Uncorked: Episode 6 - Pours for Reflection
Welcome to Episode 6 of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. This week, Tom Gearing, Co-founder and CEO, is joined by Cult Wines’ Chief Revenue Officer, Aarash Ghatineh, with Alexa Atkinson, Cult Wines’ Senior Marketing Manager, stepping out from behind the camera and onto the couch.
Expect a quick market pulse check, a stack of listener questions, and a few candid stories from the road.
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What topics were covered?
Alexa in the Hot Seat
Alexa talks about her path into wine, studying through WSET Level 2 with Level 3 on the horizon, and how a London move turned a design role at Cult Wines into a far broader marketing remit. California roots, frequent trips to Napa as a kid, and a 100-point tasting at 67 Pall Mall all feature, with honourable mentions for Cos d’Estournel 2009 and a recent La Rioja Alta 1996 Gran Reserva that stole the show.
Market Check: Signs of Life?
Aarash recaps September’s numbers. Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 posted its first monthly rise since March 2022, up 0.3%, while the Liv-ex 100 gained 1.1%. The team note improving sentiment, more active bidding, and the seasonal tailwinds that typically run from September through January. Recent ‘trading up’ activity included names such as Lafite 2019, Tignanello 2010 and 2015, Dom Pérignon vintages, Château d’Yquem 2015, and some older First Growths including Haut-Brion 2000.
Listeners’ Questions: Spotting the Next Big Thing
How do you identify rising producers and regions early? Tom points to critics, on-the-ground shifts, and community signals. Burgundy is the case study: generational change and philosophy can move the dial, with examples ranging from Arnoux-Lachaux under Charles Lachaux through to the current buzz around Tino Kuban, who has taken over Bernard Van Berg’s project and released wines under Le Jardin Viva. Restaurant lists, sommeliers, and social channels are proving to be strong early indicators, too.
Bordeaux Value: Firsts, Seconds & Smart Buys
Asked where the Bordeaux value sits today, the group make the case for both approaches. For investment, the last ten to fifteen vintages of First Growths have the depth and liquidity to anchor a position. For drinking value, names such as Léoville Poyferré, Léoville-Las Cases, Lynch-Bages, and Montrose 2014 at sensible prices were highlighted. The thread running through it all is discipline on price and provenance.
From £100–£150 a Month: Building a Small Cellar
With a modest monthly budget, Champagne is a timely starting point. Frédéric Savart got a name-check for grower fizz, while Italy offered friendly entries through Brunello such as Il Poggione and Poggio di Sotto, with Le Ranier also mentioned. A sweet-wine note for the holidays appears, too, with back-vintage Rieussec and Coutet cited as excellent value. A practical red to round it out: Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Francia 2017, quoted at around £38 a bottle.
Storage, Proof & Peace of Mind
On provenance, the advice is clear. In-bond storage offers structure and traceability. Ask for photos of cases and bottles where sensible, and be extra vigilant when stock is being brokered rather than held in-house. The team recall a Scarecrow 2016 pallet with raised corks discovered on arrival, fully documented and resolved through insurance because checks were done at intake. Techniques such as proof tags and label checks under UV are now standard across reputable warehouses.
Final Takeaways
Six episodes in, the questions keep coming, and the market finally shows a hint of a turn. This one brings practical tips on spotting tomorrow’s names, concrete examples across Champagne, Bordeaux and Italy, and clear guidance on keeping your bottles safe.
For the full list of listener questions, all the wines, and a few extra stories, tune in to the episode.
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