Latest news with #winemakers
The Guardian
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The joy of Sussex: how English wine came of age
The best time to visit an English vineyard as a punter is right now (in my opinion, of course, but surely a personal column doesn't need that caveat every week). Hear me out: in winter, a vineyard is all gnarled wood and hard soil, which is an aesthetic I can get behind (no surprise there), but it's perhaps not the most evocative for drinkers who want a sense of place. Winter is a good time to visit as trade, mind, because the winemaker actually has time to think about their answers to your questions, rather than panicking about whether they should have waited to bring in the ortega. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Then there's summer: the grapes are hanging pregnant on the vine, it's sunny, it's sublime, but there's simply too much work to do. As a visitor, you always feel as if you're standing in the wrong place and you feel a bit guilty asking for a tour. But in late spring and early summer, there's a gentle hum of anticipation. Things are about to get started. Most British wineries are concentrated down south (sorry, fellow northerners), and one region in particular really pulls in the wine tourists: Sussex. It is, like most regions in the south of England, known for producing sparkling wine, and received a PDO (protected designation of origin) in 2022. To get the PDO, Sussex sparkling must be made in the traditional, champagne-style method, and it must also be approved by an accredited organisation that's part of the Food Standards Agency. OK, that's all good to know and everything, but where can I go to drink the stuff? England's largest single-estate organic wine producer, Oxney, is one of my favourites to visit, and it's the . It's all charred timber buildings and feels a lot more intimate than other, bigger operations nearby, and its sparkling non-vintage rosé is a perennial crowdpleaser (as, for that matter, are any of its vintage stuff, if you can get hold of it). There are vineyard cottages for larger group visits and a couple of shepherd's huts for couples. Rathfinny is another vineyard with charming rooms, and several places to eat/drink extremely well (it tends to be a bit windy, though, so pack a sensible windbreaker), while Stopham recently reopened its Saturday tasting tours with the winemaker. And though I haven't yet been myself, I've been told that Artelium is a real treat, and I really like their wines. Much the same goes for Wiston's lavish sparkling wines, and I definitely need to put faces to the names. Today's pick features a few Sussex wines to get you in the mood for a late-spring excursion. Yes, they're a fair bit spennier than my usual recommendations, but I've already explained the reasons behind the relative expense of English wine in an earlier column. Besides, things are often cheaper at the cellar door, which gives you one more reason to visit and support these English wineries directly. Nutbourne Vineyards Sussex Reserve 2022 £15.49 Grape Britannia, 12%. A peachy, fliny blend of Germanic varieties and pinot noir. Artelium Pinot Noir 2023 £28 Artelium, 12%. England produces some actually good red wines! And this one is bright and aromatic. Oxney Organic Estate NV Brut Rosé £28 Waitrose, 11.5%. Orchard fruit, strawberry patisserie – and a snip compared with champagne Wiston Estate Rosé £38 Wiston Estate, 12%. Generous pink sparkling with seasonal English fruit and great acidity
ABC News
25-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
A Taste of Italy: Celebrating the Italian heritage of King Valley wines
The rich Italian heritage of the King Valley region is helping produce fine wines that hold their own on the world stage.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
This wine club offers wines delivered to your door from £4.50 a bottle - perfect for summer BBQs and family get-togethers!
