Uncorked: A Cult Wines Podcast

• Bucking the Trend: Burgundy’s Secret | Episode 3

  We’re back with the third episode of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, joined once again by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, this episode welcomes special guest Paul Declerck, one of our London-based Client Relationship Managers, and author of the upcoming book ‘How to Appreciate Wine’.Together, we dive into Paul’s unique journey from the Loire Valley to London’s fine wine scene, hear how a lockdown realisation sparked a total career pivot, and get an early look at his practical, no-nonsense framework for tasting wine. We also explore the allure of white Burgundy, discuss celebrity wine brands (yes, including Meghan Markle and DJ Khaled), and unpack the Trump tariff tension that’s got the wine trade watching the calendar.It’s an episode that’s part wine lesson, part market insight, and part ‘drink-along’, with a glass of PYCM Meursault 2018 in hand. As ever, we’re opinionated, curious and just the right amount of unserious.📌 What’s covered in Episode 3:From Loire Roots to London RealisationsPaul Declerck grew up in a Loire Valley winemaking family but built his early career in London’s commercial property market. When 2020 halted the office world, he pivoted back to wine – not as a producer, but as a student and educator. WSET studies, countless books and videos, and a search for a practical way to understand wine led him to create his own tasting method.Breaking Down the Five-Point Wine MethodPaul’s upcoming book, How to Appreciate Wine, introduces a straightforward five-step approach to tasting: nose intensity, complexity, palate intensity, balance, and finish. No jargon, no soil lectures, just a tool for anyone to become a better taster, from Burgundy to Prosecco. To prove it, the team puts it to the test on a 2018 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault (spoiler: it scores well).Download Paul's wine tasting score cardhttps://www.wineinvestment.com/learn/insights/uncorked-episode-3-bucking-the-trend-burgundys-secret/White Burgundy: Undervalued and UnmissableWhy does white Burgundy remain a collector's favourite? The team explores Chardonnay’s versatility, reductive winemaking (characterised by notes of flint, matchstick, and gunpowder), and why aged examples are must-try bottles. Tips for newcomers include focusing on top producers at lower appellations and finding value in overlooked vineyards.Celebrity Wines – Gimmick or Gateway?From Meghan Markle’s rosé to Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes, celebrity wines are shaking up the market. Can they attract new audiences and break wine’s “stuffy” image without compromising quality?Tariffs, Trump, and Tactical ShiftsWith a 30% US tariff on EU wine delayed to August 1st, the team discusses the impact. High-end bottles may hold steady, but smaller importers could face pressure from shifting buying habits and distribution challenges. Paul suggests Napa and South America as smart diversifiers during uncertainty.Quantifying Wine: The Cult Wines Scoring ModelTom unveils a new data-driven scoring system blending critic ratings, vintage quality, fair value, performance data, and £280 million in market transactions. The goal? A single actionable score to help collectors cut through subjectivity and make smarter decisions.Have you heard of our online trading platform, ⁠CultX⁠? It’s a marketplace where you can buy, sell, and trade fine wine directly with other collectors. Check it out today!👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

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• Time Rewards Patience | Episode 2

  Welcome to the second episode of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast that takes you inside the world of fine wine, from the people who help shape it. This time, Cult Wines’ Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, is joined by Jonathan Stevenson, Executive Vice President of Cult Wines North America, and special guest Aarash Ghatineh, Cult Wines’ Chief Revenue Officer.Together, they dive into the state of the global wine market and the broader luxury landscape, offering a mix of market insights, personal stories, and spirited debates – including whether any bottle is truly worth £200,000? Spoiler: it gets lively. From shifting supply trends and investment opportunities to the psychology behind ultra-luxury and the evolution of Cult Wines’ strategy, this episode uncorks some big questions and bigger ideas.📌 What’s covered in Episode 2:Are There Too Many Wines on the Market?We kicked off the discussion with a focus on supply. Has the global wine market become saturated? Aarash explored how increasing production volumes from top producers are influencing demand, and Jonathan reflected on how collectors are becoming more selective, especially in Bordeaux. The conversation turned to wine’s unique dual nature – both luxury product and agricultural commodity – and how that creates friction in pricing and perception.£200K for a Bottle – Worth It?Tom raised the question: Are any wines really worth £200,000? Aarash didn’t hesitate to challenge the idea, drawing comparisons with luxury watches and exploring the psychology behind pricing. The chat evolved into a broader examination of value perception, particularly when comparing mature vintages with brand-new releases. Jonathan added that while rarity and brand heritage are key, there’s still a tipping point where buyers start asking, “What am I actually paying for here?”Strategic Shifts and What Investors WantWe shared a bit of what’s been happening behind the scenes at Cult Wines – from evolving our approach to client strategy, to understanding where investor interest is heading. Aarash spoke about tailoring portfolios more precisely, providing people with the tools to make smarter, more agile decisions, and why education remains a significant part of what we do. Tom offered insight into why flexibility is becoming more important in a market where traditional cycles are shifting. Less “buy and hold,” more “buy with a plan.” This means a greater focus on liquidity, price transparency, and data.The Broader Luxury ContextWine doesn’t operate in a vacuum, so we zoomed out to examine the broader luxury space. With watches, handbags, art, and whisky all going through their own ups and downs, what can wine learn from them, and where can it outperform? Aarash explored how emotional engagement plays a huge role in wine’s long-term appeal, while Tom questioned whether the market needs to do a better job of storytelling. Because, ultimately, stories sell.A Moment of Reflection – and a Look AheadAs always, we rounded things off with a look at what’s next. While the fine wine market has seen its fair share of challenges over the past 18 months, the episode left us more optimistic than ever. Strong fundamentals, a clearer pricing environment, and a more educated investor base mean opportunities are available – they just require a sharper strategy and a broader perspective.Have you heard of our online trading platform, CultX? It’s a marketplace where you can buy, sell, and trade fine wine directly with other collectors. Check it out today!👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

