A break from the norm in that this isn't our writing (for once), it's more a collection of pieces about the inaugural UK Wine Awards, which Susie chaired in May 2017. UK wine is on a roll. Quality has never been better - and it's not...
Chafor Vintage Rosé 2014, England (£45, Chafor Wine Estate) I recently had the pleasure of chairing the brand new UK Wine Awards. A task that involved spending two, very enjoyable days tasting nearly 300 English and Welsh wines along with a panel of industry experts. There was a...
Chapel Down Flint Dry 2015, England (£10, Sainsbury's or via WineSearcher) We're big fans of Chapel Down's wines, especially their still ones - proving that English wine isn't just about fizz. Their Chardonnay (in particular their Kit's Coty) is regularly outstanding and well worth a try. This one's a...
Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blancs 2013, 12% (£28-35, pre-release from the winery website) There are many reasons to visit Marlow, the picturesque Chilterns town on the Thames in Buckinghamshire. One is Tom Kerridge's famous two-Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers eatery (and also its more informal offshoot, The Coach)....
Wyfold Brut 2011, 12% (from £26.99, Laithwaites) Barbara Laithwaite has turned her talented hand from working with her husband Tony building the Laithtwaite's/Direct Wines empire (which they continue to do) to crafting this elegant, expressive English fizz from a south Oxfordshire hillside not far from their home...
Chalkdown Premium Quality Cider 2013, Hampshire (from £10, independent stockists inc Wine Utopia, The Naked Grape, The Good Life Farm Shop, M Wines, The Cork & Cheese, Vineking) Hampshire cider - made like champagne. Intriguing, no? 'It's all a learning process,' smiles Winchester resident Piotr Nahajski, the...
Hattingley Valley Rosé 2013, England, 12% (£30.95, www.hattingleyvalley.co.uk or use Wine Searcher) It's national rosé day this Saturday (11th June), when it's also Her Majesty The Queen's official 90th birthday. We're also launching the brand new Tickled Pink rosé category as part of Follow Your Taste. So we...
Wiston Estate Rosé NV, England (£27.50, Waitrose Cellar) It's national rosé day this Saturday (11th June), when it's also Her Majesty The Queen's official 90th birthday. We're also launching the brand new Tickled Pink rosé category as part of Follow Your Taste. So we thought the least we could...
Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rosé NV, England, 11.5% (£34.95, www.extonparkvineyard.com) It's national rosé day this Saturday (11th June), when it's also Her Majesty The Queen's official 90th birthday. We're also launching the brand new Tickled Pink rosé category as part of Follow Your Taste. So we thought the least...
Gusbourne Pinot Noir Boot Hill Vineyard 2014, England, 11.5% (£22-23, Honest Grapes, Hennings, Buon Vino) The recent English Wine Producers tasting is an annual event that gets palpably more exciting and delicious every year. There were far too many exciting wines to be able to recommend them...