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The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
This summer, the best wine festivals are in the UK – hurrah!
Have you ever visited Chartres in France? I hadn't until recently, but a much-needed pitstop during a long drive with a three-year-old meant we found ourselves wandering around its staggering cathedral, feeling completely insignificant. I love how large-scale Romanesque cathedrals will do that to you. While I should've been marvelling at the flying buttresses, I confess I was completely distracted by the constant stream of people with boxes of wine under their arms: was this the wedding at Cana 2.0? Like ants on their programmed routes, they all seemed to be filing out of the same street. Never one to ignore the possibility that there's some wine fun happening, I followed the trail of wine-wielding people. I could hear it before I saw it, a huge brass band playing joyous French music, with crowds cheering and singing along. And there it was, a glorious wine fair in the town centre under the 19th-century covered market. I'd managed to stumble across La Paulee de Loire, an annual wine fair bringing together some of the region's most dynamic producers. It was buzzing, heaving with people tasting wine, chatting to each other, eating tasty food and showing off everything that is wonderful about wine. Everyone was wrapped up in the conviviality, the occasion of celebration and the direct connection to the growers who make this wondrous product. This isn't the first time it's happened to me in France, in fact, it seems easy to trip over a wine or food festival in France, Italy and Spain in even the smallest of places. But what about here in the UK? There has always been a small selection. When I was nine, I remember a wine festival at the English Wine Centre in Alfriston. It was the 1990s, so beyond Peter Hall 's amazing Breaky Bottom (no sniggering please) I'm not sure the wine being poured was any good. But it was a great day out. But thankfully we have a few more options now. Wine fairs and festivals are easily one of the greatest ways to immerse yourself in all that is wonderful about wine. It's an opportunity to taste numerous wines and to bask in bacchanalian glory. You'll meet the best people – wine people are inherently lovely, and just want to share their passion, and their wine, with you. And the food will be good too. I appreciate these events haven't immediately been in our national psyche, though I think that's changing. We're developing a much greater sense of our wine culture, and are proud of celebrating it. I mean, we must be doing something right as there's even a festival called Brit Pop taking place in Paris this weekend focusing wholly on British wine and food. Who would ever have imagined that?! But, you don't have to hop to Paris and beyond, there are some great events taking place closer to home. So, this week, instead of wine recommendations, I thought I'd give you some inspiration for some corking wine fairs coming up. 6-8 June, Battersea Power Station A new wine fair, this free-to-enter event, (you can buy tokens and tickets for specific events) is a celebration of both British and International wines. Think wine-themed activities, tastings, food & wine pairings, and of course an opportunity to buy some great wine too. Fancy yourself as a wine judge? Festival-goers can also take part in The Wine Cup, a tasting experience where participants can vote for the 'Best in Show' and 'Highly Commended' wines from independent wineries and wine shops featured at the festival. 14 June 2025, Coal Drops Yard, London Now in its thirteenth year, this legendary wine event organised by the brilliant Ruth Spivey and Ruth Osborne is a must-attend for any wine lover. Each car boot or stall is an independent wine retailer, importer or producer with a selection of their current favourite wines for you to taste, buy, drink in or take out. Just like any other market, it's free to get in. Simply turn up, buy a tasting pack (which includes a tote, glass and five tokens) and start tasting, or shopping for bottles to take home. It's always an invigorating atmosphere, and is a great chance to chat and taste with passionate people about the wines they love so much – the lineup is great! Alongside some outstanding wine, you can expect delicious food to keep you fueled too. The event is open to everyone, including dogs and children. As Spivey says, 'It's basically a farmer's market for wine.' Vin Vivant 14 June, The Briggait, Glasgow This sounds like a fantastic wine fair taking place in Glasgow. A celebration of natural, unconventional, and fine wines from around the globe. With over 120 organic, biodynamic, and minimal-intervention wines. It'll be a great opportunity to sample and discover new wines in what promises to be a unique celebration of winemaking. Winelands 22-29 June, Lewes, East Sussex Why not celebrate English Wine Week this year with a jaunt to Lewes? It's a charming town surrounded by some of the country's best vineyards and they're hosting a series of events during the week. I particularly love the sound of the Winelands Tasting taking place on Saturday 28 June at Charleston, Lewes – a free-to-attend event featuring a dozen outstanding English wine producers including Artelium, Bewl Water, Breaky Bottom, Gusbourne, Henners, In the Loop, Oxney, Plumpton, Rathfinny, Stopham, Tilsmore and Wiston. The second instalment of this magical wine fair. This one is super special as it features over thirty producers, all gathered by the banks of the Thames for a fun and informal wine fair with some cutting-edge and committed growers. 12 July, Millennium Point, Birmingham Organised by Birmingham's highly respected Loki wine shop, this promises to be a mammoth drinks event with over 250 wines available to try. What a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and enjoy some world-class drinks.
