Explore every episode of the podcast The Drinking Hour: With David Kermode - FoodFM

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Master of Wine, founder and chairman of Liberty Wines, and leading expert on Italian grape varieties, David Gleave, is David’s guest to talk about his new book dedicated to Barolo and Barbaresco, home to his beloved Nebbiolo.   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 latest breakthroughs changing the face of the zero alcohol category focusing on the technological advances to retain aroma that seek to ensure there’s no compromise on smell and taste in wine and spirits without the alcohol.    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 Norway’s Nikolai Haram Svorte, newly crowned as ASI Best Sommelier of the World after a nerve-jangling grand final in Lisbon to find out how he prepared for the big moment, the highs and lows, and his favourite 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 presents some favourite moments from series 24 including Tinashe Musora’s rise from refugee to sommelier and winner of the IWSC Emerging Talent Award, Luke O’Cuinneagain on evolving Vergelegen’s prestige portfolio, Jancis Robinson OBE MW reveals what goes into the new World Atlas of Wine, Tim Hayward talks about The Cocktail Hour and Charlotte Kristensen discusses her journey from law to wine writer and author. 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 Italy’s mountainous border region of Alto Adige Süd Tirol to focus on two of its defining grapes: Pinot Bianco aka Weissburgunder - a textural white - and Schiava - a vibrant red - meeting producers dedicated to the varieties.  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 welcomes Jancis Robinson OBE MW to talk about the ninth edition of The World Atlas of Wine. They talk about what’s changed in her half century of wine writing, her love of maps, and the regions that she loves the 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. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is the theme, as David chats to sommelier, consultant and social media star Melania Battiston about the best pairings for this elevated sparkling wine that’s so much more than an aperitif.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Winners of the first ever 100 point wine in the history of the IWSC’s scoring system, co-founders of Margaret River’s House of Cards winery join David to reflect on their success and talk about being certified organic - and, soon, biodynamic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. The lost art of the cocktail is David’s focus, with guest Tim Hayward, FT food and drinks writer, BBC Radio 4 presenter, restaurateur and author of a new book, The Cocktail Hour, celebrating what he calls an ‘attitude adjuster’. 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 Charlotte Kristensen, who worked as a lawyer before becoming the London Wine Girl on Instagram, then a columnist for the Mail on Sunday, and now author of Wine and Dine at Home, taking on the challenge of food and wine pairing.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Australia has been synonymous with the likes of Chardonnay and Shiraz, but so-called ‘alternative’ grapes, many from Italy, are now  making waves. David meets two champions of these varieties: Brendan Carter at Unico Zelo and Brett Butcher at Soumah.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Representing a diverse and exciting new wave of South African winemakers, Kyle Davids of Babylonstoren talks to David about winning a place on the Cape Winemakers’ Guild protegé programme and carving a career in wine production.   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 guests are JC and Carolyn Martin, a dynamic double act, both scions of winemaking families, who fell in love, married and moved to Hemel-en-Aarde to establish Creation Wines, a wine business that is firmly rooted in its rural community.  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 Tinashe Musora, sommelier and 2025 IWSC emerging talent award winner, to hear how he has overcome obstacles, hailing from humble beginnings to become a sommelier and wine judge who believes in giving back to his community. 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 South Africa to meet the winemaker at Vergelegen, Luke O’Cuinneagain. They talk about his winemaking philosophy, his experience working with Bordeaux varieties and how he has evolved the estate’s celebrated 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 selects some highlights from the latest series including Black Chalk’s Jacob Leadley on beating the British weather; UK Sommelier of the Year 2026, Emma Denney; Olly Smith on turning talents to writing fiction; Peter Stafford Bow on his nom-de-plum; Helen McGinn talks about her guide to supermarket wine; and Robert Mondavi’s chief winemaker, Kurtis Ogasawara.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Edwina Watson, senior wine buyer for Fortnum & Mason is David’s guest to talk about buying British wines and spirits, including the inexorable rise of English sparkling wine and how a new breed of world-class still wines is emerging.  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 her success in the fiercely-contested competition for UK Sommelier of the Year 2026, Emma Denney, director of wine at Claridge’s, is David’s guest to talk about what it means to her and how she prepared for the demanding event.  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 flourishing world of Indian whisky with Michael D’Souza, the globally acclaimed Master Distiller and Master Blender for Paul John, to talk about the use of local Indian six-row barley and how Goa’s climate influences whisky. 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 mark English wine week, the owner of Hampshire winery Black Chalk, Jacob Leadley, is David’s guest to talk about the pleasures and pitfalls of making wine in our climate, the future for English wine, and his latest pair of prestige cuvées.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Most famous as the wine expert and host of the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, Olly Smith is David’s guest to talk about his first work of fiction, the vinous murder mystery Death by Noir, and where he found inspiration for central character, Barclay Flint.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is a striking contrast to the buzzing city, with its rolling hills and many vineyards. David explores the region, talking to winemakers to find out what makes it so versatile for a multitude of grape varieties.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. As the Napa Valley’s iconic Robert Mondavi winery emerges from a three-year $200 million refurbishment, David chats to director of winemaking Kurtis Ogasawara about the new facility, the To Kalon vineyard and the future for California 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. 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