10 English Wines You Need To Try

With English Wine Week now in full swing, we wanted to shine a light on one of England’s greatest exports: English wine! Gone are the days when English wine was considered to be a joke. Our wines, both still and sparkling, are now being embraced as some of the very best out there. Here are some great bottles from producers that really should be on your radar.

KENT

Springfield Chardonnay, Balfour Winery, 2020 (as seen on talkTV with Helena)

Balfour’s very first barrel-aged Chardonnay, this is a Chardonnay modelled on a white Burgundy, yet keeping that characteristic Kentish freshness. Creamy and with a hint of spice from the new oak barrels, there’s a ton of ripe, orchard fruit notes here, a smoky grapefruit note, a slick of moreish saline and a granny smith apple skin tang.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £25
Find here: Balfourwinery.com

SURREY

Broadwoods Folly, Rosé Brut, NV (as seen on talkTV with Helena)

This peppy pink made by the famous Denbies Estate and named after the mock gothic tower overlooking the vineyards, shows that English sparkling wine doesn't have to cost the earth to be good. Crisp and refreshing, this is a sherbety pink with notes of crunchy raspberry and rosehip, a touch of brioche and a quintessentially English lafiness on the finish. Its bright acidity and touch of flintiness would make this a winner with smoked salmon. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £15.99
Find here: Lidl

HAMPSHIRE

Hambledon Classic Cuvée NV (as seen on talkTV with Helena)

Established in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, Hambledon is England’s oldest vineyard and can be found nestled in the home of Cricket at Hambledon in Hampshire. Their Classic Cuvée is again, a blend of all three traditional grapes, (56% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir, 17% Pinot Meunier). Grapes are handpicked on the estate and this cuvée uses the 2017 harvest as a base with 20% reserve wines added, giving it the characteristic toasty richness that Hambledon has become famous for. Hambledon also does fantastic tours, tastings and events. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £34.99 (or £23.99 as part of a mixed 6 case)
Find here: Majestic

SUSSEX

Ambriel, English Reserve, Single Vineyard, Demi-Sec, NV (as seen on talkTV with Helena)

People can be sniffy about wines they perceive as sweet and the term ‘demi-sec’, which means ‘semi-sweet’, has been left somewhat in the eighties and early nineties. What’s wonderful about this demi-sec, which is a single estate wine made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes and made in the traditional method, is that when you taste it, you just perceive that extra dash of sweetness simply as fruit and flavour. This extra fruitiness beautifully counters the salt in cheese and is an absolute cracker with wedding cake! 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Price: £33.95
Find here: Corney and Barrow

others to try

OXFORDSHIRE

Doe Eyed Queen, Single Estate Vintage, English Sparkling, 2017

Where fine wine meets fashion, Doe Eyed Queen came from its founder Amy spending years exploring restaurants across London and realising the significant impact that the aesthetic appearance of a restaurant and its food had on taste. Amy wanted to create a wine that was as sophisticated and unique on the outside as the inside bottle. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the 2017 vintage, it’s vegan, organic and sustainably made. Peachy and rich in flavour with notes of red fruit and brioche, it certainly tastes as good as it looks. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £40
Find here: doeeyedqueen.com

HAMPSHIRE

Hattingley Valley, Classic Reserve

Hattingley Valley winery is found in rural Hampshire where the first vines were planted in 2008 and the first wines released in 2013. Made by multiple award-winning female winemaker Emma Rice with 53% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir and 16% Pinot Meunier grapes, the Classic Reserve is Hattingley’s most widely available and most loved wine. A non-vintage sparkler based on the somewhat challenging 2015 vintage, this is the wine that gives you a true flavour of the Hattingley house style: Golden with fine bubbles, elegant notes of brioche, nougat and a touch of oak with a characteristic hedgerow note on the finish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £30
Find here: Waitrose

Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Rathfinny has an enviable position on the sunny, south-facing slopes of England’s South Downs in Alfriston, Sussex. It has quickly made a name for itself as one of England’s finest wine producers. Blanc de Noirs is a sparkling wine made only from black /red grapes which in this case are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and these wine grapes came from just one single harvest in 2018, which has been dubbed the vintage of the decade. Rathfinny has a style that is rich but precise with a fantastic, lean, mineral character. Seriously elegant and will keep for a while. Rathfinny is another great place for a vineyard picnic too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £38.95 (or £36.95 when in a case of six) 
Find here: Lea & Sandeman

Wild Rose, Black Chalk, 2018

If a wine style can be described as ‘precise’, then Black Chalk are the masters of it. Made in tiny batches from grapes grown on the chalky soils of Hampshire and using the traditional method, this rosé is at once rich, crisp and pure. Think raspberries and strawberries with elegant effervescence and a brilliant balance of fruit and acidity. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £40
Find here: blackchalkwine.co.uk

KENT

Balfour Brut Rosé 2018

A renowned winery located on the Hush Heath Estate in Kent, the Balfour sparkling brut rosé was the first ever English wine to win a gold medal and the Trophy at the International Wine Challenge. This 2018 vintage wine is only ever made in tiny quantities from a single vineyard and it has a special story. The estate has belonged to the Balfour-Lynn family for three generations, but it was Richard and Leslie’s idea to plant vines at Hush Heath in 2002, with a view to making a pink sparkling wine like their favourite ever Champagne: Billecart Salmon Rosé. Their thinking was “If we can’t sell it, we’ll drink it”. But they did sell it and the rest is history. It’s a great place for lunch and a tasting with a lovely walk around the vines and the apple trees too. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £39.99 (£33.99 at time of publishing)
Find here: Waitrose

Balfour Blanc de Noirs 2018

Another stunning sparkling wine from the Hush Heath Estate, this Blanc de Noirs made from the superb 2018 vintage is a prime example of English sparkling wine at its best. It has notes of orange, citrus and pear and gentle notes of red fruits on the finish. Pair this with meaty fish for a match made in heaven!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £40
Find here: www.balfourwinery.com

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 83

Whether it be the best crisps to pair with your champagne, beer that tastes like chardonnay, stunning mixers for your vodka or £5 wine that tastes decent, we’ve got a little bit of everything for you in Episode 83 of the Bring a Bottle podcast! Listen in now via the player below!

