The Maker and The Merchant

Lee Isaacs and Fergus Elias
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A pod about wine amongst other things by Fergus Elias (The Maker) and Lee Isaacs (The Merchant)

  1. FEB 12

    S5E2: TM&TM Soup

    Do you like wine? Do you like soup? Do you like satire? Then Batman voice  You're going to love this*   Ferg and Lee had a plan. They'd exchanged notes, wHattsuppps, messages, and even emails. Then the record button got pressed and the walls came crashing down as if it was Jericho relived. They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions and while we can't really comment on that, we can say that the brave souls who walk this road are likely doing so on a diet of soup.   This episode contains 250% of your RDA of utter nonsense but there are some flecks of gold to find amongst the mud and soil. What can wine learn from the soup industry? What can satirists do to survive these dark times? Just where have Ferg and Lee been on their travels recently?   All this and, well, not really much more in an episode that is already being described as 'loose', 'hard going', and 'is this the last dying voice of podcasting?'.   Prepare all of your systems to be nervous as you pipe this lunacy directly into your limbic system...   *Highly unlikely anyone would like this.

    47 min

  2. FEB 5

    S5E1: 5Maker5Merchant

    Ferg & Lee travel to Brazil, on the run, hunted by a relentless listener demanding content (hashtag: Ferg's mum), and in desperate need of a score. Identifying a bank vault filled to the brim with satire, angst, and whimsy, they decide to go all out and steal it.   Wait, that's not quite the plot (if it could be called that) of one of them there Fust & Farious films.   If you thing this is absurd, wait until you hear what Ferg & Lee discuss this season. Yes, season. We're back, and more middle aged than ever (Ferg prematurely so). After a long break, not long enough according to some industry commentators, The Maker & The Merchant return with their own brand of...err, stuff. It's a bumper episode to kick off season 5. Is this because there's lots to cover? Is it because of a glut of wine trade happenings that urgently need discussed? Is it because we want to give you, the listener, incredible value for money? No, none of these. It's becasue we don't use timers in the office nor actually script what we do.   Prepare for our regular 'This Is The News' feature, which at the time of recording was highly topical and insightful...who knows how it will sound now. Ferg updates us on the day his carer signed an official agreement to keep an eye on him indefinitely, and we review what has been described as 'The Best Vintage We Have Ever Seen'*   So, strap in, take a tranquiliser, and ready your ears for some incredible and valuable insights couched in the language of insanity.   It's good to be back.   *2025 to be clear, no '24, 0r '23, or...you get the idea.

    1h 33m

  3. 07/17/2025

    S4 E18: Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes

    Well, the event of the summer has happened and we’re all thrilled (but y’know, there’s comes a point when you need to stop going on about it.) Ferg and Bethan have exchanged vows, rings, and secret family hot toddy recipes and have been officially pronounced bacon and egg. They are husband and wife and we at TM&TM could not be more thrilled. So thrilled we’ve let Ferg have one more episode off. Despite the lack of the greater of our two hosts we continue with our PDO Series apace. In his stead we have 2 heavyweights of the modern industry. A man who cannot decide if he is from The Princess Bride or Highlander but who is producing some of England’s most consistently interesting and excellent wines for Vagabond, Senior Jose Quintana. He goes toe to toe, mano a mano, cheek to cheek with everybody’s favourite democratic winemaker and winner of fictional awards (and real ones too) Alex Brogan. Way back in the mists of time, these 2 members of the wine intelligencia had what they termed a ‘lively discussion’ about the concepts of a PDO over a South African braai. They agree to repeat this discussion, to the best of the sober abilities, through the medium of a wine based podcast. We look at the history, purpose, and relevance of PDOs and importantly ask who it actually benefits. It's a great, informed discussion that raises as many questions as are perhaps answered. There’s a lot of food for thought here. Does it matter as to the origin of that food? We’re not sure, but we know it’s both nutritious and delicious. With our enormous thanks to Jose and Alex for their time, considered insights, and thought provoking comments and discussion. Shout outs to @vagabondwines who are someone you should be keeping your eye on for a number of reasons and to @geyerwineco who provided the juice to keep Jose going during the recording. Alex himself was drinking one of his own wines (we do call him out for this) but also some fine liquid from @gianluca_colombovini, with whom he is about to head out to for the next @notyetnamedwineco vintage. TM&TM: Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes defining your terminology from Thursday morning. #Podcast #wine #winecast #PDO #Englishwine @fergelias @joluqu

