The HelenaSips Podcast

A Drink With... Mr Plant Geek

Michael Perry, also known as Mr Plant Geek, has spent his career making the plant world genuinely exciting thanks to his infectious enthusiasm for the subject. He is an author, a TV presenter, podcaster, content creator and self-described hortpreneur who spent many years at Thompson & Morgan introducing hundreds of new plants into the UK before going freelance. He has been named in the Sunday Times twenty most influential horticulturists in the country and has spent the years since travelling across Europe and beyond lecturing and speaking at all sort of plant-based events. In this episode, we hear about how it all started and where it has taken him, thoughts on faux flowers and the weirdest plants he’s come across. We also touch on functional drinks and plants in cocktails, water sommeliers and why it’s important to always go with your gut when making life decisions. Find Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek Instagram: @mr_plantgeek [https://www.instagram.com/mr_plantgeek/?hl=en] Website: mrplantgeek.com [https://mrplantgeek.com/] Podcast: The Plant Based Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/3vvwDZrKOLr9JDGzbwt2xS] Book: Hortus Curious [https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780241561553?gC=5a105e8b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23577763092&gbraid=0AAAAADsTpASRs-0x4xXVK3RJzunjGg4En&gclid=CjwKCAjw857RBhAgEiwAI-1yKO3pXXuR7tFyD84XxOguqe7wKkhr7uHH2pbW1vV4epL4TY9IcKFCDxoCNNUQAvD_BwE] In the glass… Three Spirit, Livener, £25.99, threespiritdrinks.com [https://threespiritdrinks.com/products/livener?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006657&matchtype=e&device=c&gclid=CjwKCAjw857RBhAgEiwAI-1yKGXN1sa_ofmrozYGazSv2uZppjBfijIQn6SEJNSzk5fRaMe7O8bO0BoCxv4QAvD_BwE&adposition=&gc_id=22198047567&h_ga_id=181942979013&h_ad_id=762434565544&h_keyword_id=kwd-2429785317974&h_keyword=three%20spirit%20livener%20drinks&h_placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22198047567&gbraid=0AAAAABvc1K-2Gv6LkTChep7JjOmL3lAwK&gclid=CjwKCAjw857RBhAgEiwAI-1yKGXN1sa_ofmrozYGazSv2uZppjBfijIQn6SEJNSzk5fRaMe7O8bO0BoCxv4QAvD_BwE] A gorgeous, punchy, functional, non-alcoholic botanical elixir. "The Pick-Me-Up". ******* Liked this? Listen to more episodes: Olympian Legend, Dame Jess Ennis-Hill [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-jess-ennis-hill] Designer & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-cath-kidston] ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-joanne-harris] Actor & Winemaker Sam Neill [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-sam-neill] Broadcaster & super athlete, Vassos Alexander [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-vassos-alexander] Co-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex Watson [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-alex-watson] Artisan perfumer, Sarah McCartney [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-sarah-mccartney] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe [https://www.helenasips.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A Drink With... Jess Ennis-Hill

I was absolutely delighted to have the chance to meet Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill recently AND taste the very first bottle of her brand new ‘mid’ wine, Seven Summers. Jess Ennis-Hill is one of Britain’s most iconic athletes. She captured the nation’s heart at the London 2012 Olympics as our gold medal-winning, heptathlon champion before returning after motherhood to win gold at the world championships in 2015 and Olympic silver in Rio in 2016. But this conversation isn’t just about medals. Since retiring from elite sport, Jessica has been navigating a very different kind of challenge, shifting from a life defined by performance and precision to one shaped by family, wellbeing and a deeper understanding of the body beyond its limits. Now a mother and entrepreneur, she’s helping women rethink fitness in a more intuitive, sustainable way. In this episode, we explore what happens after you’ve achieved the dream and how you rebuild a life that feels just as meaningful and joyful, without the roar of the crowd, all with a splash of her genuinely delicious, brand new, 7% ABV ‘mid wine’: a Provençal pink called Seven Summers! [https://7summers.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoppcqe5fhd8tl02OLaSbcCSPywXFEBJXX80M1xrDiEnmFYxbW-J] Find Jess Ennis-Hill Instagram: @jessicaennishill [https://www.instagram.com/jessicaennishill/] @wearejennis [https://www.instagram.com/wearejennis/?hl=en] Jennis on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jennis_app/about] In the glass… Seven Summers 7% ABV Rosé Wine A brand new launch from Jess herself, Seven Summers is an exceptionally well-made rosé from Provence with an ABV of just 7% but all of the crisp and saline, strawberry-scented charm of your favourite Provençal pink. Find it for £12.50 a bottle at 7summers.co.uk [https://7summers.co.uk/] and follow on instagram @7summers_wine [https://www.instagram.com/7summers_wine/] ******* Liked this? Listen to more episodes: Designer & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-cath-kidston] ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-joanne-harris] Actor & Winemaker Sam Neill [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-sam-neill] Broadcaster & super athlete, Vassos Alexander [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-vassos-alexander] Co-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex Watson [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-alex-watson] Artisan perfumer, Sarah McCartney [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-sarah-mccartney] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe [https://www.helenasips.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A Drink With... Sarah McCartney

