MY LATEST BLOG POSTS...

Whether you’re choosing a bottle for a celebration, searching for the perfect gift, planning a wedding toast or simply trying to understand what’s actually inside your favourite fizz, Prosecco is one of the world’s most popular sparkling wines. But with terms like DOC, DOCG, Rive, Brut, Frizzante and Spumante appearing on labels, knowing what makes one bottle different from another can feel confusing. So, I’ve answered the most common Prosecco questions, including: W

Acidity, what is it? Acidity is that tart, sour sensation that makes your mouth water. Imagine drinking a glass of water with fresh lemon juice. It's bright, zesty, crisp and lip-puckering. The more lemon you add, the higher the acidity. A useful way to picture acidity is on the pH scale. Lemon juice sits at around 2.6, while yoghurt is around 4.5. Wines generally sit in between, usually around pH 3 to 3.8. At the higher-acidity end you'll find wines such as Albari

Let’s be honest, rosé has a bit of a reputation. For some people, it’s the “easy” wine. The bottle you grab for a barbecue, a picnic or a sunny afternoon because it feels like summer. But the really good rosés? They’re so much more than that. A great rosé has freshness, texture, elegance and just enough character to make you pause after the first sip and think, “Oh, that’s actually rather lovely.” For me, rosé is the wine of moments. It’s the bottle you open when fr

We've all been to networking events that feel... hard work. You walk into a room full of people, collect a drink, glance around, and hope someone starts a conversation. Before long, the same questions are making the rounds: "What do you do?" "Who do you work for?" For some people, that's enjoyable. For many others, it's exhausting. The challenge with traditional networking events is that they rely on the guests to create the energy. Everyone is expected to keep conver

If you're looking to drink better Italian wine without necessarily spending more, here's one of the simplest tips you'll ever learn. Begin searching for historic place names. Italy's wine labels can be confusing, but they also hide some of the country's best-value bottles. In many cases, when you see a historic sub-region on the label, you're looking at wine from the original heartland of that appellation, where stricter production standards, exceptional vineyard sites

This might be one of London's most exciting restaurant openings of 2026. If you're searching for the best new restaurants in Hackney, Teal by Sally Abé deserves a place at the very top of your list. Combining exceptional British ingredients, thoughtful cooking and a wine list designed with pairing in mind, this new East London restaurant is already attracting attention from food lovers, wine enthusiasts and restaurant critics alike. As someone who is always looking for ou

If you've ever heard someone describe a wine as mineral and wondered what they actually meant, you're not alone. Minerality is one of the most common—and most confusing—terms in wine. You'll hear people say a wine tastes of wet stones, flint or chalk. While those descriptions might make sense to experienced wine drinkers, they don't help most people choose a bottle they'll actually enjoy. So I keep it simple. I call these wines salty. Not because they literally

If you're searching for the best new restaurants in London, the best restaurants in Exmouth Market, or whether Vesper by Jackson Boxer is worth visiting, the short answer is yes. Located at 8–10 Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell, Vesper is the latest restaurant from acclaimed chef Jackson Boxer and has quickly become one of London's most sought-after dining destinations. Combining exceptional produce, thoughtful cooking and an impressive wine list, it is already attracting att

If you're looking to drink better Italian white wine without necessarily spending more, here's one of the simplest tips you'll ever learn. Begin searching for historic place names. Italy's wine labels can be confusing, but they also hide some of the country's best-value bottles. In many cases, when you see a historic sub-region or village on the label, you're looking at wine from the original heartland of that appellation, where stricter production standards, exceptional

If you've ever stood in front of the wine shelf wondering what to serve with seafood, roast chicken or even caviar, let me introduce you to one of my favourite wines: Chablis. Elegant, refreshing and wonderfully food-friendly, Chablis is one of those bottles I reach for time and time again. It's a wine that doesn't need a special occasion, yet somehow always makes one. One of the questions I'm asked often is, "What food goes with Chablis?" The answer is wonderfully simp

Soho has a way of pulling you into its rhythm the moment you arrive. An evening at Impala Soho captures that energy perfectly, bold, characterful, and effortlessly alive as the night unfolds. An evening at Impala, Soho. Chef and co-owner Meedu Saad former head chef of Kiln (he's now executive chef), his first solo venture, reflects his culinary heritage from Egypt. There’s low lighting, a great soundtrack, and that unmistakable London buzz that feels both chaotic and complete

If you're looking for the best French wines for value, here's a tip that could transform the way you shop. Stop buying the most famous bottle. One of the biggest misconceptions in wine is that the best-known name automatically offers the best quality. In reality, some of the smartest wine buyers know exactly where to swap one wine for another to unlock better quality, more character and greater value without spending more money. So, why have Champagne when you could hav

I recently spent a fantastic few days at Taste of London, working on the Wines of Bourgogne stand alongside Harry Crowther, introducing visitors to one of France's most iconic white wines: Chablis. From the outside, wine events can look incredibly glamorous, but behind the scenes they're full-on. Long hours on your feet, hundreds of conversations and countless wines poured. They're exhausting, but they're also some of the most rewarding days of the year.

The problem with a lot of networking events is that they make the guests do all the work. They’re the ones expected to engage and keep the energy up. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Last night, I hosted a blind wine challenge for 70-80 people on a rooftop in London. One tasting table. Six places. The format was simple: guests had to rank wines from least expensive to most expensive, tasting blind. We had Jam Shed vs Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2010, and Casillero

English Wine Week feels particularly fitting this year. As temperatures soar across the UK, many of us are searching for shade, cold drinks and any excuse to avoid the midday sun. But for England's vineyards, this warm weather is providing something very different: opportunity. It's been a fascinating and, at times, challenging growing season so far. A Difficult Start to the 2026 Growing Season The year began with an unusually warm spring, encouraging vines to wak

What is Tiny Wine? Tiny Wine is changing the way people discover and enjoy fine wine by making premium wines more accessible through expertly preserved wine samples. Instead of committing to a full bottle, wine lovers can explore tasting-sized servings of some of the world's most sought-after wines, allowing them to discover new grape varieties, wine regions, producers and styles without the cost or commitment of purchasing a full bottle. Working in partnership with Coravi

If Pinot Grigio is your usual go-to white wine, you’re not alone. It’s crisp, clean, refreshing and reliably easy to drink — the kind of bottle that’s quietly become a staple in so many homes. But if you’re ready to explore something just a little more expressive, there’s a Spanish white wine that might be your next favourite. Meet Albariño.A Spanish white wine you should know about:Albariño is one of Spain’s most loved white grape varieties, grown mainly in the Rías Baixas r

Marylebone has quietly become one of London’s most compelling dining neighbourhoods, elegant but unfussy, globally influenced yet distinctly local. For me, it’s one of those rare pockets of the city where you can genuinely build an entire evening around food and wine without ever feeling the need to leave a single street. From Michelin-starred Indian coastal cooking to soulful “no borders” plates and French bistro charm, these are my top 4 restaurants in Marylebone right no

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

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