Chat with Vinny

Join Sunday Times Wine Columnist and Vice President of The Sunday Times Wine Club Will Lyons, and presenter and journalist Anneka Rice as they share their love of wine and vinous culture with a host of wine-loving special guests.

They’ll be bringing you a behind-the-scenes peek at the many lives inspired by a love of wine – featuring lively conversations with some very well-known artists, actors, and athletes. So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass, and sit back for a wine inspired podcast full of laughs … and, of course, great wine.

Past, Present & Future of Wine

Today’s special guest is… WINE! Will and Anneka round off the series with their focus firmly on the star of the series. Will introduces three wines, one from the past, one from the present, and perhaps a taste of the future? Plus, Anneka looks back on the best bottles from the series and together they choose which guest they’d most like to travel with.

Hugh Dennis

Will and Anneka are joined by Hugh Dennis, star of Outnumbered and Mock the Week, as they sip their way around South Africa. Hugh impresses Will, as he turns out to be quite the curious student of wine. And Anneka, an unashamed fan of Outnumbered, wants to know what the timeless BBC sitcom was like to work on.

Tanni Grey-Thompson, DBE

Discussing and decanting with Anneka and Will is Paralympian and Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, Tanni Grey-Thompson. As well as three great wines to taste from New Zealand, Tanni reveals that she has a lifetime supply of wine, Will shares how Sauvignon Blanc came to be and Anneka falls in love with a New Zealand red.

Michel Roux Jr.

Anneka and Will are joined by Michel Roux Jr. for three jaw dropping French wines. Michel is the chef patron of Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in the UK to receive one, two and then three Michelin stars. As he closes the doors to his historic restaurant for the final time, Michel explains his future plans. And Anneka is seriously impressed with Will’s wine selections.

Jenny Eclair

Jenny Eclair, the trailblazing comedian, joins Anneka and Will for a tour of Greek wines (with a brief detour to Hungary). Will gives a surprising lesson in how the Ancient Greeks enjoyed wine, Anneka amusingly bemoans restaurant wine menu formats and Jenny rethinks her usual aversion to all things sweet as she sips a mouth watering dessert wine.

Alex James

Discussing and decanting with Anneka and Will is the Blur bassist, farmer and award-winning artisan cheesemaker, Alex James. As well as three great wines to taste Alex reveals his wackiest rider requirements, Will questions whether you should have sparkling wine over ice and Anneka discovers her new favourite pairing with cheese… frazzles.

Alan Johnson

Postman turned politician Alan Johnson clinks glasses with Will at Cheltenham’s Literature Festival. They muse over the influence of The Beatles, the joys of writing thriller novels and Alan reflects on Prime Ministers of the past drinking habits.

Wines worth talking about

Will and Anneka are celebrating 50 years of the Sunday Times Wine Club. And what a way to do it! At a live event held at Times HQ in London, readers and guests sipped a selection of wines chosen by 12 very discerning columnists. In this bonus episode, we hear about some of those selections, straight from the columnists’ mouths. Anneka and Will were joined, amid the hustle and bustle, by Giles Coren, Martin Samuel and Tony Turnbull.

Clarke Peters

Anneka and Will listen admiringly to the smooth voice of actor and musician, Clarke Peters, as they sip luscious wines from Portugal. Clarke recounts tales of trial and error from his vegetable garden in the Algarve. While Anneka reminisces about her many visits to Clarke’s dressing room in the 1980s.

Paul Feig

Anneka and Will sip their way through wines from America with filmmaking royalty, Paul Feig. The director of Bridesmaids talks of how, as a kid, he always longed for adulthood. Nothing represented that more than sipping on cocktails and wine. And everyone was pleased with Will’s US selections.

Philippa Perry

Joining Anneka and Will for a glass of wine (or three) is the psychotherapist and bestselling author, Philippa Perry. Will guides a tour of English wines that wow, as Philippa unpacks the trends she has spotted from her years as an agony aunt. And Anneka reflects on the origins of the Sunday Times Wine Club.

