Show Notes
Welcome to Episode 12 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Tom Gearing, our Co-founder and CEO, is joined as always by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Aarash Ghatineh, Cult Wines’ CRO. Aarash returns for what Tom calls the ‘big guns’ episode, because we have reached that point in the year where the market story matters. We are already at the end of Q1, and with Bordeaux En Primeur about to dominate the calendar, this is the moment to take stock of what has changed, what has not, and where collectors are actually putting money to work. The conversation starts with a straight read on the tone of trading so far this year, then pulls apart the themes sitting underneath it: stability returning to parts of the market, buyers focusing more on fundamentals, and renewed activity in the vintages and regions that offer both stature and opportunity. From there, attention turns to the questions everyone asks at this time of year. What needs to happen for En Primeur 2025 to land well? How should buyers think about value once carrying costs are considered? How has easier trading changed the old buy-and-hold logic? As ever, it is not all spreadsheets and seriousness; there is room for a bit of fun between the numbers. 📌 What’s covered in Episode 12: End of Q1: Steadier Market ToneQ1 shows greater price stability, with less speculation and more disciplined buying. After recent volatility, there are signs the market is finding support.
Prime Bordeaux Value & the ‘Holy Trinity’Mature Bordeaux is back in focus, particularly the 2005, 2009 and 2010 vintages. Wines such as Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild illustrate renewed demand and trading depth.
Why Burgundy Remains in DemandBurgundy trading value continues to rise, supported by limited supply and shifting buyer behaviour. Collectors are increasingly favouring back vintages over expensive new releases.
The Most Traded WinesPontet-Canet stands out as the most traded red wine globally, reflecting consistency and accessibility. The team also builds a ‘five-a-side’ of top traded wines across regions.
White Wines on the RiseWhite wines are seeing increased activity across regions, with notable growth in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Rhône and the US, highlighting growing collectability.
Momentum Wines & Premium BuyingTop-tier wines such as DRC Echezeaux demonstrate strong trading momentum, with buyers prioritising provenance and quality over price.
Bordeaux En Primeur 2025: Pressure & PossibilityWith En Primeur approaching, the discussion turns to pricing, liquidity and market expectations. The team explores how evolving trading dynamics are reshaping buyer behaviour.
A Wine Game with a TwistThe episode closes with a light-hearted game inspired by the Masters Champions Dinner, in which participants guess wine prices and reflect on value at the top end of the market. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.
More from Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast
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🍷 Is the fine wine market finally turning? Where is liquidity returning? And after more than two years of correction, could flat really be the new up?
🍷 What can the wine industry learn from Taylor Swift? Is fine wine really an investment? And why might France's most protected traditions be its biggest weakness?
🍷 Is English wine finally having its moment? Can the UK sell as much wine as it can now make? And why is vineyard tourism booming right on our doorstep? In Episode 14 of Uncorked, Tom Gearing and Jonathan Stevenson welcome Alice Griffiths, wine writer, columnist and passionate advocate for English and Welsh wine, for a lively deep dive into one of the UK's most exciting wine categories. This episode heads much closer to home. Drawing on Alice's two decades in agriculture and her full-time career championing homegrown wine, the conversation explores cellar doors, vineyard trails, still wines, Welsh producers, social media, supermarkets and even a Guinness World Record attempt involving 80 vineyards in seven days. Alice shares where to start if you want to visit English vineyards, why tourism is becoming a genuine hospitality opportunity rather than a novelty, and what the next stage of the industry really depends on. Together, the panel discusses the English wine boom, the challenge of selling enough of it, and how supermarkets, cellar doors and vineyard visits can each become a doorway into the category.
🍷 Is wine still culturally relevant? What makes someone become a collector? And how can the fine wine trade connect with the next generation?