Best of the Spectator Table Talk: Tom Gilbey
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Dec 9, 2025 Tom Gilbey, a charismatic winemaker and author of 'Thirsty,' shares his fascinating journey into the world of wine. He recounts growing up in a family deeply rooted in winemaking, his viral fame stemming from a quirky video, and the thriving English sparkling wine industry. Tom explains his fun approach to wine education and offers practical pairing tips, like matching dry manzanilla sherry with Ibérico ham. He also shares his unconventional Christmas turkey cooking method, making wine accessible and enjoyable for all.
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Pike's Head Test In Beaujolais
- Tom Gilbey remembers being given a pike's head at a French table and about to eat the eyeball before being handed a glass of Beaujolais instead.
- That moment, aged 15, sealed his fascination with wine and the theatricality of wine culture.
Family Wine Business Origins
- Tom traces his family's wine trade back to selling imported bottles from a trestle table on Oxford Street and later owning a small chateau in Bordeaux.
- He describes the business' eccentric growth and decline driven by family hiring practices and changing fortunes.
Why English Sparkling Rose Up
- England's sparkling wine success combines warming climate, chalky soils similar to Champagne, and planting the right grape varieties early.
- Significant private and corporate investment has also underpinned the rapid improvement of English wine quality.
