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

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

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

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

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