<![CDATA[Cellar Sessions Podcast]]>Cellar Sessions is a weekly podcast from award-winning wine experts, travel lovers and food fanatics, Alexandre Freguin and Anna Spooner.


Each month they pick a region that excites them and give listeners a range of different sessions to help them better understand the place and its wines, inspiring them to book that trip or open that bottle.

Each month you will find:

  • An Introduction to the region and its most important wines
  • A first hand guide to traveling there and getting the most out of local culture, food and drink
  • A series of bonus background topics designed to help you truly get to grips with the place. Whether it's geeky winemaking techniques, deep dives into varieties or even history and food culture, our mission is to help you enjoy what's in your glass even more.

About Your Hosts

Alex Freguin

Alexandre Freguin is our resident Frenchie but spent much of his career in England where he won best UK Sommelier in 2018.
His work has taken him to some of the most famous restaurants in the world many of which are Michelin starred like Les Loge in Lyon, L’Enclume in Cartmel, Hôtel Casadelmar in Porto-Vecchio and Restaurant Jean Sulpice in Val Thorens. He spent may years and the famius Moor Hall and until recently he was the wine director for Family Perrin including their esteemed restaurants in Gigondas.
Now he is a Decanter judge, he owns his own consultancy firm, he works as an ambassador for the Picpoul de Pinet AOC and runs incredible events in Gigondas and beyond with his partner Virginie.
One of the most respected wine nerds in France, he's all about making wine accessible and getting world wines into the glasses of everyone.

Anna Spooner

Anna is originally from the UK where she worked as a wine educator at the famous West London Wine School and then at The Wine Society in Tastings and Events.
In 2020 and 2021 she won the Decanter Magazine 'Best Online Wine Experience' for her online events at The Wine Society. In 2021 and 2022 she was shortlisted for IWSC's 'Emerging Talent in Wine Communication' and has been runner up in Jancis Robinson's wine writing competition.
Since moving to the Rhône she's focused on growing her tastings and tours business; bringing the region's beautiful wines to life with guests from around the world. She's also recently launched The Tasting Studio, a platform to learn about wines online with bespoke sample kits.
Her mentality? Wines are to be enjoyed, ideally with friends and family... and especially with food. Everything she does is designed to give confidence and excitement around wine, without the need to pick up a text book if you don't want to!

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:13:30 GMTTue, 10 Mar 2026 14:09:31 GMT60Cellar Sessions Podcast from Alex Freguin & Anna Spooner<p>Cellar Sessions is a weekly podcast from award-winning wine experts, travel lovers and food fanatics, Alexandre Freguin and Anna Spooner.</p><p><br />Each month they pick a region that excites them and give listeners a range of different sessions to help them better understand the place and its wines, inspiring them to book that trip or open that bottle.</p><p></p><p>Each month you will find:</p><ul><li>An Introduction to the region and its most important wines</li><li>A first hand guide to traveling there and getting the most out of local culture, food and drink</li><li>A series of bonus background topics designed to help you truly get to grips with the place. Whether it's geeky winemaking techniques, deep dives into varieties or even history and food culture, our mission is to help you enjoy what's in your glass even more.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>About Your Hosts</b></p><p><b>Alex Freguin</b></p><p>Alexandre Freguin is our resident Frenchie but spent much of his career in England where he won best UK Sommelier in 2018.<br />His work has taken him to some of the most famous restaurants in the world many of which are Michelin starred like Les Loge in Lyon, L’Enclume in Cartmel, Hôtel Casadelmar in Porto-Vecchio and Restaurant Jean Sulpice in Val Thorens. He spent may years and the famius Moor Hall and until recently he was the wine director for Family Perrin including their esteemed restaurants in Gigondas.<br />Now he is a Decanter judge, he owns his own consultancy firm, he works as an ambassador for the Picpoul de Pinet AOC and runs incredible events in Gigondas and beyond with his partner Virginie.<br />One of the most respected wine nerds in France, he's all about making wine accessible and getting world wines into the glasses of everyone.</p><p></p><p><b>Anna Spooner</b></p><p>Anna is originally from the UK where she worked as a wine educator at the famous West London Wine School and then at The Wine Society in Tastings and Events.<br />In 2020 and 2021 she won the Decanter Magazine 'Best Online Wine Experience' for her online events at The Wine Society. In 2021 and 2022 she was shortlisted for IWSC's 'Emerging Talent in Wine Communication' and has been runner up in Jancis Robinson's wine writing competition.<br />Since moving to the Rhône she's focused on growing her tastings and tours business; bringing the region's beautiful wines to life with guests from around the world. She's also recently launched <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/thetastingstudio/" target="_blank">The Tasting Studio</a>, a platform to learn about wines online with bespoke sample kits.<br />Her mentality? Wines are to be enjoyed, ideally with friends and family... and especially with food. Everything she does is designed to give confidence and excitement around wine, without the need to pick up a text book if you don't want to!</p>episodicCellar Sessions Podcast from Alex Freguin & Anna Spoonercellarsessionspodcast@gmail.comno<![CDATA[What Should I Do When Visiting Etna?]]>Anna and Alex are Etna obsessed. The wines, the food and the scenery are all to die for.

