MY LATEST BLOG POSTS...

Discover what old vine wines are, why some of the world's oldest vineyards produce such distinctive wines, and how to identify genuine old vine wines on a bottle label. From volcanic Assyrtiko in Santorini to South Africa's Certified Heritage Vineyards, explore the history, benefits, and growing importance of old vines. Plus, discover affordable old vine wines available in UK supermarkets and the producers leading the movement to protect these remarkable vineyards.

If you’ve ever visited a vineyard and wondered how growers can tell grape varieties apart, you’re not alone. At first glance, many vines look remarkably similar. But once you know what to look for, certain varieties become surprisingly easy to spot. One of the easiest? Pinot Meunier. During a recent visit to Exton Park Vineyard in Hampshire, I spent some time looking more closely at Pinot Meunier, one of the three classic grape varieties used in Champagne and an increas

So you don’t waste money (or calories) on bottles you won’t actually enjoy. Wine can feel intimidating at first, but it becomes far more enjoyable the moment you understand a few simple basics: grape varieties, where a wine comes from, and the story behind the producer. That foundation changes everything. Suddenly, you can order with confidence in restaurants, read a wine list without second-guessing yourself, recognise quality more easily, and start to understand what

When you think of Napa Valley, what image comes to mind? For me it’s the stunning rolling hills, lush vineyards, and Mediterranean-like climate of California that produces some of the world's most celebrated wines. The region is famed for blendingnatural beauty with a refined culinary culture, drawing hordes of visitors to its sun-drenched estates, farm-to-table restaurants, and scenic drives lined with oak trees and endless rows of vines. And the wines reflect that war

Most networking events don’t fail because people don’t attend. They fail because nothing in the room makes it easy for people to connect. That was the focus behind this client networking event hosted with Rostrum at Stem + Stem for 40 guests. The evening brought together a mix of existing clients, new relationships, and people who had only briefly met before. Rather than a formal presentation or structured agenda, the event was designed to encourage natural conversatio

There is something particularly special about working with returning clients. Last year, I had the pleasure of creating a rooftop Wine Safari for Bank of New York. This year, we took things in a different direction with something more intimate: a team wine tasting designed to bring together colleagues from across the world after a busy day in the office. With 25 guests joining from different countries and backgrounds, this wasn’t simply about drinking wine. It was about

Here’s how to navigate Chelsea Flower Show season properly from the gardens worth your time to where to eat, drink and soak up the atmosphere afterwards. Chelsea during flower show week feels like London at its absolute best. Flowers spill onto pavements, restaurants suddenly become impossible to book, everyone stays outside slightly longer with a glass of something cold, and for one week only, the whole neighbourhood feels different. As a London-based wine journalis

English sparkling can rival Champagne. Here’s why. For the longest time, the idea that English sparkling wine could rival Champagne was unthinkable. But it has happened! Last year, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum was crowned Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge — the first time in the competition’s history that the top prize has been awarded to a wine made outside Champagne. The decision followed a blind assessment of more than 1,000 sparkli

What Makes a Good Networking Event? Lessons from a Taylor Wessing Wine Series Most client events are pleasant. Very few are memorable. The problem isn't effort or budget — it's that the same familiar formats rarely give guests a reason to properly engage with each other, or with the firm hosting them. People arrive, exchange pleasantries, drink something perfectly nice, and leave without having had a single conversation they'll remember on Monday morning. One of the most

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a daytime Women in Property networking event at Stem + Stem with guests from Cynergy Bank — and honestly, the daytime format felt like such a refreshing change. From 2:30pm to 5pm, the space was filled with conversation, laughter, and the kind of energy that only happens when a room full of ambitious, engaged women come together in the right environment. With 45 guests attending, the afternoon quickly became far more than a standard ne

