The Bring a Bottle Podcast

Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 88

Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 88

Hello, hello, and welcome back to the Bring a Bottle Podcast! We’re back from our Summer jollies and up to our usual mischief while helping you fall in love with what’s in your glass. From this week onwards though, we’re mixing things up by not only recording podcasts together but also recording podcasts separately with special guests and it just so happens that this week it’s Aidy’s turn!

You can listen to the full podcast via the player below or via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Here’s a little snippet of what he got up to:

Third Drinkers

Amanda Selby and Keiligh Baker

Joining Aidy in the studio are Amanda Selby and Keiligh Baker.

Amanda Selby, known as @DrinkWithMeUK, is an online drinks sensation. From wine to spirits she’s worked in just about every drinks job there is working on a huge roster of brands like Jack Daniels, Chambord, Russian Standard Vodka, Finlandia Vodka, Sonoma Cutrer Winery in California, Royal Tokaji in Hungary, we could go on.

Keiligh Baker is a journalist and podcast extraordinaire. On the writing side, she’s worked with everyone from the MailOnline to BBC and the Travel Show publishing breaking news stories. In the podcasting world, she’s been working on a number of hit BBC Shows like Ouch and is currently a producer of the BBC’s disability podcast, Access All.

 

What’s in Our Glass?

Franklin and Sons Tonic Water

We’re putting Grand Marnier to the test this week. Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur made in the heart of cognac and is more commonly mixed into cocktails than drunk mixed with tonics. We’ve chosen to mix our Grand Marnier with Franklin & Sons Rosemary and Black Olive tonic water and Franklin & Sons Mallorcan tonic water.

The Mallorcan tonic water has a smell reminiscent of an orange spritz! It is lovely and fresh, not too sweet and when mixed with the Grand Marnier a natural breeze of fresh orange marmalade hits you with a refreshing burst of tonic at the end. It’s like summer in a glass!

Find here: £17.50 for 24 (200ml)

The Rosemary and Black Olive tonic water is like a meal in a bottle before you’ve even put any Grand Marnier in the mix – think focaccia! When mixed with the Grand Marnier, orange and rosemary hits your nose and to be quite honest it smells like Christmas and would make for a great aperitif before your turkey! It’s a perfect winter drink.

Find here: £17.50 for 24 (200ml)

 

Drinks News

Caviar and Champagne

Have you ever flown Emirates? Well, for all those of you lucky enough to fly first class with them (please do get in touch we have soo many questions!), you will be pleased to hear that now, not only do you get a double bed, a 3.5 minute hot shower and a huge TV screen, but Emirates has just invested £1.6 billion in unlimited Dom Perignon and Caviar for you to enjoy! Cheers to that!

 

Buy it or Bin it

Buy it or Bin it Blue drink

In ‘Buy it or Bin it’ Amanda puts our tastebuds to the test with a bright blue liquid that looks like either WKD or an energy drink. We can tell you it is neither of those and we can also tell you that you’re going to love the reactions had when it’s tried! Listen in to find out what it actually is here.

 

Question Time with Aidy

BBc Podcast Access All

Aidy has some burning questions for Amanda and Keiligh and the answers involve NYC’s Gangsta Crab, how to make the perfect Martini no matter how you like it best, what life is like working for BBC’s disability podcast, Access All, and finally… stealing your baby’s diffuser and putting it to “much better use” by using it to make cocktails!

  

Mailbag

Martini with a lemon twist

This week’s burning question is ‘Why do people rub lemon around the glass when making a martini – is it just theatre or is there a reason?’ Well, there is a reason and although it may seem like quite a bizarre thing to do, it’s really quite an important reason. Listen in to hear Amanda explain more!

⁣Enjoyed this? Well, there’s plenty more to listen to so make sure to check out Episode 88 of The Bring a Bottle Podcast now!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 85

The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 85

Another week, another fun-filled podcast to listen to! This week we discover two gorgeous Californian wines from Talbott Vineyard, chat about why playing music to vines is important, taste test a Mastiha spirit distilled from the resin of the Mastic tree, and share with you some must-try canned wines for your summer picnics! 