This episode will bring you travel tips for visiting Etna and Sicily, including transportation, winery recommendations, and insights into the food scene. It also covers historical and sightseeing aspects of Taormina, exploring the Aeolian Islands, and recommendations for winery visits and accommodation.

This podcast is all you need to plan your next food and wine trip.

]]>e8fda29c-6e83-46d7-a9e5-1090403407ffTue, 28 Apr 2026 11:30:59 GMT<p>Anna and Alex are Etna obsessed. The wines, the food and the scenery are all to die for. </p><p>This episode will bring you travel tips for visiting Etna and Sicily, including transportation, winery recommendations, and insights into the food scene. It also covers historical and sightseeing aspects of Taormina, exploring the Aeolian Islands, and recommendations for winery visits and accommodation. </p><p>This podcast is all you need to plan your next food and wine trip.</p>no00:13:2916What Should I Do When Visiting Etna?full<![CDATA[Introduction to Etna]]>Alex and Anna discuss the Etna DOC wine region, its history, geography, and unique characteristics. They explore the volcanic soils, the comparison between Etna and Barolo, and the significance of site expression in winemaking. The conversation delves into the comparison between Contrada and Cru, the characteristics of Nerello Mascalese, Carricante and Catarrotto - the key grapes of the region.

Takeaways

  • Etna wine region's history is marked by diverse governance and trade, making it a significant position for trade and exploration.
  • The volcanic soils of Etna play a key role in viticulture, with unique variations and nutrient content that impact the finished wine. Contrada vs. Cru
  • Characteristics of Nerello Mascalese vs Nebbiolo
  • Unique features of Etna's red and white wines
  • Significance of site specificity and indigenous grapes

]]>da36976c-e8c0-469f-a47e-75e083a5d61fTue, 07 Apr 2026 19:04:04 GMT<p>Alex and Anna discuss the Etna DOC wine region, its history, geography, and unique characteristics. They explore the volcanic soils, the comparison between Etna and Barolo, and the significance of site expression in winemaking. The conversation delves into the comparison between Contrada and Cru, the characteristics of Nerello Mascalese, Carricante and Catarrotto - the key grapes of the region.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Etna wine region's history is marked by diverse governance and trade, making it a significant position for trade and exploration.</li><li>The volcanic soils of Etna play a key role in viticulture, with unique variations and nutrient content that impact the finished wine. Contrada vs. Cru</li><li>Characteristics of Nerello Mascalese vs Nebbiolo</li><li>Unique features of Etna's red and white wines</li><li>Significance of site specificity and indigenous grapes</li></ul><p></p>no00:34:4215Introduction to Etnafull<![CDATA[How Does Altitude Affect Wine?]]>Alex and Anna's discussion this week delves into the concept of altitude in winemaking, exploring its legal definition, impact on grape growing, and influence on the finished wine.