Certain travel experiences feel quintessentially Italian. Drinking espresso standing at a bar. Wandering sun-drenched piazzas at golden hour. Ordering a plate of pasta so good that you immediately start planning your next trip back. And then there’s discovering a wine window in Florence. Tucked into the walls of historic palazzos across the city, Florence’s famous wine windows, known locally as buchette del vino, are one of Tuscany’s most charming traditions. I finally f

It's the moment of the year I love when the new vintage starts arriving on shelves and the spring has sprung. The 2025s are here, and there is a lot to get excited about. Provence rosé is back in force. Two of my favourites have just landed: the new Mirabeau, which keeps getting more refined year on year, and Château Léoube — quietly one of the most beautifully made rosés in Provence, organic, coastal, and a long way from the supermarket pink shelf. If you've been buying t

English sparkling can rival Champagne. Here’s why. For the longest time, the idea that English sparkling wine could rival Champagne was unthinkable. But it has happened! Last year, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum was crowned Champion Sparkling Wine at the International Wine Challenge — the first time in the competition’s history that the top prize has been awarded to a wine made outside Champagne. The decision followed a blind assessment of more than 1,000 sparkling

The oldest wine I’ve ever tasted was a 1996 Vorberg from Cantina Terlan, nearly 30 years old, and it was, without exaggeration, one of the most remarkable white wines I’ve ever experienced. Still incredibly alive. Still vibrant. Still completely compelling. Taste: Textural, nutty, melon, honeydew. Voluptuous, layered, and bright. The kind of wine that makes you stop mid-sip.

It’s May… which means one thing: rosé season is officially ON. As soon as the weather shifts in the UK, search trends spike for rosé wine UK, summer wine ideas, and how to chill rosé without watering it down, and honestly, I get it. There’s nothing quite like that first proper glass of rosé in the sunshine. This is the season of long afternoons, garden tables, picnics, and easy entertaining. And rosé fits it all perfectly: chilled, vibrant, and completely unpretentious.

Budburst at Weyborne Estate marks one of the most important moments in the English wine growing season — the point where the vineyard fully awakens after winter dormancy. It’s the beginning of the growing cycle for English sparkling wine, when the first green shoots emerge and the vineyard starts its quiet transformation towards harvest. I recently visited the estate at exactly that moment. The vines were just beginning to push through, with soft green growth appearing acro

At almost every tasting I host, someone tells me they’ve given up red wine because it gives them a headache. And in most cases, it isn’t red wine as a whole that’s the issue — it’s the style of red they’re drinking. Why red wine can cause headaches: If red wine gives you headaches, it’s usually linked to three things: • Higher alcohol – many fuller-bodied reds sit at 14.5% and above• Higher tannins – that drying, gripping texture in your mouth• Individual sensitivity – e

If you love wine, you need to try sake like this. Sake cocktails in London are one of those experiences that completely change how you think about sake. If you are used to wine, this is an easy and exciting step into something lighter, more aromatic, and unexpectedly elegant. At Sticks'n'Sushi, sake is treated with the same care as wine. The result is sake cocktails that are crisp, floral, lifted, and beautifully balanced. They are not heavy or overpowering, instead they

Sometimes the easiest way to talk about money is with a glass of something good in hand. That was the thinking behind Pensions & Prosecco — an intimate evening we hosted at Rostrum in London, designed to make pensions feel a bit more approachable, and a lot less overwhelming. We kept it small. Just 20 guests. I was joined by finance journalist Katie Binns and Kellands Chartered Financial Planners, and together we created something that felt relaxed, open, and genuinely u

This is the kind of restaurant you tell your friends about immediately, especially if you love bold flavours, Thai food in London, and standout Borough Market restaurants. Tucked into the heart of Borough Market, Kolae brings the fire and intensity of Southern Thailand to London in the most unforgettable way. This is not subtle dining; it is food with confidence, heat, and personality in every single dish.