Angus Deayton

Discussing and decanting with Anneka and Will is comedian and panel show royalty, Angus Deayton. Will introduces three wines from Italy as Angus and Anneka recount tales from trips together to Umbria. And one of the bottles really hit the spot for Angus.

Clare Balding CBE

Discussing and decanting with Anneka and Will is broadcaster and writer, Clare Balding CBE. As well as three great wines to taste from Argentina, Clare gasps over a £100 bottle of wine, Will shares one of his greatest blind wine tasting moments and Anneka reflects on when she caught Clare walking backwards along the Thames.

Kathy Lette

Discussing and decanting with Anneka and Will is bestselling Australian-British author, Kathy Lette. As well as three great wines to taste from Australia, Kathy reveals her lifeguard litmus test, Will explains why Margaret River is his favourite wine region down under and Anneka swoons over a message from Kylie Minogue.

Anneka Rice

Pouring the wine this series with Will Lyons is broadcast legend Anneka Rice. As well as three great wines to taste from Croatia, Anneka falls back in love with white wine - although a juicy merlot still remains as her firm favourite! - and Will shares why the ABC club, Anything But Chardonnay, is long outdated.

Jamie Morton

Discussing and decanting with Suzi and Will is co-host of the podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno and director of the upcoming comedy musical Lovestuck, Jamie Morton. As well as three great wines to taste, Jamie shares how his dad's love for chardonnay warped his formative years of drinking wine, Will busts myths about organic wines and Suzi explains why she won’t be dabbling in dry January.

Angela Hartnett

Swirling anecdotes in the wine glass of conversation with Will and Suzi this week is Angela Hartnett. The Welsh-Italian chef is well-known for her fine Italian dining style, and her Mayfair restaurant Murano is the proud owner of a Michelin star. She has also appeared as a judge on The Great British Menu and Best Home Cook, and co-hosts her own podcast with previous Wine Times guest Nick Grimshaw.

Sophie Duker

Popping corks with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons this week is stand-up comedian Sophie Duker. Recognisable from her appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Frankie Boyle's New World Order and Mock the Week, Sophie shares jokes over a glass of sherry.

Nick Grimshaw

Raising a toast with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons this week is Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw. Also known as Grimmy, the broadcaster also co-hosts his own podcast and released his debut autobiography Soft Lad earlier this year.

Jane Garvey and Fi Glover

In a first for Wine Times, this special episode was recorded in front of a live audience of Times+ subscribers who sipped wine alongside our guests Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. Led by writer Will Lyons and his apprentice in wine Suzi Ruffell, the former Woman's Hour presenters are treated to some of our favourite wines from across the last 3 series.

Flo and Joan

Sipping wine with Suzi and Will this week is comedy music duo Flo and Joan. The pair, who have appeared on Live at the Apollo and 2019's Royal Variety Performance, try an Italian sparkling red and a white Port perfect for pairing with cheese.

Adam Kay

Sharing their admiration for wine with Will and Suzi this week is doctor-turned-writer Adam Kay. He sips a gorgeous white Burgundy and a top-secret wine from an iconic Bordeaux Châteaux as he discusses how he turned a medicine degree into a Sunday Times Bestselling book.

Mel Schilling

Letting things breath with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons this week is love expert and Married at First Sight UK panellist Mel Schilling. Enjoying a superb Pinot Noir fizz from the South Downs, a rich and creamy Sauvignon Gris and a velvety Argentinian red, our guest discusses her career in TV.

Ainsley Harriott

Slurping away with Suzi and Will this week is television chef and national treasure Ainsley Harriott - who loves a Pinot Noir. He shares his go-to recipes to pair with each of the wines selected for him on the show.