What’s in our glass

We’re making our way through more of Franklin & Sons mixers this week and this time we’re mixing them with vodka. First up we tried the Rhubarb and Hibiscus Tonic with Assaranca Vodka – the result was a creamy well-balanced drink very evocative of childhood memories of rhubarb and custard sweets. The herbal nature of the vodka matched the rhubarb, which is also quite herbal in flavour, really well and the whole drink wasn’t overly sweet due to the slight bitterness from the tonic making for a delicious sip.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £17.50 for 24

The second mixer we tried was the Guava and Lime soda. The guava came through first, more on the nose than the palate, and then the lime came racing in the back making for a very refreshing drink. This mixer would also pair beautifully well with a white rum such as Equiano white.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £17.50 for 24

Assaranca Vodka

Size: 500ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £26.99

Drinks News

This week it’s all about Champagne and what to pair it with. Some say caviar works best, many say fish and chips are the way to go but Champagne Laurent Perrier have created the perfect bag of crisps to pair with their Champagne! This bag of crisps, aptly named ‘Chip Shop Scraps and Fries’ is a playful take on fish and chips and contains scraps of batter, thin-cut fries and crunchy peas seasoned with salt and malt vinegar! You can pick a pack up from Sainsbury’s for £1.75 and if you want the champagne to match you’ll only have to fork out an extra 24x the price of your crisps ;)

Bryan Rodriquez

We are joined in the studio by the wonderful Bryan Rodriguez, wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols. He tells us all about his upcoming wedding, what it’s like to be the wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols and shares a few drinker’s discoveries you’re going to want to try!

Drinkers Discovery

We are treated to a Drinker’s Discovery this week as Bryan has brought a bottle of Boom Beer into the studio all the way from Belgium! This particular beer, VAT31, is a lambic style sour beer. It was brewed in 2015 before being naturally fermented in big old barrels which have been around for over 100 years before finally being bottled in 2020! The beer itself will last until 2040 and will age like fine wine. To look at, it is cloudy and orangey, it smells like beer but has a California chardonnay note to it and a lot of light woody influence from all its time in the barrel. It’s creamy to taste and not gassy at all and would work wonderfully with sushi, fish and chips and roast chicken. This would be a great way to get wine drinkers into beer although it is very hard to get your hands on in the UK. For those looking for something easier to find, Burning sky is a UK-based sour beer producer well worth looking into.

Bang for Buck

You can’t beat a bargain and Helena has found a corker! Tesco has a new range of £5 wines that are produced fairly and taste great for their price point! You can find out more here.

This next one is not a cheap bargain; however, it is still a big bargain. Harvey Nichols Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is actually made using the same grapes that are de-classified from Insignia, Joseph Phelps's world renowned 3-figure iconic wine. Considering a bottle of Insignia retails at nearly 10 times the price of this bottle, it is an absolute steal and it will age beautifully for another 10+ years.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £35

If you like the sound of this and want to hear more, make sure to listen in today and to read more of Bryan’s recommendations, click here!

10 Top Drinks Discoveries for the Summer with Bryan Rodriguez

Words by Bryan Rodriguez (Wine & Spirit Buyer at Harvey Nichols)

Bryan recently joined us for Episode 83 of our Bring a Bottle Podcast where he shared a number of fantastic products with us, so naturally, when asked if we would like to hear more we jumped at the chance to bring more drinky news your way. Here’s what he had to say…

As a Wine & Spirit Buyer, I am always discovering new and exciting beverages, as well as re-tasting and going back to old favourites that provide consistency and comfort. When asked, I always have a wine or spirit recommendation to offer, whether for a specific occasion or the appropriate vessel to drink from.

In this line up, I offer my suggestions based on topics discussed during my appearance on the Bring a Bottle Podcast with Aidy and Helena.

When recording the podcast, I brought a bottle of the wonderful Lambic Geuze beer with me, all the way from the brilliant Boon Brewery based in Lembeek near Brussels, Belgium. The beer really caught both Aidy and Helena’s attention. The beer is known as the Vat 31, it’s difficult to find commercially so below I recommend two of their more widely available styles. 

Rum was also discussed and for me, the Daiquiri is the ultimate rum cocktail. As an avid lover of rum, I am always testing out different rums in a daiquiri. Every bartender has their own recipe and version. This is my personal recipe I use at home…

Ingredients
60ml White or Gold Rum
25ml Velvet Falernum
25ml Fresh Lime juice
2 to 3 dashes of Angostura Orange Bitters
Method
Shake over ice and pour into a frozen glass 

Of course, depending on the rum used, measurements might need to be adjusted but the above should offer a good starting point.

I recommended a brilliant Harvey Nichols Own Label red wine from Napa Valley. Along with this, I offer my personal favourite white and sparkling from our Own Label range. A perfect dinner party trio that will match up against a wide variety of foods and will certainly be crowd pleasers.

Finally, as an extra addition, I offer what I describe as “essentials” – two of the products used in the Daiquiri recipe, as well as specific glassware that works with the drinks recommended, as well as a whole host of other cocktails and beverages. I always like to recommend different glassware according to the drink being consumed. I find it can elevate the drinking experience, especially for wine, with grape and region-specific glassware being released by the likes of Riedel. Plus, I always find that elegant glassware can enhance your online and social imagery of bottles, drinks, and cocktails in the same way a beautiful piece of jewellery can enhance a fashion shoot.