In this episode, I speak to Sarah McCartney, a self-taught, British artisan perfumer and founder of cult perfume house 4160 Tuesdays. Sarah is known for creating scents inspired by memories, places and everyday pleasures, from marmalade on toast and tea and biscuits to seaside holidays. After 14 years working as head writer for Lush Cosmetics’s magazine, during which time she devoured over 200 books on herbalism and essential oils in order to better describe products to customers, Sarah turned her writing talents towards a novel, which then became the launch point for a whole new new career in perfumery. She has since built a devoted following for her fragrances that are imaginative, joyful and unapologetically human. Join us as we discuss what being a called “a young upstart” at 50 looks like, the joy and function of fragrance, why perfumery doeasn’t have to be an exclusive club and of course, a lot of parallels with wine. Please subscribe if you enjoy these conversations - and tell your friends! Find Sarah McCartney Instagram: @ [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmccartneythinks/]sarahmccartneythinks [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmccartneythinks/] and @4160tuesdays [https://www.instagram.com/4160tuesdays/] 4160tuesdays.com [https://www.4160tuesdays.com/] In the glass… Kier Normonde aka Kier Breton A blend of local dry cider from Normany or Brittany with a splash of crème de Cassis de Dijon. Light, refreshing and deliciously local. ******* Liked this? Listen to more episodes: Designer & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-cath-kidston] ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-joanne-harris] Actor & Winemaker Sam Neill [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-sam-neill] Broadcaster & super athlete, Vassos Alexander [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-vassos-alexander] Co-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex Watson [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-alex-watson] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe [https://www.helenasips.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A Drink With... Sam Neill

This episode is a little different in format, as I managed to grab some time with Sam Neill while on a recent wine press trip to New Zealand before I knew The HelenaSips Podcast would exist! In this intimate chat, we hear about Sam’s philosophy on wine and the character of each of the Central Otago subregions where he grows his grapes for Two Paddocks. We hear what he drinks when it’s not Pinot, get an explanation of each of his cuvées as songs, discover his favourite role to play and learn why he will never put his wine under a cork again! Please subscribe if you enjoy these conversations - and tell your friends. Find Sam Neill Instagram: @samneilltheprop [https://www.instagram.com/samneilltheprop/] In the glass… Two Paddocks Estate Pinot Noir 2024 Silky, elegant and aromatic with notes of wild herbs and bright red cherry. A delight! twopaddocks.com [https://www.twopaddocks.com/] ******* Liked this? Listen to more episodes: Designer & entrepreneur, Cath Kidston [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-cath-kidston] Chocolate author, Joanne Harris [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-joanne-harris] Broadcaster & super athlete, Vassos Alexander [https://www.helenasips.com/p/podcast-vassos-alexander] Co-Founder of Renais Gin, Alex Watson [https://www.helenasips.com/p/a-drink-with-alex-watson] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe [https://www.helenasips.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

A Drink With... Alex Watson

In episode 4 of The HelenaSips Podcast, Helena meets Alex Watson, co-founder of Renais Gin with his actor sister, Emma Watson. This is a conversation about creating a unique spirit made from ‘upcycled’ Chablis grapes that looks as good as it tastes. We hear about what growing up in France has taught him about the French concept of the Art of Living and what makes for a good life. Along the way we touch on glassware and cocktails, the family winery and how to make and epic ‘terroir-tini’. The phrase by Charles Spence I was searching for was the 'Provençal Rosé Paaradox'. In the glass The Terroir Martini 60ml Renais Gin 15ml Chablis (Domaine Watson if you can find it!) 2 Dashes Lemon Bitters Chilled Martini Glass Method: Add all your ingredients into a mixing glass, then fill to the brim with large chunks of clear, quality ice. Stir for 20 seconds to chill and dilute. Find Alex & Renais Gin Instagram @Alex.s.watson [https://www.instagram.com/alex.s.watson/] and @RenaisGin [https://www.instagram.com/renaisgin/] Website: Renais.co.uk [https://www.renais.co.uk/] Subscribe to be the first to hear about new episodes! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.helenasips.com/subscribe [https://www.helenasips.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]