Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to Uncorked – our brand-new podcast series and the first-ever podcast from Cult Wines. We’re kicking off with a proper corker: an insider’s look at the fine wine market from three continents. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, with guests Joe Alim (Managing Director, Cult Wines Asia) and Jonathan Stevenson (Executive Vice President, Cult Wines North America), this first episode dives into memorable trades, regional insights, and some no-holds-barred chat on the current state of play.

If you’re into fine wine and global markets or want to know whether drinking red with Coca-Cola is actually a thing in China, this one’s for you.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 1:

The Trades That Stuck with Us

We opened with a look back at our most memorable trades – not necessarily the flashiest labels, but the kind of clever, well-timed moves that stick in your mind for years. Joe recalls the under-the-radar Burgundy pick that exploded in Hong Kong, while Jonathan goes back to his first En Primeur campaign with Château Clinet 2009 – a textbook case of timing and Parker points.

The Global Wine Scene: US vs Asia

With Joe based in Hong Kong and Jonathan in New York, we explored how fine wine markets differ across regions. We covered everything from access and tariffs to cultural quirks – including the long-standing (and slightly ridiculous) rumour about Coca-Cola and red wine in China. We also touched on how Hong Kong’s duty-free status makes it one of the best places in the world to drink fine wine – and why US buyers are still catching on to the benefits of storing in the UK.

Burgundy Obsession and the BYO of Dreams

Our chat naturally drifted into Burgundy – its allure, its complexity, and why collectors can’t seem to quit it. Jonathan shared stories from La Paulée in New York, a lavish BYO feast where 500+ wine lovers and Michelin-star chefs came together for a night of grand formats, mini-verticals, and wine-fuelled mingling. It's one of those moments that reminds you why we all love this game.

En Primeur 2024 - A Window of Opportunity?

We unpacked the Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur campaign – one of the earliest and fastest we’ve ever seen. It’s not a blockbuster vintage, and that’s a good thing. Why? Because compelling prices, faster releases, and reduced pressure mean more room for upside. We discussed why off-prime vintages often outperform the greats, how Asia's appetite for labels creates liquidity, and why 2024 could be one of those quietly successful years for the savvy investor.

The Price of Prestige and the Economic Squeeze

We took a candid look at how inflation, labour costs, and interest rates are squeezing château margins and how that’s forcing some estates to make tough pricing decisions. From classified growths to second wines, we broke down why value is back in Bordeaux and where we’re seeing the best buys – from Lafite to Canon.

Younger Drinkers, New Collectors and the Future of Wine

Is Gen Z skipping wine? Are we facing a collector crisis? We debated whether the fine wine world is doing enough to attract new audiences. Joe highlighted how Asia is trending younger, Tom pointed out the rise in experience-led spending, and Jonathan touched on how tech like CultX is bringing wine into the modern investing fold. It’s not all doom and gloom, but it’s time for the industry to evolve.

Tariffs and Tensions

Finally, we tackled the latest on US tariffs – from Trump’s 200% threat to the current 10% rate – and what it means for collectors and global trade. The key takeaway? Uncertainty is worse than the tariff itself. Once things are clear, buyers can act – and for now, the market seems to be absorbing the impact.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

We’re back with the third episode of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, joined once again by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, this episode welcomes special guest Paul Declerck, one of our London-based Client Relationship Managers, and author of the upcoming book ‘How to Appreciate Wine’.

Together, we dive into Paul’s unique journey from the Loire Valley to London’s fine wine scene, hear how a lockdown realisation sparked a total career pivot, and get an early look at his practical, no-nonsense framework for tasting wine. We also explore the allure of white Burgundy, discuss celebrity wine brands (yes, including Meghan Markle and DJ Khaled), and unpack the Trump tariff tension that’s got the wine trade watching the calendar.

It’s an episode that’s part wine lesson, part market insight, and part ‘drink-along’, with a glass of PYCM Meursault 2018 in hand. As ever, we’re opinionated, curious and just the right amount of unserious.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 3:

From Loire Roots to London Realisations

Paul Declerck grew up in a Loire Valley winemaking family but built his early career in London’s commercial property market. When 2020 halted the office world, he pivoted back to wine – not as a producer, but as a student and educator. WSET studies, countless books and videos, and a search for a practical way to understand wine led him to create his own tasting method.