BEER

Boon Geuze Marriage Parfait

One of the finest beers in the world full stop. The Boon Geuze Marriage Parfait is an unfiltered Lambic sour beer made in Belgium at the Boon Brewery. The beer itself is a 3-year-old Lambic, aged in large oak barrels known as Foeders. Boon uses Foeders built between 1883 and 1914 so the beer you’re drinking may have been ageing in wood over 100 years old. The unique addition to the beer that gives it its sourness, character and complexity are the wild yeasts and bacteria from the brewery which descend on the beer during the wild fermentation. This includes microflora of previous generations of wild yeast remaining on the wood. This all results in a wine like beer. A beautiful gold colour with rich ginger, grapefruit and bergamot citrus aromas along with gentle vanilla, sweet cooking spices and oakiness reminding you of both light styles of Scotch whisky and buttery chardonnay. Enjoy chilled now and in decades to come as this beer can outage fine wine. Just have a look at the best before dates on the back label. It will only get better with time and ageing, preferably in a cool and dark place. Gives this a try with fish and chips. The acidity will cut through that batter leaving your palate ready and refreshed for the next bite. Serve in a wine glass or tulip shaped beer glass.

Size: 375ml
ABV: 8%
Find Here: UK £6.00

Boon Kriek Cherry Lambic

There are fruit beers and then there’s the Boon Kriek. It stands on its own, heads and shoulders above the rest. The beer is made using 250 grams of fresh cherries per litre fermented naturally with young lambic beer before being blended with older lambic beers for added complexity and left to mature in barrels. It is bottled unpasteurised for a fuller bodied mouthfeel and texture. This should definitely be on every beer or drink lover’s list of drinks to try. It has an aroma of wonderful, deep, marzipan like cherries, kirsch, vanilla oakiness and acidity that keeps your palate feeling fresh and vibrant. It’s perfect as an aperitivo but also works with dessert alongside a dark, rich chocolate mousse. The vintage date on the beer represents the year the cherries were picked. Serve in a wine glass or in a tulip shaped beer glass.

Size: 375ml
ABV: 4%
Find Here: UK £4.60

RUM 

Plantation 3 Stars White

The Plantation 3 Stars White is difficult to beat when it comes to value for money. This is a seriously good rum which is appreciated by both industry professionals as well as the home consumer. The rum is made using distillates of various ages from Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad with distillation taking place in a mix of Column and Pot stills. After blending, the colour is then removed via filtration through carbon resulting in a slight yellow hue. A textbook white rum made for use in a daiquiri but try sipping it neat out of the freezer or give it a go in a mojito. The slightly fuller bodied nature of the rum will add to the weight and texture of the drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.2%
Find Here: UK £26.00

Equiano Light Rum

At Harvey Nichols, we declared the original Equiano release as “Probably the most important and critically acclaimed inaugural release from any rum company ever.” We still hold to that belief, and I feel the Light Rum is a perfect continuation of their journey. It is a blend of two distilleries. Firstly, it uses molasses based 3-year-old ex-Bourbon barrel matured distillates from the Legendary Foursquare Distillery which adds weight, power and robustness. Secondly, it uses unaged sugarcane juice-based distillates from the Gray’s Distillery in Mauritius which impart some grassy, vegetal, and citrus notes. Both distillates are blended at the Foursquare distillery by master blender Richard Seale and result in a beautiful, balanced, and delicious rum. The company is female led and has Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell as a co-founder. The rum itself is named after Olaudah Equiano (Born c.1745, Died 1797), a Nigerian slave turned writer, public speaker, and anti-slavery activist. Donations from the rum go towards quality projects and ending modern day slavery around the world. All this said, the rum is beautiful to drink, elegant with a real mix of complex flavours that work perfectly sipped neat or in a Piña Colada using fresh pineapple.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find Here: UK £44.00

Doorly’s XO

Have you ever tried a Daiquiri with dark, aged rum? If the answer is no, now is as good a time as ever. My first was at OXO Tower Bar in a cocktail named The Gayle Seale, a daiquiri recipe created by Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell in honour of Gayle Seale, the Foursquare Distillery Global Brand Ambassador and wife of Master Distiller/Blender Richard Seale. If you want the exact recipe, it is…

Ingredients
50ml Doorly’s XO
25ml Fresh Lime Juice
15ml Taylors Velvet Falernum
5ml Simple syrup
3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Method
Shake over ice and pour into chilled glass.

Aged rum adds a complexity and flavour to a cocktail like the daiquiri that sends it in a different direction. It adds to its texture and gives it a certain morishness, especially the Doorly’s XO which sees maturation in Oloroso Sherry cask. Talking of the Doorly’s XO, I picked this rum as it’s a consistent, affordable, and outstanding rum made at the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados. It is bottled un-coloured and un-sweetened resulting in a rich, wonderful, moreish rum that sips beautifully neat or can be used in a Corn N’ Oil, Mai Tai or simply mixed with Ginger Beer for those days when you want a break from a Daiquiri.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: UK £43.50

OWN-LABEL WINES

Harvey Nichols Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Imagine finding a fully blown, full bodied, powerful Napa Cab made by a producer like Joseph Phelps that doesn’t cost the world? Well, here it is! A wine we are very proud of and one I always like to show off. The wine is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Some of the grapes used in the blend are de-classified from Insignia, Joseph Phelps flagship, 3 figure iconic wine. It sees 14 months of maturation in a mix of used American and French oak. Open and decant for a few hours to reveal a polished, decadent Cab Sav with wood polish, cedar wood, crème de cassis, graphite, and sweet cooking spices. Perfect alongside a fillet of beef, roasted lamb or with robust, earthy vegetable dishes. It comes with some bottle age on it but will age for another 10 years+ so a perfect wine to buy and put away.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find Here: UK £35.00

