The UK’s First Urban Winery Has Now Got Its Own Vineyard

London Cru, the UK's first urban winery, has taken a bold leap forward by acquiring Foxhole Vineyard in West Sussex, situated just a stone's throw away from the renowned Bolney Estate. If you’re not familiar with London Cru, then let us recap their story so far because they’re doing some very exciting things in the world of UK wine.

Tucked away down a SW6 alleyway is an old Victorian warehouse. Once used for gin production, Cliff Roberson eyed it up for a new lease of life in 2013 and despite being in central London, it was to become the UK’s first urban winery. But that’s not the only thing making London Cru stand out…

With a focus on crafting top-quality still wines, London Cru sets itself apart from the rest of the UK's winemakers. While vineyards are sprouting up across the country and producing incredible fizz, few have this same unwavering dedication to still wines.

Whilst they have been using European grapes from the likes of Languedoc-Roussillon and Piedmont, this acquisition of Foxhole Vineyard lays down an ambitious marker as they aim to trail-blaze the quality and variety of still wines being produced in the UK – we love to see it!

Located less than 50 miles away from their urban winery, Foxhole Vineyard perfectly aligns with London Cru's innovative spirit. The vineyard boasts 20,000 vines, predominantly Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, accompanied by a small pocket of Bacchus. This idyllic vineyard, with its south-facing hillside offering stunning views of the South Downs, is a testament to London Cru's commitment to the mission.

By controlling every stage of production from grape to glass, London Cru and Head Winemaker Alex Hurley aims to create a homegrown and unique British winemaking experience to replicate English Sparkling Wine’s newfound place on the international stage.  Very exciting times indeed!

10 Amazing Drinks to Celebrate Pride 2023 and Beyond!

Whoop whoop! Pride Month is here! Now, whilst there are a tonne of companies plastering rainbows on drinks, we want to shout out those that have been going the extra mile and those that have been there from the start. This is how you toast Pride in style...

GIN

Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin

Fresh from sunny Seville comes Puerto de Indias with their naturally flavoured Strawberry Gin. They’re one of the main brands flying the flag for not only Pride but Spanish gin also, becoming a worldwide name. Rather than being a limited run for Pride, this is an unlimited edition, flying the rainbow flag 365 days a year!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £26.63

Spirit of Stonewall Gin

We love giving Stonewall a shout-out because they do so much for the LGBTQIA+ community all year round. Family run from Skegness, their retelling of the Stonewall Riots history weaved throughout their branding as well as donating £1 from every bottle all year is what we like to see. Oh, and did we mention their gins are delicious too?! This London Dry is so well put together with juniper-forward elegance, supported by cardamom, orange, liquorice, tangy coastal berries, and buckthorn.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38

VODKA

Crystal Head Pride Edition

Without a doubt the most theatrical bottle on the market, this is Crystal Head’s Pride edition. As well as being its own rainbow painted décor piece, part of the sales also goes to the Kaleidoscope Trust which does great work human rights work across the world. Inside the skull you’ll find four times distilled Canadian corn vodka using pure local waters and Herkimer diamond filtration. The complete package.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £48.49 // US $39.99

Absolut Rainbow 2.0

Absolut have long been involved in Pride, and this year they’re celebrating the ‘families you choose’ – the people we share our lives with who often play pivotal and supporting roles in LGBTQ+ journeys. The striking rainbow bottle is a permanent part of the Absolut collection showcasing their original vodka which also picked up huge praise against much more expensive rivals at recent Vodka Awards.

Size: UK 700ml // US 1L
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £19.95 // US $26.98

WHISKEY

Still Austin Whiskey Company

One for our American readers, Still Austin Whiskey Co hold a Pride pop up each year in association with the Austin Flea LGBTQ market. The event not only offers up incredible whiskey cocktails, but also supports over 30 local businesses in a day of shopping, fundraising, drinking, and partying. Their beautifully packaged offerings include Straight Bourbon, Straight rye whiskey, Cask Strength Bourbon and even an American Gin!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 49.2%
Find here: $46.99

WINE

Digby Fine English

Jason Humphries and Trevor Clough were exploring Seattle wineries when they decided to return to the UK and bring English fizz to the luxury market. Years later and Digby is one of the finest examples of English bubbles around, outperforming Champagne in blind tastings. What better way to raise a glass to diversity?

