The M&S press tasting happened this week and here are a few wines that really stood out to me, all available now. They also have a fantastic new range of non-alcoholic drinks, liqueurs and to-die-for Irish creams that had me making inappropriate noises. More on those soon but until then, wine…

Sparkling Wines

Ribolla Gialla, Friuli, Italy, NV 10.5%, £8

Incredible value, this is a wonderful, dry Prosecco alternative in a very funky looking bottle. Ribolla Gialla is the grape, hailing from Italy’s far northeastern corner and here, the fizz is an easy-going and fruity fizz with notes of pear, herbs and bitter almonds.

Drink with: On its own aperitif style or salty snacks.

M&S Blanquette de Limoux, NV France, £12

Blanquette is an ancient method of making sparkling wines that predates Champagne using the local Mauzac grape and a splash of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Concentrated and tangy with notes of baked rhubarb in a sea-salt crumble, this is wonderfully quirky.

Drink with: Smoked salmon, seafood and fried chicken.

White Wines

M&S Juanico Albariño, Uruguay, 2026, £10

Yes! Albariño (and Tannat for that matter) is a THING in Uruguay. Didn’t you know?! This one is lovely too. It has the peachiness the grape is known for but is rounder and riper, with more apricot notes and less salinity than the Spanish versions from Rías Baixas. Fabulous.

Drink with: Roast chicken, white fish and nutty cheeses.

M&S Collection Organic Chablis, 2024, £25

Ok this is expensive but at least it does what Chablis is meant to do, perhaps with a tad more fruit. Classic, concentrated, subtle marzipan, chalk and lemon with a moreish mineral core. It’s organic, made by a well-respected producer (Brocard) from old vines too. A great gifting wine.

Drink with: shellfish, delicate white fish, subtle cow cheese. A great gift wine.

Orange Wine

M&S Qvevris Kisi, Kakheti, Georgia, 2023 £12

From the original home of Orange wine, this Georgian sipper is made with 100% Kisi grapes, which are soaked with their skins for extra colour flavour and texture. This is a wonderful, super dry and textural wine with flavours of Earl Grey tea and ginger nuts! A proper foodie wine.

Drink with: Anything nutty, roast chicken, hard cheeses like comté.

Red Wines

M&S Palatia Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany, 2024, £10

A proper, cool climate Pinot that’s elegant, lean and very silky with notes of crunchy red cherry, raspberry and earth. With lots of fruit but dry with it, this really is a fabulous, very well-priced wine that can also take a slight chill.

Drink with: Cold cuts, duck and lamb.

M&S Yarri Karri Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023, £14

From the ‘Bordeaux of Australia’, this western region produces some of the country’s finest wines and it’s very well suited to Bordeaux blends. This is full-bodied, silky and elegant with a gravelly minerality, tobacco and lots of cassis. A pro rugby player in black tie!
Drink with: Steak, beef… all the protein. Also, dark chocolate!

M&S Collection Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Bertrand Gonnet, 2022 (NEW SUPPLIER)

I often feel that Châteauneuf-du-Pape is overrated but thanks to Del Boy, it’s still seen as a shortcut to fine wine. This one, however, is a fantastic example of what a good version looks like. Think Christmas cake vibes with spirity currants, cinnamon spice and candied peel. Note that this picture shows the old supplier as this is brand new!

Drink with: Lamb roasts, turkey and all the trimmings, comté.

Like this? Try these:

10 Top Cabernet Sauvignon Wines from Around the World

10 Wines for Organic September

12 Top Pinot Noir Wines from Around the World

Fine Wine from… Essex!

LISTEN: The HelenaSips Podcast

September is widely celebrated as ‘Organic September’ in the wine industry as we hit the peak of wine harvesting in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s therefore a great time to celebrate regenerative, sustainable, biodynamic and organic viticulture. How can you do that? Support wineries all around the world that are making a difference by drinking a bottle!

Recently, I teamed up with one of my favourite places on the Isle of Wight, Ventnor Botanic Garden, for a Wine & Plant Pairing event. Curator Chris Kidd and I led 30 guests through the garden’s various international zones, with him describing the flora and fauna and me pairing them with special wines, each with their own eco-credentials. Here are those wines as well as some others that deserve your attention for the good they do:

Sparkling Wine

Graham Beck Sparkling Pinot Noir 2019, £25 (£20 mix 6) Majestic

With impressive eco-credentials, Graham Beck is the king of what’s known over in South Africa as the ‘Cap Classique method’ (like Champagne). This vintage wine is made with just under 90% Pinot Noir and a splash of Chardonnay, giving red berries on fresh, flaky pastry with a dollop of cream.

Hambledon Classic Cuvée, £32 - £36 Ocado, BBR, ND John

From the UK’s oldest commercial vineyard, this famously rich and biscuity, traditional method sparkling is a near-equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Hambledon uses regenerative viticulture, 100% renewable energy and low-intervention winemaking. Stay tuned for their NEW ‘English Cuvée’, which we premiered last night, coming to Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and more early Oct.

White Wine

Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025, £12.50 Tesco

The Yealands Reserve Sauvignon is a step up from the straight blend, using higher-grade fruit from their coastal Seaview Vineyard site. It’s a particularly zingy and citrusy, minerally white with lashings of passion fruit and cut grass. The winery is now carbon positive too. Big tick.

Florão Branco, Quinta da Fonte Souto, £15 VINVM, Ocado

An elegant white made from Arinto and Verdelho grapes grown within a National Park on the slopes of the São Mamede range, the highest point in Alentejano. It’s cooler here, which helps preserve the acidity and aromatics of this very pretty, citrusy wine with subtle, tropical flavours.

Paul Mas Reserve Marsanne 2024, £12 (£11 mix 6) Majestic

A wonderfully textural, foodie white with notes of apricot, peach, honey and herbs. Les Domaines Paul Mas ensure strict biodiversity and sustainable management, with around 40% of their vineyards being fully organic and the remaining vines using low-intervention, herbicide-free methods. They use integrated biodynamic principles on select sites too.

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Rosé Wine

Mirabeau One Day Rosé, £20 Ocado, Harrods, maisonmirabeau.com

‘One day, all wine will be made like this’, i.e. hailing exclusively from regeneratively farmed vineyards, so say Jeany and Stephen Cronk of Mirabeau. (B-Corp). A jewel in the Mirabeau portfolio, this is an elegant and subtly complex Provençal rosé with notes of red berry, white peach and quince with a twist of orange citrus. Stunning.

Château Galoupet, Cru Classé Organic Rosé 2023, £57 (£46 mix 6) Majestic

Galoupet is one of only 18 official Cru Classé estates (the most premium) in Provence, and it serves as a leading sustainability model, with rigorous regenerative viticulture, ecosystem restoration and packaging innovation across the 160-hectare estate. This exceptional rosé is wonderfully viscous and savoury, with notes of mango, lime, wild strawberry and a slick of salinity. It’ll age beautifully for another couple of years too.

Red Wine

Altano Rewilding Edition Douro Red Wine, £11.25 Tesco

Owned by the B-Corp Symington Family Estates, this is made with a blend of local Portuguese grapes: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca (which you’ll find in the famous fortified wines of Port). It’s a silky, elegant red with notes of violet, bramble fruit with dark chocolate. It can even take a slight chill. Proceeds from every bottle go towards Rewilding Portugal’s pioneering conservation work.

Veramonte Pinot Noir, £11.75 (on offer) Ocado & £16.75 Amazon

Organic and sustainably made, this Chilean Pinot Noir from the cooler Casablanca Valley is a wonderfully easy-drinking, medium-bodied red that’s all about smoky, dark cherry spice, some crunchy raspberry and a little earthiness. A fantastic example of New World Pinot and made with respect for the land.

Domaine Bousquet, Virgen Vineyards Natural Malbec 2024, £14 Booths in store, Vintage Roots

From Argentina’s pioneering regenerative organic estate Domaine Bousquet (the first regenerative wine producer outside California to achieve this status), this Malbec is a no-sulphites-added, minimal-intervention red that offers an exceptionally pure expression of high-altitude Malbec. Now available in all Booths stores and online from the end of September!