Harvey Nichols Aconcagua Chardonnay 2019

Probably my favourite of the Own Label white wines. This particular Chardonnay is produced by the excellent Chilean winery, Errazuriz Estate from vineyards in the cool climate Aconcagua region, roughly 100km north of Chile’s capital Santiago. Errazuriz makes South America’s best examples of Chardonnay, some of which could easily compete and beat the Burgundians best, but at much lower price points. This Chardonnay is made from hand picked grapes and matured for 10 months on its lees in French oak barrels. 20% of those barrels are brand new. The result is an elegant, creamy, citrus, and tropical fruit lead white with perfectly balanced, vibrant acidity and a whisper of smoke from the barrel. Big complexity levels but not so much that you can’t just simply enjoy a glass in front of the TV or outside in the sun. Perfect with grilled fish, white meats, steak tartare or on its own, chilled in a big round wine glass.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find Here: UK £15.95

HN Premier Cru Brut Champagne NV

My personal favourite style of wine is Champagne, so I feel it is appropriate to add the Harvey Nichols NV Brut Champagne to the list. I absolutely love this wine. It shows the essences of what a good, solid non-vintage champagne should be like year after year. Consistency is key with own label products, and this is the perfect example of that. Made from a blend consisting mainly of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir from Premier Cru sites by Champagne Lombard & Medot who are based in Epernay. Made in the traditional style, this is a vegan friendly, comforting Brut style champagne that drinks perfectly on its own or will match any starter and light bite. It can also be used in a variety of cocktails such as the Classic Champagne cocktail. Imagine lightly toasted brioche, macadamia, yellow and stone fruits with refreshing acidity. Perfect!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find Here: UK £32.50

ESSENTIALS

Angostura Orange Bitters

Bitters can help to elevate a cocktail and add complexity to it. Most people will recognise the standard Angostura Bitters with its yellow cap and oversized label usually used in an Old Fashioned. I always tend to recommend the orange variant of this brand as it’s slightly softer, lower in ABV and has a pronounced bitter orange and sweet spice woody aroma. I use it in just about everything from Daiquiris to Gimlets, G&T’s and even Martinis. You can also use it in food too. Just a few drops can make a big difference!

Size: 100ml
ABV: 28%
Find Here: UK £10.00

John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum

Falernum is tropical based syrup usually containing a mix of lime, ginger, almond and can also include clove, nutmeg, and other sweet spices. You can find it in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. The John D. Taylors Falernum is an 11% abv Falernum made in Barbados. The alcohol helps to preserve the syrup making it last longer while adding to the flavour and texture of the liquid. I enjoy using this as an alternative to sugar syrup as it can add interesting notes to a sweetened cocktail. Next time you try a Gimlet, try the Falernum instead of simple sugar syrup for a tropical take on the classic cocktail. I recommend keeping this in the fridge.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 11%
Find Here: UK £18.00

Riedel Nick & Nora Glasses

The right glass can heighten the experience of the drink you are enjoying. Brands such as Riedel make glassware specific to the grape, spirit and even cocktail being consumed. With varying price points, there is an option for everybody and every pocket. The Nick & Nora glass was made famous by the 1934 movie “The Thin Man”. The design is a curved lip on a small bowl. It directs the alcohol to the mid-palate, allowing the aromas to travel directly to the retronasal olfaction, (the back part of your nose that allows you to “taste” flavour). Short and elegant, these will fit nicely in a freezer ready for a Martini, Daiquiri, Gimlet, Manhattan, or any shaken or stirred cocktail.

Size: Set of 2 Glasses
Find Here: £29.00

Riedel Overture Beer Glasses

As I mentioned a few beers earlier on, I thought I would add a beer glass recommendation that works with any beer type including the Lambic beers. I love these tulip shaped glasses. When full of delicious, crisp lager or hoppy IPA, deep, dark Stout or Sour Geuze, there’s something immediately pleasurable from holding these up, taking a sip and enjoying that perfect beer. The shape helps to maintain aroma, temperature as well as the head of the beer.

Size: Set of 2 Glasses
Find Here: £28.00

Riedel Performance Tasting Set Wine Glasses

The Riedel Performance glass is a very attractive, elegant glass that I personally use daily. The glass has an optical effect on the inside of the lip which increases the inner surface allowing the wine to open even more. It also adds to its attractive appearance. This set comes with (from Left to Right), 1x Sauvignon Blanc Glass, 1x Chardonnay Glass, 1x Pinot Noir Glass, 1x Cabernet Sauvignon Glass. Each glass can be used for different styles making this set very versatile and keeping in mind the three Harvey Nichols Own Label Wines recommended earlier, this set goes perfectly with them. The Sauvignon Blanc glass can be used for sparkling wine and champagne. The Chardonnay glass could be used for oaked-Sauvignon Blanc or even Junmai Sake. I use this for Blanc de Blancs Champagne too. The Pinot Noir glass can be used for Nebbiolo, Gamay or softer and lighter red styles, I also use it for Blanc de Noirs Champagne. The Cabernet Sauvignon glass can be used for Merlots, Malbecs, Cab Francs or any big, hefty red wines. With a set like this, you are pretty much covered!

Size: Set of 4 Glasses
Find Here: UK 110.00

If you’d like to hear more from Bryan, make sure to listen to Episode 83 of the Bring a Bottle Podcast!

Wines From Spain Awards 2022: The Champions!

Taste the Winners from the Wines From Spain Awards 2022

When we hear the words Spanish wine, what do we immediately think of? Rioja? Certainly. Cava? Probably. Anything else? If not, then read on to discover a world of vinous diversity in terms of style, region and price points that will blow your mind. 

The Wines from Spain Awards has been running for eight years now and exists to celebrate true excellence in Spanish winemaking and shine a light on the most exciting wines produced in the country today across all styles and categories. From the classic gems to bold, modern finds and each showcasing Spain’s unique heritage and personality, this winner’s list really does offer something for everyone and for every occasion. 

How do the Wines From Spain Awards work? 

