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The Maker and The Merchant

By: Lee Isaacs and Fergus Elias
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  • Summary

  • A pod about wine amongst other things by Fergus Elias (The Maker) and Lee Isaacs (The Merchant)
    Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • TM&TM: The WSTA (Miles Beale part 2)

    TM&TM: The WSTA (Miles Beale part 2)
    May 16 2024
    If you listened to last week’s episode you will be primed and ready for Part II of the TM&TM interview with the WSTA’s Miles Beale. We promised a more serious episode and we are delivering. Following the fun and frolics of last week, it is time to get down to business. We open with Miles explaining exactly who the WSTA are and what is their role within the drinks industry. There is more to this body than may immediately meet the eye, and the membership encompasses a very broad range of businesses. Lee uses this as an opportunity to push his own #ThinkIndie #DrinkIndie agenda and ask about the engagement and interaction from the indie crowd. It is often asked if bodies like the WSTA are doing enough, but are the indies supporting in return? Given the nature of the work, we ask Miles how he walks the difficult tightrope between satisfying both the needs of members and engaging with government. Following this, we ask if there have been discussions with current shadow ministers and the opposition in the event that there is a change of government. Special mentions to, The Online Wine Tasting Club, North South Wines, and Eynsham Cellars as examples of businesses who have engaged and ‘activated’ their local MPs. Other questions raised by our listener and ourselves include the specifics of repackaging sizes, declining alcohol consumption and the continuing rise of the temperance movement and how to respond in the face of these challenges. Miles also cover briefly the current state of catering and hospitality, MUP, duty rises and increasing taxation; again, we ask how we can navigate these as an industry and do our best to tackle them. Amongst these and other things, Miles also explains the Community Alcohol Partnership initiative. This is a packed in episode that covers a great deal of ground. As covered in the episode, if you are interested in learning more about these issues, the work of The WSTA, or indeed joining them, connect with them through their website, social channels, or info@thewsta.co.uk. Our sincere thanks to Miles and The WSTA for the fabulous work. TM&TM: THE WSTA available to download from wherever you get your podcasts on Thursday morning.
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    56 mins
  • TM&TM: Firing large guns (Miles Beale part 1)

    TM&TM: Firing large guns (Miles Beale part 1)
    May 9 2024
    This week on TM&TM we find ourselves in The Thick Of It as we keep ourselves In The Loop with one of the key figures, no, THE key figure in the UK wines and spirits industry. TM&TM Towers is a House Of Cards (the original, not the remake), but we had to say Yes Minister when the chance to speak to the most influential person on the UK scene. We had so many questions for this individual that we only made it to Page Eight. We are beyond privileged to say this is part I of our talk with The WSTA’s chief executive, Miles Beale. He will need no introduction (but we do give him one in the episode) as he has steered the WSTA and our industry through multiple swells and storms during his tenure at the top. From his life as a civil servant, move into politics, and becoming the UK’s most influential drinks figure (did we mention that?) in Part I we enjoy some fun and frolics before a much more serious Part II arrives next week. Ferg delivers his now classic interview style with an updated and much more respectful take: Miles Does Miles Does Not while Lee asks questions about attire, snooker, and the notion of politicians as celebrities. From his loose connections to navy rum and his rumoured part in The Matrix, Miles plays along with our silly games with grace and style, as we would expect. In next week’s episode we talk (genuinely) about the bigger issues facing our industry and the fabulous work of the WSTA. For now, enjoy hearing Miles share his preferred tipples, political background, and how to handle a suit-based interview crisis. Our sincere thanks to Miles for his time to record this and talk about things seemingly unrelated to the very important work of the WSTA. We promise that next week’s episode is definitely worth a listen, especially if you’re in, around, or connected to alcoholic drinks in any way. TM&TM: Firing Large Guns podvailable to loadstream from wherever you downcast your audio experiences on Thursday morning.
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    52 mins
  • Oysters On A Business Trip (Norway part 2)

    Oysters On A Business Trip (Norway part 2)
    May 2 2024
    You should be careful what you wish for. You asked for it. The Maker & The Merchant is now A 2 PART PODCAST! Once a fortnight wasn’t enough for you, so you’re getting us twice a week now. This here is Part II of Ferg’s Norse Saga. Like the mythical tales of old it involves merriment, danger, and dealing with wine journalists. Ferg talks us through the Norwegian Monopoly and explains a little about how it all works. He also examines Norwegian wine culture from social attitudes and consumption to wine communication. What are the ethics of low ground clearance? Is it right that we’re asking for further sponsors for our show to sit alongside Bin Two?* Just how many Dodgeball references are socially acceptable on a wine podcast? Lee becomes nothing more than a Talking Head (well, he’s never been anything else has he?) as he nods along with Ferg’s every thought and whim. He does however introduce us to a brand new book: Italy In A Wine Glass. Just published and authored by the fabulous Marc Millon, this is a tour de force through Italian history, mythology, and culture, all through the lens of the country’s wines. Published by Hurst, you should be looking this up. Lee also tees up his next Discover Spain wine dinner at l’Oculto on the 9th May, which you should definitely attend! We finally actually have some listener feedback. Through official channels. Thank you to our new correspondents who took the time to email in with their thoughts, questions, and moral questions. Would it take that much for you to write in too? Finally, we catch up with recently featured Karen Jenkins new hobbies. TM&TM: Oysters On A Business Trip available to your ears from your podcast site of choice on Thursday morning.
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    50 mins
Art Food & Wine
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