It also touches on the challenges and benefits of high-altitude viticulture, as well as the unique characteristics of wines produced at different altitudes.

]]>2d73f857-8928-4ca8-ace1-2ac1734c2661Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:48:11 GMT<p>Alex and Anna's discussion this week delves into the concept of altitude in winemaking, exploring its legal definition, impact on grape growing, and influence on the finished wine. </p><p></p><p>It also touches on the challenges and benefits of high-altitude viticulture, as well as the unique characteristics of wines produced at different altitudes.</p><p></p>no00:28:5614How Does Altitude Affect Wine?full<![CDATA[Why is Hail a Problem in Mendoza?]]>Alex and Anna's conversation delves into the impact of hail as a viticultural hazard, exploring its immediate and long-term effects on vineyards and grapes. It also discusses mitigation strategies and the broader implications of hail on the wine industry.

Takeaways

  • What is hail and how is it formed?
  • Where does hail impact viticulture most?
  • Hail as a viticultural hazard
  • Immediate and long-term effects of hail
  • Costs and considerations

]]>186005c4-06be-41b2-aa35-933b9221e4e5Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:43:55 GMT<p>Alex and Anna's conversation delves into the impact of hail as a viticultural hazard, exploring its immediate and long-term effects on vineyards and grapes. It also discusses mitigation strategies and the broader implications of hail on the wine industry.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>What is hail and how is it formed?</li><li>Where does hail impact viticulture most?</li><li>Hail as a viticultural hazard</li><li>Immediate and long-term effects of hail</li><li>Costs and considerations</li></ul><p></p>no00:21:1313Why is Hail a Problem in Mendoza?full<![CDATA[What Should I do When Visiting Mendoza?]]>In the second of our Mendoza series, Anna and Alex explore what to eat, drink and do in and around Mendoza.

Not only will we tell you about the best wineries to visit to have a long lunch, we'll also tell you about rooftop cocktails, the city's best pizza and where to find the finest dining.
So listen in for our top travel tips, to whet your appetite and get the inside scoop before you start planning your next wine adventure.

]]>70b22763-dc12-454c-8f6c-a6f4c7540ad0Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>In the second of our Mendoza series, Anna and Alex explore what to eat, drink and do in and around Mendoza.</p><p>Not only will we tell you about the best wineries to visit to have a long lunch, we'll also tell you about rooftop cocktails, the city's best pizza and where to find the finest dining.<br />So listen in for our top travel tips, to whet your appetite and get the inside scoop before you start planning your next wine adventure.</p>no00:10:13What Should I do When Visiting Mendoza?full<![CDATA[Introduction to Mendoza]]>Join award-winning wine experts and food and travel lovers, Anna Spooner and Alexandre Freguin, as they give you the insights into one of the world's best-loved wines, Malbec from Mendoza.

Understand it's connection to France (from our resident Frenchie Alex); it's classic flavour profile (from our Brit abroad Anna) and it's next wave style as well as learning what other grapes are worth seeking out in Mendoza and further afield in Argentina.

This is the first episode of four centred on the subject of Mendoza. Next week we will give you a wine-lovers tour guide of the region and after that two episodes focusing on some of the most important theory behind what makes this a unique wine growing place - its altitude and its hail.

]]>53b6cc18-b7b2-4b37-ad87-31e15b88fcf1Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:25:55 GMT<p>Join award-winning wine experts and food and travel lovers, Anna Spooner and Alexandre Freguin, as they give you the insights into one of the world's best-loved wines, Malbec from Mendoza.</p><p></p><p>Understand it's connection to France (from our resident Frenchie Alex); it's classic flavour profile (from our Brit abroad Anna) and it's next wave style as well as learning what other grapes are worth seeking out in Mendoza and further afield in Argentina.</p><p></p><p>This is the first episode of four centred on the subject of Mendoza. Next week we will give you a wine-lovers tour guide of the region and after that two episodes focusing on some of the most important theory behind what makes this a unique wine growing place - its altitude and its hail.</p>no00:22:4411Introduction to Mendozafull