Candice Brown

Talking and toasting with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons this week is winner of The Great British Bake Off 2016 Candice Brown. Over a glass of Clos du Temple Rosé she talks about owning a pub and how pudding is the best part of any meal.

Lorraine Kelly and Rosie Smith

Contemplating wine glass sizes with Suzi and Will this week is TV-legend Lorraine Kelly and her podcast co-host and daughter Rosie Smith. They talk to us about their podcast What If? over glasses of Champagne Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne.

Jamie Laing

Discussing and decanting with Suzi and Will is the founder of Candy Kittens and reality TV star Jamie Laing. As well as three great wines to taste, Jamie is inspired by a new wedding gift idea for his fiancée, Will falls in love with rosé all over again and Suzi learns why James Bond likes his martini shaken not stirred.

Clodagh McKenna

Day dreaming about vineyards with Suzi and Will is ITV's This Morning resident chef Clodagh McKenna. As well as three great wines to taste Clodagh talks about how she plans to be fully sustainable by 2024, Will relishes over Clodagh's ideas for food and wine pairings and Suzi enjoys the Hungarian wine fit for royalty!

Matt Cain

Sipping the day away with Suzi and Will is the author and broadcaster Matt Cain. As well as three great wines to taste Matt talks about his love for South African wine, Will opens up about his male role models in wine and Suzi asks her best question yet as the Wine Times apprentice.

Ade Oladipo and Rory Jennings

Pairing wine and a good time together with Suzi and Will are the talkSPORT presenters and hosts of The Men's Room podcast Ade Oladipo and Rory Jennings. As well as three great wines to taste Ade and Rory talk about the importance of men opening up about their mental health, Will shares why his postman thinks he is an alcoholic, and Suzi rolls her eyes at the constant football analogies that are kicked about.

Ben Shephard

Sipping away with Suzi and Will is the Good Morning Britain and host of Tipping Point Ben Shephard - who loves bubbles. As well as three great wines to taste Ben talks about his familial heritage in fine wine, Will extols the virtues of a quality Riesling, and Suzi recounts the unfortunate events that overshadowed the first time she met Ben.

Matt Chorley

Dabbling in wines from across the globe with Suzi and Will is the journalist and broadcaster Matt Chorley - who has an astute love for sauvignon blanc. As well as tasting three great wines Matt discusses why he believes people should pay less attention to politics, Will talks about his love for savoury wine and Suzi reflects on some of the greatest highlights from the 80's.

Tom Allen

Sloshing along with Suzi and Will is the comedian, writer and broadcaster Tom Allen - who has his own wine wardrobe. As well as three great wines to taste, Tom talks about his life of wine and performing for royalty, Will discusses the power that the film Sideways had on the wine industry, and Suzi reveals why the Queen is the doyenne of physical comedy.

Angellica Bell

Sharing their admiration for wine this week is TV presenter Angellica Bell - who has a new found love for Champagne! As well as tasting three incredible wines Angellica discusses money saving tips that she has learnt from co-hosting The Martin Lewis Money Show, Will reflects on the oldest wine he has ever tasted and Suzi reveals her slip up at work when she dusted their oldest bottles of wine - oops!

Shaun Keaveny

Clinking away with Suzi and Will is the broadcaster Shaun Keaveny - who has a long-time love affair with Tokaji. As well as three great wines to taste Shaun talks about his new podcast 'Your Place or Mine', Will uncovers the mystery behind ice wine, and Suzi reveals that when it comes to a wine bottle's label - "if it has a sausage dog on it - I'm having it!"

Grace Dent

Slurping away with Suzi and Will is the broadcaster and restaurant critic Grace Dent - who loves a good dessert wine. As well as three great wines to taste Grace talks about her latest show with Ainsley Harriott on Channel 4 "The Best of British by the Sea", Will eulogises about English wine, and Suzi asks the question...Mulled wine - yes or no?