What’s in our Glass?

Talbott Vineyards Kali Hart Chardonnay

We’re not strangers to Talbott Vineyard, in fact, this time last year we were exploring the Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay (Episode 55). In Episode 85, however, we are sipping on Kali Hart Chardonnay from Monterey in California. It is a beautiful wine - not too oaky or tart, it has notes of vanilla and marshmallow on the nose and gentle peach, apricot, pear and vanilla to taste.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £19 // $19.99 

Talbott Vineyards Kali Hart Pinot Noir

Not wanting to leave out the other grape California is renowned for; we also sip on Talbott Vineyards Kali Hart Pinot Noir. Named after Rob Talbott’s daughter, this 2018 pinot noir is a delicious glass of strawberries, raspberries, hints of vanilla and a kiss of oak. It is amazing value for a premium Californian wine and would pair perfectly with pasta.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £19.99 // $22.99

Drinks News

Playing music to wine

Did you ever wonder why some winemakers play music to their grapes? Well, this week we have the answer! Studies have shown that the baseline very subtly causes the wine to move in the barrel which increases its contact with oxygen making for a more complex and tastier wine! Music is also played in some vineyards as apparently there is a certain pitch that stops aphids from attacking the vines!

Drinkers Discovery

Wine in cans.

This week our drinkers’ discovery is wine in cans! Let’s face it, they used to be very mediocre with a bizarre smell and a sulphury taste, however, this is not the case anymore and in fact, there are so many tasty cans out there these days you are spoilt for choice! Listen in to see which Helena rates!

World Drinks

Axia Spirits

Have you tried Mastiha spirit?! Well, this week we popped open a bottle of Axia and did just that in the studio. Mastiha spirit is a clear spirit from Greece distilled from the resin of the mastic tree. On the nose, it’s smoky and spicy but in an elegant way that doesn’t jump out of the glass at you. To taste it is very aromatic, with savoury notes. It’s almost herbaceous with a slightly aniseedy flavour, liquorice spice and fennel. We reckon it would make a cracking variation of a Bloody Mary!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £31.95

Mailbag

Which Rosé wine should I try?

We love your mailbag questions and this week’s question did not disappoint as you asked us which rosé wine, other than those from Provence you should have in your glass. Listen in to find out what we recommend!

If you liked this you can find this episode as well as previous episodes via this link.

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 84

Welcome back to another episode of our Bring a Bottle podcast! This week we chat about tasty mixers for your rum, give a shoutout to brand new vodka brand, Vodka 4 Peace, taste test a drink that looks like alcoholic pink chocolate milk in buy it or bin it and Aidy catches up with the wonderful Briget from Étän Rum! Listen in to hear all this and more via the player below!

What’s in our glass?

Franklin and Sons Pineapple and Almond tonic featured in The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 84

We’re taste-testing mixers for rum this week and we’ve got our hands back on Franklin and Sons Pineapple and Almond soda*. When you drink this mixer on its own the pineapple really stands out, however, we found that when mixing it with rum there is a real marzipan note to it as the pineapple is toned down and the almond shines through. The mixer itself is a great drink to enjoy if you just fancy a nice drink that isn’t alcoholic but we’re curious to see what it would taste like with mezcal…

Size: 200ml
Find here: £17.50 for 24 bottles

* For our American friends, soda in the UK is flavoured water.

Drinks doing Good

Vodka 4 Peace

We love to shout out about drinks brands that are doing good and this week we’re putting Vodka 4 Peace in the spotlight. Set up by peace-loving entrepreneurs including Anastasiia Rosinina who was forced to leave Ukraine this year, the brand has been created to help Ukrainians in need and to support humanitarian organisations worldwide. The vodka itself is a premium grain-based vodka, triple-distilled under German quality standards and 100% of all the profits made from sales will go to charities to help until 2026 with £5 from every bottle also being donated.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.90

Personal News

Helena has been busy helping Wines of New Zealand with their petition to get a white wine emoji. You can find out more here. Aidy on the other hand has been getting into the art of journaling!