Size: 500ml
ABV: Various
Find here: From £35

Madame F

Madame F is a creative collaboration with Queer Britain who are a charity organisation aiming to create the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum. The entire collections are inspired by the community they represent, full of pride, passion, and pizazz. We want to shout out their Rosé this time, which is stunningly fresh, light, and juicy.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £9

CANNED DRINKS

LUV JUS

Inspired by the magic of Tel Aviv Pride 2016, George and Owen went from housemates to business partners by launching this healthy vodka craft-pop. The Great Taste awards have already lauded them for their natural, healthy vegan-friendly and gluten-free expressions, of which there are three! Pineapple, mint, jasmine and Korean ginseng, as well as blood orange, pomegranate and Korean ginseng both with a splash of vodka, and finally, raspberry, cucumber, lime, Korean ginseng and gin!

Size: 150ml
ABV: 4.6%-4.8%
Find here: 6 for £14.95

BEER

PROUD

Simply put, every time you choose PROUD, 20p goes to an LGBTQI+ charity partner, raising over £20,000 so far. Bravo! A dedicated beer brand to support charities all year long rather than, “slapping a rainbow flag on their brand once a year and pretending they cared” as founders Ethan and Sören put it. PROUD LGBTQIPA is a charming citrus and elderflower IPA that tastes stunningly fresh and dreamy, and if you want more cases of gems like this you can join their Loyal Hunny group to get top-notch discounts.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.1%
Find here: £28 for 12

COCKTAILS

Tom Savano

Tom Savano cocktails do some really great work, not just in the masterful creation of their artisanal small-batch cocktails, but also in organic sourcing, Fairtrade ingredients and this Cosmopolitan Pride mix. Not only does the cocktail have its roots in the 1980s Cleveland gay scene, but it also starts Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, which is named after the gay icon and artist. Chill it and it’s ready to go!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £27

Want some ready-to-drink cocktails to celebrate more? Check out our favourites here!

Emma Watson Releases Wine-Inspired Gin

Whilst this may be the latest in a long line of A-list side hustles to enter the drinks arena, Emma Watson’s new Renais is in fact more familiar ground for her than you might expect.

Launched with brother Alex who boasts ten years in the industry, the two have revisited the region where their father Chris has owned vineyards for decades, Chablis… but not to make wine, to make gin!

The base spirit going into Renais is created from distilled grape skins and lees, many of which are grown on the family’s own vineyard. The botanical run down of Chablis Grand Cru grapes, linden flowers, cubeb berries and acacia honey are certainly striking for a gin, as is the focus on terroir.

At the launch, Alex commented on this process, saying, ‘I wanted to do something that no one had ever done: to capture the essence of a specific terroir, the uniqueness of Chablis, by drawing on the traditions, techniques and ingredients from the land, and embodying those characteristics in a gin.’

Meaning ‘rebirth’, the name Renais also hints at the sustainability behind the gin. Not only are reclaimed grape skins a centre stage botanical, but the stills are solar powered, the packaging is biodegradable mushroom, and any carbon emissions left are offset – something that has been officially certified by Climate Partner.

With expert wine production running through the family, a clear sustainable terroir-led vision, beautiful packaging and crucially, a deliciously modern, floral and vibrant gin, this is a celebrity-fronted drink that’s easy to get behind.

A limited inaugural run has been launched in May, with future batches coming in June priced at £45 for a 700ml bottle, and available direct from the Renais site, where you can also find some rather tasty looking cocktail concoctions made with it.

The New Trio of Pub Snack Flavoured Beers

We all know that pub snacks and beer are a legendary combination, but one brewery is taking that marriage further than ever before.

Initially floated as an April Fool’s Day suggestion, Independent Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk has committed to their trio of beers inspired by iconic pub snacks. Like scampi fries in the pub? How about Scampi & Lemon Pale Ale? Or if that doesn’t take your fancy, perhaps the Pork Scratching Best Bitter, or Dry Roasted Peanut Stout?

The idea was born out of a workplace debate over the ultimate pub snack, co-founder Russel Bisset describes, “The ultimate pub snack is one of our favourite topics around the brewery; we even ran a tournament on our Instagram to see what other people think and try and settle the debate – pretzel pieces won. Brian Dickson, our Technical Director and Co-Founder, decided we should try and replicate some of our favourites in a beer.” I guess pretzel pieces just didn’t work out!