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• Is Bordeaux Still Worth It? | Episode 1

  Welcome to Uncorked – our brand-new podcast series and the first-ever podcast from Cult Wines. We’re kicking off with a proper corker: an insider’s look at the fine wine market from three continents. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, with guests Joe Alim (Managing Director, Cult Wines Asia) and Jonathan Stevenson (Executive Vice President, Cult Wines North America), this first episode dives into memorable trades, regional insights, and some no-holds-barred chat on the current state of play.If you’re into fine wine and global markets or want to know whether drinking red with Coca-Cola is actually a thing in China, this one’s for you.📌 What’s covered in Episode 1:The Trades That Stuck with UsWe opened with a look back at our most memorable trades – not necessarily the flashiest labels, but the kind of clever, well-timed moves that stick in your mind for years. Joe recalls the under-the-radar Burgundy pick that exploded in Hong Kong, while Jonathan goes back to his first En Primeur campaign with Château Clinet 2009 – a textbook case of timing and Parker points.The Global Wine Scene: US vs AsiaWith Joe based in Hong Kong and Jonathan in New York, we explored how fine wine markets differ across regions. We covered everything from access and tariffs to cultural quirks – including the long-standing (and slightly ridiculous) rumour about Coca-Cola and red wine in China. We also touched on how Hong Kong’s duty-free status makes it one of the best places in the world to drink fine wine – and why US buyers are still catching on to the benefits of storing in the UK.Burgundy Obsession and the BYO of DreamsOur chat naturally drifted into Burgundy – its allure, its complexity, and why collectors can’t seem to quit it. Jonathan shared stories from La Paulée in New York, a lavish BYO feast where 500+ wine lovers and Michelin-star chefs came together for a night of grand formats, mini-verticals, and wine-fuelled mingling. It's one of those moments that reminds you why we all love this game.En Primeur 2024 - A Window of Opportunity?We unpacked the Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur campaign – one of the earliest and fastest we’ve ever seen. It’s not a blockbuster vintage, and that’s a good thing. Why? Because compelling prices, faster releases, and reduced pressure mean more room for upside. We discussed why off-prime vintages often outperform the greats, how Asia's appetite for labels creates liquidity, and why 2024 could be one of those quietly successful years for the savvy investor.The Price of Prestige and the Economic SqueezeWe took a candid look at how inflation, labour costs, and interest rates are squeezing château margins and how that’s forcing some estates to make tough pricing decisions. From classified growths to second wines, we broke down why value is back in Bordeaux and where we’re seeing the best buys – from Lafite to Canon.Younger Drinkers, New Collectors and the Future of WineIs Gen Z skipping wine? Are we facing a collector crisis? We debated whether the fine wine world is doing enough to attract new audiences. Joe highlighted how Asia is trending younger, Tom pointed out the rise in experience-led spending, and Jonathan touched on how tech like CultX is bringing wine into the modern investing fold. It’s not all doom and gloom, but it’s time for the industry to evolve.Tariffs and TensionsFinally, we tackled the latest on US tariffs – from Trump’s 200% threat to the current 10% rate – and what it means for collectors and global trade. The key takeaway? Uncertainty is worse than the tariff itself. Once things are clear, buyers can act – and for now, the market seems to be absorbing the impact.👉 Subscribe for more Uncorked episodes and fine wine insights every month.

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