Corney & Barrow

As part of our Bordeaux 2023 en primeur podcast series, members of our Fine Wine Team give regular updates on the campaign and the most recent releases. This is our ‘Bordeaux Unpicked’ series. In this first episode, we hear from Aaran and Joe, who formed part of the ‘B Team’ during the Bordeaux en primeur trip. They discuss what they learned when out in the vineyards, potential drinking windows, current release prices, and which wines impressed or disappointed them. Wines discussed: Angludet, Pontet-Canet, Léoville Las Cases, Lafite, Carruades de Lafite and Duhart-Milon.

Resident podcast host Tree chats with Guy Seddon (Head of Fine Wine Buying) and Joe Muller (Head of Monopole) about their recent visit to Bordeaux to scope out the 2023 vintage. In this episode, they give a detailed overview of the growing season, the expected release prices and, of course, the wines themselves. Both Joe and Guy also recap their top wines of the trip from both the Right Bank and Left Bank, along with discussing the potential future of the en primeur system.

Ahead of this year’s Bordeaux en primeur campaign for the 2023 vintage, we decided to contact our customers to find out more about their feelings on Bordeaux en primeur in general. In this podcast, resident host Tree talks to Will Hargrove and Marc Ditcham about the en primeur system and what we gleaned from the survey results, along with an overview of the 2023 campaign. The trio explains why we wanted to do this survey in the first place, what the results mean, and how it will be used.

Join Rebecca Palmer (Head of Merchanting Buying) and Chris Hampson (CEO & Artistic Director Scottish Ballet) as they discuss the intricacies of the special partnership between Corney & Barrow and Scottish Ballet. Throughout this podcast, they explore the parallels between winemaking, creating art, building on heritage and engaging audiences whilst also looking at the similar values both companies share – breaking new boundaries but respecting traditional techniques. They describe the unique dance that was created especially for C&B a few years ago, ‘Swirl’, which was performed in our Ayr vaulted cellars, with a look at a new project and wine-inspired choreography we will be collaborating on this year. Finally, the conversation also meanders to Chris’ own wine passion as he discusses his most-loved wine regions and, of course, his C&B favourites!

Join resident podcast host Tree as she looks at Burgundy 2022 with Guy (Head of Fine Wine Buying) and Joe (Head of Monopole). Following on from their visits to the region last year, Guy and Joe give a detailed insight into the 2022 growing season and what makes these wines so fresh, the samples tasted, the producers they met along with the up-and-coming winemaking generation, comparable vintages, biodynamic viticulture benefits and restaurant recommendations for if you’re ever in the region yourself! The pair also explain the C&B tasting notes and scores to help guide you through our Burgundy 2022 offer. Whether you’re a seasoned Bourgogne enthusiast or a wine-loving beginner, this is the perfect deep-dive synopsis of the latest releases from one of the world’s greatest wine regions.

Terroir is a term that is regularly used in relation to wine, but what exactly is it? Spoiler alert: it’s not just referring to the soils! Join C&B resident Podcast host, Tree, as she delves into this fascinating topic with Kate (On-Trade Sales Executive) and Luc (Fine Wine Buying Assistant). They discuss why winemakers are so proud of their terroir, how it shapes the character and quality of wine and what the possible science behind it is. As a Christmas bonus, the three also talk about their festive wine traditions and top recommendations for your own celebrations.

Join our resident Podcast host, Tree, as she discusses wine vintages with Will (Head of Fine Wine) and Ida (Fine Wine Sales Executive). They delve into explaining what vintage means and how it affects the flavours and characteristics of a wine. Important questions are answered, such as Does a bad vintage exist and what makes it so? along with discussion around wine vintages from their own birth years. Of course, as it is Christmas, there is also conversation around some festive food and wine pairings too!

Water is a known precious commodity, but how does it affect the wine we love? Our resident Podcast Host, Tree, is joined by Guy (Fine Wine Buyer) and Joe (Head of Monopole) to discuss the influences of excess and lack of water in vineyards and how we might taste that in our glass. Important questions such as Is it possible to make great wines in a changing world? are explored along with discussion around irrigation. Adding a festive twist, the three also chat about Christmas wines and what bottles they have lined up for their own celebrations.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without discussing food and wine. In this episode, C&B resident Podcast host, Tree, chats with Camilla (Training Manager) and Clive (in-house Chef) about festive feasting. Discover great tips for food and wine matching, what to do with your leftovers, how to prepare for hosting and a look at the past, present and future of Christmas food and wine… Caution: listening is sure to make you salivate!

Robert Dougan of La Pèira talks to C&B's Guy Seddon about La Pèira, tracing his journey from Australian schoolboy to Languedoc winemaker, via London dishwasher and Hollywood songwriter.

In this latest episode, Will Monroe talks with Arber Shabani, the Sales Manager at the Ridolfi winery in Brunello di Montalcino. As well as exploring this exciting estate and its Montalcino wines, we find out more about Arber and how he went from graduating as a pharmacist to a career in the wine industry. Plus, Arber reveals what unusual style of wine Rodolfi decided to make as well as the future plans for the winery.

The more well-known names in Bordeaux can cost hundreds or even thousands a bottle, and that may understandably send many looking elsewhere for bottles to open for their everyday drinking. But, there is value to be found - Will Monroe asks Greg Reid from our Scottish team to share his tips and insights around finding the value in Bordeaux.

In this latest episode of our Bordeaux Bitesize series, we hear from our longest standing member of the Fine Wine Team, Ed Pilkington. Ed shares a range of nuggets about White Bordeaux, from micro climates, to the different grape styles, to when to drink. Discover which historic incident changed the course of white winemaking in the region for decades to come. This podcast will both educate and inspire, reminding you there is a white choice when it comes to browsing for your next Bordeaux bottle.

In this episode of our Bordeaux Bitesize series, Tree from our Fine Wine Team gets to ask her former boss, Paul Marus about his 30 years at Corney & Barrow, why he is a 'Bordeaux baby' and about his association with a certain Dark Lord. Given the chance, what would this expert go back in time and buy en-primeur? Listen and find out...

In our latest episode we are joined by one of our favourite Italian winemakers Giulia Negri, who makes wines in the northern part of Piedmont, in Italy. Giulia is widely considered one of the most up and coming producers in the region and Will Monroe from our Fine Wine team was very excited to talk to her. As well as discussing the stunning Barolo wines Giulia makes, we also hear about her estate, bio diversity and her recent appearance on Stanley Tucci’s 'Piedmont’ episode on BBC2.

Join Rebecca Palmer (Buyer) and Ida Weatherall (Fine Wine team) to learn about how we are introducing more Women into the wonderful World of Wine. Find out more about their experience, work, passion and will to break the glass ceiling. A very interesting discussion between two women in the wine industry!

Join Ida Weatherall, Guy Seddon and Joe Muller from our Fine Wine team, to find out about Burgundy 2021. Discover what made our interviewer Tree declare ‘Oh my!’ in this latest podcast.

On this episode Tree invites Will Hargrove (C&B's Head of Fine Wine) and Neville Kirkpatrick (C&B's Fine Wine Executive) to discuss everything decanting. What it means? Why do it? And how it can enhance your drinking experience.

C&B's Katrina Thuis chats with Gill Perkins (CEO of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust) and Olly Smith (Wine Expert, TV Personality and Ambassador for the Trust) about why the Bumblebee is so important and what we can all be doing to be help save this amazing species!

Will Hargrove (C&B's Head Fine Wine) and Guy Seddon (C&B's Fine Wine Buyer) share their insights on the 2021 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign.