5 Inspirational South African Women Winemakers

Breaking barriers in what, for a long time, was a male-dominated industry, these South African trailblazers are shaking up the wine world with their innovative and exceptional creations.

There is probably nowhere else on earth with so many fantastic women winemakers in one place, each overcoming obstacles, making their mark on the industry and inspiring the next generation. There really are so many that it’s difficult to choose, but here are five standouts moulding a brighter and more inclusive wine future. Cheers to that!

Amandla - Praisy Dlamini

The beautiful vineyards of the Western Cape are home to Amandla, an all-female all black endeavour at every level of production. Heading it up is a shining star of South African wine, Praisy Dlamini who after completing a degree in Agriculture, studying Afrikaans, completing a 3-year internship at the Cape Winemakers Guild and becoming the first woman CWG Protégée, rose up the ranks of Distell and Anchor Yeast. Then came Amandla, which means power, a vibrant producer that you can now find on UK supermarket shelves.

Amandla Shiraz Zinfandel

A juicy and jammy blend without being overbearingly sweet, this is a fantastic creation. Plum, blackberries, and all with underlying spice fill the silky-smooth mouthfeel and on top of that, it’s also food friendly – particularly with BBQ.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £7.49 (usually more!)

Aslina Wines – Ntsiki Biyela

Ntsiki Biyela's remarkable journey began as South Africa's first black woman winemaker in 2004, taking on a role at Stellekaya Wines. Just five years later, she earned the prestigious title of 2009's Woman Winemaker of the Year – incredible. From humble beginnings, Ntsiki's life took a transformative turn when she received a winemaking scholarship from South African Airways in 1999. Her passion flourished while working with Californian winemaker Helen Kiplinger through the Wine for the World initiative, igniting her ambition to establish her own winery and in 2007, that dream came true when Aslina Wines was born, named after her grandmother, showcasing her talent and fostering transformation and diversity within the South African wine industry.

Aslina Umsasane

A seriously well-structured Bordeaux-style red made to be the centre of attention. Full-bodied dark depths are plush with rich blackberry and plum, and woody spice before a satisfying long finish – the complete package.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £19

Lelie Van Saron - Natasha Williams

Meet Natasha Williams, the talented winemaker behind Lelie Van Saron, her own label nestled within Bosman Family Vineyards as of 2014. From her early days, a perceptive school counsellor saw her winemaking potential, and after completing studies in Oenology at Stellenbosch University, she learnt even more in California and France before venturing out on her own adventure. Natasha's philosophy revolves around a minimal approach, crafting her Chardonnay and Syrah wines with purity, harmony, and balance. Cheers to her delightful and terroir-driven creations!

Lelie van Saron Chardonnay 2020

Vibrant cool climate single vineyard sustainably farmed Chardonnay, with an inviting citrus nose hinting opening up to fresh minerality on the palate, and the perfect touch of toasted oak.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £31

VineVenom - Samantha Suddons

Introducing Samantha Suddons, the fearless winemaker behind the boldly named VineVenom! Her journey in winemaking started at just 21 when she moved to South Africa. After mastering her craft with the Cape Wine Academy and Wine and Spirits Education Trust, Samantha honed her skills at renowned wineries like Mullineux and Reyneke, the latter of which made a lasting impression on her as she became inspired by low-intervention, biodynamic, and organic practices.

Shining Rosé

Carignan which spent 7 months under flor yeast and Touriga Nacional contribute equal parts to this extremely complex Rose, showing instant saline notes swept away by a bouqet of rose petals, red apples, cherries, strawberries and gentle herbs. Such a fresh and vibrant feel with way more going on than just red fruits.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: R180 (Only in South Africa but it’s around £8)

Carmen Stevens Wines- Carmen Stevens

Meet Carmen Stevens, the unstoppable force behind Carmen Stevens Wines – South Africa's first 100% black-owned winery! In the apartheid-era, she roared to be heard, fighting prejudice to pursue her winemaking dream. Medals came thick and fast for her wines, but despite this she wasn’t able to get a bank overdraft to launch her own business. After blazing a trail as head winemaker at Amani Vineyards, Carmen finally fulfilled her dream by starting her own venture in 2011. With sheer passion and determination, she's won countless awards, including being voted Winemaker of the Decade! Her wines are a true reflection of her commitment to quality and detail, with hand-picked grapes and individual attention to each vineyard block. She even does incredible charity work on the side – what an inspiration.

Catoria Shiraz

This is a Shiraz that stands out from traditional styles, showing off Durbanville and Stellenbosch terroir simultaneously. Jammy fruits galore, wafts of smoke and hints of peppery spice make every sip intriguing and all in all, it’s a characterful full on Shiraz that’s easy to love.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £13.99

Of course, it’s not just South Africa producing the inspirational women of wine, so have a read through others from across the world here.

Best Boxed Wines to Get in For Christmas

It's been fantastic to see how far boxed wine has come. Gone are the days of it being student hangover juice because the technology has improved, and top producers now trust boxes to house their wine. Hooray!

If you’ve got people over, or you’re just fed up with throwing away leftover wine, then these boxes last for much longer, and they’re also a much greener way to package wine... and they work out cheaper per bottle! What’s not to like?

Best Boxed Red Wine

Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet

This is a lovely box of dry Aussie Shiraz Cabernet, brimming with lofty, bright plum fruits and rich with dark chocolate, coffee, and a little spice on the finish. Not only that, but Banrock do great environmental work, planting 100,000 native trees every year.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £19.50 (£6.50 per 750ml)

Terre di Faiano Rosso IGP Puglia Organic

This Italian red catches the eye with its gorgeous blue tube packaging, and the liquid inside doesn’t let it down. It’s super juicy and full-bodied, absolutely brimming with very ripe dark berries, fragrant vanilla, and cocoa dusted dried fruits. For a sweeter, flavoursome boxed red, this is fantastically easy drinking and also cheese-friendly – particularly the salty stuff.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £22.39 (usually more!) (£7.47 per 750ml)

Laylo Lot #10 Malbec

Laylo probably make the best-looking boxed wines on the market, perfect for sprucing up a Christmas countertop. But this isn’t a display piece, what does the actual wine taste like? You normally associate Malbec with rich Argentinian bottles, or more disciplined French varieties, but this is Spanish! Soaking up all that heat, you get a silky smooth expression delighting with ripe plum, mulberries and blueberries, as well as the signature cocoa from Argentinian styles.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £34.99 (£11.66 per 750ml)

Best Boxed White Wine

Sainsbury's Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Taste the Difference

Rock solid New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc here, produced by Yealands Estate in the Awatere Valley. It’s refreshing and zesty with racy acidity and crisp mineral finish.  

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £20 (£10 per 750ml)

Soave Cantina di Soave

A very pleasant Italian white from the Veneto region, Soave overlaps with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, but with a bit more richness. In this case, there are hints of orchard fruits, bright citrus and a food-friendly dry, crisp quality that makes a great choice for Christmas grazing.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £18.99 (£6.33 per 750ml)

Tállya Radicals Dry Furmint 2022

This classy number uses Furmint, the same grape used in the famous sweet Hungarian wine Tokaji. We’re seeing more and more Furmint wines on supermarket shelves and it’s great to see. This wine is dry, fruity, and mineral, with unique aromatics and hints of honey suckle and pear. The lick of lime coursing through is electrifying too. Start pouring it alongside the cheese boards and you’ll be in Christmas heaven.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £43.32 (£14.44 per 750ml)

Best Boxed Rosé Wine

M&S La Dame En Rose

This is a top everyday Rosé from the Terres du Midi region of South France, with a pleasant bouquet of white flowers and palate teeming with red fruits. It’s a versatile, food-friendly wine that will do well alongside most fish, chicken and salads, so can serve as a steady go-to over the festive period.

Size: 1.5L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £16 (£8 per 750ml)

ASDA Extra Special Pinot Grigio Rose Boxed Wine

You might not be able to see it straight away but start pouring and the delightful ballet-shoe hue is so inviting. This Italian pink balances the key Rosé characteristics so well – the sweet red fruits, and the crisp dryness. It feels light on its feet, but has enough flavour and substance to stay interesting for the entire 3 bottles worth you get.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12%
Find here: £17.95 (£5.98 per 750ml)

These are perfect countertop wine boxes for guests to keep topping up with, but if you’re still on the hunt for special gifts, then you have to take a look at these unique bottles – they’re unforgettable presents.

6 Ukrainian Wines You Really Should Try

Photo Credit: Arsen Fedosenko

What do you know about Ukrainian wine? If I had to guess, probably not much. Unless you’re in the industry, it tends to fly under the radar. But it shouldn't. Ukrainian Riesling won the Grand Prix at the very first Paris Wine Expo in 1900. And that was just the beginning. In 2025, Ukrainian wines brought home four gold medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

At the Villa d'Este Wine Symposium on Lake Como, a blind tasting panel – including none other than the co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and the then head winemaker at Dom Pérignon – placed a Cabernet Sauvignon from Ukrainian producer Shabo ahead of bottles from Bordeaux icons Château Haut-Brion and Château Margaux. So yes, there’s definitely something going on here.

What are Ukraine’s Ancient Wine Roots?

Photo Credit: Arsen Fedosenko

Winemaking likely arrived in what is now Ukraine even before the Greeks did. Archaeologists in Crimea have found Vitis vinifera seeds, the kind used for making wine, dating back to the 8th century BCE. (And in case you didn’t know: the grapes we drink and the grapes we eat are not the same species.)

By the 1st century BCE, wine was being made in what is now western Ukraine, and Roman poet Ovid name-checked wines from the Black Sea region. In the Middle Ages, winemaking flourished in Kyiv’s monasteries before expanding west toward Lviv and east into the steppes. Ukrainian Cossack leaders – hetmans – were known to enjoy a good bottle. Mazepa, a baroque-era hetman whose sabre is on display at the Tower of London this summer, had an enviable wine cellar. His successor, Kyrylo Rozumovsky, imported over 30,000 vine cuttings in an effort to establish a large-scale vineyard.

By the 19th century, Ukraine was very much part of Europe’s wine boom. Local wine cellars (then also a term for wine bars) were praised by the likes of Mark Twain and Honoré de Balzac. At the first Paris World Expo, Ukrainian wines won the Grand Prix and several gold medals.