Breaking Down the Five-Point Wine Method

Paul’s upcoming book, How to Appreciate Wine, introduces a straightforward five-step approach to tasting: nose intensity, complexity, palate intensity, balance, and finish. No jargon, no soil lectures, just a tool for anyone to become a better taster, from Burgundy to Prosecco. To prove it, the team puts it to the test on a 2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault (spoiler: it scores well).

Download Paul's wine tasting score card

https://www.wineinvestment.com/learn/insights/uncorked-episode-3-bucking-the-trend-burgundys-secret/

White Burgundy: Undervalued and Unmissable

Why does white Burgundy remain a collector's favourite? The team explores Chardonnay’s versatility, reductive winemaking (characterised by notes of flint, matchstick, and gunpowder), and why aged examples are must-try bottles. Tips for newcomers include focusing on top producers at lower appellations and finding value in overlooked vineyards.

Celebrity Wines – Gimmick or Gateway?

From Meghan Markle’s rosé to Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes, celebrity wines are shaking up the market. Can they attract new audiences and break wine’s “stuffy” image without compromising quality?

Tariffs, Trump, and Tactical Shifts

With a 30% US tariff on EU wine delayed to August 1st, the team discusses the impact. High-end bottles may hold steady, but smaller importers could face pressure from shifting buying habits and distribution challenges. Paul suggests Napa and South America as smart diversifiers during uncertainty.

Quantifying Wine: The Cult Wines Scoring Model

Tom unveils a new data-driven scoring system blending critic ratings, vintage quality, fair value, performance data, and £280 million in market transactions. The goal? A single actionable score to help collectors cut through subjectivity and make smarter decisions.

Have you heard of our online trading platform, ⁠CultX⁠?

It’s a marketplace where you can buy, sell, and trade fine wine directly with other collectors. Check it out today!

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

Welcome to the second episode of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast that takes you inside the world of fine wine, from the people who help shape it. This time, Cult Wines’ Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, Executive Vice President of Cult Wines North America, and special guest Aarash Ghatineh, Cult Wines’ Chief Revenue Officer.

Together, they dive into the state of the global wine market and the broader luxury landscape, offering a mix of market insights, personal stories, and spirited debates – including whether any bottle is truly worth £200,000? Spoiler: it gets lively.

From shifting supply trends and investment opportunities to the psychology behind ultra-luxury and the evolution of Cult Wines’ strategy, this episode uncorks some big questions and bigger ideas.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 2:

Are There Too Many Wines on the Market?

We kicked off the discussion with a focus on supply. Has the global wine market become saturated? Aarash explored how increasing production volumes from top producers are influencing demand, and Jonathan reflected on how collectors are becoming more selective, especially in Bordeaux. The conversation turned to wine’s unique dual nature – both luxury product and agricultural commodity – and how that creates friction in pricing and perception.

£200K for a Bottle – Worth It?

Tom raised the question: Are any wines really worth £200,000? Aarash didn’t hesitate to challenge the idea, drawing comparisons with luxury watches and exploring the psychology behind pricing. The chat evolved into a broader examination of value perception, particularly when comparing mature vintages with brand-new releases. Jonathan added that while rarity and brand heritage are key, there’s still a tipping point where buyers start asking, “What am I actually paying for here?”

Strategic Shifts and What Investors Want

We shared a bit of what’s been happening behind the scenes at Cult Wines – from evolving our approach to client strategy, to understanding where investor interest is heading. Aarash spoke about tailoring portfolios more precisely, providing people with the tools to make smarter, more agile decisions, and why education remains a significant part of what we do. Tom offered insight into why flexibility is becoming more important in a market where traditional cycles are shifting. Less “buy and hold,” more “buy with a plan.” This means a greater focus on liquidity, price transparency, and data.

The Broader Luxury Context

Wine doesn’t operate in a vacuum, so we zoomed out to examine the broader luxury space. With watches, handbags, art, and whisky all going through their own ups and downs, what can wine learn from them, and where can it outperform? Aarash explored how emotional engagement plays a huge role in wine’s long-term appeal, while Tom questioned whether the market needs to do a better job of storytelling. Because, ultimately, stories sell.