Whilst the beers are available for a short while on Northern Monk’s website, the real spirit of this creation is in supporting the pubs. Be it inflation, the pandemic or a whole host of other issues, the Great British pub has struggled over the last decade, so the 22 pubs stocking these limited-edition beers will keep the profits as part of the Faith in Boozers campaign. Whether your mouth is watering at the thought of one of the concoctions, or you’re just intrigued, check to see if there is a pub near you below:

Aperol Spritz and Nuggets: The Perfect Cocktail and Comfort Food Pairing

Since its arrival in 2011, Aperol Spritz has established a sun-soaked spot in the hearts of British drinkers. The iconic Italian aperitivo can be seen glistening amongst groups of friends socialising outdoors as we welcome in the much-needed warmer months… and now it has the food pairing to complete that occasion!

Uniting with, NUGS, the UK’s first dedicated gourmet nugget specialists, the two have created three delicious pairings to enjoy alongside one another. Simple and comforting food is more popular than ever, and the humble chicken nugget is surely the king of that, but these aren’t any old nuggets.

Aperol’s unique bittersweet flavour is offset by three new Italian-inspired creations. ‘Life is butter with garlic’, ‘Mozzar-hella good NUGS’, and ‘Simply the zest’ are available alongside Aperol Spritz from 19th-21st April at their special crossover kiosk in King’s Cross, London. If you’re too late this time around or just situated elsewhere, stop your sobbing and keep your eyes peeled at any festivals and events over the summer instead because they’ll be making an appearance all summer long!

The fun pairing and sharing menu looks as good as it tastes and is stacked with different options from extra sauces to vegan cauliflower nuggets and gluten-free options, so everyone can gather around for a ‘Britalian’ celebration of simple but delicious feasting. It’s not a crossover we expected, but it’s definitely one we’re happy to try.

Jennifer Lopez Reveals 'Delola'

It seems like even J-Lo got bored over lockdown because during that time, with the help of industry veterans Ken Austin and Jenna Fagnan, her business partner Benny Medina and ‘The World’s Best Bartender 2021’ Lynnette Marrero, she was busy brewing up ideas for a new drink.

Addressing her 241 million Instagram followers, her secret project moved from the down-lo to #OnTheJLo – the tagline for her new brand.

Delola is her own new cocktail brand, and their first release comes in the form of natural premium spritzers. If you’re wondering about the name, ‘Lola Lopez’ is her ‘playful and carefree’ alter ego, a spirit she’s embracing with this first fleet of bubbles.

Bella Berry is a vodka, berry and hibiscus mix, Paloma Rosa Spritz uses tequila, grapefruit and elderflower and finally there’s L’Orange Spritz with amaro, orange and passionfruit. Crucially, they involve a plethora of natural botanicals to create a low-calorie, gluten free ready-to-drink mix that’s waiting to come alive over ice. Or as the star herself put it, “better ingredients, better taste, fewer calories than traditional cocktails, and one simple pour” and “easy, fun, fresh and delicious”.

Unusually for many ready-to drink cocktails, each one arrives in a beautiful glass bottle which definitely helps to recreate the experience factor that makes cocktails so special. Priced at $22.99 for 750ml bottles and $11.99 for 375ml bottles, this is a bit of a leap from the affordable on the go cocktail cans we’re used to, and with a deluge of celebrity faced drinks now on the market, it will be interesting to see whether these cocktail spritzers can become a household name just like J-Lo!

The Three Drinkers Return for a Third Series on Amazon Prime!

Award-winning drinks duo Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin return to our screens this May for the third series of their award-winning Amazon Prime travel show, The Three Drinkers, joined by special guest ‘Third Drinkers’ Eddy Temple-Morris and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac follows Aidy and Helena as they embark on a cultural and gastronomic journey in and around the picturesque French region of Cognac.

With a lifestyle-focused approach, the duo takes an unpretentious look at the fabulous spirit of Cognac and other local delights, taking in the people, places and local attractions of the region along the way. In classic Three Drinkers style, they bust the misconceptions about cognac through their lighthearted, on-screen approach, helping the audience discover brand new ways of enjoying this world-class spirit from grape to glass. Ditching outdated balloon glasses and mundane tasting notes, this is a series for those who seek to be inspired and learn through humour, quirky facts and takeaway tidbits of drinks knowledge.

The 2-hour series is made up of 4 x 30 minute episodes in which the Drinkers discover the art of cognac with help from famed houses as Courvoisier and Remy Martin, alongside the world famous orange liqueur of the region, Grand Marnier. They also check out local, pioneering gin makers, Audemus Distillery while discovering the fascinating world of mixers, sodas and tonics with Franklin & Sons.