Soviet Setbacks and a Winemaking Revival

Then came the Soviet regime. The 1930s Holodomor (Stalin’s man-made famine) devastated rural life and wiped out much of the viticultural landscape. The repression of experts followed, and then Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign in the 1980s brought another blow: mass destruction of vineyards and near extinction of many indigenous grape varieties.

Things started to change after independence in 1991. Ukrainian winemakers began investing in quality production. A 2018 law legalising small-scale winemaking was a turning point, unleashing a wave of independent producers, wine bars, and festivals.

What Makes Ukrainian Wine Unique?

Photo Credit: Arsen Fedosenko

Today, Ukraine’s wine scene is rich and varied – with family estates, urban wineries, organic farms, and a thriving spirit of experimentation. Consultants from Burgundy and Bordeaux lend expertise. Growers are exploring amphora ageing, pét-nats, skin-contact whites, and frost-resistant PIWI varieties. Climate change has shifted vineyard zones northward, and Ukrainian wines are earning praise from critics like Jancis Robinson and Oz Clarke.

You’ll find familiar grapes like Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and less common varieties like Saperavi, Pinotage, and Albariño. Aligoté, the high-acid darling of Burgundy, known for its notes of lime and fennel, grows beautifully here. Indigenous grapes and local crossings include Telti-Kuruk, Sukholimansky White, and Odesa Black. Others, sadly, remain in Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.

In Zakarpattia, western Ukraine, Hungarian and Austrian influences are noticeable, though the region has its own unmistakable voice. They make everything from herbal-infused wines to ice wines and luscious dessert bottles – an echo of the area’s rich tea and foraging culture.

The full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 was catastrophic. Many wineries and vineyards were shelled, looted, mined, or occupied. The historic Prince Trubetskoi winery (a Grand Prix winner in Paris in 1900) was destroyed. So was the Hostomel glass factory, leaving many producers without bottles. Many winemakers and wine professionals joined the army or focused on volunteer work to support Ukraine’s defence.

And yet, even during shelling, blackouts, and active combat, Ukrainian winemakers harvested and bottled the 2022 vintage. It’s become a symbol of resilience. Despite everything, Ukrainian wines are now exported to over 20 countries. They’re made under unimaginable conditions, but they are still being made.

This entire industry runs on passion, grit, and the unwavering determination to show the world what Ukrainian wine can do. And the world is taking notice. In 2024, six Masters of Wine from different countries gathered to blind-taste nearly 100 Ukrainian wines and choose the ones with the most potential and international appeal.

Their final verdict was a curated list of 24 wines that speak to Ukraine’s winemaking present and future - four of which we’ll highlight below.

So where should you start? Last Christmas, Wines of Ukraine launched a campaign called Just One Bottle, encouraging people to try just a single Ukrainian wine. The message still holds. Pick one. That might be all it takes to keep going.

Villa Tinta Sukholimansky White 2024

Top 12 Ukrainian Wines of 2024

You may not have heard much about Bessarabia, the southern Ukrainian region, nestled near Moldova, but your glass is about to change that. The family-run Villa Tinta winery sits on the shores of Lake Yalpuh, where vineyards soak up sun, sea breezes, and Danube air. The estate bottles under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), meaning strict quality standards apply – and to make sure, they’ve got their own certified lab right on-site.

This wine is made from Sukholimansky White – a Ukrainian-born grape sometimes called Odesa White. It’s a 20th-century crossing of Chardonnay and the Moldovan variety Plavai, created by local viticulturalists. While it’s often used for skin-contact (aka orange) wines thanks to its generous body, here it’s all fresh, floral elegance.

The nose is pure summer: ripe pear, wildflowers, honey. The palate opens with grapefruit, white peach, a sprig of mint, and a delicate hint of sea air. Start solo, then experiment – it pairs beautifully with buffalo mozzarella bruschetta, delicate white fish, or even artichokes (no easy feat).

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £14.80 (Ukrainian Wine Company)

Beykush Artania Rosé 2022

This one comes with a backstory worthy of its own docuseries. Beykush Winery began when its founder set out to build a countryside summer house with a wine cellar and got unexpectedly distracted by the grapes instead. Fast forward a decade, and it's now one of Ukraine’s most daring and dynamic producers, winning international awards and earning praise for its unconventional and fearless style.

The vineyards perch on Cape Beykush, a high point above sea level flanked by water on three sides. The terroir is wild, sea-kissed and dramatic – and the wines reflect that energy. Despite being within striking distance of the frontlines, the team presses on, crafting wines that are impossible to replicate anywhere else.

Their rosé is made from Pinot Gris with a dash of Pinot Noir and aged on lees for five months. On the nose: raspberry, juicy watermelon, and wild herbs. On the palate: zingy gooseberry, redcurrants, and a salty sea note that lingers just long enough to make you want another sip.

Pair it with grilled seafood, goat’s cheese, tuna steak, or even roasted pork. It’s confident, characterful, and unapologetically moreish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £18 (Ukrainian Wine Company)

Villa Tinta Odesa Black 2022

Top 24 Ukrainian Wines of 2024

Now for something bold. Odesa Black (aka Alibernet) was born in the 20th century at the Tairov Institute in Odesa – a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet. Originally used for blending, it’s now stepping into the spotlight on its own terms.

