Who better to sample fermented grapes at Gordon’s, London’s oldest wine bar, than the man behind Straight No Chaser? Raise a glass to musician Mr Hudson, Kanye’s newest protégé. Ben Hudson, the Birmingham-born frontman for Mr Hudson, has earned the right to relax with a glass (or eight) of wine. In the past year, he appeared on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s latest records, traveled the world as part of West’s crew (“He’s like the Kofi Annan of pop,” Hudson says of his friend and mentor) and saw his smash single -- the glorious, West-assisted “Supernova” -- climb to the top of the U.K. charts. Still, Hudson isn’t yet ready to toast his good fortune. “As an Englishman,” he says, “I’m allergic to bombast. It’s up to the people at home to decide if I’ll be playing at Wembley in 10 years, or if I’ll be back on the dole.”

The people will decide this month, when Hudson releases his second album, Straight No Chaser. In the calm before the publicity storm, the towheaded breakthrough artist brings his dry, British sense of humor and sommelier skills to the table, whetting his palate with a few fine wines.

Touraine Sauvignon 2007 (France) Hemingway once compared connoisseurs of wine to connoisseurs of bullfighting, saying that someone who has watched bullfights for decades gets bored by anything that’s less than spectacular. This one is dry and clean -- it tastes of rocks!

Palo Alto Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2008 (Chile) Green and fresh. We’ve left France for South America, I see. I’m used to jumping around. I was living a very modest existence above a pub in north London, staring out my window at grimy, old Camden, when I’d get an email from Kanye and his crew saying, “Come to Hawaii!”

Willowglen Semillon Chardonnay 2007 (Australia) Is Chardonnay out of fashion? The problem is, I forget whatever I learn about wine the night I drink it. I do love the buttery taste this has. It’s sharp in a friendly way -- like a bread knife.

Thierry and Guy Fat Bastard Pinot Noir 2008 (France) I’m getting chocolate and smoke, and I’m also getting drunk.

Rioja Siglo 1881 (Spain) This is delicious -- very round and full. They seem to be quite macho, Spanish wines. Speaking of macho, I once tried to wear this shiny, pink blazer, and Kanye was just like, “Hell, no.” I’m normally quite sober in my attire, but he says I dress like a homeless person.

Andes Peaks Carmenére 2008 (Chile) Power. Late nights. Burnt wood. Charcoal. Bitterness. I can imagine this with a lamb stew.

Grover La Réserve Nandi Hills Bangalore 2006 (India) This isn’t a punch in the face, like other big reds.

Hazy View Chenin Blanc 2008 (South Africa) This one is sharp and crisp, with a touch of warmth -- it’s almost spicy. Maybe that’s because I’ve had quite a few glasses, and I’m not in a clear headspace. To be honest, I’m not in the same headspace as when I wrote Straight No Chaser three months ago. Whereas that was a grim time for me personally, I’ve now got a single that’s number two on the charts. So if I made an album today, it would probably be some kind of Champagne-fueled party record.

Photography by Hamish Brown. Hudson photographed at Gordon’s Wine Bar, London. Grooming by Luca @ Terrie Tanka Management