Would you like a cracking case of wine delivered straight to your doorstep without breaking the bank? Laithwaites has been going direct to winemakers to source great wines for more than 50 years. So they know a thing or two about delivering quality without a hefty price tag attached. And now, signing up for The Wine Club by Laithwaites bags you a case of a delightful dozen wines for just £54 - that's an unbelievable £4.50 per bottle. Cheers to that! The Wine Club offer If you become a Wine Club member with Laithwaites, you can enjoy significant savings. Use the code TWCOFFER* to get your initial case of 12 wines for just £54, which works out to an incredible £4.50 per bottle. Choose a case of 12 red, white, or mixed wines, all delivered to your door at no extra charge. You can also opt for a monthly delivery of eight bottles, with your first case priced at just £36, which also works out at £4.50. Or choose a delivery of four bottles for an introductory price of just £24, which is £6 per bottle. Don't miss out – join the Wine Club today and use the code TWCOFFER to claim this special offer. Brilliant wine, even better prices Fancy trying something a bit different with your wine selection? Whether you're looking to host a spontaneous barbecue or simply enjoy a greater selection of wines at home, you get better value and quality when you go direct to the winemakers. Laithwaites partners with smaller vineyards, meaning you get access to some truly interesting bottles you wouldn't typically find on the supermarket shelves. Think rich Portuguese vinha do fava reds from talented winemakers, a bold monastrell from Spain, perhaps, or perhaps a bold and spicy shiraz from Australia, perfect for a barbecue. On the white side, imagine a crisp, stone-fruit beauty from northern Italy or a distinctive South African albariño. The Wine Club is a chance to explore new flavours at prices that won't break the bank. But it's not just about the wine itself. Your online Laithwaites account unlocks a whole world of discovery. You'll find handy tips on pairing your new finds with food, along with detailed tasting notes to guide you. It's a great way to learn more about winemaking, delve into specific grape varieties, and get to grips with different wine regions. Consider it your personal passport to becoming a bit of a wine expert – all from the comfort of your own home. Let Laithwaites take you on a delicious adventure, one bottle at a time. Tailored to you Discover your ideal wines delivered right to your door. With The Wine Club, you're in control. Whether you're after a modest case of four (£24 for your first case), a handy eight (£36), or a generous dozen (£54), the choice is yours. And deciding what goes inside is just as flexible. All reds, only whites, or a bit of both? No problem. Don't like the look of a particular selection? You can easily swap them out for your personal favourites before delivery. Alternatively, if you fancy a delightful surprise, let our expert sommeliers curate a selection just for you. Laithwaites will bring your chosen wines directly to your doorstep, and what's even better, delivery is completely free. Need them in a hurry? With The Wine Club subscription, you can even opt for next-day delivery. And because we know plans can change, you can cancel your subscription whenever you like, or simply put your next delivery on hold if you're still working your way through your current case. It's all about enjoying great wine on your terms, without any fuss. Laithwaites' Wine Club offers a brilliant way to get your hands on some cracking wines without emptying your wallet. From just £4.50 a bottle to the sheer flexibility of choosing what you want (or letting the experts surprise you), it's all about enjoying a good vintage delivered straight to your door, no fuss involved – a proper taste adventure from the comfort of your sofa. Why not give the Wine Club a whirl? Use the code TWCOFFER to unlock this special introductory offer. You'll get your first case of 12 bottles for £54, eight bottles for £36, or four bottles for £24. Then after that, the price is £49 for four bottles, £69 for eight bottles and £99 for 12 bottles. 50 years of fabulous wines Fancy discovering incredible wines without spending a fortune? For more than 50 years, Laithwaites has been venturing directly to passionate winemakers, bringing back exceptional bottles to the UK at prices that might just surprise you. It all started in 1969 with Tony Laithwaite's geography field trip to Bordeaux, France. He found something more interesting than Roman ruins – real wine and the real people who make it. After a stint washing bottles in a Saint-Émilion winery, he began importing authentic wines to Britain. The kind you simply couldn't find here without paying a premium. By buying in bulk, he helped small vineyards share their stories and match the prices of bigger brands. Ever since, Laithwaites has championed family-run vineyards across the globe. Now, they partner with over 450 winemakers, bringing fantastic wines to more than 400,000 customers. Still a family business, Laithwaites is dedicated to offering you the excitement of discovering unique grapes and blends, always with guaranteed quality and excellent value. Find out more