And in this solo from Villa Tinta, it absolutely delivers. Aged in bottle and poured deep purple-black (you'd better not spill this on your sofa), it opens with a wild mix of blackberries, aronia, fig, earthiness, and even beetroot and prunes. There’s something unmistakably Ukrainian in its character, like a nod to the country's UNESCO-listed national dish: borshch.

Yet another surprise is in the taste. Despite its power and depth, the texture is velvety, the alcohol restrained, and when lightly chilled (around 14°C), it’s more versatile than you’d think. Try it with duck and prunes, smoky grilled meats – or yes, even a hearty bowl of borshch.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £14.80 (Ukrainian Wine Company)

Beykush Telti-Kuruk 2024

Top 12 Ukrainian Wines of 2024

Meet Telti-Kuruk – a grape with serious survival instincts. It arrived in southern Ukraine some 500 years ago during Ottoman rule, made it through the phylloxera plague, and is now having a well-deserved revival. Its name means “fox tail” in Turkish, a nod to the grape’s long clusters and the coppery tinge of its ripening berries.

The bird on the label isn’t just for decoration; Beykush Winery sits on Europe’s largest bird sanctuary. During harvest, flocks often help themselves to the vineyard’s best grapes. The winemakers joke that whichever variety the birds love most is the one they'll have the least of. Only 900 bottles of this vintage were made.

The wine itself is mineral, herbal, warm, and quietly complex. Think white mulberry, quince, kiwi, and wildflowers, with a vivid, layered finish: sea salt, honey, and a delicate bitter note of apricot pits. It also ages like a dream; we’d love to meet this one again in five years. Pair it with spaghetti alle vongole or roast Basque chicken with rosemary.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £27 (Ukrainian Wine Company)

Beykush Lerici Al Mar Nero 2022

Timorasso, the grape from Piedmont, was nearly extinct by the 1980s until Walter Massa, a maverick winemaker and visionary, brought it back. Thanks to Massa and Beykush’s winemaking consultant, Bisso Atanassov, 1,000 Timorasso vines made it from Italy to Ukraine – the grape’s first European debut outside its homeland.

Tricky to grow, Timorasso demands special treatment. But Beykush likes a challenge. At a 2023 tasting in Portofino, wine experts from across Europe singled out Beykush’s Timorasso - some even named Lerici their favourite of the event.

Now grown near the Black Sea, Timorasso reveals a new side of itself. This vintage – winner of a 2025 Decanter Bronze – is spice-laced and generous. On the nose: dried flowers, honey, and some warm baking spices. On the palate: juicy pears and golden plums, with a silky, rounded finish where vanilla and caramel sneak in (courtesy of ageing on lees in used French oak). Definitely age-worthy, it’s drawing comparisons to Chablis and Riesling.

Serve with grilled fish, creamy risotto, or anything that says "dinner with intention."

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £39 (Ukrainian Wine Company)

Kolonist Bisser Brut

Top 12 Ukrainian Wines of 2024

Founded in the early 2000s by Ivan Plachkov – a descendant of Bulgarian settlers – Kolonist Winery is nestled in the Bessarabia region. This family estate has long focused on quality, and even wine legend Oz Clarke called their work a sign that this region would soon earn its rightful spot on the global wine map.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Plachkov family has hosted evacuees from occupied areas, and one of the winery’s co-owners now serves in Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Through it all, they’ve continued making standout wines – including red blends that can hold their own next to Bordeaux’s best.

Their vineyards share a latitude with Bordeaux and Piedmont, and thanks to south-facing slopes and sunlight bouncing off Lake Yalpuh, the grapes here achieve full, balanced ripeness.

Their Bisser Brut is made from Chardonnay using the traditional method (yes, the same process as Champagne) and aged on lees for three years. It’s clean and elegant, with aromas of pancakes and lemon, white flowers, and hazelnuts. On the palate, you’ll find crisp green apple, tangerine, and a creamy texture with a rich, lingering finish.

Pair with local-style lightly salted Dunaika herring if you can find it. Otherwise, go for smoked salmon or buttery toast with caviar.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £35 (Cellar Door Wines)

Want to Learn More About Ukrainian Wine History?

Before we wrap: if you’re curious about the deeper story behind Ukrainian wine and want to bust a few Soviet-era myths along the way, this book is essential reading: 29 Centuries: Rediscovered History of Wine in Ukraine by Anna Eugenia Yanchenko.

Written by a graduate in cultural studies, sommelier, and wine educator, 29 Centuries digs through 800 historical sources to uncover Ukraine’s true winemaking past – the one erased for decades by Soviet propaganda. "We used to think there was a void in our history where wine culture should be,” she says. “But it wasn’t void. It was oblivion.”

The result is a deeply researched, engaging read with original illustrations (some in graphic novel style) and commentary from historical figures including Homer, Pliny the Elder, and Mark Twain. The book won a 2024 award from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine and is now available in Ukrainian and English.

