In this episode of Cabernet Queens, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee ring in 2026 with a special birthday celebration and a very fancy-looking bottle of red. Deb is joined by her lifelong best friend Jane, whom she’s known since the age of four, and returning favourite Tim, as they toast turning 60, talk about friendship through every decade of life, and attempt (with varying confidence) to guess what’s in their mystery bottle.

Key Takeaways

Deb and Jane share the story of how they met at four years old when Deb volunteered to “look after” the new girl at school, forming a bond that has lasted nearly six decades. Their memories of schooldays, teachers and growing up in the Black Country show how deep, long-term friendships shape who you become.

Both Deb and Jane are turning 60 this year, and rather than dreading it, they celebrate feeling more comfortable in their own skin than ever. They talk about each decade bringing something brilliant, from wild twenties to family-filled thirties and chilled-out fifties, and challenge the idea of living in the past instead of enjoying the here and now.

As ever, the group swirl, sniff and sip their way through the glass, commenting on the wine’s smoothness and seeking out “legs” on the side of the glass. The guessing game covers grape, country, price and percentage.

The conversation moves into music and streaming stats: Jane’s love of Elvis and Dolly Parton, Deb discovering newer artists like Lola Young while still blasting Oasis, and Tim’s long-standing Kylie Minogue super-fandom (top listener stats firmly intact). They compare Spotify “listening ages”, laugh about having an 89-year-old musical profile, and agree that festivals should always deliver the big hits for the crowd.

Tim reflects on how hard dating used to feel, joking that he once assumed he’d “die alone” before meeting his husband, Dom. He describes their first date as feeling like gossiping with a best friend you also fancy, and how that ease highlighted why previous relationships had never quite worked.

Best Moments

“I don’t know anyone else my age who’s still got their best friend from four.”

“Every decade’s been brilliant for one reason or another, why would I want to live in the past?”

“We went back to Graceland and I actually held Elvis Presley’s ring from the open coffin, full VIP treatment this time.”

“Dating was hard because everybody was a dickhead… then I met Dom and it just felt like chatting to my best mate that I also fancied.”

About the Hosts

Matt Morgan is a passionate travel specialist committed to turning your dream holidays into reality. Offering expert, impartial advice and 24/7 support, Matt ensures every step of your journey is stress-free. From crafting itineraries across all continents to arranging weddings, honeymoons, cruises, and city breaks, he handles every detail, including visas and check-ins. With strong industry relationships and ATOL protection, Matt delivers personalised, worry-free travel experiences tailored to your needs.

Find out more: https://luxurytravelexperts.co.uk/

Deb Lee is the owner of Aldridge Mortgage & Protection, a family-run business focused on helping clients achieve their property goals. From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, Deb offers tailored advice on purchasing, refinancing, and borrowing. Based in the West Midlands but serving clients nationwide, she provides flexible support through remote or face-to-face consultations. With a client-first approach and a passion for making the mortgage process simple and stress-free, Deb ensures her clients' property dreams become reality.

Find out more: https://aldridgemp.co.uk/

See the wine they drink and keep up to date with their adventures: https://www.instagram.com/cabernetqueens/

Get in touch with Cabernet Queens with any questions: cabernetqueens@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this festive episode of the Cabernet Queens Podcast, hosts Matt Morgan, a travel specialist, and Deb Lee, a mortgage adviser, lean fully into their love of Christmas – from “Christmas milk” Baileys and Bucks Fizz breakfasts, to self-employed Christmas parties for two, chaotic shared office dos, and the fine art of Secret Santa. Alongside plenty of laughter (and mild chaos), they savour a deep, spicy mystery red and swap stories about cheese, port, and why time together beats presents every year.

Key Takeaways

Matt and Deb agree the build-up is the best bit, Christmas films, games, rubbish food, and guilt-free drinking at any hour. Baileys is rebranded “Christmas milk”, Bucks Fizz is mandatory at breakfast, and even the parents are on board with morning tipples.

Deb and her fellow director Tan are marking Christmas with a “party for two”. Lunch at Pasture on Christmas Eve doubling as their AGM, followed by an open-house evening at home. Matt’s got networking, a “respectable” lunch that will inevitably slide, and classic office cocktails with colleagues lined up.

Both have reached the stage where swapping £££ presents feels pointless. Instead, they choose meals out, day trips, and overnight stays with parents, because the most precious gift is time together, not another bottle of Baileys and a box of chocolates.

From the impossible £10 work budget to family draws, Secret Santa can go very right or very wrong. A notorious gimp outfit gift did not land well, but a lemon tree christened “Lily” was a huge win.

Best Moments

“He calls it Christmas milk. There’s always a bottle of Christmas milk in the fridge in December.”

“When you’ve got a decent standard of living, you don’t really go without… the most important thing, the most precious thing you can give is your time.”

“If I feel like dancing and nobody else does, I’ll dance. Dance like nobody’s watching.”

“Have you ever done it when you get a whole Stilton, scoop the middle out and pour port in?”

About the Hosts

Matt Morgan is a passionate travel specialist committed to turning your dream holidays into reality. Offering expert, impartial advice and 24/7 support, Matt ensures every step of your journey is stress-free. From crafting itineraries across all continents to arranging weddings, honeymoons, cruises, and city breaks, he handles every detail, including visas and check-ins. With strong industry relationships and ATOL protection, Matt delivers personalised, worry-free travel experiences tailored to your needs.

Find out more: https://luxurytravelexperts.co.uk/

Deb Lee is the owner of Aldridge Mortgage & Protection, a family-run business focused on helping clients achieve their property goals. From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, Deb offers tailored advice on purchasing, refinancing, and borrowing. Based in the West Midlands but serving clients nationwide, she provides flexible support through remote or face-to-face consultations. With a client-first approach and a passion for making the mortgage process simple and stress-free, Deb ensures her clients' property dreams become reality.

Find out more: https://aldridgemp.co.uk/

See the wine they drink and keep up to date with their adventures: https://www.instagram.com/cabernetqueens/

Get in touch with Cabernet Queens with any questions: cabernetqueens@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.