and sign up for The Wine Club at Remember to use the code TWCOFFER to secure your special offer. *TWCOFFER Voucher code can only be used once and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts. 18+ years only. Valid until midnight 30/06/2025. Offer excludes Champagne, fine wine, beer, spirits, gift vouchers, WSET courses and gifts. See for full terms and conditions, and our privacy policy. Laithwaites is operated by Direct Wines Ltd. Registered in England and Wales (No 1095091). One Waterside Drive, Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, RG7 4SW. Unless otherwise stated, all wines contain sulphites. Savings based on individual bottle price. Delivery takes 2-3 working days (delivery to offshore islands, NI, Scottish Highlands and some other areas of Scotland may take a few days longer). We reserve the right to reject any order for the repeated or fraudulent use of the voucher code.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Why Pinot Noir Is Considered The 'Heartbreak Grape'—And Why It's Still Worth It
"A vineyard in Napa Valley, Califronia." If you've ever heard a winemaker call Pinot Noir the 'heartbreak grape,' you might assume it's because they had one too many glasses and got emotional. And honestly? You wouldn't be completely wrong. Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow, a little dramatic when it comes to weather, and frustratingly unpredictable even for the best farmers and winemakers. But when everything goes right, it produces some of the most elegant, unforgettable wines in the world. It's a high-risk, high-reward situation—and somehow, Pinot keeps us all coming back for more. Here's why Pinot Noir has earned its dramatic nickname—and why we're still absolutely obsessed with it. Bunches of various grapes ready to be harvested Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape, which means it's sensitive. (Think: "can't leave the house without SPF 50" levels of sensitive.) It thrives only in very specific climates—usually cooler regions like Burgundy, Oregon's Willamette Valley, and coastal pockets of California. Too hot? The grapes get overripe and lose their delicate flavors. Too cold? They might not ripen at all. Too rainy, windy, sunny, foggy, dry? Pinot's ready to throw a tantrum. Compared to hearty, flexible grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot is the fussy artist in a world of engineers. It needs constant care and attention, and even then, nature can still ruin the party. Harvesting grapes in grape yard Even after you manage to grow healthy Pinot grapes (congratulations, by the way), the heartbreak isn't over. In the winery, Pinot Noir demands a delicate touch. It's prone to oxidation, meaning it can spoil easily if you're not careful. It doesn't always respond predictably to fermentation. And because it's so subtle, any misstep—like a heavy oak treatment or too much handling—can completely overpower its beautiful, fragile flavors. Basically, Pinot Noir is the diva who shows up with a 12-page rider but still gives the best performance of the night if you meet every demand exactly. Pinot Because it's so difficult to grow and make, good Pinot Noir isn't cheap. You can absolutely find bottles under $20 (especially from places like Chile or California's Central Coast), but truly stunning Pinot tends to be pricey. Burgundy Pinot, for example, can command eye-watering prices even for entry-level bottles—and let's not even get into the collector stuff. But Pinot lovers argue that it's worth it because when it's great, it's unforgettable. It's not just wine; it's an experience. In the region of Casablanca in Chile, wine tasting in biodynamics. Two hands clash their glass for a ... More sharing of moment pleasure. So why do winemakers and drinkers put up with all this heartbreak? Because when Pinot Noir shines, it's magic. The best Pinot Noir delivers an elegance and complexity that few other grapes can match. It balances bright red fruit (think cherries, raspberries, cranberries) with earthy notes like forest floor, mushrooms, and spice. It's light in body but deep in flavor, silky without being heavy. It's a wine that can be delicate and powerful at the same time, whispering instead of shouting—but somehow leaving the loudest impression. As one Burgundy producer famously said, 'When Pinot Noir is good, you can't not fall in love.' Ready to go pick up a bottle? Here are a few great ones to get you started: Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Rouge (France, Burgundy) If you want to taste the heart of Burgundy without blowing your budget, this is a smart pick. It's fresh and delicate, with flavors of tart cherry, wild strawberries, and an earthy, almost mushroomy undertone that gives it a rustic French charm. Very light on its feet, and very easy to love. Belle Glos 'Meiomi' Pinot Noir (California) This is the Pinot that's unapologetically rich and ripe. Expect waves of dark berries, like blackberry jam and black cherry, with a soft, sweet finish laced with vanilla and mocha. It's lush, smooth, and a real crowd-pleaser—think of it as Pinot Noir dressed up for a party. Cristom 'Mt. Jefferson Cuvée' Pinot Noir (Oregon, Willamette Valley) Cristom's Mt. Jefferson is a beautiful mix of fruit and forest. It starts with vibrant red berries—think cranberry and raspberry—then moves into more savory, earthy territory with notes of forest floor, spice, and a whisper of smoky oak. Elegant, balanced, and just serious enough to impress. Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir (Chile) Proof that good Pinot doesn't have to be expensive, this Chilean bottle is light, bright, and refreshing. It's packed with fresh strawberry and cherry flavors, a little green herb on the nose, and a crisp, clean finish. Perfect for casual sipping or stocking up for parties.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Looking forward to a summer socialising with friends and family? Here's how to get a £75 voucher to spend on the wines of your choice