Buy it or Bin it

Dead Man's Fingers Raspberry Rum Cream Liqueur

Buy it or bin it is back and this week we have a drink that looks like alcoholic pink chocolate milk and smells like raspberry blancmange! ‘What is it?!’ we hear you ask… it is in fact, Dead Man’s Fingers Raspberry Rum Cream Liqueur! A definite guilty pleasure, this would taste amazing poured over ice cream, be that vanilla, strawberry or chocolate!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £15 

Third Drinker

Etan Rum Briget

Aidy catches up with Briget, one of the five fabulous sisters behind rum brand Étän, to discuss where the idea of Étän rum came from, what it tastes like, the BEST street food you can find in Cameroon and the most underrated rum cocktail you need to try. Listen in to find out more and if you want to get your hands on a bottle of Étän rum, here are the details…

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40

Mailbag

Finally, it wouldn’t be a Bring a Bottle podcast without one of your fantastic mailbag questions. This week you asked ‘What are the differences between light and dark rum?’.

Listen in to all this, and a whole lot more, by clicking on this link!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 82

The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 82

Another week, another exciting episode of the Bring a Bottle podcast to listen in to! This week we’re joined by special third drinker guest, Romy Gill, as we talk about her gorgeous gin and brand new book, a new breed of spirit from Holyrood Distillery and Aidy’s BBC Radio 4 documentary 'The Truth About Tourette's'. Listen in via the player below today!

What’s in our glass?

Franklin and Sons Elderflower and Cucumber tonic water

This week we’re looking at some great mixers for gin and we’ve picked up Franklin & Sons Elderflower and Cucumber tonic. Elderflower and cucumber are really complementary flavours for many types of gin and we found this to be the case here too. The cucumber was the stand-out flavour at first with a subtle hint of elderflower that came out more in the glass as time went on making for a very refreshing and floral G&T.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £17.50 (for 24 bottles)

Drinks News

People in a pub saying 'cheers'

Helena has spotted an interesting event taking place this Summer, Wetherspoons 11hr bus pub crawl! The boozy experience is £22, includes breakfast, lunch and booze and will take you to 7 venues between Southport and Blackpool all with the aim of uniting solo drinkers and giving them a chance to make friends. Listen in to find out more!

Personal News

The Truth About Tourette's Documentary BBC Radio4 BBC Sounds

Aidy has some big news this week as he has launched a documentary on BBC Radio 4 called ‘The Truth about Tourette’s’. Aidy himself has Tourette’s Syndrome and he is very eager to share the true facts and figures about the condition and to let people know that Tourette’s can be a superpower and not a burden. Listen in as he interviews people with the condition as well as his friends and family to give you a truthful insight into what living with Tourette’s is like.

Third Drinker

Romy Gill

This week we are joined in the studio by the fantastic Romy Gill MBE. Romy is a chef, author and broadcaster whose specialty is Indian cuisine with a British twist. Listen in to hear us chat all about her latest book, her Mango, Ginger and Lime gin and her guilty food and drink pleasure!

Drinker’s Discovery

Hollyrood Distillery Charmed Circle

We taste test a new breed of spirit from Holyrood Distillery, enter ‘Strong Water’. Essentially new make, it is made with certain types of heritage barley. We tried ‘Charmed Circle’ made from Golden Promise barley, it has notes of orchid fruits and a bitter sweet finish of dark chocolate and liquorice. We reckon it would work a treat with Franklin and Sons Rosemary and Olive mixer!

If you’ve enjoyed this summary, make sure you tune in to hear more about our ‘word of the week’, the cheeky antics of two rival beer distilleries and more…

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 80

We are back for a brand new series of the Bring a Bottle podcast! Follow our journey as we make more drink-y discoveries, uncover the latest drinks news ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous and share some great sips that we think should be in your glass!

What’s in our glass?