Chaired by the inimitable Tim Atkin MW, a team of fourteen professional judges picked out 100 wines before awarding 16 ‘Champions’ in categories ‘Best in Show’, ‘Best Red over £10’, ‘Best Cava’, ‘Best Discovery’, ‘Best Rosado’ and ‘Best Premium White and Red over £20’. Tim said:

“Spain is the most exciting country, certainly in Europe, and possibly in the world, right now. If you are prepared to pay a little bit more, it gets you extraordinary value for money. It is so diverse and exciting. There is a lot happening, not just in the traditional places like Rioja, Navarra, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Sherry, but also elsewhere. Look under the surface of Spain and you will find lots of wonderful, gleaming jewels.”

Our Top Three Winning Spanish Wines to Try:

Sparkling: Cava

Cava is a sparkling wine made in the same time consuming, ‘traditional method’ as Champagne but it hails from much larger production areas around the North of Spain and is usually made with a blend of local, Spanish grape varieties: Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo. It’s much closer in style to Champagne than Prosecco with its more savoury brioche and umami notes that come from lees ageing and time, though the price point is often much lower than the famous French fizz because there’s more of it. Cava is a much more democratic drink in Spain (and elsewhere) just like Prosecco is in Italy. The perfect aperitif on any day of the week and in Cava’s case, the most versatile food wine you can get and it sings with cold cuts, nuts and hard cheeses.  

Try: Mas Macià Cava

This is a delightful Cava, authentic and fresh with notes of crunchy apple and pineapple with moreish, chalky notes on the finish. A good, savoury fizz that’s perfect with tapas.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Price: £12 - £12.50
Find it at: AllAboutWine and NobleGreenWines.

White, still wine: Garnacha Blanca (White Grenache)

White Garnacha, aka Grenache, to give it its more usual French name, is a grape that has been on the rise in Spain recently and does fantastically well. This is probably due to the popularity of red Grenache (Grenache Noir), even though it’s technically a different grape that behaves very differently. We are seeing a revival of Garnacha Blanca in the regions of Priorat,  Aragón and Montsant but it is also increasingly common in Rioja blends as well as in top end, single-varietal wines. It’s storming it in Navarra too at the moment, with acreage growing from 2.5 to 123H in fifteen years. It is no longer a minor grape variety so if you like rich and weighty white wines, seek out a Garnacha Blanca. Try this grape with rich and creamy poultry or rice dishes. 

Try: Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca 2021

(Best White over £10)

Hailing from the region of ​​Empordà in Spain, this is 100% white Grenache and a great example of it at that. Think weighty, fleshy and creamy white wine with notes of melon, vanilla, baked apple and white chocolate. Great with food like hard cheese, nutes and poultry. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Price: £10.45 -12.45
Find it at: Vinnissimus, AMPS and Lekker Wines.

White, Still Wine: Godello

Godello is a Spanish white wine grape that has been finding favour over recent years as a great alternative to Sauvignon, Soave, Gavi and the usual suspects. It’s most popular in Galicia where Albariño is king, but can be found in other Spanish regions as well as across the world where it is also known as Gouveio (Portugal) and Agudelo (France). It’s a grape whose style will change based on terroir and winemaking techniques but very generally, is often zesty, refreshing, saline and textured with notes of grapefruit and lime and a hint of smokiness. 

Try: Godello Pepa Porter, Adegas Terrae 2021

Hailing from the lesser known, dry and granite-rich D.O. Monterrei, which is located in the southeast corner of the province of Ourense in Galicia, this wine made the top 100 list and is cracking value. Think savoury stone fruit and a slick of salty licorice and lime. Delicious. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £12-13
Find it at: Vinissimus & VinoDirect.com.

Red, still wine: Priorat

Priorat is a Spanish wine region loved by oenophiles but not quite yet on every consumer’s lips in the way that Rioja is or Ribera del Duero even might be. Priorat is located in the province of Tarragona to the southwest of Catalonia and is home mostly to some powerful red wines with a distinctive texture and figgy flavour profile thanks in part to special black slate, quartz soils there known as llicorella, which always makes us think of licorice. Red Priorats are usually heavy on the red Garnacha and Cariñena but can also use Garnacha Peluda, Tempranillo, Picapoll Negre, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah so they can feel quite international in style. The main white grapes used are Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez and Chenin Blanc but the Moscatels, Blanquilla, Picapoll Blanc and Viognier are permitted. Try the powerful, Priot reds like the one below with meat stews, barbecues and grilled vegetables. 

Try: +7 Priorat, Bodegas Pinord, 2019

Concentrated and silky with luscious notes of chocolate, figs, baking spice, licorice and bramble fruit. Big and brooding. A food wine that needs air but is super special. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Price: £28.99 -£33.99
Find it at: StrictlyWine and Winebuyers.com

Wines from Spain: The Champion Wines 

Here is a list of the champion wines that were singled out by the competition judges as the best in their category or the best in show generally. You can find a catalogue detailing all the 100 wines that made the cut however, here. 

White Champions:

• Best Cava: Bodegas Pinord Cava +&+ NV, RRP £13.99 

• Best Premium Sparkling: Gramona Argent Brut Nature Rose 2017, RRP £57 

• Best White Over £10: Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca 2021, RRP £12.45 

• Best Premium White: Rioja Vega Tempranillo Blanco Reserva 2019, RRP £49.99 

• Best White Discovery: Soto Manrique La Viña de Ayer Albillo Real 2018, RRP £13.00

• Best Premium Discovery: Estones PX 2019, RRP £26.00 

• Best White of Show: Familia Torres Forcada 2018, RRP £37.99 

Rosado Champion:

• Best Rosado: Bodegas Gordonzello Gurdos 2021, RRP £10.00 

Red Champions:

• Best Red Under £10: Bodega Casas de Moya Gloria 2020, RRP £9.50

• Best Red Discovery: Bodega Binigrau Bi-Negre 2017, RRP £15 

• Best Red Over £10: Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro Laderas del Norte 2020, RRP £18.77

• Best Premium Red: Conde Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos 2019, RRP £25.75 

• Best Sweet Wine: Bodegas Monovar Fondillón 1996, RRP £66.50 

• Best Dry Fortified: Fernando de Castilla Antique Oloroso NV, RRP: £34 

• Best Sweet Fortified: Fernando de Castilla Classic Pedro Ximénez NV, RRP £22

• Best White of Show: Familia Torres Forcada 2018, RRP £37.99 

• Best Red of Show: Conde Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos 2019, RRP £25.75 

See what Helena tasted this week with Mike Graham on talkTV here!

