In this episode of Cabernet Queens, Deb Lee and Matt Morgan are joined by special guest Mick "The Cheese" from Queso, a Midlands-based artisan cheesemonger, for a luxurious wine and cheese tasting upstairs at Chung Ying restaurant in Birmingham.

Key Takeaways

Mick brings serious cheese knowledge (and snacks). From a triple cream French cheese to award-winning pitchfork cheddar and a surprisingly mellow blue goat’s cheese, Mick’s selections wow both Matt and Deb.

Mick explains why artisan cheese tastes better: freshness, hand-cut curds, raw milk, and care versus mass-produced block cheddar sealed in plastic.

Artisan cheese fans across the UK can order via queso.uk with next-day chilled delivery—perfect for Christmas or just a Tuesday night in.

Best Moments

“I wish she’d just told me she’d slept with another man… she likes cranberry cheese!”

“Have you tried the cheddar? It’s better than Cathedral City!”

“It's called Cabernet Queens, not Cheese Queens. Maybe we should do a spin-off.”

About Queso

Owned by cheese enthusiast Mick James, ¡Queso! is run by Mick, Adam Bannister, and Michelle James. With a rotating selection of over 60 artisan cheeses, all are chosen for flavour, quality, and seasonality. They only stock cheeses they personally love, no mass production, no additives (except for a touch of truffle), and no supermarket staples. Most are unpasteurised and sourced from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, crafted by small, independent producers.

Find out more: https://queso.uk/

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/

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

In this episode of Cabernet Queens, Deb Lee and Matt Morgan sample a mysterious red wine with a suspiciously sweet scent and zero buzz, leading them to a surprising reveal. From charity bungee jumps in Tamworth to wild weekends in London and chaotic camper van trips with the grandkids, this episode is full of hilarious stories, questionable wine choices, and relatable chaos.

Key Takeaways

Deb proudly shares that her partner Tan completed a crane bungee jump in Tamworth to raise over £700 for The Stan Bowley Trust, a charity funding cancer treatment via CyberKnife technology. Naturally, Deb couldn’t help but think about the fine print in life insurance policies...

With its sweet, berry-like aroma, the wine in this episode reminds Matt of Kopparberg cider and Deb of squash; the wine lacks the warmth and kick they crave.

A spontaneous camping trip with two grandkids turns into a sleepless night with midnight toilet trips, early morning visitors, and a surprise appearance from a BNI friend wielding a cup of tea at 7am.

Matt treats his partner PJ to a night at 'Come Alive'—a circus-style show inspired by The Greatest Showman—complete with open bar. The group drinks themselves into an early bedtime, with a £70 dinner topped off by… tap water.

Best Moments

“If this is alcoholic, I'm never drinking wine again.”

“That’s not wine. That’s squash.”

“It smells like Kopparberg and tastes like disappointment.”

“I haven’t even got any vodka to put in it.”

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, Deb Lee and Matt Morgan sample a mystery red wine while catching up on travels, hotel surprises, and awkward holiday encounters. Matt returns from a red wine–fuelled cruise to Miami, while Deb shares the hilarious tale of accidentally booking a swingers resort in Cancun. They also answer a listener’s question about the most unexpected place they’ve enjoyed a great glass of wine.

Key Takeaways

Matt’s cruise comes with jet lag and melatonin gummies. Despite suffering from jet lag, Matt recounts a luxurious work trip involving sun, sea, and red wine by the pool (at 11am, no less).

Deb’s accidental stay at a swingers resort is pure comedy gold. Thinking she’d booked a quiet, adults-only hotel in Cancun, Deb finds herself at “Temptation” – a nudity-friendly, flirtation-fuelled resort with themed bars, chainmail bikinis, and some very forward poolside conversations.

Wine of the week scores highly. A deep, plummy red with a smooth finish earns praise for its drinkability, colour, and unexpected elegance.

A listener's question sparks sweet memories. Matt reminisces about sipping wine at KFC in Barcelona, while Deb recalls a scenic vineyard visit in Myanmar after a chaotic mountain bike ride.

