We welcome Lucas Reynaud-Paligot, Head of Wine at Hélène Darroze at the Connaught Hotel, to The Premier Cru!

In 2021, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught was awarded a third Michelin Star, placing the restaurant at the top of the culinary table. It goes without saying that the food and service is therefore impeccable, but Lucas has made sure that the wine list is no supporting act! There is simply no iconic fine wine that has not been opened at the restaurant, which offers customers 5 different wine flights to pair with the tasting menu.

Given Lucas has tasted almost any fine wine you could dream of, we spent much of the episode getting his recommendations from the most important fine wine regions around the world. Whether you are interested in Barolo or Burgundy, this episode has a recommendation for you, as we also introduce you to the restaurant.

Let us know whether you enjoyed the episode in the comments and your favourite fine wine!

If you have not already, then please also follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome Sunny Hodge to The Premier Cru! Sunny is the Founder of two wine bars, Diogenes The Dog and Aspen & Meursault, and the author of a newly published book, called a "Cynic's Guide to Wine".

Sunny's academic background is in engineering and that made him continually question his wine education once he started his career in hospitality. Finding wine textbooks and answers from people in the trade insufficient, Sunny started researching the scientific principles that answered his questions. The book is the output of his research and uses science to challenge many assumptions and ideas that have been handed down generations in the wine trade.

So the focus of this episode is wine science as we investigate what TRULY impacts the flavour of your favourite wines. We also taste a wine on the episode, applying Sunny's frameworks and principles! This episode is for you if you love science or simply have a slightly cynical perspective on some of the b*llsh*t you hear from sommeliers (and myself!).

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to the final part of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines. In this episode, we welcome Raphaël Piconnet to The Premier Cru, who is the head winemaker and vigneron at Domaine de Bichery located in the Côte des Bar.

We wanted to end the series by showing you a rising star in the region. Since releasing their first vintage in 2015, Domaine de Bichery has been gaining an incredible reputation and are one of a number of young Domaines in the Côte des Bar going from strength to strength and establishing the sub-region as one of the most exciting in Champagne.

On top of their sparkling cuvees, they also produce two brilliant Couteaux Champenois so in this episode we discuss:

• The history of the Domaine
• The impact of global warming on Champagne
• The rise of Couteaux Champenois

We also taste two of the Domaine's wines on the podcast: La Source and their Couteaux Champenois Blanc.

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to part three of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines. In this episode we move from the the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne to the Côte des Bar, which is one of the most exciting sub-regions within Champagne.

Historically it has been viewed as secondary to sub-regions further north. However, the silver lining is that land prices are therefore a lot cheaper making it an attractive destination for some of Champagne's rising stars.

The inspiration to many of the new growers in the sub-region is none other than Bertrand Gautherot of Domaine Vouette & Sorbée, who I have the pleasure of welcoming to The Premier Cru. Bertrand practices biodynamic viticulture with a capital "B" and low intervention winemaking and won critical acclaim for his wines long before people paid close attention to the Côte des Bar.On the episode we discuss:

• The history of the Domaine
• The terroir of the Côte des Bar
• Biodynamic viticulture

We also taste two of the Domaine's wines on the podcast: Fidele and Extrait

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to part two of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines. In this episode we move from the the Côte des Blancs to the Vallée de la Marne, which is the home of the best Pinot Meunier in Champagne.

We welcome Geoffrey Delouvin, who is the 11th generation winemaker and vigneron at of Domaine Delouvin Nowack, to The Premier Cru! Since taking over the Domaine, Geoffrey has introduced a new range of wines called, Famille Delouvin.

The full range is exceptional, but perhaps the most exciting wines are those produced from Pinot Meunier which is particularly well suited to the Domaine's terroirs in the Vallée de la Marne. For a couple of his cuvees he uses a 100% Pinot Meunier perpetual reserve dating back to 1992. It is unique and adds real complexity to the wine, showing off what Pinot Meunier can achieve when handled by an expert. It was a no-brainer to interview Geoffrey when we decided to devote an episode to the variety and the sub-region.

On the episode we discuss:

• The history of the Domaine
• The rise of Pinot Meunier and why it is finally gaining the respect it deserves
• The terroir of the Vallée de la Marne and why it is so well suited to Pinot Meunier

We also taste three Famille Delouvin wines on the podcast: Sauvage, Semper Fidelis and Les Chaillets

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

Welcome to the part one of our mini series "Champagne: Meet the Growers", in which we introduce you to some amazing Grower Champagne Domaines.

We welcome Arthur Larmandier of Domaine Larmandier-Bernier to The Premier Cru! Larmandier-Bernier make quintessential Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. They started in the 1970s and have become one of the leading Grower Champagne Domaines. Simply put, Grower Champagne does not get much better than Larmandier-Bernier.

On the episode we discuss:

• The history of the Domaine
• The terroir of the Côte des Blancs and why it is so well suited to Chardonnay
• Their approach to viticulture and winemaking to get the best terroir expression in their wines

We also taste two Larmandier-Bernier wines on the podcast: Latitude and Terre de Vertus

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome John and Desiree Chantarasak, Co-Founders of AngloThai, to The Premier Cru!AngloThai started as a pop-up and evolved into a restaurant in November 2024. Within six months, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star, which is testament to the hard work, passion and skills of John, Desiree and their team. The cuisine takes inspiration from Thai flavours, people and culture using seasonal British produce. It is truly a unique addition to the UK culinary landscape!

On the episode we discuss:

• The development of AngloThai from pop-up to Michelin Star restaurant
• Creating authentic Thai flavours using British produce
• The personal relationships they have with suppliers and wineries
• And the restaurant's fantastic wine program

We also taste two wines by Charlie Herring in the UK and Nibiru in Austria. Both are delicious!

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!

We welcome Alex Pitt, Co-Founder of Lower Wine Bar, to The Premier Cru!

When a wine bar gets set up by a team that's worked at Brat, The Clove Club, Kiln and The 10 Cases, you know it will be good. Lower has a brilliant wine list and at some of the best prices you will find in London. Right in the heart of Waterloo, the bar is intimate and welcoming with a functional cellar as an awesome private dining room. Their signature dish, Spanish tortilla, is not to be missed either.

On this episode we discuss:

• How Lower Wine Bar was founded

• Alex's favourite wine regions and producers
• The best spots in London to try your favourite wines

If you want to listen to a blind tasting live then this is the episode for you. Tell us in the comments if you want more blind tastings.

If you have not already, then please follow us on Spotify/Apple and on Instagram (⁠@The_Premier_Cru⁠) as it makes a massive difference to the channel!