MY LATEST BLOG POSTS...

I'm absolutely delighted to see some positive wine news in the press! The recent study suggesting that drinking Champagne could reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is certainly uplifting. Champagne has always been associated with celebration, and perhaps there’s more to those bubbles than just effervescence. Dr Laura Catena, Managing Director of Catena Zapata and a former emergency room physician, might find this intersection of wine and health particularly interes

Have you been to ROKA? I had the pleasure of visiting ROKA, the flagship Japanese restaurant on Charlotte Street—right in the heart of vibrant Fitzrovia. This part of London is always hustling and bustling, and it’s easy to see why ROKA is nearly always fully booked most evenings. It’s been a destination venue for nearly two decades, and for good reason! The atmosphere is high energy yet casual, with an open-plan kitchen where you can watch the talented chefs at work—it ad

Move over overpriced cocktails—Aldi’s Limoncello Spritz is stealing the summer spotlight and for just £4.49, it’s an absolute bargain. This little bottle of sunshine is giving lemon sherbet, old-school lemonade and a zesty citrus twist that feels like a holiday in a glass. It's fizzy, fun, and unapologetically fresh—exactly what you want to be sipping when the sun's out. How to serve it? Over ice, with a few sprigs of mint and a slice (or two) of lime. You’ll have yo

Spring is here, and so is my latest wine column in the Spring 2025 Platinum Magazine! In this edition, I’m taking you on a journey beyond the usual suspects—because wine is being made in some truly unexpected places. From the vineyards of China to the heart of New York and even the Chilean desert, there’s an exciting new world of wines waiting to be discovered. I’m thrilled to share my top picks and insights into these emerging wine regions, where terroir meets innovati

You’ve reached the end of a lovely bottle of wine. It’s been a good meal, the conversation’s flowing, and the last drop has been poured. Now, there it is—the empty bottle, quietly waiting in the middle of the table. But here’s the question: do you flip it upside down to show it’s finished? Short answer? No. If you’re in a good restaurant, the team already knows. They’ve likely clocked the empty bottle before you even noticed it was gone.

Hands up if you’ve ever hosted a dinner party, had a few friends over and cracked open some wine. A study published in Food Quality and Preference explored how price can influence our experience of wine—and the findings were kind of brilliant. People actually reported enjoying wine more when they believed it was expensive… even if it wasn’t. Yep, our taste buds are easier to fool than we think. This probably explains why 1 in 5 people pour cheap wine into expensive bott

Have you ever tried fried chicken with Champagne? Trust me, you’re in for a delicious surprise! It’s the perfect pairing, and here’s why these two unexpected companions work so beautifully together: The crispy crunch of fried chicken meets the bubbly, refreshing fizz of Champagne, with the acidity cutting through the richness in the most satisfying way. It’s like a mouth organism, with those bubbles enhancing that perfect, crispy crunch.If you’re feeling extra fancy, ad

Two weeks ago, I hosted one of my favourite events to date—our annual Women in Wine celebration for International Women’s Day. The setting?

This International Women’s Day, I had the pleasure of hosting a very special Women in Wine event at Wild Swans—a chic, independent women’s b

Yes, I have the best job—exploring incredible rosé wines on a Tuesday afternoon! This week, I had the pleasure of discovering Château Sai

We all know that England’s sparkling wines have firmly earned their place on the world stage, often rivalling the best of Champagne.

Have you picked up this month’s @platinummaguk yet? In my latest wine column, I’m diving into Blue Zone wines—the bottles linked to l

No and low alcohol options are improving all the time – so much so that my no and low events are now almost as popular as the ‘with alcohol’

E&W classic Champagne tastings are designed to provide a sophisticated yet engaging experience, without the snobbery associated with champag

A.I. Wine?! Did you ever think you’d hear that? What happens when A.I. meets wine? So I found out that CTZN is made by human hands but

Why do Champagne, oysters and altitude go so well together? Champagne and oysters are a classic pairing because of their bright acidity...