Best Moments

“We didn’t get turned away for being underdressed… we were overdressed!”

“I compliment everyone on their shoes, who knew it was code for swinging?”

“It’s got to be a really shit wine for us to say it’s awful.”

“Deb, you've never been to Barcelona? Right, we're going for your 60th.”

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, Deb Lee is joined by her wife, Tan, to relive their recent adventures at the Glastonbury Festival. With Matt Morgan firing off questions as a self-confessed festival virgin, the trio sip on a mystery boxed wine and cover everything from camper van comforts and festival toilets to surprise celeb sightings and their favourite musical acts.

Key Takeaways

Deb and Tan reflect on their seventh Glasto trip, this time with added comfort. They ditched the tent and opted for a camper van stay complete with a chemical toilet tent – a far cry from their early days of camping and long-drop toilets.

Tan gives a hilarious yet brutally honest rundown of Glastonbury’s toilet options, from portaloos and long drops to compost loos with sawdust. Pro tip? Never look down, always bring toilet roll, and possibly invest in a she-wee.

While food isn’t cheap (with a roast chicken pitta clocking in at £16.50), most vendors offer a £6 option. Favourites included Goan curry, sushi, and fish and chips. Deb and Tan also mention a handy on-site shop for essentials like pot noodles and snacks.

Best Moments

“Imagine if we unwrap the wine bag and it says ‘You’ve been drinking blood.’”

“You know it’s Glastonbury when your mum sees you on someone’s shoulders and says, ‘Deborah, you’re too old for that, you’re a bank manager!’”

“A compost toilet is literally a loo over a wheelie bin. With sawdust.”

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee return to Birmingham’s beloved wine bar, Arch 13, for another round of laughter, learning, and luscious sips. They're joined once again by Chris Connolly, owner and seasoned wine expert, who shares the fascinating history of Connolly’s, demystifies oak ageing, explains the science behind wine glasses, and gives his take on the trendy “orange wine”. All this, while the trio taste one of their most exceptional wines to date.

Key Takeaways

A Birmingham Staple: Arch 13 is more than a wine bar—it’s part of a family legacy stretching back to 1880, with deep roots in the Midlands and a modern, atmospheric space perfect for wine discovery.

From £1,000 French barrels to oak chips, Chris explains how oak ageing works, what it contributes to flavour and structure, and why winemakers often blend different ages of barrels.

Does the Glass Matter? Absolutely. Wine glass shape can change how a wine hits your palate, balancing acidity and enhancing aroma—something Austrian glassmaker Riedel has perfected.

Orange Wine Explained: Not a fad, but a traditional method of making white wine like red—fermented on skins for tannins and colour. Chris shares how it creates unique mouthfeel and food pairing opportunities.

Best Moments

“Wine glasses aren’t just for drama, they guide the wine to the right part of your mouth.” – Chris

“I like a glass that can hold a whole bottle of wine.” – Matt

“Mother’s being posh again—get the decanter out.” – Deb, quoting her son Tom

About Arch 13

Arch 13 at Connolly’s is a wine bar and retail experience showcasing unique wines, British cheese and meats and a range of small plates. Connolly’s is a family owned and run business with a heritage that dates back to the late 1800’s.

Find out more: https://arch13bar.co.uk/

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee return for another round of red wine tasting and candid conversation. The duo sample a mystery bottle while reflecting on memorable travel experiences and culinary escapades. From Matt’s handmade Vietnamese spring rolls to Deb’s attempt at recreating pho at home, the episode highlights the joy and occasional chaos of bringing holiday tastes back to the UK.

Key Takeaways

Wine Talk and Scoring: Matt and Deb taste a mystery red wine, initially underwhelmed by the aroma but pleasantly surprised as the episode progresses. The wine's drinkability improves over time, leading to a significantly higher final score.

Travel-Inspired Cooking Fails and Wins: Matt shares his experience making Vietnamese spring rolls at home after a cooking class in Vietnam, while Deb recalls a less successful attempt at making pho using beef bones, which resulted in a lingering odour that haunted the house.