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 82

Another week, another exciting episode of the Bring a Bottle podcast to listen in to! This week we’re joined by special third drinker guest, Romy Gill, as we talk about her gorgeous gin and brand new book, a new breed of spirit from Holyrood Distillery and Aidy’s BBC Radio 4 documentary 'The Truth About Tourette's'. Listen in via the player below today!

What’s in our glass?

This week we’re looking at some great mixers for gin and we’ve picked up Franklin & Sons Elderflower and Cucumber tonic. Elderflower and cucumber are really complementary flavours for many types of gin and we found this to be the case here too. The cucumber was the stand-out flavour at first with a subtle hint of elderflower that came out more in the glass as time went on making for a very refreshing and floral G&T.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £17.50 (for 24 bottles)

Drinks News

Helena has spotted an interesting event taking place this Summer, Wetherspoons 11hr bus pub crawl! The boozy experience is £22, includes breakfast, lunch and booze and will take you to 7 venues between Southport and Blackpool all with the aim of uniting solo drinkers and giving them a chance to make friends. Listen in to find out more!

Personal News

Aidy has some big news this week as he has launched a documentary on BBC Radio 4 called ‘The Truth about Tourette’s’. Aidy himself has Tourette’s Syndrome and he is very eager to share the true facts and figures about the condition and to let people know that Tourette’s can be a superpower and not a burden. Listen in as he interviews people with the condition as well as his friends and family to give you a truthful insight into what living with Tourette’s is like.

Third Drinker

This week we are joined in the studio by the fantastic Romy Gill MBE. Romy is a chef, author and broadcaster whose specialty is Indian cuisine with a British twist. Listen in to hear us chat all about her latest book, her Mango, Ginger and Lime gin and her guilty food and drink pleasure!

Drinker’s Discovery

We taste test a new breed of spirit from Holyrood Distillery, enter ‘Strong Water’. Essentially new make, it is made with certain types of heritage barley. We tried ‘Charmed Circle’ made from Golden Promise barley, it has notes of orchid fruits and a bitter sweet finish of dark chocolate and liquorice. We reckon it would work a treat with Franklin and Sons Rosemary and Olive mixer!

If you’ve enjoyed this summary, make sure you tune in to hear more about our ‘word of the week’, the cheeky antics of two rival beer distilleries and more…

8 Fantastic Gins to Gift this Father’s Day

Words by Leigh Andrews

Whether your Dad is the chief cook and bottle washer, head gardener, family taxi driver or the world’s best storyteller, they all have one thing in common, they love to feel appreciated! With this fantastic selection of gins we’ve picked out he most definitely will, so step away from the socks and check out these little beauties!

Keepr’s Honey Infused Gin

This is a gardening and nature lover’s dream tipple! This classic multi-award winning London Dry is delicately infused with 100% pure British honey, supporting our British beekeepers. The absolutely stunning honeycomb design bottle is made from 50% recycled glass and even the label is made from recycled paper. It is full of those gorgeous light, sweet, floral honey flavours, juniper, a hint of vanilla, citrus, and a wonderful kick of spiciness. Try the perfect serve of lots of ice, premium tonic and a sprig of rosemary or even neat over ice with a squeezed wedge of lemon to perfectly balance that sweetness.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.00

Abingdon Single Malt Barrel-Aged Gin

Nope, we haven’t accidentally put a whisky in the mix, but if your Dad loves a ‘wee nip’ he will LOVE this! A multi-gold medal award winner, this gin is aged for a secret length of time in Speyside single malt whisky casks. The casks themselves were originally sherry casks, then used to mature single malt whisky for over 10 years so this imparts incredible flavours in this gin. Light woody notes, warming fruity spice, caramel and juniper make this a taste sensation. Enjoy with ginger ale, neat like a whisky or it is excellent in a martini!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Dà Mhìle Organic Seaweed Gin

This is a SPECTACULAR Welsh savoury gin. Infused with organic seaweed from Cornwall after distillation, and with several garden herb botanicals used in producing this gin, they are all stars in their own right…just like your Dads are! Without losing its dry juniper base this gin evokes memories of day trips to the seaside, with that salinity on the palate, or sitting relaxing in the garden with aromas of fresh mint and garden herbs. This gin is just gorgeous as a G&T with a slice of lemon/rosemary or an olive. We were even recommended, by a Welsh mixologist nonetheless, to try it with a pickled onion (tell your Dad it’s an actual onion, pickled onion crisps will not do!) which worked fabulously and set it right up for a gorgeous Gibson Martini! 

Size: 50ml, 350ml and 700ml 
ABV: 42%
Find here: £28.80 (smaller sizes available directly from Dà Mhìle )

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

If your Dad loves a great story along with a great gin he will love this! The story goes that this gin was originally created by Royal Air Force Wing Commander Montgomery “Monty” Collins, who, after WW2, helped rebuild Berlin Zoo where he sponsored an Egret Monkey named Max. After moving to the Black Forest he ran a guesthouse producing his own gin, using the natural abundance of botanicals and juniper in the area. At the turn of the century during renovations of the house a box containing an ingredients list and an old dusty bottle of gin was found, with a hand-drawn label saying “Max the Monkey-Schwarzwald Dry Gin”. Containing 47 botanicals and at 47% ABV, it was renamed Monkey 47! A complex, beautifully smooth, refreshing gin, it’s perfect in a gin and tonic, with lots of ice and a slice of orange and can hold its own in any Martini!

