A food-first safari, the power of a well-placed wine glass, and a date for the diary.
Wine Safari at Kingsley Napley
Earlier this month, I hosted a Wine Safari for 60 people at Kingsley Napley, and for the first time, I led with the food. Three stations, each with a dish and two wines chosen to match it.
The sushi station opened with a Chinese Riesling from Kanaan Winery - made by a brilliant Chinese-German winemaker - alongside Wiston, one of my favourite English sparklings from the South Downs. The Greek mezze featured an Assyrtiko that vanished almost immediately after I told the room it was one of my favourite white wines in the world. The cheese board, hosted by Alessandro, ended with an Etna Rosso and a barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa that genuinely surprised people.
The Xinomavro was another standout, perfumed and elegant but with real structure, like a Barolo. We served it slightly chilled on what turned out to be a proper summer's day, and it showed beautifully.
What shifted was the conversation. Instead of "what grape is this?", people were talking about what they'd cook at home, what they'd order in a restaurant, why one pairing worked better than another. It's a format I've just started pitching to clients and one I'll be using a lot more.
A wine tasting at Gemcorp Capital
I hosted a wine tasting for around 20 journalists at Gemcorp Capital's office with Rostrum. Beautiful space; large kitchen table, lounge area, ping pong tables. Plenty of room.
Ten minutes before guests arrived, I changed the setup. We placed a wine glass, plate and fork at each spot around the table. Not because anyone needed them immediately. Because they acted as signposts, instant visual cues that told guests exactly where to go and where they belonged. Nobody needed instructions. The room did the work.
It's a small detail. But small details shape how people feel when they walk into a space. Without signals, people hesitate. They hover near the door. They wait to be told what to do. With them, people settle in faster… and conversation starts sooner.
For professional services firms hosting client events, those first five minutes matter more than most people realise.
4 Italian wine swaps that cost pennies more
If you’ve ever stood in the wine aisle wondering whether paying an extra £1 or £2 is actually worth it, this week’s tip is for you.
I’ve just launched a new Instagram series called This or That Wine? where I compare two very similar bottles and explain which one I’d choose and why.
This week it’s all about Italy.
Instead of:
🥂 Gavi choose Gavi di Gavi
🥂 Soave choose Soave Classico
🥂 Prosecco choose Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
🥂 Greco choose Greco di Tufo
Comment “WINE” on my Instagram reel and I’ll send you my favourite supermarket Italian white wine swaps, including exactly which bottles I’d buy instead.
The Wing Woman Wine Club: Tuesday 14th July
A quick note that this month's session has moved to Tuesday 14th July. The theme is Summer Sparkling: Prosecco, Cava, Champagne, and everything in between, with tips on what's actually worth buying this summer.
As always, come as you are. Drop me a message if you'd like the details.
Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Founder, Elizabeth & Wine
📸 @elizabethwinegirl
Contact:
📞 07850 855818
✉️ elizabeth@elizabethandwine.com
"The wine tasting was genuinely one of the highlights of the day.
We had so many people tell us how much they loved the experience."