I won’t lie—it was incredibly overwhelming. The sheer size of the show was mind-blowing, with over 4,000 exhibitors from 137 countries.

What a fantastic trip! A perfect ‘settimana bianca’ of blue skies and fresh snow in the charming village of Champoluc in Italy’s Aosta...

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...

London is definitely having a Gallic moment when it comes to the restaurant scene and @camille_se1 is an outstanding new addition to...

As we toast to the new year amidst the stunning snow-clad peaks of the Dolomites, my favourite winter activity is savouring the local wines

Even today, if you ask for a non-alcoholic option in a social setting you’re often met with an uninspired suggestion like orange juice...

Something is enchanting about harvest season, even when it’s quintessentially English—cue the pouring rain! At the stunning Piggott’s Estate

Orange wine is having a major moment right now, but what exactly is it? And no, it’s not made with oranges—despite the name! This trendy tip

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a wine tasting for a dynamic group of twenty top women from consulting firm Efficio at Café Murano...

Albariño is an elegant, steely, fresh, fruity, and salty wine that’s as invigorating as it is thirst-quenching...

The Euros and Wimbledon, 2024 has been a story of Spanish sporting success. And I’m going to add another win for the Spanish as I’ve been

Celebrating English Wine Week with Wiston’s NV Rosé Brut, it’s an elegant sparkling wine with rhubarb, hibiscus and red tart. Wiston is a s

If you find yourself exploring South Africa, make a beeline for Epice in Franschhoek, a destination celebrated for its unique approach to...

With the cost of eating out rising all the time, many of you have been asking me what to drink on a special night in – be that a date night,

International Riesling Day: A Toast to one of the most iconic grape varieties in the world! Loved by sommeliers but forgotten by wine drinke

Last week, I had an incredible opportunity to dive into the world of wines at The Colony Grill Room in Mayfair, London.

As one of the UK's oldest independent wine merchants, Corney & Barrow has an impressive 240-year legacy in the world of fine wines. But let'

Hello, fellow wine lovers!  Today, let's journey together to Alto Adige/Südtirol, a hidden gem nestled at the very top of Italy where it...

And so, this is Christmas! With the festive season upon us, I've been exploring supermarket wines for you to enjoy over the Christmas....

In the realm of wine, Sicily stands as a beacon of endless discovery and surprise. One of the largest islands in the Med, sunny Sicily is st

Autumn is here! It's time to pull out those richer reds and celebratory wines as we approach the festive season. So which wines have I been

When it comes to the world of wine, there's an abundance of choices to explore, I’m here to help and here are the wines I enjoyed throughout

In the world of wine, some pairings are so unconventional that they border on daring... One such pairing is the adventurous palates is the..

Savignola is a winery nestled amidst nature, embracing the unhurried rhythms of Tuscan life. This boutique female-led winery based in the...

Browsing supermarket shelves for that perfect bottle of wine? There's a savvy strategy to ensure you get the best value for your money!

As we approach the end of another wonderful summer filled with wine adventures and discoveries, let’s raise a glass to the fabulous bottles

Which is the best supermarket to buy wine from? It has to be, Aldi. Aldi has undoubtedly earned its spot as the ultimate wine haven.

Forget vinegar or lemon — pouring a splash of wine over your oysters takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness.

UK's culinary scene is a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation, and at the heart of it stands a figure whose passion for gastronomy is..

Ready for some bubbly, Italian-style indulgence? Let's craft the perfect Aperol Spritz with these straightforward steps and kick the...

Wedding season is upon us, and with all the stresses and strains of preparing for your big day, wine choices can often be overlooked or left

Earlier this week, I hosted a captivating and enriching wine-tasting event for the Chamber of Commerce for 50 small business owners from aro

July has been an exceptional month for wine lovers like me - whether you’re taking part in #DryJuly or not! This lineup will get your taste

In my previous blog post, I mentioned the upcoming alcohol duty tax rises that come into effect from 1st August 2023, however, there is some