Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast

Is This Bordeaux's Last Chance? | Episode 12

Welcome to Episode 12 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Tom Gearing, our Co-founder and CEO, is joined as always by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Aarash Ghatineh, Cult Wines’ CRO. Aarash returns for what Tom calls the ‘big guns’ episode, because we have reached that point in the year where the market story matters. We are already at the end of Q1, and with Bordeaux En Primeur about to dominate the calendar, this is the moment to take stock of what has changed, what has not, and where collectors are actually putting money to work. The conversation starts with a straight read on the tone of trading so far this year, then pulls apart the themes sitting underneath it: stability returning to parts of the market, buyers focusing more on fundamentals, and renewed activity in the vintages and regions that offer both stature and opportunity. From there, attention turns to the questions everyone asks at this time of year. What needs to happen for En Primeur 2025 to land well? How should buyers think about value once carrying costs are considered? How has easier trading changed the old buy-and-hold logic? As ever, it is not all spreadsheets and seriousness; there is room for a bit of fun between the numbers. 📌 What’s covered in Episode 12: End of Q1: Steadier Market ToneQ1 shows greater price stability, with less speculation and more disciplined buying. After recent volatility, there are signs the market is finding support. Prime Bordeaux Value & the ‘Holy Trinity’Mature Bordeaux is back in focus, particularly the 2005, 2009 and 2010 vintages. Wines such as Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild illustrate renewed demand and trading depth. Why Burgundy Remains in DemandBurgundy trading value continues to rise, supported by limited supply and shifting buyer behaviour. Collectors are increasingly favouring back vintages over expensive new releases. The Most Traded WinesPontet-Canet stands out as the most traded red wine globally, reflecting consistency and accessibility. The team also builds a ‘five-a-side’ of top traded wines across regions. White Wines on the RiseWhite wines are seeing increased activity across regions, with notable growth in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Rhône and the US, highlighting growing collectability. Momentum Wines & Premium BuyingTop-tier wines such as DRC Echezeaux demonstrate strong trading momentum, with buyers prioritising provenance and quality over price. Bordeaux En Primeur 2025 [https://www.wineinvestment.com/learn/magazine/2026/04/bordeaux-2025-quality-returns-the-price-has-yet-to-follow/]: Pressure & PossibilityWith En Primeur approaching, the discussion turns to pricing, liquidity and market expectations. The team explores how evolving trading dynamics are reshaping buyer behaviour. A Wine Game with a TwistThe episode closes with a light-hearted game inspired by the Masters Champions Dinner, in which participants guess wine prices and reflect on value at the top end of the market. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