Adventure and Personal Growth: The hosts reflect on how travel and adventure – whether trekking the Inca Trail or launching a business, often require courage and ignoring self-doubt. They discuss imposter syndrome and the power of naming the voice in your head that holds you back.

Wine-Inspired Creativity: Deb and Matt brainstorm wine names based on their travels, including "Cancun Cabernet" and "Mexican Malbec", linking their love for wine and adventure.

Best Moments

“It's not knocking my socks off, I wonder if it's a lower alcohol content?”

“I thought, this is the easiest thing ever. Why don’t I eat these spring rolls every day of my life?”

“It smelt like we’d cooked dead people in the house. Just bones… for days!”

“Adventure takes many forms. Starting a business is an adventure.”

“I’m going to start a spreadsheet so we can rank our all-time favourites.”

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee step out of Deb’s kitchen and into Birmingham wine bar, Arch 13. Joined by Chris Connolly, owner and wine expert, they dive into a guided wine tasting, learning to sip, swirl, and (try not to) spill. From Matt’s wine-induced contortions to Deb’s newfound appreciation for Malbec, this episode is packed with laughs, learning, and a lot of tannins.

Key Takeaways

Tasting Like a Pro: Chris walks Matt and Deb through the basics of proper wine tasting—swirling, sniffing, and sipping—emphasising balance, acidity, and drinkability over fancy jargon.

Wine Without Snobbery: The trio explores how great wine doesn’t need a high price tag or intimidating language. The focus is on whether you enjoy it, not if you can identify notes of ‘wheelbarrow fruit’.

From Guesswork to Guidance: Deb and Matt usually rely on wild guesses and supermarket offers, but with Chris’s expertise, they learn to identify grape varieties and characteristics with new confidence.

Wine Bar Wisdom: Chris introduces them to three reds, an Australian Grenache-Mataro blend, an Argentinian Malbec, and an Australian Aglianico, highlighting differences in aroma, mouthfeel, and finish.

Best Moments

"Let’s be honest, whatever Chris gives us, the glasses will be empty by the end." – Matt

“You can’t taste properly if you just neck it.” – Chris

“This one tastes like it would go with roast dinner… maybe even cauliflower.” – Deb

About Arch 13

Arch 13 at Connolly’s is a wine bar and retail experience showcasing unique wines, British cheese and meats and a range of small plates. Connolly’s is a family owned and run business with a heritage that dates back to the late 1800’s.

Find out more: https://arch13bar.co.uk/

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 episode of Cabernet Queens, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee dive into another blind wine tasting adventure while sharing their travel stories. They try a mystery bottle of wine and discuss their experiences, from scooter mishaps in Vietnam to trekking through Cambodia. As they sip and chat, they reveal their ratings on the wine’s smell, taste, colour, and drinkability, adding a fun, unfiltered twist to their journey of flavour and travel.

Key Takeaways

Travel Stories and Adventures: Matt shares details of his recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, including a visit to the Coochi Tunnels and an unforgettable Cambodian circus, while Deb discusses her experiences with wildlife in Cambodia.

Wine and Food Pairing: The duo enjoys their wine with a selection of snacks, including cheese and Doritos, adding a casual, fun element to their tasting sessions.

Casual Scoring: They rate the wine on smell, colour, taste, and overall drinkability, using a relaxed yet engaging scoring system.

Travel-Driven Wine Preferences: As travel enthusiasts, Matt and Deb’s experiences in different countries influence their wine preferences and tasting notes, offering a unique perspective on how travel shapes wine enjoyment.

Best Moments

“This wine is an easy drinker, not too fancy, just smooth and enjoyable.”

“I think I’ve found the best place to have a glass of wine: on a sunny patio, with a good chat.”

“I was shocked by the plastic cork—definitely not what I expected for a French wine!”

“Vietnam was a dream, and the food tours were a real highlight. But the best part? The people—so friendly.”

“When we were in Cambodia, I couldn’t believe the massive spiders and the deep-fried tarantulas! But you know what? The experience was worth it.”

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.