Ukrainian wines tell a story of place, passion, and resilience. And if this tasting has you thinking about what other bottles are worth discovering, take a look at our Champagne picks here – whether you're after the classic, the quirky, or something that simply feels like a celebration.

Brandy's Revival: The 7 Best Bottles for a New Generation

Affordable, expressive, and full of flavour - these bottles are rewriting what brandy can be.

Brandy is incredibly versatile. Younger examples are fruit-forward and great for cocktails, while older expressions offer depth and complexity to rival whisky, often at more accessible prices. Yet despite all this, brandy is still misunderstood and often overlooked. Cognac dominates the conversation and is seen as expensive or out of reach, which leads people to assume brandy isn’t for them.

Unlike whisky, which is distilled from grain, brandy is made from fermented fruit, giving it a different texture, sweetness, and aromatic profile. It is often distilled from grapes but also apples, pears, plums and more. It offers a diversity of flavours and styles few other categories can match. It is made all over the world, reflecting regional traditions and character, from France, England and Spain to India. Producers work with local fruit and age their brandies in different casks to create distinctive and expressive bottles.

Brandy deserves far more attention than it gets because it has so much to offer and while other spirits have loyal followings, brandy hasn’t yet built that same loyal following, which is undeserved. If you’re curious about new flavours or simply want a taste of everyday luxury, brandy is worth exploring. The bottles below are just a glimpse of what is waiting to be discovered. With prices rising everywhere, the depth of flavour, craft and value in brandy are hard to ignore.

Avallen Calvados

Planet positive Calvados in a paper bottle, with one-fifth of the carbon footprint of glass, Avallen is made for eco-minded cocktail lovers. Born from a simple question: what’s the most sustainable ingredient for making alcohol? The answer was apples. Their practical approach to sustainability is innovative and inspirational, pointing towards future possibilities for the drinks industry more widely. Produced in Normandy, France, under strict Calvados regulations, including a ban on artificial irrigation, it develops deep roots and complex flavours. Aged 2–3 years and designed for mixing, Avallen is bright, modern, and approachable. Fresh apple notes balance sweet and tart, with hints of almond and a gentle pepper prickle, bringing crisp lift to cocktails. Its fruit-forward style shines in the Avallen Appletini, an easy way to bring vibrant Calvados character into your home bar.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £34.99

Carlos I Pedro Ximénez Cask Matured

Rich with coffee, dates and dark chocolate shaped by Pedro Ximénez casks and solera aging, Carlos I is a standout Spanish brandy that shows the depth and diversity of the category. This Brandy de Jerez Solera Gran Reserva, one of Spain’s most famous brandy styles, is produced in the Jerez region of southern Spain under its Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) rules. It is aged in American oak casks seasoned with sherry for a minimum of three years using the traditional solera system, where older and younger brandies are gradually blended for balance and complexity. The result unites Spain’s brandy and sherry traditions. Notes of medjool dates, maraschino cherry, dark chocolate and cigar box are a natural fit for a Manhattan cocktail, making it a decadent after-dinner serve where the herbal and bitter vermouth elements enhance the PX richness.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40.3%
Find Here: £41.49

Marquis de Montesquiou VSOP

For those who enjoy richer, more rustic flavours, Armagnac offers a distinct take on French brandy. Marquis de Montesquiou VSOP delivers the bright, fruit-forward character of a VS (Very Special, aged at least two years) with some of the deeper complexity you might expect from an XO (Extra Old, aged at least ten years). Produced in the Armagnac region of southwest France under strict regulations, it is distilled only once in a continuous column still known as an Alambic Armagnacais. In classic Gascon style, it shows notes of caramel, apricot, orange peel, tobacco and ginger. Its depth makes it an ideal choice for a Metropolitan cocktail, a rich after-dinner serve where the Armagnac’s dark fruit and spice notes shine.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find Here: £42.70

Burnt Faith Bourbon Cask

Burnt Faith, based in Walthamstow, London, is reimagining what brandy can be for the 21st century. Inspired by the craft and heritage of Cognac, they embrace the tension between tradition and innovation, recognising that the former can sometimes limit creativity. They explore a wide variety of grapes and casks, creating new flavour profiles that push the category forward. Their Bourbon Cask release, aged in barrels that previously held bourbon whiskey, is a prime example, with notes of vanilla, banana foam sweets, cinnamon and sweet toasted oak. These bourbon cask influences make it a natural fit for a brandy Old Fashioned cocktail, where its rich, rounded character blends seamlessly with bitters and sugar for a contemporary twist on the classic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £60

Somerset Cider Brandy 10

Somerset Cider Brandy Company has revived the ancient tradition of producing apple brandy in the heart of Somerset. Their commitment to craft and heritage has earned Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, recognising the exceptional terroir of the region, a rare distinction for brandy in the UK. Fittingly, Somerset, with its rich cider-making history, is the natural home of Cider Brandy. Its character comes from ancient orchards, unique soils, and the county’s mild, damp climate. The trees are never sprayed with insecticides, creating a haven for owls, bats and songbirds, and underlining the sustainability of this apple brandy. Expect rich notes of stewed apples, orange blossom, hazelnuts and cinnamon. Enjoy a glass alongside a slice of tarte tatin for the perfect end to a great meal.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find Here: £57

