVNE Bela Ribera del Duero, Spain - Oops, Corked! (Ben)

Listen on your favourite app, or visit wineflightpod.com for the full series.

This episode was recorded in February 2023. 

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Ben Franks FRSA is the Managing Director of the international drinks consultancy Ben Franks Wine, helping bring brands to the UK market. He is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines and Canned Wine Co., a sustainability-focused alt-format wine business putting Europe's best wines in can.

Sophia Longhi is the owner of wine blog skin+pulp, winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Communication Award 2022 and was named one of Wine GB’s Great British Wine Industry Women of 2021. She is an acclaimed wine writer, wine judge and tastings host.

Wine Flight is produced by Ben Franks Wine Ltd and edited by Kat Agg. Follow @BenFranksWine on Twitter, or Instagram. Read all of the latest insights from Ben Franks Wine online.