Like A Fine Wine

Unlike the other winemakers we’ve met so far, the guys at London Cru don’t actually have a vineyard, but instead cherry pick the best of the year’s harvest from growers around London. This not only ensures the highest quality final product but gives them more flexibility to try new styles of wine. Oz and the group will not only be learning how to appreciate the alchemy that is winemaking but be reflecting on the tasting notes of their own lives, taking the time to savour the nuances of experience and learning how to reflect on our achievements.

The team heads South to the Bolney Wine Estate, who are growing grapes in what they claim, in Sussex, is the sunniest part of the UK. As one of the oldest vineyards, they are pioneers of British wine, especially in red wine varieties such as pinot noir. Now celebrating their 50th year with some special long aged vintages, they are the perfect people to discuss the importance of ageing wine. The group will also be reflecting on the importance of ageing in us as human beings, what does it do to our body and character?

This time the group heads to Yorkshire to meet the delightful family outfit running the small-scale Ryedale Vineyard. They’ll be taking us through the importance of pruning for vine health and good yields and Oz will be asking the group about pruning in their own lives; what have they gotten rid of that has benefited them and is there anything they wished they had pruned.

The team head to North Wales to the Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard to speak to owner Colin about how their unique environment or terroir has enabled them to produce some award winning wines. Over the tasting table and a glass or two of wine, the group reflects on how our own environment shapes us as people, for good and for bad.

For this first instalment Oz Clarke and his team of tasters head to the beautiful Holmfirth Vineyard in Huddersfield to talk about their expanding wine empire and we’ll be asking about the importance of the trellis system in supporting vine growth. Over the tasting table Oz, Malaika, Louise, Elaine and Anthony will be reflecting on their own support systems and the different ways in which they coped during lockdown.

Join Oz Clarke and his team of tasters on a wine focused road trip around the UK. Over the course of five episodes, they’ll meet some of the most exciting winemakers in the burgeoning UK scene and sitting around the tasting table, will reflect on the different aspects of the wine making process and how these relate to wider themes of life and the human experience.

With UK wine now regularly winning awards across the globe, there is no better time to explore the wonders the UK has to offer. This is more than just your average wine show though, but a metaphysical journey into the human experience, with the symbolism of winemaking serving as its backbone.