Show Notes
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.
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More from Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast
🍷 How are tariffs reshaping the US fine wine market? Who is actually collecting wine in America today? And can the industry solve its access problem before the next generation walks away?
🍷 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?