Liked this? Try these:

Wine & Plant Pairings with Ventnor Botanic Garden

Fine Wine from Essex? Yes - and 10 to Try

10 Top Cabernet Sauvignon Wines from Around the World

LISTEN: The HelenaSips Podcast

It’s International Cabernet Sauvignon Day today, so time to get the measure of this grape with some classic examples from classic regions. If you want to know a little more about this grape and really get under its skin, I’ve also made my HelenaSips Wine Academy video and article live and FREE for a limited time. Check it out here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pro Rugby Player of Wine! In the meantime, here’s your Cabernet Sauvignon Sips Safari:

Bordeaux, France

Start with the OG region for Cabernet and head straight to Bordeaux, France - specifically, the Left Bank of the river Gironde and the villages of Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux and Saint-Estèphe. Try these:

Château Beau-Site, St Estèphe 2014, £25 Co-op

A very smart wine for the Co-op and, given the age on it, exceptionally well priced. This is classic left Bank Bordeaux: restrained and elegant with notes of graphite, blackcurrant and cedar.

Chateau Cantemerle 2020, £45 (£30 case price), Laithwaites

A fab, premium Claret made by the ex-consultant for Lafite and other First Growths. From a generous vintage that’s just showing some age, think spiced cassis, cedar and tobacco.

Coonawarra, Australia

Compare your Bordeaux with a New World Cabernet from Coonawarra in Australia for a fuller-bodied, less tannic and juicier version with tonnes of blackcurrant and a characteristic minty twang.

Deluxe Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, £6.99 Lidl

For a cheap-as-chips version that gives a decent idea of a Coonawarra style, try this. It’s sweet and simple, like boozy Ribena with a hint of mint.

Little Giant Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, £13 Waitrose

With extra points for its eye-catching bottle, this bold and fruity, eucalyptus-scented wine is a perfect example of Cab from this specific region. It’s so easy to drink but has structure too.

Napa Valley, California

Napa wines will typically come with hefty price tag but they are serious, nuanced and concentrated. They’ll also need a few years to soften up with age.

*Finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, £16.50 Tesco

It’s unusual to find Napa Cabernet below, well £40 a bottle but Tesco have done a decent job with this. Full-bodied and grippy, this is a bold, concentrated wine. Decant it to soften it and release that cassis spice. Better with a steak and it’ll age well too.

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, £70 Winedirect.co.uk

This Cab from an iconic, historic estate was part of the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting where California took on France and won. This is a standout wine that’s drinking now but will be even better with time. Think black cherry and blueberry spice, dark chocolate, dried tobacco and coffee bean.

Also try these Cabernet Sauvignon wines

Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon. Colchagua Valley, Chile

£12.90 Easywineshop.co.uk

Chile produces excellent, easy-drinking cabernets, especially from the warmer regions of the Colchagua and Maipo Valleys. Smooth, rich and spicy, this is very easy-going. A great ‘plug-and-play’ Cab that’s ideal with roast beef or a nut roast.

Robert Oatley Semaphore Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia

£14.25 Co-op

Known as the ‘Bordeaux of Australia’ thanks to its gravelly soils, Margaret River in Western Australia makes fabulous wines like this, somewhere in between the more restrained Bordeaux style and more exuberant wines of Coonawarra. This is elegant and perfumed, with structure yet still easy-drinking.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Columbia Valley, USA

£19 (£13 mix 6) Majestic

A more acceptably priced alternative to Napa Valley Cabernets adn easy to drink earlier, this comes from Washington’s oldest winery. It’s bold and juicy with notes of vanilla fudge and plum jam.

Hickinbotham ‘Trueman’ Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, Australia 2020

£68 VINVM

For a standout, new world Cabernet, the McLaren Vale is a great place to look and Hickinbotham is a name to know. This is showing its age nicely; like a posh Claret but with more generous fruit and gorgeous notes of mocha, rose petal and herbs. An excellent wine to gift - as long as you can drink it with them!

