Episode 8 - Nicky Spence
12/27/23 • 49 min
I actually cried with laughter on this week’s episode. Operatic Tenor, Nicky Spence, recently voted most compelling singer actor and Winner of BBC Music’s Personality of the Year – ABSOLUTELY DELIVERS as a podcast guest.
Together on my sofa, complete with Glen, his bow tie clad pouchon, we discuss everything from the wine served at his recent wedding, how to survive night’s out as a singer and just as importantly, how opera, like wine, is meant to be for everyone. Nicky’s journey from growing up in a council estate to becoming an international singing sensation, is inspiring. However, I adore his emphasis on making opera accessible to everyone whilst not dumbing it down – from his judging on Sky Art’s ‘ Anyone Can Sing’ to using music as therapy when consulting with younger artists. This is a wonderful sensorially enhancing episode ( he even sings at one point) and is the perfect conversation to listen to during Christmas week.
To aid both our vocal chords we enjoyed a light and zesty Alvarinho – like the Opera Carmen – it is a crowd pleaser. And then moved onto the ‘Wagner’ of wine – a compelling and complex South African Chardonnay. For our finale, I had the pleasure of introducing Nicky to his first ever chilled red, which is made by one of Napa’s most iconic winemakers, Steve Matthiasson. What could be better for this marvellous maestro?!
- Highstreet Store: Morrisons
- Wine: The Best Alvarinho
- Retailer: Nekter Wines
- Wine: Atlas Swift Chardonnay, Cape South Coast, South Africa, 2020 and Tendu, Dunnigan Hills, California, USA 2019
- To buy the wine and drink along, go to Waitrose for the Chenin Blanc and purchase all the other wines at www.nekterwines.com
And CHECK NICKY SPENCE’S future tours and performances at: www.nickyspence.com
Social Links
- @morrisons
- @nekterwines
- https://www.amelias-wine.com and follow me on https://www.instagram.com/amelias_wine/?hl=en
This podcast has been vinously propelled by the Rothschild Wine Collection. Explore the world of Rothschild wines on Instagram @rothschildwinecollection or shop online at waddesdonwine.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I actually cried with laughter on this week’s episode. Operatic Tenor, Nicky Spence, recently voted most compelling singer actor and Winner of BBC Music’s Personality of the Year – ABSOLUTELY DELIVERS as a podcast guest.
Together on my sofa, complete with Glen, his bow tie clad pouchon, we discuss everything from the wine served at his recent wedding, how to survive night’s out as a singer and just as importantly, how opera, like wine, is meant to be for everyone. Nicky’s journey from growing up in a council estate to becoming an international singing sensation, is inspiring. However, I adore his emphasis on making opera accessible to everyone whilst not dumbing it down – from his judging on Sky Art’s ‘ Anyone Can Sing’ to using music as therapy when consulting with younger artists. This is a wonderful sensorially enhancing episode ( he even sings at one point) and is the perfect conversation to listen to during Christmas week.
To aid both our vocal chords we enjoyed a light and zesty Alvarinho – like the Opera Carmen – it is a crowd pleaser. And then moved onto the ‘Wagner’ of wine – a compelling and complex South African Chardonnay. For our finale, I had the pleasure of introducing Nicky to his first ever chilled red, which is made by one of Napa’s most iconic winemakers, Steve Matthiasson. What could be better for this marvellous maestro?!
