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What is Acidity in Wine?
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
16 hours ago1 min read


The Best French Wine Swaps for Better Quality and Value
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jul 14 min read


My Top Rosé Proseccos | Three pink Proseccos genuinely worth pouring
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Apr 82 min read


3 Wines Under £20 That Guarantee To Impress Your Friends from The Wine Society
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.
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Dec 8, 20251 min read


3 Winter Winners from Sainsbury’s
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Two Brilliant Bubbles Under £15 — Your Christmas Saver Guide from Aldi
Supermarket wines are stronger than ever this Christmas, with brilliant value across sparkling styles if you know where to look. Two bottles stand out immediately: Veuve Monsigny Champagne from Aldi offers exceptional quality for under £15, with a style that feels far more premium than its price tag. Contevedo Cava is another reliable sparkling, vibrant, savoury and refreshing, ideal for festive parties and seafood or cheese boards.
These are the kinds of bottles that make
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Bijou Isn’t Just a French Wine Brand
A thoughtful, sustainable, and elegant wine without ever feeling stuffy or expensive.
Bijou Pinot Noir — my festive fave:
Feels luxe, subtle oak, fine tannins, red cherry. Perfect with duck, lamb stew, or a festive cheese board.
The story behind Sophie Valrose:
The range is named after a real-life hero — a vineyard worker in the Languedoc in the late 19th/early 20th century.
Sophie didn’t just tend the vines; she fought for the rights of women in the vineyards at a tim
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Festive Wines for Christmas | The Christmas Magazine 2025
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite shares her favourite bottles (and booze-free beauties) to enjoy this festive season.
In my book, Christmas morning unfolds in a very specific order: first come the presents, then it's all about a glass or two of fizz or wine, and finally, the feast (plus or minus a family argument)!
This year, I have some fabulous recommendations to make that second step easy and exciting. Whether you want budget fizz, a special red or stunning non-alcoholic wine
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Dec 1, 20254 min read


Moscato d’Asti: Italy’s Light, Fizzy Secret
The Italians know how to lead the good life and in the 1870 with the grape Moscato they started to make a light, fizzy, white wine. Perfect for elevenses with lemon sorbet, afternoons with fruit tart or long lunches.
I've enjoyed a Moscato d 'Asti on many a trip to Piedmont. I love this wine because its only 5.5% in alcohol (normal is 12%) is light, fruity and sweet so easy to drink on its own.
Elizabeth x
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jul 11, 20251 min read


Is Aldi's £4.49 Limoncello Spritz Worth It? | What Do I Rate It Out of 5?
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Apr 16, 20251 min read


Trying A.I Wine from Sainsbury's | But What Do I Think?
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
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Feb 27, 20251 min read


Wine Favourites: November 2023
And so, this is Christmas! With the festive season upon us, I've been exploring supermarket wines for you to enjoy over the Christmas....
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Nov 30, 20233 min read


Which is the Best Supermarket to Buy Wine From?
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.
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Sep 2, 20231 min read


Alcohol Tax Rise: What it Means for Supermarket Wine from 1st August
Attention, fellow wine lovers! Picture this: You're leisurely strolling through the supermarket, and there it is, your beloved bottle of win
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jul 29, 20232 min read


Sparkling Rosé from £2.79 at Aldi
Rosé weather is upon us, and what better way to enjoy it than with some fantastic options available at Aldi? Not only are these wines...
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jul 13, 20232 min read


Celebrating Spanish Sparkling Wine, Cava | International Cava Day
Cava, a delightful sparkling wine originating from Catalonia in northeastern Spain. Crafted using the traditional method like Champagne...
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jul 12, 20232 min read


My Top Tips For Choosing Supermarket Prosecco
The supermarket shelves can be overwhelming when it comes to buying Prosecco, with so many options - so how do you choose a good Prosecco?
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Jun 8, 20232 min read


Supermarket Champagne Review: ASDA Louvel Fontaine Champagne Brut
I found one of the most affordable bottles of Champagne I've ever come across in ASDA for only £18, but would I buy it again?
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Apr 18, 20231 min read


Supermarket Wine Review: ASDA Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry - £6.75
I bought a £6 bottle of Prosecco from ASDA, what do I think?
This 'Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry' wine has 10.5% ABV and is a IWC 2021 Commend
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Apr 2, 20231 min read


4 Sparkling Wines to Gift this Mother's Day
If you're looking for a bottle of wine to gift this Mother's Day, then I highly recommend these four wines from around the world which are..
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Mar 13, 20231 min read
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