Did you know that Cabernet was the Pro Rugby Player of wine Grapes?

Watch the video!

With Pinot Noir Day on August 18th, it felt rude not to shout about some excellent bottles I’ve been trying recently. There’s something here for every budget and from most of the top regions around the world that make great Pinot.

Want to know a bit more about the grape and its key regions? Check out this ‘Pinot Noir is the Ballerina of wine‘ vinalogy video! Once you’ve done that, dive into these bottles below and remember, Pinot Noir is one of the few grapes that makes red wines that love a slight chill. Cin cin!

SPARKLING WINES

Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé, Roberson, SOUTH AFRICA, £24 (£21 mix 6) Majestic

I keep coming back to Graham Beck because for a traditional method sparklers (made like Champagne), they offer exceptional value. This Pinot is ripe and fruity with red berry and pastry notes.

Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut NV, Champagne, FRANCE, £28, Waitrose

With sparkling wine generally, Blanc de Noirs means ‘white made with black grapes’ which often translates as almost entirely Pinot Noir. This own-brand version is fab: biscuity and creamy yet fresh with it.

Balfour Blanc de Noirs 2022, Kent, ENGLAND, £50 Virgin Wines

A great example of what England can do with fizz, this showcases classic brioche and red apple skin notes with a lean, mineral core and a chalkiness on the finish, typical of Kent.

STILL WINES (£7-£17)

Blueprint Pinot Noir, ROMANIA, £7.50 Waitrose

Romania produces lots of accessibly priced Pinot Noir that’s easy drinking, lactic smooth, simple and fruity. Cramele Recas makes this - one of the country’s top producers.

Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Valley, CHILE, £9.25 Tesco Asda, Waitrose, Ocado

While fairly light on colour, body and alcohol (12.5%) the flavour profile of this Chilean Pinot is more on the brooding, blackcurrant-spice side. Lovely with a slight chill too.

Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr ‘Cuvée Prestige’ Pinot Noir, Alsace, FRANCE, £14.50 (£12.50 mix 6) Majestic

Alsace is most famous for its whites but the Pinot Noirs are gaining momentum! This is a great example: round and creamy with baked strawberry and cedar notes.

Larry Cherubino, Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir, Western AUSTRALIA, £14.50 Loki Wine ND John Cambridge Wine Merchants

This poised and crunchy Pinot comes from a top producer in one of Australia’s finest wine regions. Think black cherry and raspberry with a cool mineral core and a pencil lead finish.

Nanny Goat Pinot Noir, Central Otago, NEW ZEALAND

£17 on offer until 18th Aug (was £20), Waitrose

Central Otago is THE New Zealand region for elegant, cherry-scented Pinot Noirs and this little Nanny Goat is the perfect benchmark example of the regional style. Silky and perky!

STILL WINES (£20-£57)

Kendall-Jackson ‘Vintners Reserve’ Pinot Noir, California, USA, £20.50 (£18.50 mix 6) Majestic The Wine Press

Coastal California has long been praised for its languid, velvety Pinots like this that taste like strawberries in cream with a sprinkling of cinnamon spice. Still fine wine, but chilled out.

Meyer-Näkel, Spätburgunder Blauschiefer 2022, Ahr, GERMANY, £37.70 The Wine Barn

Spätburgunder is German for Pinot Noir and sets the benchmark nowadays for the cool climate Pinot style. This is lean, with redcurrant, cherry and a smoky, slate-mineral finish.

Marbury Pinot Noir 2024, Crouch Valley, Essex, ENGLAND, £44, elementarywine.co.uk, thefinewinecompany.co.uk

Crouch Valley in Essex is the newest, most exciting region for fine Pinot in the world and Marbury is leading the way! Rich and velvety with wild strawberry and baking spice notes.

Two Paddocks, Last Chance Pinot Noir, Central Otago, NEW ZEALAND, £57, VINVM

I had to include this ethereal wine as it was the late, great Sam Neill’s favourite vineyard of his own beloved Two Paddocks holdings. Nervy, mineral and lean, this needs time to come round but when it does, it is hauntingly beautiful just as fine Burgundy used to be.