Hine Rare VSOP Cognac

Hine Rare VSOP Cognac is an elegant brandy with personality and wide availability in the UK. Cognac is a type of brandy made in the Cognac region of France, where production follows strict standards to protect quality. Hine crafts this soft, fruity VSOP using grapes from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, the top two growing areas. VSOP means Very Superior Old Pale and indicates the brandy is aged at least four years, though Hine Rare tastes as though it contains far older Cognac. Expect notes of apricot, orange, toffee and praline with a hint of ginger. It has the depth and finesse to elevate a Champagne cocktail into something truly special.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £60

Paul John XO Brandy

Best known for their award-winning Indian single malts, Paul John brings the same care to this expressive XO brandy. Paul John XO is an Indian brandy produced in Goa. Paul John has crafted a delicate, balanced spirit that feels familiar to brandy drinkers, and yet intriguingly different. Made in their tropical, coastal climate, the brandy blends the traditional French grape Ugni Blanc with Bangalore Purple, a juicy, sweet table grape grown widely in southern India. This gives the brandy a distinctive character that reflects European tradition and Indian heritage. Matured for over 10 years, Paul John XO delivers notes of coconut palm sugar, juicy strawberries, apricot, butterscotch and warming spice from the oak. It pairs well with chocolate desserts such as a chocolate and fig tart.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find Here: £98.25

Looking for more exciting bottles to try? If so, make sure you check out these 7 unique bottles.

Can Beer Be Gluten Free?

For a long while, it was pretty slim pickings when it came to gluten-free offerings, let alone gluten-free beers! If you are someone with a gluten sensitivity or Coeliac, you will know the feeling of standing in a food aisle reading the ingredients list on the back of a packet.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is an umbrella word that is used for the group of proteins in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Beer is made predominantly from malted barley, with wheat or rye used in specific styles, malting, mashing, and fermenting them, rendering most commercially available beers no-gos for those with gluten sensitivities or Coeliac.

Isn’t Gluten Important for Beer? 

According to Celiac UK, there are two main ways to make a gluten-free beer. The first one is to blend your malt with cereals like millet, buckwheat, quinoa, rice, and maize. None of these contain gluten, so the beers made with these ingredients can also be referred to as having been made with NGCIs (Non-Gluten Containing Ingredients) [1].

In May 2004, Green’s was the UK’s first ever naturally gluten-free beer from alternative grains, meaning all of the beers from Green’s are made from 100% gluten-free materials.

The second way, and by far the most used in the UK, is to make the mash for your beer with a grain that contains gluten, like wheat, rye, or barley. Then use a process to reduce the PPM (parts per million) of gluten in the beer below the UK legal threshold, which is 20PPM [2].

One of the ways to do this is to introduce an enzyme that helps break down the gluten proteins, and some breweries have additional ways that they are able to break down the gluten proteins in addition to using enzymes.

So, Wait, Doesn’t That Mean That Those Beers Have Gluten?

Short answer, yes.

Here’s the slightly longer answer:

In order to be considered gluten-free in the UK, the beer has to be tested reading under 20PPM. So, while there are still trace amounts, it is considered in the UK to be legally gluten-free and can be enjoyed by those who have gluten sensitivities.

Here’s the tricky part: a beer being labelled ‘gluten-free’ means something different depending on where you are. In the USA and Canada, a beer that would be labelled gluten-free in the UK would be considered ‘gluten-reduced.’ Just make sure you know the legal requirements where you are!

No Two Breweries are the Same

With the two ways to make gluten-free beers, there are generally three kinds of breweries you’ll find:

1. The first is best for Coeliacs and the most gluten-sensitive out there, as they make their beer with NGCIs.

2. Breweries that only make gluten-free beers using ingredients that contain gluten but remove them using an enzyme or another means of production.

3. Breweries that predominantly make gluten-full beers but also make gluten-free beers.    

It’s also important to note that if you are Coeliac or have been recommended by healthcare professionals to avoid gluten entirely, then you are better off sticking with beers that have been made in dedicated gluten-free facilities only using NGCIs.

Everyone is different, and you know your own sensitivity, so keep that in mind as you explore the growing world of gluten-free beers!

Exciting Breweries Making Excellent Gluten-Free Beers

Bellfield Brewery

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Styles: IPAs, Pilsner, Session Ale, and Craft Lager

Bellfield Brewery was founded by two friends (who are both Coeliac) back in 2015. While their beers contain barley malt, they follow a careful selection process while also using other NGCIs like maize and buckwheat. Their brewing process reduces the amount of gluten instead of using an enzyme, so it’s a secret (and who doesn’t love a secret!) Their beers are routinely tested and are “gluten absent” which means they register regularly below 10PPM.

On International Women’s Day, they released their 2025 “Rational Creatures” Table Pale Ale, designed by six of Bellfield’s own; the name comes from a quote from Jane Austen’s Persuasion: “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”

If you find yourself in Edinburgh, you can visit them in their Taproom, where you can relax and enjoy a cold glass of something refreshing from the brewhouse just next door. The “Bohemian” Pilsner (4.5% ABV) is crisp and light with a perfect balance between a gentle bitterness and floral notes, while the “Lawless Village” IPA (4.5% ABV) is a hoppy, citrus treat with just the right amount of malt.