Franklin and Sons Mixers

Episode 80 is all about the best mixers for Cognac, and wow are there some great ones out there! We tried Franklin and Sons Mandarin with Ginger mixer and Pineapple with almond mixer. Both could easily be drunk neat as a nice soft drink, however, when mixed with Cognac the Mandarin with Ginger mixer was a party in the mouth! The toffee and caramel notes of the cognac worked really well with the ginger element, and the citrussy notes matched the mandarin flavours perfectly. The Pineapple with almond mixer was equally as good. It tasted like stewed caramelised pineapples, wasn’t sugary or overpoweringly sweet and the Cognac stood out whilst the pineapple shone through. It would be a great option for someone who was looking to get into Cognac.

Size: 200ml (24 bottles)
Find here: Mandarin with Ginger £17.50 // Pineapple with Almond £17.50

Drinks News

Bo Kiri Bar

Helena’s news is all about an incredible canned drinks bar in Peckham Rye called Bo Kiri. Introducing a whole new way of doing hospitality, Bo Kiri is a really open space with around 70 fridges inside stocked full to the brim with canned beer, cocktails, wine, hard seltzers – you name it and it’s there! There is a big emphasis on brands that do good and with all the cans available to either drink in or take out you are bound to leave with a smile on your face!

Brands Doing Good

Dima's Vodka

This week we are giving a big shout out to Ukrainian vodka brand, Dima’s Vodka. The vodka itself comes from a 125-year-old distillery on the outskirts of Kyiv and is made with three grains: barley, rye and wheat. It is sweet and velvety smooth making it a great sipping vodka although it works equally well in cocktails too. Since the war in Ukraine began, Dima’s Vodka has really stepped up its efforts to help people in Ukraine by raising money via limited edition bottlings, tastings nights and pre-bottled cocktails, every penny made going to help Ukrainian charities. You can find out more about the latest events and bottlings here.

Size: 700ml
ABV:
40%
Find here:
£35

Drinkers Discovery

Tom Savano Patagonian Sunset Passionfruit Martini

This week’s discovery is Tom Savano cocktails and specifically the Patagonian Sunset Passionfruit Martini. It is made from a blend of Fairtrade Quinoa vodka, Fairtrade Argentinian passionfruit liqueur and Madagascan vanilla with a touch of lime. Unlike a lot of passionfruit martinis, it is a lot less cloying and sugary sweet making for a great drink. The brand works tirelessly to source organic, Fairtrade ingredients for their cocktails and puts real emphasis on helping you to get the best out of your home cocktail experience by telling you exactly how to enjoy your drink right down to the temperature and garnish! If you haven’t already, look them up!

Size: 500ml
Find here:
£29

In other news, we discuss kummel and Unicum (no, we’re not making those names up) and tackle the mailbag question ‘Is there a difference between Cognac and Brandy?’ amongst much more. Listen in here today!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 78

Welcome back to another Bring a Bottle podcast! This week it’s all about garlic vodka, fancy bottled mocktails and drinks from Latvia. Listen in below for all this and more!

WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

Deanston Virgin Oak

This week we’re revisiting Deanston Virgin Oak highland single malt Scotch whisky but this time it’s all about its versatility in cocktails – listen in to check out our favourites and Aidy’s interesting garnish suggestion.

ABV: 46.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £34 // US $36.99

Drinks News

Restaurant Wine List

What do you look for on a wine list? A recent study has published some rather surprising results Plus, we reveal some top tips to make life easier when ordering wine in a restaurant.

Bang for Buck

Supermarket wine aisle

Listener, Milton, contacted us and told us all about his bargain supermarket finds. Like, for example, a magnum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for… drumroll please… only £28! Want to know how he does it? You know what to do ;)

Drinks From Around The World

Riga Black Balsam Drink from Latvia

This week Aidy transports you to Latvia to sample Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal liqueur made with many, many different natural ingredients. And yes, it includes tree bark! The best bit? You enjoy it served in your coffee or poured over ice cream.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.50 // US $33.59

No/Lo

Savyll non-alcoholic Cocktails

Ever wanted a mocktail that actually tastes like what it says on the can? Well, Helena selects a quartet of really tasty mocktails from Savyll Beverage Co and tells us all about them. Available in cans or bottles from £12 for four, these vegan and gluten free drinks give that great authentic classic cocktail flavour without the booze.