A Moment of Reflection – and a Look Ahead

As always, we rounded things off with a look at what’s next. While the fine wine market has seen its fair share of challenges over the past 18 months, the episode left us more optimistic than ever. Strong fundamentals, a clearer pricing environment, and a more educated investor base mean opportunities are available – they just require a sharper strategy and a broader perspective.

Have you heard of our online trading platform, CultX?

It’s a marketplace where you can buy, sell, and trade fine wine directly with other collectors. Check it out today!

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

We’re back with Episode 4 of Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, and joined as always by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, this episode features a new voice from inside the Cult Wines team, Hermione Egerton-Smith, our Senior Fine Wine Buyer.

Hermione brings years of experience and a finely tuned palate to the table, along with a refreshing perspective on how fine wine is sourced, evaluated and allocated in today’s market. From tasting trips in the Côte d'Or to managing producer relationships across Europe, she gives us a glimpse behind the curtain of wine buying at the highest level, and why it’s as much about instinct as it is data.

Naturally, we couldn’t let the moment pass without digging into our latest Cult Wines market analysis, exploring how fine wine regions have been performing in 2025 so far. In a market still finding its footing after a tough few years, this episode offers a candid and occasionally surprising look at which regions are holding strong, which are seeing renewed interest, and where the real opportunities may lie.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 4:

 Meet Hermione Egerton-Smith

We kick things off by welcoming Hermione to the podcast for the first time. As Senior Fine Wine Buyer at Cult Wines, she plays a key role in building our relationships with producers, tasting new releases, and ensuring the wines we offer meet both their reputations and their price tags.

Hermione shares how she transitioned from the fashion world into wine, and how the two careers aren’t as different as they might seem. She talks about the joy of visiting producers, tasting wines directly in cellars, and staying close to the people behind the bottles. It’s not just about spotting trends. It’s about building trust and long-term understanding of the regions in which we work.

Market Pulse: 2025 So Far

Tom, Jonathan and Hermione take stock of the year so far, exploring how the world’s key fine wine regions are performing across Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Italy, Rhone, USA and other emerging regions. What’s moving, what’s holding steady, and what’s caught us by surprise?

Rather than just reciting prices and charts, the conversation brings in real, first-hand observations: how producers are adjusting to new vintages, what buyers are responding to, and where sentiment is starting to shift. Burgundy’s 2022 vintage comes under the microscope, Champagne gets a reappraisal, and there’s a lively discussion around the next big moves in the market.

For those interested, you can read the Cult Wines' H1 2025 Wine Market Review for a complete overview.

What Makes a Wine Great Today?

The episode isn’t just about market trends. Tom poses a bigger question: What makes a wine great in the first place? Hermione offers a thoughtful answer, focused on balance, texture, and emotional connection. It’s not just about critic scores or capacity to age, but how a wine makes you feel the moment it’s in the glass.

Jonathan adds an investor’s perspective, highlighting the differences between commercial performance and greatness, and the importance of longevity, precision, and consistency when considering investment terms. It’s a well-rounded look at why certain bottles earn their reputation and price.

Final Thoughts & Wine Market Evolution

Whether you're a collector, investor or just wine-curious, this episode peels back the layers on how great wines are identified, how regions evolve, and how buying decisions are made in a global market that’s constantly shifting.

With Hermione's insight from the ground and Tom and Jonathan’s broader market views, Uncorked Episode 4 is an invitation to look at the fine wine world with a little more clarity and a lot more curiosity.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

H1 2025 Review: https://www.wineinvestment.com/learn/magazine/2025/08/the-half-year-wine-market-review-what-the-data-says-and-whats-next/

Episode 10 of Uncorked feels like a proper milestone. Tom Gearing, Cult Wines’ Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Luke Spalding, General Manager and Viticulturalist at Everflyht in Sussex, England, UK. Luke brings a rare blend of vineyard and commercial reality, speaking as someone who has planted, tended, measured, learned, and then had to make the wines work in the market as well.

We talk English Sparkling with the gloves off. What has changed over the last decade, why the category is earning serious attention, and what still needs to happen for it to become truly established on a global scale. Luke also shares how Everflyht’s regenerative push is shaping decisions in the vineyard, how a site that should not work on paper has been coaxed into quality, and what it takes to keep standards high when you only get one first impression with a new drinker.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 10:

Luke’s Route into English Sparkling

Luke’s path is not a straight line. He talks about collecting bottles while working in publishing, then shifting into wine, starting with WSET qualifications and retail experience before chasing vineyard work. He sent around 150 internship letters and eventually landed at Ridgeview in early 2015, working his way up before joining Everflyht at the end of 2018. There is also a clear turning point bottle, Camel Valley, which he says changed his view of what English Sparkling could be.