You can find packs of 12 cans starting at £30 on the brewery website, or you can check your local independent bottle shop or supermarket!

Fierce Beer

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Styles: Core Range of IPAs, Pale Ales, Lagers, Alcohol Free, Limited Edition Coolers

A modern Scottish brewery, Fierce Beer, has more than made a name for itself in the world of beer since 2016. In 2021, it was named Scottish Brewery of the year after racking up Scottish Beer Awards. It’s important to note that while they do have a fabulous gluten-free core range, not all of their beers are gluten-free, so just make sure the one you’ve picked says ‘gluten-free’ on the can!

Fierce uses a naturally derived enzyme during their brewing process, typically post-fermentation. The result is that the enzyme binds to the gluten and drops it out of solution, which also helps clarify their beer.

Earlier this year, Fierce released their latest beer cooler, and you’ll never guess the flavour profile … Fierce Iron Brew! A playful love note to the iconic Scottish fizzy orange drink, it’s light, oddly refreshing, and will make you want another one.

Crisp, refreshing, and delivering light and toasty sips from their “Hometown” Scottish Lager (4.2% ABV) to big tropical fruit notes from “Fancy Juice” IPA (5.0%), Fierce offers classic beer profiles while also having some major fun with their cooler range. If you are ever in Aberdeen or Edinburgh, they have a bar in each city that you can visit! 

You can find them here for single cans starting from £2.85 or in packs of 12 starting from £34.20.

Williams Bro’s

Location: Aloa, Scotland
Styles: Lagers, Pilsner, IPAs, Summer Ale, Heather Ale, Lagers, Alcohol Free

The origin of William’s Bro’s started back in 1988 with the translation of a Leane Fraoch recipe in a homebrew shop in Glasgow. Bruce experimented with that formula, and the results of that curiosity would become the template for their Fraoch Heather Ale (5% / 33cl, 50c).

In 1989, Scott joined in, and the two continued to expand their range with Historic Brews, and continued until 2004 when they decided to branch out into contemporary beers.

As they make a mix of gluten-full and free beers, they schedule their gluten-free beer production together to reduce contamination risk. Williams Bro’s uses an enzyme that reduces chill haze as well as removes the majority of the gluten. All of their gluten-free beers are tested and usually register under 10PPM.

Their “Fraoch” Heather Ale (5% / 33cl, 50c) is truly the gem in their gluten-free crown, as it gives a glimpse back in time as the ‘original craft beer recipe.’ Williams Bro’s are the guardians of this very special brew and are the only brewery still producing the style and distributing it worldwide.

A light floral peat opens into gentle spice and herbs to finish, an absolute treat! To this day, freshly picked heather is frozen on the day of harvest in order to create the perfect flavour profile. You can find them here, ranging from £1.40 to £2.00.

Brass Castle

Location: Malton, Yorkshire, England
Styles: Pale Ale, Porters, Helles Lager, NEIPA, Gose, Sour, Low Alcohol

The idea for Brass Castle began in Manhattan during the U.S. craft beer renaissance. From there, they set themselves up in Malton in 2014, and since 2017, they have been producing gluten-free beers. Not only are ALL their beers gluten-free, but they’re vegan as well! The gluten is removed using a small amount of a vegan enzyme during fermentation. After that, every batch is tested and usually comes back under 10PPM.

For Brass Castle, making beer accessible is a high priority, but sustainability is also a huge part of their mission. All spent grain is repurposed, and all hops are sent to local allotments to be used as fertilizer.

Brass Castle offers an amazing range of styles from their punchy “Bad Kitty” Vanilla Porter (5.5% ABV) to the easy-going “Beowulf” Helles Lager (4.2%). There’s something for everyone. They even have a low alcohol “Life’s AF Beach” Tropical Pale (0.5%), which is hoppy and bursting with tropical notes. You can find them here, ranging individually from £3.30 to £5.50.

Jump/Ship

Location: Pathhead, Midlothian, Scotland (just south of Edinburgh)
Styles: Lager, IPA, Pale Ales, Sours, NEIPA, Stout

When Sonja Mitchell launched Jump/Ship in the winter of 2019, she wanted to create a world class alcohol free beer in Scotland, and she has done just that! If you take a peek at their website, the first four words that you’ll see are “All Beer, Nae Booze.” Every single one of the beers made by Jump/Ship is gluten- and alcohol-free.

With a huge range of styles, it’s hard to pick where to start. Their first beer was the “Yardarm” Lager, winning “Best Low and No Alcohol Lager” in the 2021 World Beer Awards. Jump/Ship does use barley in their malt, but they have developed a technique where the enzyme they use works with their controlled fermentation process to reduce the gluten to under 10PPM. Every batch is rigorously tested by a third-party lab

Their newest offering is an aptly named “Steamboat” Hazy Pale Ale that uses hops from New Zealand, America, and Europe. Jump/Ship creates beers that are a delight to drink, and after you try them, you might even find yourself reaching for these over ones that have alcohol!

You can find them here for £13.49 per six-pack.