Forbes
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Sober Curious? 9 Non-Alcoholic Rosé Wines That Don't Taste Like Sad Juice
As the days grow longer and the blossoms bloom, many are seeking lighter, healthier alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. French Bloom Spring invites a reset—lighter clothes, longer evenings and for some, fewer drinks. In the growing world of non-alcoholic wine, rosé has quietly stepped forward, shedding its reputation for cloying sweetness and flat flavors. Today's bottles offer structure, minerality and, in a few cases, something close to complexity. This shift isn't happening in a vacuum. The global market for non-alcoholic wine reached $2.57 billion in 2024 and is projected to climb to $6.94 billion by 2034, according to market research firm That growth—driven by younger consumers and health-conscious buyers—reflects a broader cultural reassessment of alcohol's role in social life. Producers are now using traditional methods, including fermentation and lees aging, before removing alcohol through techniques like vacuum distillation and spinning cone columns. The goal isn't mimicry. It's balance, clarity and drinkability—with or without the buzz. Here are nine non-alcoholic rosés that go beyond juice to consider for your springtime celebrations. French Bloom Le Rosé French Bloom Made from organic chardonnay and pinot noir grapes grown in France, this sparkling rosé offers notes of rose petal, wild strawberry and dry white peach. The aromatics are delicate but focused, with a floral lift that's more subtle than perfumed. There's restraint here—nothing overly sweet—and the finish is clean. Elegant and thoughtfully made, though those looking for fruit-forward exuberance may find it more reserved. Still, for those who appreciate finesse over flash, it's among the more refined options available. Giesen Non-Alcoholic Rosé Giesen Wines This still New Zealand rosé is light and crisp, with clean notes of apple, peach and cranberry. The dry finish keeps it from drifting into softness. Modest in intensity, but well-balanced and refreshingly simple. Jøyus Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé Jøyus Award-winning and bold, this sparkling rosé shows ripe strawberry, blackberry and citrus blossom. The bubbles are fine, the texture sharp. It's bright without being sweet, and more expressive than most in its category. Misty Cliffs Rosé Non-Alcoholic Wine Misty Cliffs From South Africa's Swartland region, this wine offers fresh strawberry, orange blossom and a touch of sweetness. The floral character is pleasant, if a bit delicate. Its acidity holds the finish together well. Nooh Still Rosé Château La Coste Developed by France's Château La Coste, this still rosé is clean and herbal with notes of grapefruit, cherry and jasmine. The acidity is well-calibrated, giving the wine a firm structure. A thoughtful bottle that doesn't overreach. Noughty Non-Alcoholic Rosé Noughty Wines This South African rosé, made from chenin blanc and pinotage, is lean and dry with subtle peach and berry notes. A short lees aging adds texture. It's restrained and food-friendly, with a gentle persistence. Wolffer Estate Spring in a Bottle Wolffer Estate Though based in Sagaponack, New Yorkg Island, Wölffer Estate produces this non-alcoholic sparkling rosé in Rheinhessen, Germany, using organically grown St. Laurent, pinot noir, pinot meunier and dornfelder grapes. It's one of the winery's best-selling products—second only to its flagship dry rosé—and crafted with the same attention to balance and structure. Oddbird Domaine De La Prade Rosé Oddbird Made from grenache Made from organic chardonnay and pinot noir grapes grown in France, this sparkling rosé offers a composed blend of rose petal, wild strawberry and dry white peach. The aromatics are delicate but focused, with a floral lift that's more subtle than perfumed. On the palate, it opens with a fine mousse and a dry, mineral core that gives the wine a sense of structure. There's restraint here—nothing overly ripe or sweet—which allows the freshness to come through. The finish is clean, lightly saline and lingers just long enough. Elegant and thoughtfully made, though those looking for fruit-forward exuberance may find it more reserved. Still, for those who appreciate finesse over flash, it's among the more refined options aged 12 months before dealcoholization, this French rosé is dry and herbaceous, with strawberry, raspberry and mineral notes. More structure than most, though slightly lean through the mid-palate. 90+ Cellars Alcohol-Removed Bubbly Rosé Brittany Finnegan Pale pink with fine bubbles, this sparkling wine from southern France shows simple red berry aromas and a crisp, fruit-forward profile. Clean and easy-drinking, though less layered than others here. A safe entry point.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