The days are longer, the mercury's rising: The season for socialising is upon us! Summer's nearly here, and our thoughts are turning to relaxed weekend barbecues, celebratory family get-togethers, and long, light evenings chatting with friends in the garden. After a long hard winter, and chilly spring, it's time to get together again. And how better than with a glass of something delicious in your hand? And to help you do that, Virgin Wines are offering a fantastic £75 voucher for you to spend on the wines of your choice. Even better, by claiming it you'll be joining their Discovery Wine Club, which will take you on an exciting wine adventure, introducing you to new and exclusive wines from around the world. So now's the time to stock up on some delicious wines to enjoy with friends and family. What's your favourite at this time of year? A juicy red, perfect with a grilled steak; a zesty white, so refreshing after a long hot day; a perfect pink to toast the sunset, or even a bottle of fizz to start the party with a bang? Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it at Virgin Wines, one of the UK's largest direct-to-consumer wine retailers. Virgin Wines were the first wine retailer in the country to ask customers to rate and review their wines online meaning they have a vast database of over 1 million ratings on their wines. They work closely with a hand-picked network of trusted independent winemakers around the globe using the ratings to craft a range of over 600 wines according to their customers' tastes – meaning you're guaranteed to love every bottle. With this special offer, you can use our exclusive code to claim an amazing £75 Wine Voucher - with free express delivery to your door. By taking advantage of this special offer, you'll join the Virgin Wines Discovery Wine Club service, where each quarter they'll offer you a 12-bottle case of their latest wine discoveries, handpicked by their award-winning wine buying team. Use your £75 voucher today and get started with a case of 12 premium wines for just £4.99 a bottle. You'll receive 12 bottles in every quarterly selection, which works out at a bottle a week. Obviously you can order more than one case if that suits you, and if you suddenly need a top-up, you can head online and shop Virgin Wines' latest case deals, or check out their special offers. With the Discovery Wine Club there is no contract, and no minimum amount of cases that you have to take. You can skip a case at any time, and if you decide you no longer wish to be a member, all you have to do is get in touch. Not sure you like one of the bottles? You can alter the contents of your case no problem. Not going to be in? It's so easy to amend the delivery date. Going away? No problem: you can just skip the case altogether if you prefer. And you'll still save on every case. And Virgin Wines are so confident you'll love their wines, that if you don't love every bottle, they'll give you your money back. Delicious wine, delivered to your door: it's so easy! Claim your £75 with Virgin Wines Glasses at the ready, wine lovers! Virgin Wines are offering a fantastic £75 Wine Voucher - yours to spend on the wines of your choice. By taking advantage of this special offer, you'll join their Discovery Wine Club service, where each quarter they'll offer you a 12-bottle case of their latest wine discoveries handpicked by their award-winning wine buying team. You can alter the contents of your case, amend the delivery date, or skip the case altogether if you prefer, and you'll save at least a 15% on every case. Enjoy! To claim your £75 voucher, click here and use the voucher code MAILWP-75 Terms and Conditions: You must be over 18. You can only use it once and not with any other promotion. You can't exchange it for cash (sorry!). P&P costs £7.99. This offer is only valid if you try their Discovery Wine Club and buy at least a 12-bottle case worth £134.88 or more. You can't exchange it for cash. Every 3 months and at Christmas you'll be offered by email a case of 12 Discovery Wine Club wines. There is no obligation to buy any more wine and you can cancel your membership at any time. Your payment method will be stored for future purchases. There is no obligation to buy any more wine. If you've already registered for a Discovery Club account, or have used a new customer introductory offer before, you can't use this voucher. Images for illustration purposes. UK addresses only. For full terms and conditions and details of all the benefits, go to
