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

I hosted a private milestone dinner for Hogan Lovells and Vodafone, celebrating a 10-year working partnership on a major case. Twelve guests. Senior. Relationship-focused. No speeches. Just a table. We chose a private room at Mount Street Restaurant, warm, art-filled, intimate without feeling closed in. We opened with English Blanc de Blancs and a simple question: Would you confidently order English sparkling from a wine list? Curiosity replaced small talk almost immediately.

The subject of women in wine fascinates me.  Like many industries, the wine world was traditionally male-dominated, but this has changed in recent years, and there are now some fabulous female winemakers creating wonderful wines.  It’s interesting to consider how the different perspectives and approaches of men and women in winemaking might affect the end product in the bottle.  Wineries are often family businesses, and in many regions, the inheritance is passed to male

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

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

Ever wondered how many calories are in a glass of wine? It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often, particularly by those trying to balance a love of good bottles with a healthy, realistic lifestyle. As a guide, a 175ml glass of red wine at 14% ABV contains around 175 calories. A 175ml glass of white wine at 12.5% ABV sits closer to 150 calories. A smaller 125ml pour of Champagne at 11% ABV is lighter still, at roughly 90 calories. For context, a single McVitie’s Diges

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

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.

Sainsbury’s really delivers this season, and I’m a big fan of their own-brand ‘Taste the Difference’ range. The quality has been consistently impressive, especially for the price, and whilst it’s hard to pick favourites, here are three bottles that stand out. From beautifully aged English sparkling to small-production Pinot Noir and a generous southern French white, these wines feel crafted and thoughtful without stretching the budget. Three very different wines, each d