Throughout the series, the team takes a deep dive into highballs and cocktails based on occasion, discover the unique dishes of the region, try their hand at water sports, chocolate crafting, shoemaking, beekeeping, become hotel waiters/waitresses and even collect botanicals from deep within the Charentais wilderness for their own locally inspired gin.

“We like to look at drinks through a lifestyle lens, showcasing these stunning sips in a relaxed, unintimidating setting,” says Helena.

“One of the most important aspects of this series is to highlight that cognac doesn’t belong at the back of your grandparent’s cupboard and we’ll be exploring a number of simple serves and cocktails that the audience can create from the comfort of their homes or be inspired to order the next time they’re at a cocktail bar,” Aidy adds.

The Third Drinkers

This series welcomes Virgin Radio presenter and Persian foodie fanatic Eddy Temple-Morris alongside a returning appearance for travel presenter, journalist and influencer Eulanda Shead-Osagiede. While Aidy and Helena are tasked with inspiring spirit sceptic Eddy into falling in love with the liquid gold of cognac, Eulanda seeks out some of the hidden, lifestyle gems of the region, setting the duo amusing tasks along the way.

A more diverse representation in drinks

Aidy and Helena have been clear on their goals to enable more diversity and equity into the world of drinks. Aidy is a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ and disability diversity representation as the only TV Presenter in the United Kingdom (and one of a small handful globally) with Tourette Syndrome, battling the stigmas of one of the most misrepresented disabilities in the world. Helena has been well known for her stance on female empowerment within the industry, removing the perception that women only enjoy certain spirits.

“It’s been an ongoing mission to showcase that diversity in drinks is possible and we’re delighted to stand with our partners who have helped us make that a reality in this latest series,” Aidy says.

“The importance of on-screen diverse talent amplifies the narrative that all of our voices matter. The Three Drinkers is a beautiful example of this, looking at the talent within the show and I’m so proud to be a part of that movement., says Eulanda, who is a leading voice within the travel entertainment sphere for BAME talent.

“Three series ago we set out with an aim to create a new travel show with a drinks hook,” Helena says, “Nearly six years on, we’re so happy to see how each project has evolved and we can’t wait to share this latest one with the world.”

This armchair series is packed with fun, memorable moments, helping viewers to create exactly what they see on screen at home while inspiring them to visit the region to see it first hand.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac will launch in mid-May on Amazon Prime in 120 countries and territories, in 9 languages. You can follow The Three Drinkers in the run-up to the show at @TheThreeDrinkers alongside Aidy (@Sypped) and Helena (@HelenaSips).

The New Vodka Made from Peas

Move over potato and wheat, there's a new vodka ingredient in town - peas! That's right, Manchester drinks business Ten Locks has unleashed Pod Pea Vodka that’s making green waves in the sea of spirits.

Unlike other vodkas, Pod Pea Vodka is made using sustainably sourced British peas, which not only imparts distinctive taste but also comes with environmental benefits. Peas are a sustainable crop, requiring less water and fertilizers than other crops typically used for spirits, whilst feeding nitrogen to the soil at the same time. And let's not forget the obvious health benefits of peas, being a good source of protein, fibre, and essential vitamins! The peas are distilled into a neutral grain spirit which is then blended with beautiful Lake District water to create a smooth and refreshing flavour.

But Ten Locks' innovation doesn't stop there. They have also partnered with a London-based eco-startup, to create packaging made from recycled glass and sustainable labelling, making Pod Pea Vodka a truly green product from start to finish.

Don’t let the pea ingredient fool you into thinking it has an off-putting vegetal taste either, far from it. There is a vibrance to the vegetal note that rounds off the more familiar crisp lemon, creamy grain, pepper, and delicate sweetness. For a refreshing summer vodka serve, this will be on point served simply on the rocks, but combining with the likes of mint and cucumber in a Mojito twist would give create a gorgeous natural blend too.

The Pod Pea team have been busy themselves creating cocktails to star their creation, such as the Petit Pois Fizz, Easy Peasy, Pickle Pea Martini, and a take on the classic Bloody Mary – who says red and green should never be seen.

“We launch Pod Pea Vodka confident we’ve prioritised taste, flavour, and an unwavering belief that excellent ingredients can be sourced right here in the UK,” Becky Davies, head of commercial at Ten Locks, said. Sounds good to us.

So, if you're looking for a vodka with a difference or one with an innovative green outlook, give Pod Pea Vodka a try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.45