AI Is Building My Cellar | Episode 11

Welcome to Episode 11 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines [https://www.wineinvestment.com/] podcast. Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO of Cult Wines, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Damon Segal, an entrepreneur, marketing strategist and AI specialist, and a passionate fine wine collector. AI is changing how we search, decide and buy across everyday life. In this episode, we bring that lens to wine, looking at how AI could support buying decisions, build consumer confidence, and reshape parts of the industry, from provenance and fraud detection to vineyard practices. 📌 What’s covered in Episode 11: Meet Damon Segal Damon Segal arrives with a rare overlap of worlds. He has spent years working in technology, marketing and AI, and he is also a committed fine wine collector. He talks about encountering artificial intelligence and machine learning in an earlier, more developer-led phase, then watching the tools become dramatically more usable as large language models brought AI into everyday workflows. That shift pushed him to experiment in a hands-on way, building processes that save time, surface patterns and help him think more clearly about decisions. Wine is where it gets personal. Damon describes how buying can feel emotional and subjective, especially when you are trying to buy well and not just buy more. To add a bit more structure to his collecting, he built a simple setup that begins with his tasting history. He exports his purchase ratings, gives an AI assistant clear instructions about what he likes and what he is trying to achieve, then tests it against real merchant lists to see what the tool flags and why. Follow Damon Segal: Instagram: @wineguide101 • Website: wineguide101.com Data is the real edge A recurring theme is that anyone can ask the same generic questions and get generic answers. Damon argues the edge comes from unique data and clean systems. The conversation moves to how internal datasets, trusted pricing information and personal preference signals can make AI genuinely useful rather than generic. AI for everyday wine confidence The conversation zooms out from collectors to everyday buyers. Tom raises the reality that most people are choosing under pressure, with limited knowledge and too many options. The group discuss how AI could help by taking in context such as budget, food and preferences, then narrowing the field. A simple example comes up, what to buy that goes well with a mushroom risotto at around £20. Provenance, fraud & what technology could fix Collectors care about provenance, and the episode spends time on what AI might do here, particularly using computer vision and pattern recognition to support fraud detection. Damon talks about the idea of a traceable passport for a bottle, and how tech could help buyers make decisions based on history and trust, not only price. Vineyards, robots & the next decade The episode also looks beyond buying into production. Damon discusses the direction of robotics and sensors, and what that could mean for harvesting and vineyard management, especially in difficult terrain. Overrated or undervalued Jonathan runs a quick game of overrated or undervalued across wine and technology topics. It is fast, slightly provocative, and a good way to surface opinions without turning the episode into a lecture. Sweet wines get a moment, including Tom’s anecdote about tasting 1900 Yquem, and Damon’s mention of styles such as Vin Santo and Canadian ice wine. The calls are best heard in the episode itself. Episode 11 explores where AI can genuinely help, where it can mislead, and how wine still relies on context, judgment, and trust. Damon’s perspective as both an AI practitioner and a wine collector makes for a grounded conversation, with practical ideas and sharp questions about what the industry may look like in the future. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

The English Sparkling Underdog | Episode 10

Episode 10 of Uncorked feels like a proper milestone. Tom Gearing, Cult Wines [https://www.wineinvestment.com/]’ Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, with special guest Luke Spalding, General Manager and Viticulturalist at Everflyht in Sussex, England, UK. Luke brings a rare blend of vineyard and commercial reality, speaking as someone who has planted, tended, measured, learned, and then had to make the wines work in the market as well. We talk English Sparkling with the gloves off. What has changed over the last decade, why the category is earning serious attention, and what still needs to happen for it to become truly established on a global scale. Luke also shares how Everflyht’s regenerative push is shaping decisions in the vineyard, how a site that should not work on paper has been coaxed into quality, and what it takes to keep standards high when you only get one first impression with a new drinker. 📌 What’s covered in Episode 10: Luke’s Route into English Sparkling Luke’s path is not a straight line. He talks about collecting bottles while working in publishing, then shifting into wine, starting with WSET qualifications and retail experience before chasing vineyard work. He sent around 150 internship letters and eventually landed at Ridgeview in early 2015, working his way up before joining Everflyht at the end of 2018. There is also a clear turning point bottle, Camel Valley, which he says changed his view of what English Sparkling could be. Follow Everflyht: Instagram: @everflyht [https://www.instagram.com/everflyht/] • Website: www.everflyht.com [https://www.everflyht.com/] Fancy a little discount? Everflyht is offering 10% off for Uncorked listeners. Simply use code CULTWINES10 at checkout to enjoy savings on your next sparkling bottle. 🥂 Why English Sparkling Now Feels Different The conversation picks apart what has changed in the category. Luke argues English Sparkling used to be inconsistent, and that the floor has lifted dramatically. The team also talk about why constant Champagne comparisons can be misleading, and how England’s climate, geology and style cues create a different expression, often with brightness and tension when given time. Everflyht’s Vineyard Decisions & Regenerative Direction Luke explains Everflyht’s approach as a gradual removal of inputs and a focus on soil and vine health. The detail is practical rather than preachy. The goal is long term consistency, not short term noise. A Site that Should Not Work, but Does! One of the most interesting parts of the episode is Luke describing why Everflyht looks challenging on paper. Clay, drainage, frost risk, wind, and the fixes that have helped turn risk into something workable. There is also a sober reminder that even with good decisions, some years are brutal, and 2024 is discussed as a year where they lost everything. What Everflyht Stands For We touch on Everflyht’s range and the house style, including what sits behind their cuvée, late release ageing, and the role of oak and time. Luke shares why the site leans Pinot, how Chardonnay behaves differently there, and why certain choices are about balance rather than fashion. Pricing, Profitability & the Hard Economics Tom asks the tough questions. How do English estates survive when Sparkling needs time in cellar, money is tied up for years, and consumers still compare prices to Champagne. Luke gives an honest view of how many producers are actually profitable, and what the category may look like a decade from now, from local brands through to international scale players. It is a grounded look at why English Sparkling’s future is bright, but not guaranteed. What Collectors Should Know The conversation also touches on where demand is strongest, what export markets are most receptive, and how style choices like dosage shape the final wine. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