Listen to my interview with Sam Neill here on the HelenaSips Podcast!

Read this: Wine Icons - Whispering Angel & its 6 Wine Siblings

Read this: Chilled red Wines: Rules of thumb and some to try

Spritz Season seems to be a thing, thanks to the success of classic recipes like Aperol Spritz and last summer’s favourite, the trendy Hugo Spritz. It even has its own celebration day now: National Spritz Day on August 1st, so it feels like a good time to try some new things. Here are some alternative spritz recipes that I think you’ll love:

Lemon Aperitivo Recipe

A super simple and particularly refreshing variation on a theme, this spritz uses Allora Lemon Aperitivo al Limone as its base. Inspired by limoncello but offering a more natural, bittersweet flavour without any nasties or tons of sugar, this is a lemon aperitivo that hails from the tiny, sun-drenched isle of Procidan in the bay of Naples near Capri. It’s known locally as the ‘Isola dei limoni’, the ‘isle of lemons’ because of its unique bread lemons, which have thicker white pulp and pith. In Allora, pulp, juice, peel and lemon tree leaves are used to make this uniquely refreshing tipple.

Ingredients & Method

• 125ml Allora Aperitivo Al Limone, £25 alloradrinks.com

• 125ml Sparkling Water

All you need here is equal parts Allora to Soda water, keeping this lighter on the booze and calories and high in refreshment and drinkability. Serve with a slice of lemon and maybe even a cheeky basil or mint leaf.

The Ultimate Rosé Spritz Recipe

I’ve always loved a simple rosé wine spritz, either with sparkling water and fresh fruit as garnish or if I’m feeling more decadent, a fragrant, peach or raspberry tonic. The added zhuzh of a little home-made purée though, adds a delicious upgrade. Here’s the peachy version, though you can swap the peaches for raspberries and use this fever tree Raspberry & Rhubarb tonic instead.

Ingredients & Method

• 100ml Fruity Rosé. (For this, I love Mirabeau X, £10 on offer at Sainsburys until 11/08)

• 75ml London Essence Peach & Jasmine Tonic (£24 for 24 x 20cl, Amathus)

• Pulp of one peach

• Peach slice and sprig of thyme for garnish.

• Pretty straw to stir

Blend your peach flesh until it’s as liquid as possible then place two spoonfuls carefully into the bottom of a large wine glass. Fill to the top with ice then slowly pour the rosé wine in down the side of the glass. Gently do the same with the tonic and marvel at the different layers of colour. You can leave them like that or if they’ve gone wonky. Very carefully mix together to not lose all the bubbles. Garnish and serve.

If you want the cheat version, the Mirabeau X Fever Tree Rosé Spritz mash up is excellent. Find it at Tesco for £12

Golden Hugo Spritz Recipe

(A functional, non-alcoholic spritz)

For those wanting a gentle buzz without any booze, GABA drinks are the way forward and professor David Nutt put these on the map with his brand his brand Sentia. The Sentia GABA Gold is specifically designed for a gentle uplift using a functional botanical blend, which includes ashwagandha, schisandra, damiana, ginseng and lemon balm. The Gold is great choice to mix with the leafy florals of elderflower and cooling mint in this spritz.

Ingredients & Method

• 50ml SENTIA GABA Gold

• 150ml soda water

• 12.5ml elderflower syrup or cordial

• 15ml fresh lime juice

• Fresh mint leaves

• Mint sprig and lime wheel, to garnish

Clap a small handful of fresh mint leaves and add them to a large wine glass. Fill it with ice, then add the Sentia GABA Gold, elderflower syrup and lime juice. Top with soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and lime wheel.

Another functional drinks brand that I love, Smiling Wolf, has brought out some new ready to drink, non-alcoholic, function cocktails in cans, including an Aperol Spritz -and they’re ace! I can barely tell this one is not booze. If you’re not into mixing your own, give these a try.

Want more summer sipping recommendations? Check out these articles:

One Minute WIne Ace: Picpoul de Pinet

How to find really good Prosecco

The Assyrtiko Grape: Among Greek Ruins

Want to listen to something? Discover the HelenaSips Podcast!