5 Best Online Wine Courses To Expand Your Knowledge
getty There was a time when online learning was limited. There were few institutions and colleges that provided virtual courses and they didn't cover tangible topics. The pandemic quickly changed how and what society was learning online as it was all we had for a few months — it seemed to stick. Today's online courses cover everything from culinary demos with Michelin-starred chefs to how to buy, taste and appreciate wine from a master sommelier. When it comes to the latter: There are more options than ever for wine enthusiasts to sign up for an online course, whether they want to spend a one-off hour learning about the aromas of wine or they want to enroll in a multi-month program to obtain an advanced certification. Regardless of which style of course you choose, be sure to have a few bottles of wine on hand so that you can sip, swirl and learn accordingly; no matter how intensive these courses are, you won't be able to absorb much through the screen by just taking notes as wine education involves the five senses. Below, discover five courses that cover everything from the basics for the casual connoisseur to the process of working toward a degree or sommelier certification. For a fun, approachable way to learn the basics (and more) about wine, Léa Gatinois DipWSET, created this online platform that features everything from aroma wheels to tiered programs that break down wine tasting, wine production and world wine regions. She presents all the tools you'll need for studying from flashcards to workbooks — all printed on recycled paper — at a reasonable price for wine lovers who want to whet their palates with more technical information. Wine Folly is an invaluable source for beginners to read more about grape varieties and regions as their content is written by wine experts and reviewed by educators. But for someone who needs more interaction than reading, they also offer guided wine courses and certifications for both beginners and advanced learners. 'Master the Basics of Wine' is their eight-module, introduction course that covers wine's history, choosing glassware and tips on storing wine, but they also offer individual 101 courses that cover specific varieties or regions if you're solely focused on learning about your favorite wine style. The more advanced courses hone in on particular countries like their French Wine Course, which explores the 12 major wine regions of France over five hours of video content and four real-world challenges. This online streaming platform includes a portfolio of hundreds of video lessons taught by over 200 of the world's top talent ranging from entrepreneurs to chefs to actors, and naturally, wine. James Suckling, renowned as one of the most influential wine critics, teaches Wine Appreciation over a series of 11 video lessons that members can take at their leisure. The course is all about immersing students into the significance of wine beyond the glass and to view it as an agricultural product that livelihoods rely on; to showcase this, Suckling hones in on the stories and personalities behind some of Tuscany's iconic vineyards. Master sommelier Emily Wines also leads her own course, 'A Sommelier's Snob-Free Guide to Wine,' which focuses on wine as an experience not the price tag over 12 video chapters. She educates on how to sip, score, and save on great wine while debunking myths around the pretension of wine. In the world of wine, there are few universities as renowned for their wine degrees as UC Davis. Though the California university appears on the resumes of some of the most respected winemakers and viticulturists, if you're remotely interested in their approach to wine education, you don't need to enroll in an entire degree. UC Davis offers a Winemaking Certificate Program that spans two years over five 10-week periods. The length may seem daunting at first, but if you're serious about winemaking, it's definitely a way to realize you're in the right place — and they even offer a free sample course to assure you of that. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was established in 1969 as a charitable organization to provide wine education for the UK wine and spirits trade. Today, their certifications are still trusted by all careers that touch wine such as vineyard marketing, sales, and front of house hospitality. The series of WSET qualifications ranges from WSET 1 certification up to WSET 4, otherwise called DipWSET or Diploma in Wine, and are available directly through the organization or through their network of 800-plus Approved Programme Providers (APPs) in more than 70 countries. All the courses offer a comprehensive approach to learning about wine that concludes with a test that, if passed, results in your certification of that level.