Moist January | Episode 9

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 [https://www.cityam.com/profile/libby-brodie/] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/libbybrodie/] • Website: www.bacchusandbrodie.com [https://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. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

2025 Year in Review | Fine Wine Market | Bonus Episode

We are kicking off 2026 with our special year in review episode. Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO of Cult Wines [https://www.wineinvestment.com/], sits down with guest Joe Alim, Managing Director, Cult Wines Asia, to look back at how the fine wine market moved in 2025 [https://www.wineinvestment.com/learn/magazine/2026/01/the-top-wines-of-2025/] and where it could be heading in 2026. In short, it was a year that asked for patience early on, found its feet in the middle, and finished with a brighter tone towards the end of the year. What is covered in this bonus episode? The year that wasTom frames 2025 as a transition year. Prices, on average, drifted lower through the first half before finding a base, while trading activity broadened as more bottles changed hands and more labels re-appeared on buy lists.The headline is simple. Participation improved even when prices were still adjusting, and that foundation helped the late-year lift. Highs, lows and a turning pointJoe’s high point is the change in mood in the final stretch, when bids felt firmer and confidence returned for recognisable names. The low was the stop-start nature of the spring, when hopes for a quicker reset were dented.The turning point arrived as autumn set in, with better attendance at tastings, healthier enquiry levels and a sense that disciplined pricing was being rewarded. Region by region, the picture is mixed. 🍷 Bordeaux carried the heaviest weight of older stock and needed sharper pricing to move, but showed more life into the fourth quarter. 🍷 Burgundy stayed selective, with buyers focusing on provenance and fair value rather than chasing every label. 🍷 Champagne kept its place as a liquidity hub, though buyers were more price aware than a year ago. 🍷 Italy and the USA each produced bright spots, often where producers balanced quality with sensible release levels. 🍷 Rest of World continued to attract curiosity, especially when wines came with a clear story and strong condition. What actually movedRather than a single winner, the market rewarded familiarity and fairness. Well-known producers and strong vintages saw the most consistent action. Late in the year, there was fresh interest in classic left-bank reds, a renewed look at a handful of blue-chip Champagnes, and a gentle widening toward back-vintage parcels with clean paperwork. Price action without the spreadsheetsLooking across the year, price rises tended to cluster where supply was tight, condition was excellent and critics had been consistent across vintages. Retreats showed up where the market had run ahead of itself during the boom, or where availability was simply too deep to clear quickly. The direction into year-end was modestly higher for the most liquid bottles, flatter elsewhere, and still cautious for anything carrying a heavy premium without the fundamentals to back it up. Momentum into 2026Tom and Joe agree that the first movers in any recovery are usually the most liquid wines with strong brands, clear provenance, and recent trading history. From there, confidence can broaden if buyers feel prices are grounded. Asia’s demand picture is encouraging for Champagne and prestige reds, with room to grow if travel and hospitality continue to normalise. How to think about the next twelve monthsThe outlook is practical rather than breathless. Focus on the condition and paperwork. Prefer producers with consistent scoring across several vintages rather than single-vintage spikes. Use fair release levels as a guide to value. Be patient with slower regions that are still digesting stock. Keep some powder dry for well-priced parcels that appear without fanfare. If 2024 was the comedown, 2025 was the recalibration. More hands in the market, more sensible pricing, and a late-year shift from caution to quiet confidence. We head into 2026 watching for breadth beyond the usual suspects, but the tone is better, the signals are clearer, and the opportunities are there for those who buy with discipline. 👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.