    1h 10m

  4. 06/26/2025

    S4E 17: The Wedding

    This weekend will see an event take place that can only be described as 'A Wedding'. Yes, our very own Ferg, your favourite of our 2 hosts, is committing his life not to wine, but to the marvellous Bethan. No we're not sure either.   Of course this means the Ferg has been rather busy and scheduling in a recording has been more challenging than usual. This is of course misdirection as it's really bloody Lee's fault (he has his usual litany of excuses about homework eating his cat and his gravity being switched off). As a result, this is the shortest episode of TM&TM of all time.   So what's actually in it then? Lee shares a few thoughts on musings on the man who is not just is cohost, but one of his closest friends. More importantly we feature special guests @saturday.kitchen (by pulling the audio from a recording and really hope that's ok) as @knackeredmother not only chose one of Ferg's wines to feature, but gave Bethan and her soon to be husband a shout out! @matt.tebutt offered his congratulations and importantly @weemissbea seemed to enjoy the rosé (although like Lee, she's not necessarily a fan of the category - top work).   Due to Lee being disorganised he didn't give everyone time to respond, but there are a few surprise visits from some of Ferg's friends and a super special cameo appearance from everyone's favourite friend @buxtagram.   Please join us in raising your glasses in celebration of Bethan and Ferg and in wishing them the happiest life together!   TM&TM: walking down your aisle from Thursday morning.

    12 min

  5. 06/19/2025

    S4 E16: The Tabards, The Lanyards, The High Viz Vests, PDO special

    We welcome back friend of the pod and TM&TM Alumnus (alumni? aluminati?) Mr Henry Jeffreys in the first of our episodes focused on PDO. What is a PDO? Are you a PDO? Are we a PDO? (PDOI? AlumiPDO?). Importantly, what is a PDO supposed to be and who does it represent. We consider it from multiple angles; does it benefit producers? Consumers? Do consumers know or even care?   When it comes to English wine and positioning it both domestically and in the export markets what is the relevance of further legislation and does it help or hinder sales? How does it fit with both a singular and wider brand? From handpicking to discussing what's in a name we attempt to start unlocking the conversation that is becoming ever more frequent in the lands of English wine.   Several bombs are dropped, by both our magnificent guest and Ferg himself...you'll be delighted to know that Lee wasn't around for this one. It was actually the only thing on Henry's rider; his equivalent of Van Halen and their dislike of brown M&Ms.   With huge thanks to Henry for his time and sharing his deep insights on the subject.   TM&TM: The Tabards, The Lanyards, The High Viz Vests, regulating your labels from Thursday morning.   #podcast #wine #winecast #Englishwine #PDO #rulesandregulations @fergelias @henrygjeffreys