Follow Everflyht: Instagram: @everflyht • Website: www.everflyht.com

Fancy a little discount? Everflyht is offering 10% off for Uncorked listeners. Simply use code CULTWINES10 at checkout to enjoy savings on your next sparkling bottle. 🥂

Why English Sparkling Now Feels Different

The conversation picks apart what has changed in the category. Luke argues English Sparkling used to be inconsistent, and that the floor has lifted dramatically. The team also talk about why constant Champagne comparisons can be misleading, and how England’s climate, geology and style cues create a different expression, often with brightness and tension when given time.

Everflyht’s Vineyard Decisions & Regenerative Direction

Luke explains Everflyht’s approach as a gradual removal of inputs and a focus on soil and vine health. The detail is practical rather than preachy. The goal is long term consistency, not short term noise.

A Site that Should Not Work, but Does!

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is Luke describing why Everflyht looks challenging on paper. Clay, drainage, frost risk, wind, and the fixes that have helped turn risk into something workable. There is also a sober reminder that even with good decisions, some years are brutal, and 2024 is discussed as a year where they lost everything.

What Everflyht Stands For

We touch on Everflyht’s range and the house style, including what sits behind their cuvée, late release ageing, and the role of oak and time. Luke shares why the site leans Pinot, how Chardonnay behaves differently there, and why certain choices are about balance rather than fashion.

Pricing, Profitability & the Hard Economics

Tom asks the tough questions. How do English estates survive when Sparkling needs time in cellar, money is tied up for years, and consumers still compare prices to Champagne.

Luke gives an honest view of how many producers are actually profitable, and what the category may look like a decade from now, from local brands through to international scale players. It is a grounded look at why English Sparkling’s future is bright, but not guaranteed.

What Collectors Should Know

The conversation also touches on where demand is strongest, what export markets are most receptive, and how style choices like dosage shape the final wine.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

We kick off 2026 with our ninth episode of Uncorked, a Cult Wines podcast.

Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO of Cult Wines, sits down with Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, and special guest Libby Brodie, wine writer, City A.M.’s Wine Without Snobbery columnist, presenter and judge, to explore where fine wine culture is heading and why the line between drinking, collecting and investing is thinner than many think.

Libby shares how storytelling and community have powered her growth on social media and in print, and why she champions approachable, informed wine conversation for everyone.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 9:

Meet Libby Brodie

Tom and Jonathan introduce Libby’s path from theatre and film to wine writing and presenting. Her focus is clear, make wine useful and enjoyable for people who already love it but want more from the glass. She talks about learning the ropes, writing for City A.M, and why a good story can carry a tasting note further.

Follow Libby: Instagram: @libbybrodie • Website: www.bacchusandbrodie.com

Dry, damp, or… moist January

The year opens with a frank look at January habits. The table trades views on Dry, Damp, and the newly coined “Moist January,” using it to talk about balance, reset routines, and how people actually drink once the holidays are over.

What traded and why

A look back at last year’s secondary-market standouts sets the scene. Dom Pérignon features. La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 2011 stands as a headline example for value, volume and drink-readiness. Vega Sicilia is held up as a perennial crowd-pleaser that performs with beginners and experts alike.

Optionality for collectors

Tom outlines a simple idea for building a cellar at sensible price points, with optionality. Buy bottles you want to drink, that you can resell if plans change, and that carry credible critic quality. Rioja Alta is used to show how maturity, ageing potential, and liquidity can come together at a comfortable entry price.

From cellar to table

The team trace the life of a bottle from release to restaurant list. Proper storage and smart distribution keep wines in peak condition and give diners access to back vintages, while supporting producers with a healthy after-market.

Champagne and the sparkle effect

Libby talks about why sparkling keeps drawing people in. The visual pop, the energy at the table, and the appeal of styles that fit more occasions. Interest in Champagne remains strong, with other sparkling regions gaining from the same momentum.