It may be scorching hot in the UK at the moment, but not everyone wants to drink white, rosé and sparkling all the time. Here are some rules of thumb for picking the right RED wines to chill and some great, affordable ones to try:

Chilled Red Wine - Rules of Thumb

Newsflash: It is perfectly fine to chill red wine down BUT some react better than others to cooler temperatures. The best styles of red wine for chilling tend to be lighter-bodied with minimal tooth-drying tannins and a generous dollop of fruitness. This is because cooler temperatures mute aromas and flavours so you need more of those in the first place. A bit of chill also exacerbates tannins, making a wine feel very dry in the mouth so go for something that’s silky smooth to start with. Here are some go-to styles that will take well to a good chilling:

Red Grapes & Styles That Chill Well:

• Beaujolais (made with the Gamay grape)

• Gamay from anywhere

• Pinot Noir from anywhere

• Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley

• Grenache aka Garnacha from anywhere

• Bobal

• Red Lambrusco

• Some Tempranillo (Not Rioja)

TRY THESE REDS CHILLED

Al Fresco Red, 11% ABV, £8.75 Co-op

The winemaker describes Al Fresco as a ‘smashable’ red, which is a perfect description for this light and tangy, cherry-scented, slightly herbaceous vino. Made with juicy Garnacha grapes from Spain, as its name suggests, this needs nothing but a slight chill, a comfy deckhair and some good conversation. At 11% too, it defines easy drinking. Not sweet either. Fab - and the label is pretty.

ViñaSol Fruity Red, Torres, £8.20 Ocado

Spanish winemaking family Torres are legendary in the trade and this new, lighter style of Tempranillo was made to be put in the fridge so I was expecting it to be sweeter for some reason. It’s dry and classy, with characteristic notes of savoury strawberry, a bit of herbaceousness and just enough grip to give it structure. No flabby wine here. I’m taking this to the beach to watch the sun go down.

Lambrusco Secco Reggiano, £8 M&S and Ocado

Lambrusco is back - and it’s a million miles from the sugar-fuelled commercial style of the past. This food-friendly, sparkling Italian tipple is an excellent version of ‘proper’ Lambrusco: deliciously rustic, dry and yeasty with lots of dark cherry and crunchy raspberry flavours and a moreish, balsamic-in-a-good-way kick. Serve it chilled with burgers and it’s highly smashable.

Toro Loco Red, £5.99 Tesco / £5.49 Aldi

With all the price rises we’ve seen in the past couple of years, it’s a wonder we can still find value vino that actually tastes as good as this one. Made with a blend of the Rioja grape Tempranillo and a large splash of fruity Bobal, this new-look Spanish sipper is rustic and savoury but not so heavy you feel the need for a big steak. Perfect if you love a bit of savoury fruit and are not into full-on jammy styles. 5/5

Blueprint Pinot Noir, £7.50, Waitrose

This exceptionally well-priced Pinot hails from Romania; a country which is producing some really lovely, light, aromatic and highly gluggable Pinot Noir wines under £10. Made by top producer Cramele Recas, this has all the ripe berry hallmarks of a cooler climate Pinot with a moreish, savoury spice note on the finish. Fabulous after a 20 minute chill and a plate of cold cuts as the sun goes down.

First, we had Great British Rosé Week back in May and this week, it’s English Wine Week, so I thought I’d share an updated list of some favourite English pink wines. About 25% of all wine made in Great Britain is pink and, fun fact, the grapes usually used these days are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - the two black grapes that go into white and pink Champagne. Here are some gorgeous English pinks to sip now the sun is OUT out:

Northbrook Sparkling Rosé 2020, HAMPSHIRE, £42 northbrookvineyard.co.uk

I hadn’t heard of this winery until last year but I am now totally smitten. Gorgeous on the outside as well as on the inside, this single vineyard, vintage sparker embodies elegance and complexity with a quintessentially English, wild strawberry, white blossom and hedgerow character, topped off with a creamy mousse and a touch of brioche. There’s so much going on in the glass. For a vintage wine with age at this price, it’s a bargain too.