    42 min

  6. 06/12/2025

    S4E15: Lakes dispute

    Where exactly was Ferg born? Does her qualify as northern, and if so, by how much? Importantly, does it really matter? As with all good disagreements, it is resolved (virtually) in the pub. Lee talks about the best pubs of his hometown before mentioning his favourite hostelry in his adopted home of Bicester. The Plough @the_olive_tree_pub_company is surely the town's highlight. Thinking of pubs; we know the best place for a Grand Cru in Burgundy is in the middle of the hill, but does the same rule apply to pubs? Tune in to learn more.   From the nature of the pub itself we cover another vital topic of interest to our dear listener (#Fergsmum), just how many books have Ferg and Lee read so far this year? The answer will shock you.   Then comes the meat and potatoes of our episode this week, or perhaps the apple pie...we uncover some revealing statistics about the US wine industry and Ferg regales us with tales of his recent visit to promote his wines. Where did he go? Just what is the perception of English wine across the pond, and is this perception consistent across cities and states? What are the opportunities and considerations for branding and positioning of wines from England? (and Wales of course).   Ferg talks vehicles, how Americans prefer their sparkling wine, and reveals how attending his first ball game nearly lead to him becoming a middle class, degree holding Tony Montana. We also ask Ferg just how much he can lift and discuss the relevance and future of post-nominals. Which of our hosts is prouder of theirs?   Finally, we discuss voting for oneself in competition and the perfect composition of a tasting panel.   All this and, well, this, on TM&TM: The Lake Dispute uniting your states from Thursday morning.

    1h 9m

  7. 06/05/2025

    S4 E14: Grapefruit

    Have you ever wondered what happens on a winemaker's stag do? Exactly how middle class was Ferg's experience and what exactly happened to his ankle? It's a bumper episode of stuff and waffle but there's a lot of ground covered (unlike Ferg's attempt to play 'Territory').   In a change to the usual order of things, Lee reads the news which smooths seamlessly into some VERY bad impressions, discussions of orphans, wild tigers, and ankle injuries, and a blow by blow account of Ferg's stag do. We ask 'Exactly how far away IS Norfolk?' (especially if you're trapped in a car with Lee). How many pints is optimum and just who has the best Macallan?    From here we finally discuss something wine related with talk of The London Wine Fair; Lee extolls the virtues again of @hatchmansfield (specifically looking at Chapoutier, Zuccardi, and some cool new cans from @villamariawines) and Ferg asks if there is a bigger opportunity for WineGB to play a part. Out of nowhere we review films and sitcoms, with a special shout out to Paddington. Sandwiched between all this and Ferg showing off about his rosé we make some official announcements.   Friends of the pod @notyetnamedwineco have some upcoming events YOU should definitely look at, one of them featuring @uk_phelps. The tremendous @thewinesociety1874 have launched some very exciting fine wine tasting kits (utilising other friends of the pod @ecosipwine revolutionary packaging). And finally it seems Lee will be out in wild hosting an event at @oxfordwinefest in September.

    1h 15m

  8. 05/29/2025

    S4 E13: Perfectly Paired

    Well dear listener, you enjoyed last week's episode with Oneka John so much, we've asked her back for a Part II. This week we uncover the challenges and potential pitfalls of importing wine into Barbados. While there are some things more unique to this beautiful island, we uncover some universal truths about forecasting, cash flow, and the perennial Ops vs. Sales. We also raise the question once again as to whether wine is an FMCG product (bet you can't guess what we think).   From there we consider the community surrounding wine and how to make it more accessible and inviting. Oneka talks about her Perfectly Paired events and how she uses her immense market and product knowledge to invite, excite, and engage a wide variety of consumers in the burgeoning wine scene. We look at how WSET works in the classroom setting and how it can be amended and utilised in the more consumer focused arenas. Just what is quality and how can we encourage drinkers into the discussion.   There's a lot here that will resonate and shows how the challenges and opportunities echo across the trade globally.    Once again, with enormous thanks to our wonderful guest Oneka for finding the time to talk to Lee, and apologies that Ferg wasn't on hand to do a proper job.   TM&TM: Perfectly Paired Sandying your Lane from Thursday morning.   @onekajohn @vignobleswineconsultancy @fergelias #podcast #wine #winecast #Barbados #import #distribution.

    1h 11m
See All (87)

Trailer

About

A pod about wine amongst other things by Fergus Elias (The Maker) and Lee Isaacs (The Merchant)

Information

  • Creator
    Lee Isaacs and Fergus Elias
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Maker and The Merchant