Wine without snobbery

Access and tone matter. Libby shares recent experiences that show where bias still appears and why visibility and clear language help address it. Jancis Robinson’s example serves as a high bar for rigour and openness, alongside the push for greater diversity in wine.

Price, value and everyday choices

Pints and coffees get a playful comparison with bottles that carry a meal. The point is not to spend more, it is to spend wiser, with a little thought for context, occasion and what you actually want to drink.

If you enjoy honest views, real data and market chat that stays practical, this is a good way to start the year. Subscribe, send in your questions for the next episode.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

We are kicking off 2026 with our special year in review episode. Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO of Cult Wines, sits down with guest Joe Alim, Managing Director, Cult Wines Asia, to look back at how the fine wine market moved in 2025 and where it could be heading in 2026.

In short, it was a year that asked for patience early on, found its feet in the middle, and finished with a brighter tone towards the end of the year.

What is covered in this bonus episode?

The year that wasTom frames 2025 as a transition year. Prices, on average, drifted lower through the first half before finding a base, while trading activity broadened as more bottles changed hands and more labels re-appeared on buy lists.The headline is simple. Participation improved even when prices were still adjusting, and that foundation helped the late-year lift.

Highs, lows and a turning pointJoe’s high point is the change in mood in the final stretch, when bids felt firmer and confidence returned for recognisable names. The low was the stop-start nature of the spring, when hopes for a quicker reset were dented.The turning point arrived as autumn set in, with better attendance at tastings, healthier enquiry levels and a sense that disciplined pricing was being rewarded.

Region by region, the picture is mixed.

🍷 Bordeaux carried the heaviest weight of older stock and needed sharper pricing to move, but showed more life into the fourth quarter.

🍷 Burgundy stayed selective, with buyers focusing on provenance and fair value rather than chasing every label.

🍷 Champagne kept its place as a liquidity hub, though buyers were more price aware than a year ago.

🍷 Italy and the USA each produced bright spots, often where producers balanced quality with sensible release levels.

🍷 Rest of World continued to attract curiosity, especially when wines came with a clear story and strong condition.

What actually movedRather than a single winner, the market rewarded familiarity and fairness. Well-known producers and strong vintages saw the most consistent action. Late in the year, there was fresh interest in classic left-bank reds, a renewed look at a handful of blue-chip Champagnes, and a gentle widening toward back-vintage parcels with clean paperwork.

Price action without the spreadsheetsLooking across the year, price rises tended to cluster where supply was tight, condition was excellent and critics had been consistent across vintages. Retreats showed up where the market had run ahead of itself during the boom, or where availability was simply too deep to clear quickly. The direction into year-end was modestly higher for the most liquid bottles, flatter elsewhere, and still cautious for anything carrying a heavy premium without the fundamentals to back it up.

Momentum into 2026Tom and Joe agree that the first movers in any recovery are usually the most liquid wines with strong brands, clear provenance, and recent trading history. From there, confidence can broaden if buyers feel prices are grounded. Asia’s demand picture is encouraging for Champagne and prestige reds, with room to grow if travel and hospitality continue to normalise.

How to think about the next twelve monthsThe outlook is practical rather than breathless. Focus on the condition and paperwork. Prefer producers with consistent scoring across several vintages rather than single-vintage spikes. Use fair release levels as a guide to value. Be patient with slower regions that are still digesting stock. Keep some powder dry for well-priced parcels that appear without fanfare.

If 2024 was the comedown, 2025 was the recalibration. More hands in the market, more sensible pricing, and a late-year shift from caution to quiet confidence. We head into 2026 watching for breadth beyond the usual suspects, but the tone is better, the signals are clearer, and the opportunities are there for those who buy with discipline.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

Welcome to Episode 8 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast, and our final show of 2025. Tom Gearing, Cult Wines’ Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Victoria Daskal.

Victoria is a wine writer, educator, WSET instructor and global traveller whose tastings and experiences bring history, culture and people together. We wrap the year with a lively conversation about how people discover wine, how learning turns curiosity into confidence, and why stories and place make the journey stick.

We are closing 2025 on a high and looking ahead to 2026 with real excitement.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 8:

How Victoria found her spark

Victoria’s spark was a single glass that opened a door. As a student in Montreal, a Penfolds wine caught her attention with vivid aroma and flavour, and set her on a path to learn, taste and travel. Courses in Boston followed, guided by a mentor who framed wine through history and culture rather than rules. Time in France deepened the picture, from vineyard work to selling along the Côte d’Azur. Early writing and careful editing with Jancis Robinson helped sharpen a clear, balanced voice.