Size: UK 500ml // US 375ml
ABV: 47%
Find Here: UK £36.99 // USA from $46.99

Upperhand Irish Craft Gin

Those sport loving Dads may be interested to know that this gin, in its beautifully stylish ocean blue bottle, was co-founded by Italian Judo Champion Alberto Borin. On meeting Alberto he is as passionate about this gin, which he produces with his wife Claudia, as he is about sport. It isn't surprising then that this new gin on the block has a massive Mediterranean influence with Sicilian lemon, dill and basil taking centre stage to the juniper. They are, in fact, the only botanicals in this intriguing spirit. A truly distinctive gin, distilled in Ireland, this is definitely one for the herb lovers and tastes absolutely delicious with a good quality tonic garnished with a slice of lemon or a few basil leaves, just leave the judo moves to Alberto!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.00

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin

If your Dad likes his gins with more punch than pinch then this is the gin you’ve been looking for! This multi-award winning Australian beaut is distilled at a whopping 58.8% ABV but still manages to retain an incredibly smooth mouthfeel as well as superb flavour intensity. Distilled with finger limes it retains incredible fresh citrus with all of the warmth of ginger and earthy turmeric in the mix. A gin like this is perfect for cocktails, so your Dad can pretend he is James Bond to his heart’s content and ask for a ‘shaken not shtirred’ in his best Sean Connery impersonation!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 58.8%
Find here: UK £42.00

Templar Spirit Daniel Hooper Lion Edition

We have featured the exemplary Templar Spirit Gin before, with their previous Limited edition hand finished Joker bottle by renowned British artist Daniel Hooper. As if by fate, this one is perfect timing for those avid collector Dads out there! The bottle’s label features an incredible depiction of a lion in Hooper’s distinctive style and contains their classic smooth, lightly sweet London Dry Gin. This time not only are there just 50 bottles but some of them will be a surprise Navy Strength edition! Founded by an ex-Matelot and Royal Marine Commando, a percentage of all sales will be donated to military charities to support veterans and their families.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40% or 57%
Find here: £100.00

Tayport Distillery Scots Pine Gin

A beautifully stylish, elegant bottle of gin, distilled, bottled and labelled on-site at Tayport Distillery. Inspired by the stunning coastline of Fife and the local Tentsmuir Forest this gin is a soft bed of pine needles underfoot, the smell of the fir trees and fallen wood. A gorgeously flavourful gin, with eight botanicals of Juniper, Scots Pine, Coriander, Cassia, Cardamom, Orange Peel, Angelica and Almond. This wonderfully warm, citrus gin is perfect for the Dads who love a bit of spice in their life and perfect to sit down, glass in hand in front of the fire with, after a long country walk with the family. Serve with either premium light tonic and a slice of orange, or with premium ginger ale and a slice of orange.

Size: 200ml and 500ml
ABV: 40% 
Find here: £15.00 - £25.00

Alnwick Sloe Gin

Sloe gin is for life, not just for Christmas! This stunning bottle of Sloe gin from award-winning Northumberland Spirit Co. is perfect. It’s not only fantastic for those Dads who love a little after-dinner Port but how about a gorgeous summer cocktail with Prosecco while the barbecue is on! It’s a beautiful combination of Northumbrian sloes, natural sloe concentrate perfectly blended with their fabulous Alnwick gin creating a delicious gin bursting with fruit flavours and warmth. Try it neat, with a crisp, cold Prosecco or pack a jug with summer fruits, cucumber, mint, ice and cloudy lemonade and create your own Summer refresher! Dad’s barbecues will be taken to another level!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: £29.00

If you’re looking for a different sort of gift for Dad then we have plenty of suggestions in this wine and spirits gift guide or you can find plenty more tasty treats here.

Great Wine and Spirits to Gift this Father's Day

Words by Colin Hampden-White

With so many choices of premium sparkling wine and Champagne on the market, I wanted to highlight two I’ve had recently. One traditional, and one non-alcoholic and from England. Both excellent. I have also found some amazing rum, cocktail pouches, a big, luscious, marvellous Malbec, and a couple of gins, one with sweet pineapple and ginger because dads like sweet things too!

Roger Daltray

I first tasted this on release before the pandemic. It was released for The Who on their 50th anniversary and having tasted it again a few days ago, I am pleased I thought so much of it in 2019, because I am still hugely impressed. Sometimes when a celebrity has a bottle made for them, it can go horribly wrong, and the juice in the bottle isn’t that good, but in this instance it is excellent. The design is also excellent giving the impression of a premium product yet not being overly showy. The design holds onto the brand identity of The Who well. The Champagne itself made by Charles Orban, has finesse and intensity. Made with 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, there is good complexity with lots of citrus notes and hints of vanilla and brioche. A percentage of the price of each bottle goes to Teen Cancer America too so should you find yourself with your hands on a bottle, you can sip knowing you are doing good.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £95

Wild Idol

A little while ago I tried and very much liked the Wild Idol Rosé, and the white takes off where that left off. There is the same elegance of fruit and balanced acidity giving a satisfying drink, not too acidic like a lot of sparkling wine and not too sweet. Lots of floral aromas and delicate fruit give elegance. This is the second time I’ve tried a non-alcoholic sparkling and thought it benefited from not having any alcohol and the first time was its pink sibling. Bravo Wild Idol!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0.0%
Find here: £35

 

Santiago de Cuba 11 Years Old Extra Añejo

11 years old is old for a tropically aged rum. So when one comes along from one of the best Cuban brands one expects it to be very good, and this is certainly that. It’s rich with lots of fruity esters and brown sugar flavours which perfectly balance each other, there is huge complexity with pineapple, and spices including cinnamon and cumin. A little banana and caramel and a touch of black cracked pepper on the finish. A decadent rum perfect for decadent dads.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.83

Luigi Bosca | Malbec Selección de Vistalba 2020

This is a stonking wine for the price. Wines from Argentina are always good value as they are subsidised for the UK market but this wine punches way above its price mark. It’s a big rich wine with lots of red fruit and floral aromas and dark fruit flavours. There is some spice and liquorice too. It is drinking now but will certainly age for at least 5 years and is a perfect wine to serve up with a big steak or a hearty bean casserole. You might want to pick up two bottles though because once dad gets a taste we’re not sure he’ll want to share!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £16.99

MYXD Dad Box

A box full of cocktails! What’s not to like? Well, not a lot really. Finally, cocktail pouches are delivering very good cocktails akin to one you would receive from a good bartender, and in a lot of cases even better. I’ve been served some pretty dodgy cocktails in my time, and with these pouches not only do you get a good cocktail, but you also get them consistently. Super for sharing and easy to put together. Literally, chill add soda to some and pour. What could be easier?!