- Highstreet Store: Morrisons
- Wine: The Best Alvarinho
- Retailer: Nekter Wines
- Wine: Atlas Swift Chardonnay, Cape South Coast, South Africa, 2020 and Tendu, Dunnigan Hills, California, USA 2019
- To buy the wine and drink along, go to Waitrose for the Chenin Blanc and purchase all the other wines at www.nekterwines.com
And CHECK NICKY SPENCE’S future tours and performances at: www.nickyspence.com
Social Links
- @morrisons
- @nekterwines
- https://www.amelias-wine.com and follow me on https://www.instagram.com/amelias_wine/?hl=en
This podcast has been vinously propelled by the Rothschild Wine Collection. Explore the world of Rothschild wines on Instagram @rothschildwinecollection or shop online at waddesdonwine.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Episode 7 - Richard Arnold
Breakfast TV legend and entertainment editor and journalist Richard Arnold, joins me on the sofa for a louche lunch over some exquisite Deliveroo delivered Italian food. We were Zoom wine buddies during lockdown but it was wonderful to taste in person (complete with my very technical tasting techniques!) and delve more into Richard’s favourite wine and food destinations plus his scintillating interview career from radio to television. There are some fantastic celebrity stories here and I am so glad I will never have to interview Barbara Streisand or Shirley MacLaine!
The vinous hedonism consisted of a stunning and great value Chenin Blanc from Waitrose, the most elegant Pinot Grigio which you will ever taste and a complex, leathery Portuguese red blend made by a winemaker who has a similar passion to Richard...I knew it would be a fun conversation and this vinous combination only enhanced the laughter and the need for ‘safe words’.. You will see what I mean!
- Highstreet Store: Waitrose
- Wine: Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc
- Retailer: Hedonism Wine
- Wine: Dessimis Pinot Grigio, Vie de Romans, Friuli, Italy and Fossil Valle de Capucha, Lisboa, Portugal
To buy the wine and drink along, go to Waitrose for the Chenin Blanc and purchase all the other wines at www.hedonism.co.uk
And watch Richard EVERY SINGLE DAY Monday – Friday on GMTV’S Good Morning!
Social Links
- @waitrose
- @ourglass.wine
- https://www.amelias-wine.com and follow me on https://www.instagram.com/amelias_wine/?hl=en
This podcast has been vinously propelled by the Rothschild Wine Collection. Explore the world of Rothschild wines on Instagram @rothschildwinecollection or shop online at waddesdonwine.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Episode 9 - John Singer
For the last episode of the first series, who could be a better guest than my own father, John Singer! As someone who describes himself as ‘impossible to classify’ - we explore a range of wines which ‘can’t be put in a box’ and which also reveal some hilarious as well as revealing professional and personal stories. Being a pioneer of Private Equity in Europe, we explore the importance of having courage in life, his scariest career moments and why he ‘almost’ but never quite made it to investing in wine! As well as his work in the Finance World, John was also awarded a CBE for his contributions to the world of Education and the Arts. The importance of supporting small businesses, individuals and of course independent wine makers is championed over a range of fascinating wines from an Australian viognier to a superb and fantastically priced South African Bordeaux blend – both available from my favourite local wine shop and online at Golborne Wine and Deli. To wrap up this extremely (!) lively discussion we enjoyed a wonderfully hedonistic Californian red blend from Orin Swift – that can be found at your local Majestic.
The delicious wine, laughter and cheerleading of the Arts in the episode is the perfect way to wrap up this wine and culture series. The ‘Ameliarate Through Wine’ podcast series is taking a January detox – but will be back later on in the year.
Until then, thank you SO much for your support, it is hugely appreciated, and I wish you the very best bacchant blessings xx
- Highstreet Store: Majestic
- Wine: Abstract Red blend, Orin Swift, California, USA 2021
- Retailer: Goldborne Wine and Deli
- Wine: Clonakilla Viognier, Canberra, Australia 2021 and Gabrielskoolf Blend Series, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2019
- To buy the wine and drink along, go to Majestic for the Abstract Red Blend and purchase all the other wines at www.golbornefinewinedeli.com plus other online retailers
Social Links
- @majesticwine
- @golbornedeli
- https://www.amelias-wine.com and follow me on https://www.instagram.com/amelias_wine/?hl=en
This podcast has been vinously propelled by the Rothschild Wine Collection. Explore the world of Rothschild wines on Instagram @rothschildwinecollection or shop online at waddesdonwine.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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