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PRACTICAL TIPS & WINE GUIDES.
I’m a wine specialist with a passion for helping people explore wine with confidence, curiosity, and joy. From London’s hidden wine bars and restaurants to vineyards across Europe, I focus on practical tips, guides, and insights that make discovering wine approachable and enjoyable.
Whether it’s navigating a cellar door, pairing food with a favourite bottle, or planning a destination wine trip, my work is about connecting people, place, and flavour. Through writing, tastings, and curated experiences, I guide audiences, from curious drinkers to seasoned travellers, in building knowledge, confidence, and enjoyment across the world of wine.
“I make wine fun, easy, and accessible, crafting wine experiences that help you network with clients and teams, and elevate your brand. No pretension — just good fun, laughter, and myth‑busting, all aimed at building your knowledge and confidence in wine.”
— Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite
Best Prosecco Glasses: Flute vs Tulip: A Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Prosecco Glass
When it comes to serving Prosecco, the glass shape matters more than most people realise. The right Prosecco glass enhances aroma, preserves bubbles and improves texture.
So are you deciding between a flute and a tulip glass for Prosecco? Here is what you need to know.
Why Glass Shape Matters for Prosecco
Prosecco is typically made using the Charmat (tank) method. This production style preserves:
Fresh fruit character
Floral aromatics
Light, lively mousse
Which Wine Would You Choose… and How Many Calories Would You Swap for It?
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
What Burgundy Wine to Drink With Pizza, Popcorn, or Indian Food: Bourgogne Food Pairing Tips | The Handbook
Discover the best Burgundy wines to pair with everyday meals like pizza, popcorn, and Indian food. Expert Burgundy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay pairings for relaxed dinners and real life moments.
Histamines & Wine – What You Need to Know
They can trigger symptoms like headaches, flushing, or restless sleep — especially if your body struggles to break them down.
During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuating oestrogen levels can reduce your ability to process histamines, which is why wine sensitivity can increase.
Histamines form during fermentation and ageing — particularly malolactic fermentation, which softens acidity in reds.
That’s why aged reds often contain more histamines than young whites, rosés
Restaurant Etiquette Explained: My Top Tips
You don’t just walk in and take charge like it’s your personal dining room. No, no. You follow the host. Always.
Handbags? Not on the table, darling. Ideally next to you and even better if you handbag is given it’s on seat.
Napkin? Straight to the lap, neatly folded — never crumpled. NEVER.
Bathroom break? Drape your napkin on the chair.
It’s all in the art of elegance — and yes, your napkin speaks volumes.
Elizabeth x
How to Make Wine Last Longer Once Opened
Don’t just pop the cork back in and hope for the best…
My TOP TIP: pour the wine into a small jar once you’re halfway through the bottle — Remember, when it comes to wine, oxygen is the enemy!Less oxygen = fresher wine.This way, it’ll keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Elizabeth x
Is it Bourgogne or Burgundy? What's the difference...
Why do we abbreviate Bourgogne to ‘Burgundy’—but never do the same for Champagne, Bordeaux or Loire?
It’s time to give Bourgogne the same respect we show other French wine regions—by calling it by its proper name.
Can You Put Ice in Wine? Yes — and Here’s When It Works
Can you put ice in your rosé? Yes, you absolutely can. Or use an ice bucket.
My Top Tip? Freeze your grapes!
Putting frozen grapes in your glass will keep your wine cold and it won't dilute it.
Cheers!
Elizabeth x
What is the right way to hold a wine glass?
Which one are you:
The Gluggers—you know who you are. Name and shame your mates who hold their glass like this (by the bowl)
The Poncey People—those who hold the wine by the foot. Please, don’t do that!
The Proper Way: hold your wine glass at the top of the stem, with a relaxed grip. Keep that little finger IN or you’ll like like a t**t
Cheers!
Elizabeth x
Still Prosecco: The Style Most People Don’t Know Exists | Have You Ever Tried Still Prosecco?
It’s only £5.99 from Aldi, but is worth it… Or just another gimmick for the sake of it?
If you like refreshing white wines like Gavi and Pinot Grigio this is something nice and different!
Crisp, fresh and honestly… I’d drink this happily any day of the week.
It's a 5/5 from me!
Melon, honeysuckle, a touch of orange peel on the nose
But let’s be clear — it DOES NOT taste like Prosecco (even though it’s made from Glera grapes).
Super drinkable — another fun, easy-goi
Is this the ultimate Whispering Angel dupe?
Rosé lovers, listen up – M&S’s La Balconne Rosé is giving serious Whispering Angel vibes 👀
Think soft blush pink, light and crisp with elegant fruity notes that scream summer-in-a-glass.
They’re both a 5/5 for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
La Balconne, Marks & Spencer: £18.00 🏷️
Whispering Angel, Tesco: £18.50 🏷️
There’s not really much price difference, which is usually expected with ‘dupes’, but it is a beautiful wine.
Thanks to Côtes de Provence for giving us another Devine ros
Should You Flip the Wine Bottle When It’s Empty? A Guide to Restaurant Etiquette
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.
Dinner Party Wine Secrets Revealed | Are We All Faking It at Dinner Parties to Impress our Guests?
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
The Champagne & Fast Food Chicken Pairing You Didn’t See Coming
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
Wines to Help You Live to 100 Years Old | My Latest Column for April's Platinum Magazine
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
Why Champagne is Better at Altitude?
Why do Champagne, oysters and altitude go so well together? Champagne and oysters are a classic pairing because of their bright acidity...
What is Orange Wine?
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
How to find value for money when shopping for wine?
Browsing supermarket shelves for that perfect bottle of wine? There's a savvy strategy to ensure you get the best value for your money!
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