In the box:

Long Island Iced Tea where they have combined Flor de Caña 4 year old white rum with vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, sugar syrup, organic citric acid, lemon bitters and cola reduction.

Smoked Banana Colada combining coconut rum, single cream, banana syrup, coconut syrup and smoky Scotch whisky.

Pinapple & Jalapeno Mai Tai where Flor de Caña 7 Gran Reserva Rum is the star of the show, accompanied by triple sec, jalapeno syrup, orgeat, organic citric acid and pineapple juice.

Popcorn Old Fashioned mixing Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, popcorn syrup and fragrant Angostura bitters.

Penicillin combining Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with Smokehead peated single malt whisky, ginger and honey syrups, organic citric acid and lemon bitters.

If you wanted to you could add garnishes like orange for the Old Fashioned or Pineapple leaves for the Colada, they make them look pretty, but if you can’t be bothered, they are still going to taste great.

Size: 100ml - 150ml
ABV: 13.7% - 26.5%
Find here: £28.95

 

Bullards Pineapple, Ginger and Lime Gin

Pineapple is a flavour I would normally associate with rum rather than gin, but in this case, it works beautifully giving tropical sweetness to balance the lime and the ginger that comes through to give a little heat and spice. The gin is very smooth and makes a very good G&T, but where it shines for me is with ginger ale. Again, something I’d normally mix with rum or whisky, but with this gin, it makes a great spicy long drink and remains fresh which is perfect for this time of year.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40

Lind and Lime Gin

A gin with a very nautical feel. This is the first spirit to come from the Port of Leith distillery in Edinburgh and is inspired by Dr James Lind who came from Edinburgh. He noticed that patients who had scurvy and were eating citrus fruits were showing good signs, which explains the lime in the gin, and how we know how to cure scurvy today. Not that I think there is enough lime in the gin to cure scurvy! But it certainly tastes good. The cap label says there are flavours of lime, pink peppercorn and juniper, and that’s the perfect tasting note for this gin. It literally “does what it says on the tin”, and with 44% abv, those flavours are delivered effortlessly. My gin of the moment, and a perfect dad day present for a gin loving dad.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.95

If you still don’t feel like you’ve found the perfect present, have a browse through our wine and spirits pages as they’re packed full of delicious drinks to try!

The Three Drinkers in Ireland Wins Award for ‘Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism’

The Three Drinkers are delighted to announce that their TV series The Three Drinkers in Ireland has won the award for ‘The Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism’ at The Drinks Business Awards 2022.

What are The Drinks Business Awards?

The Drinks Business Awards is an annual, global competition that recognises and rewards the work of top performers across the international drinks industry over the previous twelve months.  Now in its 20th year, it is one of the most trusted and internationally respected awards in the drinks industry. 

Helena Nicklin from The Three Drinkers says “We are delighted to have been recognised for this award as it is all about what we set out to do, which is bring a new audience to wine and spirits through travel, food and tourism rather than just appeal to a drinks niche.”

Who are The Three Drinkers?

The Three Drinkers are drinks experts, writers and broadcasters Helena Nicklin and Aidy Smith, joined by a deliciously diverse revolving roster of ‘third drinker’ guests. As well as this, their second Amazon Three Drinkers TV series, they also produce the popular ‘Bring a Bottle’ podcast, run the drink, travel and lifestyle-focused online magazine thethreedrinkers.com and have a growing social media/influencer presence (@thethreedrinkers @HelenaSips @Sypped).

More about The Three Drinkers in Ireland

The Three Drinkers in Ireland is an aspirational, gastronomic journey through the picturesque island of Ireland. Drinks experts Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin with special guests Beth Brickenden and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede explore a variety of Irish drinks, from whiskey, gin and poitín to cider and Irish cream, take a deep dive into Ireland’s incredible food scene and showcase some traditional activities such as bog snorkelling, cheesemaking, eel fishing and Irish dancing.

The Three Drinkers returned to our screens in March this year with a brand new, six-part series on Amazon Prime called ‘The Three Drinkers in Ireland’.

Mara Barrat from Bord Bia says “Ireland is renowned for producing high quality, sustainable food and drink. So, it is really important that we work with the right partners to showcase this to the world. Working with The Three Drinkers was excellent as through their global reach, production expertise and innovative production style, we are able to demonstrate the premium quality and sustainability of Irish produce and furthermore tell the story of the passion, love and craftsmanship of Irish food and drink producers. We are also very excited about what this series will do for Irish food and drinks tourism."

Julie Wakley, Head of GB at Tourism Ireland says: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to work with The Three Drinkers, to create this exciting new series. With many people set to watch the series on Amazon Prime and beyond, it promises to be a great way to shine a spotlight on Ireland’s great food and drink offering, rich culture and spectacular landscapes.”

Episodes 1-5 of The Three Drinkers in Ireland are currently available in 160 countries and territories across the globe with Episode 6, in which Colin Hampden-White also appears, airing imminently. The episodes will also be available on major airlines and in China from Summer 2022. You can watch The Three Drinkers in Ireland here.

Judges quotes

The “all-embracing, global TV coverage had a “bigger reach” than other entries in the category.” Aside from its phenomenal reach, judges admired the producers’ tenacity in getting the show made. One said: “It’s not an easy thing to sell around the world. They should be applauded for their hard work in getting this made. There’s not enough booze on telly…”