One of the things I’ve learnt travelling through Tuscany is that the most interesting stories are rarely the loudest ones.They sit slightly to the side.Just beyond the well-known names. In Val d’Orcia, between Brunello di Montalcino and Montepulciano, that’s exactly where I found them. This part of southern Tuscany is everything you imagine it to be, rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, soft winter light, but it’s also where a quieter shift is happening.Less about prestige.

Three pink Proseccos genuinely worth pouring. Rosé Prosecco is no longer a novelty. Since the approval of Prosecco DOC Rosé in 2020, pink Prosecco has secured a firm place on British tables — from supermarket shelves to smart receptions. But as with all trends, quality varies. Here are three rosé Proseccos I rate not because they are pink, but because they are properly made, balanced and enjoyable to drink. Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé Celebrity wines can be hit or mi

Skiing the Dolomites isn’t just about the slopes, it’s about where you eat, drink, and soak up the mountain atmosphere. The food scene in the Dolomites is just as memorable as the skiing itself, with everything from high-altitude fine dining to lively après-ski spots that turn into late afternoon parties. Here is my ultimate dining guide for eating and drinking in the Dolomites and Alto Badia.

If you are wondering about Prosecco calories, the short answer is this: a standard 125ml glass of Prosecco contains around 80–90 calories. But the exact number depends on the style — from Brut to Dolce — and the residual sugar in the wine. Let’s break it down clearly. How Many Calories in a Glass of Prosecco? For a 125ml glass (the standard serving size in the UK): Brut Prosecco: 80–85 caloriesExtra Dry Prosecco: 85–95 caloriesDry Prosecco: 95–105 caloriesDolce Pro

When it comes to corporate events, the wine isn’t the point. It’s what happens around it. At Elizabeth & Wine, I design corporate wine tastings that make people feel comfortable, engaged, and able to connect quickly — whether that’s clients meeting for the first time or teams coming together after a long day of meetings. These are not technical tastings. They’re structured, well-paced experiences that work in real corporate environments. A recent event with Hogan Lovell

What does a Wine Safari in a London office look like? Well, a bit like this. Six wines. Three live vocalists. 150 people moving around the room. No seating plan. No “stand here and listen”. Just people exploring, tasting, and figuring it out as they went. Last month we got to work with monday.com for their International Women’s Day event… We built three stations, each with its own energy. Bright, expressive whites with Clara Pople’s looping, layered sounds. Deepe

And how much fizz do you really need for a welcome reception? A standard bottle of Prosecco is 750ml. From one bottle, you will typically pour around six glasses at 125ml, which is the hospitality benchmark. Alternatively, you might get five more generous 150ml glasses, or seven to eight smaller reception pours of around 100ml. When planning events, I always calculate on six glasses per bottle. It keeps numbers accurate, service consistent, and budgets under control.

A little history, an honest review, and whether it deserves space in your glass Pink Prosecco looks as though it has always existed. It hasn’t. Officially known as Prosecco DOC Rosé, it was only approved in 2020. Which means the pink bottles lining supermarket shelves are a very modern development. So is pink Prosecco genuinely good — or simply a beautifully timed marketing move? What Exactly Is Pink Prosecco? Pink Prosecco is regulated by the Prosecco DOC Consortium,

Why did the Freshfields International Women’s Day event work so well? I’ve been thinking about this since hosting it last month, because on paper it could have gone the other way. A corporate setting.A seated tasting.Guests arriving not quite sure what to expect. That combination can easily feel formal or a bit intimidating. So the focus from the start was on shifting the tone. Welcoming people in with something cold and sparkling straight away (a Grand Cru Champa

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, reflect on change, and raise a glass to the women redefining industries around the world, including wine. Eight years ago, I founded Elizabeth & Wine with one simple mission: to look behind the label and celebrate the talented winemakers shaping the bottles we love. What started as curiosity has become a long-term journey into the people, places, and craftsmanship behind every glass. Over time, one thing has bec