From there, the discussion widens to how people find their way into wine. Victoria champions approachable education, tasting groups and curiosity over jargon. Study gives you language for what you taste, while travel and context make the lessons memorable. The result is not a checklist but a way to connect wine to people, places and moments.

Natural, organic & biodynamic 

The trio unpack where farming meets philosophy. Biodynamics is framed as vineyard-first, often quietly practised for healthier soils, while natural wine is discussed as low-intervention winemaking with a lively scene that draws in new drinkers.

Names and places come up, from Loire, Savoie, Jura and Beaujolais to Austria’s Burgenland and the Pannobile group, with Judith Beck highlighted as an accessible way in. The team also touch on collectors’ favourites where these worlds meet, and why some of those bottles now trade at serious levels.

Closures, ageing & pairings 

A fast, fun segment puts common wine beliefs to the test. Jonathan reads a series of statements for the team to call FACT or MYTH. No sitting on the fence and no spoilers here, so you can play along as you listen.

The statements on the slate:

• “Screw caps mean cheap wine.” 
  The team explore why closures are chosen, how oxygen management works, and what top producers are doing under cap.
  
• “All wine gets better with age.”
  Expect a chat about structure, style, vintage, provenance and format, plus when evolution becomes decline.
  
• “You can’t pair red wine with fish.”
  The nuances of tannin, texture and cooking method come into play, along with a few smart exceptions.
  
• “Champagne must be expensive to be good.”
  The team weigh non-vintage quality, grower versus house styles, and where value shows up on the shelf.
  
• “Organic wine means no sulphites.”
  Labelling, legal limits and cellar practice get unpacked, including what “no added” really means.

So here is the takeaway as we close the year. Be curious. Ask why a wine tastes the way it does. Taste with friends who challenge you. Keep something in the cellar you are not ready to open. Keep something you cannot wait to open. And when a myth shows up dressed as a fact, give it a gentle nudge and taste again.

Thank you for listening, watching and for writing in. That is Episode 8, and that is 2025. We cannot wait to bring more conversation, bottles and ideas to you all in 2026.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

Welcome to Episode 7 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Han Lian, wine influencer, storyteller, and ambassador whose path runs from China to Australia, France and now London.

Together they talk about how people fall for wine, how learning shapes confidence, where curiosity leads next, and how to think about drinking, saving, and trading across styles and regions.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 7:

Han’s Origin Story

Han’s wine switch flipped in Burgundy. Living in Melbourne at the time, she already enjoyed the city’s wine culture, but her first encounter with white Burgundy in her former father-in-law’s cellar near Meursault changed everything. She describes a real sense of chemistry with the wine that sent her down the rabbit hole, from tastings to a growing curiosity about winemaking choices and how they shape what ends up in the glass.

For Han, wine is an agent for experiences. Australia’s weekend vineyard trips soon became journeys (much) further afield. The draw is part culture, part landscape, part conversation with the people behind the bottles.

Tom and Jonathan share their views, recalling how seeing wine regions in person can rewire your sense of minerality, slope, and style.

Travel Changes the Palate

Seeing vineyards first-hand changes how wines make sense in the glass. The team talk about how travel resets your expectations. Standing on the slopes above the Mosel sharpens your feel for Riesling’s line and energy. A few days in the Jura puts its style into context and adds it to the watch list for future exploring. The Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, are called out for distinct, characterful whites that make more sense once you have seen the landscape.

The team then discuss examples of their favourite regions that are highlighted as touchpoints for style and direction.

Across all of this, the point is simple. Travel gives you scale and place, tasting in situ, meeting growers, and seeing how wines are served locally changes how you judge acidity, texture, and weight when you are back at home.

Game On! Drink, Save or Trade

A fun segment in this episode is a quickfire exercise that helps listeners think about priorities in a cellar. The format is simple: Each round presents three options. For each set, you choose one to drink now, one to save for later, and one to trade to fund something else.