The world of gluten-free beers is quickly evolving and expanding, and this article is by no means exhaustive, so why not make it an adventure with a friend (or two!) If you are interested in reading more about beer, you could check out 10 Craft Beers to Try from Across the UK, for the wine lovers these bottles of Lambrusco should not be missed but if whisky is more your thing, why not have a look at these stunning Scotch whiskies?

St-Rémy XO Gets a Bold Makeover with Tomalater’s Limited-Edition Bottle

St-Rémy, the world’s number one French brandy, has revealed a striking new limited-edition XO bottle designed by celebrated French visual artist Tomalater. Known for his vibrant semi-abstract, geometric style, Tomalater brings an explosion of colour and shape to the iconic St-Rémy XO bottle, turning it into a work of art you’ll want to keep long after the last pour.

This special edition celebrates the shared values of harmony, creativity, and conviviality. It’s a meeting point between two masters of their craft: Tomalater, who paints with bold colours and modular forms, and St-Rémy’s Master Blender Cécile Roudaut, who builds harmony through carefully crafted eaux-de-vie sourced from France’s most renowned terroirs.

Translating Flavour into Colour

For Tomalater, the collaboration was as much about taste as it was about design. His creative process began with a guided tasting led by Cécile, where he explored St-Rémy XO’s rich layers of flavour, from its bold vanilla and oak character to the delicate notes of ripe fruits, honey, and gingerbread spice.

The resulting design is a colourful mosaic that mirrors these tasting notes, blending warm, golden tones with playful geometric shapes. It feels both contemporary and timeless, echoing the way St-Rémy XO balances tradition and modernity in every bottle.

“I love working with St-Rémy, not only for the creative freedom they give me, but also for my encounter with Cécile, whose passion and expertise deeply inspire me,” says Tomalater. “I imagine a mosaic of shapes and colours in which vineyards and villages mingle, echoing the rich flavours of St-Rémy XO.”

Celebrate at Waitrose’s Kings Cross Wine BAr

To celebrate the launch, St-Rémy is hosting a full takeover of the Wine Bar at Waitrose Kings Cross from 28 September to 5 October 2025. Guests can enjoy the limited-edition brandy, experience its nuanced flavour profile, and immerse themselves in Tomalater’s striking visuals.

The highlight of the week comes on 1 October 2025, when guests can attend an intimate talk with Tomalater and a guided tasting led by Cécile herself. This is a rare opportunity to step inside the mind of both the artist and the blender, and discover how two very different creative processes come together to produce something truly unique.

A Bottle Worth Collecting

The limited-edition St-Rémy XO x Tomalater bottle is available now in Waitrose stores across the UK and online via Waitrose Cellar for £26.50 (700ml). The release is also rolling out internationally, with availability in Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, New Zealand, the UAE, Estonia, Ukraine, and duty-free outlets worldwide.

What does St-Rémy XO taste like?

This edition may come in a bold new look, but the signature St-Rémy XO blend remains unchanged:

• Appearance: Luminous amber with a golden aura

• Nose: Oak and delicate vanilla layered with ripe fruits and honey

• Palate: Rich and complex, with notes of wood, vanilla, gingerbread, candied apricots, dates, figs, and nuts. A subtle spiciness leads to a long, elegant finish

With this collaboration, St-Rémy invites brandy lovers to experience flavour and design as a single, harmonious expression. Whether you’re adding to your collection or discovering St-Rémy XO for the first time, this limited-edition release is a celebration of French craft — inside and out.

For more information, visit st-remy.com.

The Perfect Autumn Sangria Recipe

Who says sangria is just for summer? With a perfect Fall switch up, you can embrace a cosy Autumn without completely waving goodbye to summer. The natural sweetness of ripe fruit, the warmth of cinnamon, the heart of apple cider and the crisp elegance of your favourite white wine – it’s refreshing, comforting and full to the brim with flavour.

Ingredients (for 1 jug/pitcher)

150ml apple juice
2tsp of cinnamon
1 tbsp of sugar
1 bottle of white wine (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
30ml lemon juice
2 sliced apples
1 sliced pear
1 sliced orange
1 bottle of apple cider
Optional garnishes: cranberries, lemon wedges, pomegranate seeds, rosemary sprigs

Method
1.      Slice your fruits the night before (or just a few hours) and let them rest with cinnamon and sugar.
2.      Now the fun bit, start adding everything into your pitcher. Pour in the juices, cider, wine and gently tip in your cinnamon sugared fruits.
3.      The most important thing here is to let everything combine in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but ideally longer. Remember to cover the pitcher too.
4.      Fill up individual glasses with ice before pouring out your Autumn Sangria. Almost anything goes with sangria, so garnish with cranberries, or leftover lemon, pomegranate seeds, sprigs of rosemary – any fruits and berries you’ve got!

For more autumnal cocktail recipe, how about our Spiced Rum Hot Toddy and Fig Martini.

Bite-size Sherry Basics

Don't ignore Sherry because you once tasted the sweet stuff your Nan drinks. Real Sherry is a whole world of moreish deliciousness! In this video, Helena answers the big questions: What is Sherry? What makes Sherry unique and what are the keys styles of Sherry? All with Russian dolls with beards and a nice Vinalogy about a choir. And a dog. Happy Sherry Week! #SherryWeek