When it comes to serving Prosecco, the glass shape matters more than most people realise. The right Prosecco glass enhances aroma, preserves bubbles and improves texture. So are you deciding between a flute and a tulip glass for Prosecco? Here is what you need to know. Why Glass Shape Matters for Prosecco Prosecco is typically made using the Charmat (tank) method. This production style preserves: Fresh fruit character Floral aromatics Light, lively mousse

One of the best times to visit Tuscany is April. The landscape is at its greenest, spring has arrived, vineyards come back to life and wildflowers carpet the hills. It is picture-postcard perfect. Days are warm rather than hot (15–20°C), ideal for walking, cycling, wine tasting and enjoying spring food such as asparagus, artichokes, fresh cheeses like Pecorino di Pienza, local olive oil and crisp salads. On a recent trip I stayed in Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage

I hosted a private networking evening for Rostrum at Lady of the Grapes, and what a night it was. Twenty-two guests, fully booked, surprising no on-the-day drop outs, and such a buzz that no one wanted to leave. The goal was simple: bring marketing leaders from law firms together, make introductions, and let conversation flow naturally over great wine and food. We tasted four standout wines: - Oxney English Sparkling: crafted by the brilliant Kristen, who swapped PR

The subject of women in wine has always fascinated me. Like many industries, the wine world was traditionally male-dominated, but this has changed dramatically in recent decades. Today, some of the most exciting wines in the world are being made by female winemakers, whose perspectives, creativity, and commitment to sustainability are shaping the future of the industry. When you open a bottle of wine, it’s easy to focus on the flavours in the glass. But behind every wine i

Valentine’s Day always stirs a particular excitement in me. It gives something of the thrill akin to a Jilly Cooper novel (I loved Rivals on TV last autumn!) – mysterious admirers, loving gifts and the promise of wine from my husband, or perhaps even a secret admirer! However, I do find that many British men don’t share in the excitement that women have for Valentine’s Day. Some British men, particularly those of a certain vintage, view Valentine’s Day as more of a chore t

Some corporate dinners feel transactional. Others stay with you. The difference is rarely the food or the venue. It’s the atmosphere around the table. When wine is used well, it shifts the dynamic. Not as the focus of the evening — but as the facilitator of conversation, curiosity and connection. Recently, I hosted a private milestone dinner in London for Hogan Lovells and Vodafone, celebrating a 10-year working partnership. Twelve guests. Senior. Relationship-led.

Last year, I hosted my largest event to date — a Wine Safari for 80 guests on the rooftop of Bank of New York Mellon. For the first time, I wasn’t pouring solo. I was joined by two brilliant women in wine: Corinne Seely, winemaker at Exton Park and former youngest female winemaker in Bordeaux Kirsty Woodgate, wine expert and long-time industry colleague Together, we led guests through a tasting journey of wines owned or made by women, from classic Margaux to sta

Ropes & Gray asked me to design a wine experience to mark 15 years of business in the UK, alongside the opening of new offices in Paris and Milan. This was a significant moment for the firm not just an anniversary. From the outset, the brief was clear: the wines needed to mean something. This wasn’t about showcasing prestige for its own sake; it was about telling the firm’s story through the glass. Elizabeth & Wine designed a tasting that mirrored the business journey:

February is the month of love, and for me, it’s also the month of bubbles. Sparkling wine has long been associated with celebration, but there’s more to sparkling wine than corks hitting the ceiling and froth spraying forth. Behind every great bottle, there’s often a woman winemaker quietly reshaping tradition with courage, craft, and grace. This month, I’m raising a glass to two female winemakers who make fabulous sparkling wines and who’ve inspired me: Constance Delaire

One of the most underrated white wines in Italy — and a personal favourite of mine- is Vernaccia di San Gimignano. In a region globally celebrated for powerful reds, this historic Tuscan white quietly holds its own, offering depth, texture and remarkable ageing potential. If you’re searching for the best white wines of Tuscany, this is where I’d start. Expect aromas of lemon peel, ripe pear, crushed almonds and wild Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it’s dry, structured