Size: 250ml
Price: UK £11.99 for 4 // US sysco.com

Mailbag

A Glencairn glass of whisky

A great question this week, “What is chill filtering?” . Listen in as we take you through what it is, why it happens and whether we think it’s a good thing or not.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to send in all your mailbag questions and of course to listen in ;) Cheers!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 77

The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 77 The Three Drinkers

Oh l' amour, it’s that time of year again. But whether you celebrate Valentine's day, Galentine's day or ‘give yourself some love’ day, we have some great tips so listen in to episode 77 for all our romantic cork popping inspiration.


WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

Deanston Pinot Noir Finish

Why it’s the perfect whisky choice for Valentine's day! It’s Deanston 17 year old Pinot Noir finish limited edition. It’s luscious and elegant with red meadow berries jumping out from the wine cask finish and has a smooth and creamy finish. Nom!

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £110

Drinks News

Which animals hold their alcohol the best?

Believe it or not, research has been done on which animals can hold their booze the best. You’ll be surprised at the results! Plus the 400 year old winery discovered that’s changing the way people think about the history of alcohol.

Buy it or Bin it!

Kylie Minogue Rose Prosecco

We taste test Kylie Minogue’s pink prosecco. An easy drinker to get the conversation started at parties, but did it end up in the bin? You’ll have to listen in to find out!

ABV: 11%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £9 (stocked in most major supermarkets)

Drinks From Around The World

Mama Juana

Let us introduce you to Mamajuana, the national drink of the Dominican Republic. A spiced beverage made from rum, red wine, spices and - wait for it - tree bark! (Does anyone else feel like there’s a bit of a tree bark theme going on here?!)

Bang for Buck

Codorniu Anna Brut Rose Cava

Bang for Buck is back and it won’t leave you disappointed as Helena shares a proper pink fizz that using a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir blend is made in the same way as Champagne and tastes just as good. Introducing Codorniu Anna Rosé Cava!

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Price: £11

Mailbag

Tasting notes

This week it was a question we often get asked and it is a brilliant one at that When a wine is described as something like strawberry, is there actually strawberries in it?” Listen in as we explain just what tasting notes mean and why they are described as they are.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to send in all your mailbag questions and of course to listen in ;) Cheers!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 76

The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 76 The Three Drinkers

Episode 76 has landed and it is Chinese New Year - the year of the tiger. As if by magic, we have a whisky that pairs perfectly with Peking duck, pancakes and hoisin sauce - listen in below to find out more!


WHAT’S IN OUR GLASS?

Jura 18 Year Old

This week we’re sipping on Jura 18 year old. A whisky that perfectly showcases the signature style of Jura with its light peatiness that is harmoniously intertwined with caramel. Aged in ex-bourbon AND premier grand cru Bourdeaux barrels, this whisky is perfect for a little ‘you time’.

ABV: 44%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £65.99

Buy it or Bin it!

Wasabi Vodka

It’s back, and we’re not sure how we feel about it this week. It’s vodka from The Wasabi Company - we will let you take an educated guess at what it might contain… but where did it end up? You’ll have to listen in to find out!

ABV: 40%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £29

Drinks From Around The World

We don’t want to get you too excited but we cover two drinks this week. Have you heard of Byarozavik? It’s a traditional drink from Belarus made from birch sap that helps to keep low cholesterol levels. And with an extra nod to the new lunar year, Helena tells all about the world’s most popular spirit that you’ve probably never heard of.

Drinker’s Discovery

Cannabrew IPA

Helena has discovered Cannabrew, a craft beer brand that produces CBD lagers and cider. Crisp, pure and fresh they have 15mg of CBD per can meaning they are all about the chill without any hempy taste. What’s even better? For every case sold they plant 2 trees so there’s nothing not to love!

ABV: IPA 4.5% // Cider 4%
CBD: 15mg
Find here: IPA £37.19 for 12 // Cider £37.19 for 12

Mailbag

Aged Wine

Last but by no means least: “Why is aged wine seen as being so good?” We fill you in on whether older really does mean better and if so which bottles to look out for.

Don’t forget to get in touch with us on Instagram to let us know what you think and don’t forget to listen in!