The rounds covered include:

• Sparkling wine: Champagne, English sparkling, Prosecco.
• Reds by style and region: Bordeaux, Super Tuscan, Napa Cabernet.
• Top Burgundy producers: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Comte Liger-Belair, Domaine Leroy.
• Iconic bottles: Masseto, Petrus, Screaming Eagle.

The group talk through how to approach the choices, what to weigh up for each category, and why the answer can shift with mood, budget, and plans. Play along with us, do you agree with the team’s views? Let us know.

Closing Notes

Episode 7 shows us that wine is bigger than scores and spreadsheets. It is curiosity, travel, and conversation. Han’s travel stories add colour, while the chat widens to the places, bottles and choices that shape a cellar.

There are also practical takeaways. How does studying build confidence in wine, without removing the joy? How to use travel to calibrate your taste. How to think about icons, grower names, and value in the same breath. For the whole back-and-forth, all the bottles referenced, and many more stories that did not make it into this summary, tune in to the episode on your favourite platform below.

👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

Welcome to Episode 6 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. This week, Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Cult Wines’ Chief Revenue Officer, Aarash Ghatineh, with Alexa Atkinson, Cult Wines’ Senior Marketing Manager, stepping out from behind the camera and onto the couch.

Expect a quick market pulse check, a stack of listener questions, and a few candid stories from the road.

📌 What’s covered in Episode 6:

Alexa in the Hot Seat

Alexa talks about her path into wine, studying through WSET Level 2 with Level 3 on the horizon, and how a London move turned a design role at Cult Wines into a far broader marketing remit. California roots, frequent trips to Napa as a kid, and a 100-point tasting at 67 Pall Mall all feature, with honourable mentions for Cos d’Estournel 2009 and a recent La Rioja Alta 1996 Gran Reserva that stole the show.

Market Check: Signs of Life?

Aarash recaps September’s numbers. Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 posted its first monthly rise since March 2022, up 0.3%, while the Liv-ex 100 gained 1.1%. The team note improving sentiment, more active bidding, and the seasonal tailwinds that typically run from September through January. Recent ‘trading up’ activity included names such as Lafite 2019, Tignanello 2010 and 2015, Dom Pérignon vintages, Château d’Yquem 2015, and some older First Growths including Haut-Brion 2000.

Listeners’ Questions: Spotting the Next Big Thing

How do you identify rising producers and regions early? Tom points to critics, on-the-ground shifts, and community signals. Burgundy is the case study: generational change and philosophy can move the dial, with examples ranging from Arnoux-Lachaux under Charles Lachaux through to the current buzz around Tino Kuban, who has taken over Bernard Van Berg’s project and released wines under Le Jardin Viva. Restaurant lists, sommeliers, and social channels are proving to be strong early indicators, too.

Bordeaux Value: Firsts, Seconds & Smart Buys

Asked where the Bordeaux value sits today, the group make the case for both approaches. For investment, the last ten to fifteen vintages of First Growths have the depth and liquidity to anchor a position. For drinking value, names such as Léoville Poyferré, Léoville-Las Cases, Lynch-Bages, and Montrose 2014 at sensible prices were highlighted. The thread running through it all is discipline on price and provenance.

From £100–£150 a Month: Building a Small Cellar

With a modest monthly budget, Champagne is a timely starting point. Frédéric Savart got a name-check for grower fizz, while Italy offered friendly entries through Brunello, such as Il Poggione and Poggio di Sotto, with Le Ranier also mentioned. A sweet-wine note for the holidays appears, too, with back-vintage Rieussec and Coutet cited as excellent value. A practical red to round it out: Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Francia 2017, quoted at around £38 a bottle.

Storage, Proof & Peace of Mind

On provenance, the advice is clear. In-bond storage offers structure and traceability. Ask for photos of cases and bottles where sensible, and be extra vigilant when stock is being brokered rather than held in-house. The team recall a Scarecrow 2016 pallet with raised corks discovered on arrival, fully documented and resolved through insurance because checks were done at intake. Techniques such as proof tags and label checks under UV are now standard across reputable warehouses.

Final Takeaways

Six episodes in, the questions keep coming, and the market finally shows a hint of a turn. This one brings practical tips on spotting tomorrow’s names, concrete examples across Champagne, Bordeaux and Italy, and clear guidance on keeping your bottles safe.

For the full list of listener questions, all the wines, and a few extra stories, tune in to the episode.  

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