Ever wondered how many calories are in your glass of wine? 175ml red (14%) ≈ 175 calories 175ml white (12.5%) ≈ 150 calories 125ml Champagne (11%) ≈ 90 calories For context:One McVitie’s Digestive (plain or chocolate) is around 70–85 calories. Alcohol level and sweetness matter — not all glasses are created equal. Worth knowing, not worth stressing. So, what’s your favourite wine… and how many biscuits would you swap it for? Elizabeth x

We hosted a special tasting last month to celebrate Ropes & Gray LLP marking 15 years in London, and it reminded me why I love building events around a story. They were originally founded in Boston, and this year they opened new offices in Paris and Milan. So instead of choosing “nice wines,” we built the tasting around their journey: - An English sparkling to honour London - A French 2010 vintage to nod to Paris - An Italian 2010 vintage for Milan 2010 is, of cour

Think Tuscany is only for sun-soaked summers and golden wheat fields? Think again. A winter trip to Val d’Orcia reveals a quieter, moodier, more cinematic side of the region, one that feels deeply authentic, atmospheric and wonderfully unhurried. This UNESCO World Heritage landscape, famous for its rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and storybook hill towns, transforms in winter. Morning mist settles in the valleys, olive groves shimmer silver in low light, and sunset turn

Drinking less is no longer unusual – it’s the norm for many of us, especially at this time of year. Although, I must confess I never do Dry January as my birthday is on 16 January and champagne will always be poured - instead October is my sober month. As of May 2025, 53% of UK adults reported enjoying a no- or low-alcohol drink in the past 12 months. The no/low market was worth an estimated £380 million at the end of 2024 and is forecast to more than double to £800 millio

Here is the full text from the article screenshots, organized into a single blog post format: ENGLISH WINES Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite shares her recommendations for brilliant English wines to enjoy this winter – from sparkling stars to supermarket favourites and hidden gems. ENGLISH wine just gets better and better. This summer’s warm, dry conditions have set the stage for a standout vintage and while we won’t be tasting the 2025 wines for a couple of years, all signs point

Winter in Montalcino and Montepulciano is a different kind of magic, softer, slower, and infinitely more atmospheric. If you’re considering a winter trip to southern Tuscany, particularly in the weeks leading up to Christmas, expect fewer crowds, mist-laced mornings and that low golden light photographers dream about. The medieval streets feel almost cinematic, with wood smoke curling into the cool air and church bells echoing across nearly empty piazzas.

This month, I would like to introduce you to two phenomenal women who are shaping the world of wine. In England, Canadian winemaker Cherie Spriggs has helped transform Nyetimber into a sparkling wine that genuinely rivals Champagne. Meanwhile, over in Western Australia, Vanya Cullen has redefined what it means to make Cabernet Sauvignon, crafting biodynamic wines of purity and power while caring for her land as a mother does her children. Both women are powerhouses of the

Discover the best Burgundy wines to pair with everyday meals like pizza, popcorn, and Indian food. Expert Burgundy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pairings for relaxed dinners and real life moments.

Here are my go-to favourites — simple, sparkling and guaranteed to bring a little extra magic to your celebrations. 1. Poinsettia A bright, elegant classic with a wintery twist. You’ll need:• 25ml Triple Sec• 50ml cranberry juice• 75ml Aldi Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut or Prosecco• 1 fresh bay leaf Method:Add Triple Sec and cranberry juice to a flute, top with chilled fizz and garnish with a fresh bay leaf.Festive, refreshing and impossibly pretty. 2. Negroni Sbagliato

These three whites are brilliant examples of quality without the cost: versatile, crowd-pleasing and beautifully made. Perfect for holiday lunches, cosy evenings with cheese, or simply keeping a chilled bottle ready in the fridge for guests. Let’s explore them in more detail.