Marcus Wareing

Discussing and decanting with Suzi and Will this week is the broadcaster and multi-Michelin star chef Marcus Wareing - who loves a Chardonnay. Alongside three great wines to taste, Marcus talks about his latest show "Tales from a Kitchen Garden", Will reveals what makes a wine 'corked', and Suzi discusses the difference between restaurant critics and comedy critics.

Suzi Ruffell

Pouring the wine this series with Will Lyons is the comedian and podcaster Suzi Ruffell - who loves a good wine when she's flying. As well as three great wines to taste Suzi learns why you shouldn't drink champagne from a flute, and Will gets his blindfold out for a secret taste test.

Jamie Cullum

Pulling crackers and drinking wine with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the broadcaster and musician Jamie Cullum - who loves Burgundy. As well as three great wines to taste Jamie talks about his latest album The Pianoman at Christmas, Will reveals the perfect Christmas tipple and Miquita tries to recall her youthful drinking days with a young Master Cullum.

BOSH!

Tasting the tannins with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons are Henry Firth and Ian Theasby aka BOSH! As well as three great vegan wines to taste; Henry and Ian pair the wines with recipes from their new cookbook 'BOSH! on a Budget', Will describes the history of the famous Beaujolais Run, and Miquita gives us an insight into the Caribbean cuisine of Ital.

Ian Rankin

Raising a toast with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons at Edinburgh's Prestonfield House is the bestselling author Ian Rankin - who is a fan of all things French. As well as three great wines to taste; Ian talks about Rebus and why he will never stop writing, Will uncovers the secrets of the Sunday Times Wine Club, and Miquita reveals she likes a sparkling rosé (as long as it's not too fizzy).

Emily Dean

Quaffing away with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the author and broadcaster Emily Dean - who is on the lookout for some low-alcohol wines. As well as three great wines to taste; Emily talks about her podcast series 'Walking the Dog' and her canine companion Ray, Will explains the process of removing alcohol from wine, and Miquita asks "are all screwcap wines bad?".

Gregory Porter

Raising a glass with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the multi award-winning musician Gregory Porter, who is an avid wine collector. As well as two great wines to taste; Gregory talks about his new album "Still Rising" and reveals his vinous rider, Will explains the history of Bond and Bollinger, and Miquita learns all about "Two Buck Chuck".

Giovanna Fletcher

Talking and toasting with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the author podcaster and Queen of the Castle Giovanna Fletcher - who loves and Italian red. As well as three great wines to taste; Giovanna reveals the recipe to a "Tom and Gi Special" and talks about her new book "Walking on Sunshine", Will says that it's ok to like a £4 bottle of wine, and Miquita recalls a scary memory of vineyard vertigo.

Rob Rinder

Popping corks with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the broadcaster, columnist and king of the courtroom Rob Rinder - who loves all wine but has "a gob like asbestos". As well as three great wines to taste; Rob talks about his memories of food and drink in legal traditions, Will reveals the history of champagne, and Miquita exposes a smell she cannot abide.

Isa Guha

Letting things breath with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons is the former cricketer and broadcaster Isa Guha - who dreams of touring through the Barossa Valley. As well as three great wines to taste; Isa talks about the spirit of food and drink on Test Match Special, Will gives a safety lesson on popping corks, and Miquita learns about a hangover life-hack.

Nathaniel Parker

Pouring the wine with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons this week is the actor Nathaniel Parker - who loves and Italian wine. As well as three great wines to taste; Nathaniel talks about reprising his role as Henry VIII in the final part of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall series The Mirror and the Light, Will debunks the myths about Chardonnay, and Miquita continues her wine education.

Ed Gamble

Popping corks with Miquita Oliver and Will Lyons this week is the comedian and podcaster Ed Gamble - who loves a good dessert wine. As well as three great wines to taste; Ed talks about getting back on the road for his new tour Electric, Will has a peculiar tip for storing wine in an unusual place, and Miquita tries to learn how to properly use a spittoon.