Digby Rose Brut MV, Sussex, £39 Swig

I was lucky enough to be amongst the first to taste this new cuvée at the Digby residence in West Sussex earlier this year. A blend of largely Pinot Noir with Chardonnay and Meunier, the wine uses the 2018 vintage as its base with reserve wines blended in six years (six!) of lees aging before release, which gives it that signature Digby complexity and creaminess. Think Eton mess with dried rose petals and a textural, chalky tang. A serious, foodie fizz that will age for years to come too.

Nyetimber English Summer Rosé, Limited Edition, Sussex, £47 Nyetimber
You will undoubtedly have heard of Nytimber but chances are you haven’t spotted their brand new, limited edition English Summer Rosé bottle yet. A sexy new, relaxed outfit for their multi-vintage rosé, the wine features Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir and as you might expect, captures a light, bright, summer pudding vibe beautifully in the glass.

Silver Reign Rosé, Silverhand Estate, Kent, NV, £18 Silverhandestate.com

What I love about Silverhand Estate is the way they have embraced the Charmat method (which makes Prosecco) but use Champagne grapes. The result is much of the flavour of a delicious traditional method sparkling but with a touch more easy-going ripeness and fruit - not to mention a much lower price tag. Silverhand is also now the largest single organic vineyard in the UK and is packed with biodiversity, rare animals and as much forest land as vines. Well worth a visit.

M&S Rockferne English Sparkling Wine Rosé, Sussex, £30 M&S and Ocado

M&S scored a blinder when they teamed up with Roebuck Estates in Sussex to make this sparkling pink, which is made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Elegant but generous, this delicately coloured sparkler is all about fresh pastry, rose and wild strawberry fruit. Think of a fresh strawberry tart with a delicate almond paste and a dollop of cream to finish. Stunning - and a great all rounder.

Folc Dry English Rosé, South East England, £22 Ocado £22.99 Folc

Folc was the first dry, still English pink I tried and it’s still the one to beat! The company only makes this wine, so they have thrown everything at it. Made with a blend of seven different grape varieties from independent, family-owned vineyards across Kent, Suffolk and Sussex, this wine has a little bit of everything - red berry notes, floral aromatics, leafiness, mineral tang and bramble fruit. Not surprising when it features Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Précoce, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and a splash of Ortega! A unique pink.

Gusbourne Still Rosé, Kent 2025 Hedonism

Gusbourne is the quietly confident, Kentish producer based in Appledore that has been hoovering up the awards over the past few years both for their sparkling and their still wines. This still pink is their very first still, dry rosé and it’s a cracker. Made with 100% Pinot Noir, it’s super cool and crisp and fresh with notes of tangy cranberry and crunchy raspberry. The bottle looks pretty cool too. With its glass stopper, you’ll want to use it for water afterwards!

Silverhand Estate Straweberries & Cream Still Rosé, Kent 2025, £15 silverhandestateshop.com

Brand new from the Silverhand stable is this evocatively named ‘strawberries and cream’ still rosé. Made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes from Kent, this wine does exactly what is says on the tin with a lovely, lactic creaminess and lots of freshly cut strawbs. There’s a bright salinity too it keeping it all fresh too. Perfect timing for the tennis!

Got a favourite? Let me know!

Look, I know that to some of us, ‘leftover’ red wine isn’t a thing but I’m told it does happen occasionally! And yes, it’s wonderful in gravy and stews but I saw this recipe while working with much-loved Spanish wine brand Toro Loco and it appealed even more. The best part? It’s super simple to make AND the wine works because it’s fruity and delicious but won’t break the bank. Here’s what you need and how to do it:

RED WINE CHOCOLATE CAKE (10 mins prep)

Ingredients:

300ml Fruity Red Wine ( I used Toro Loco Superior Red, £5.99 Tesco & £5.49 Aldi)

150g Plain Flour

100g Light Brown Sugar

100g Caster Sugar

60g Cocoa powder

60ml Vegetable or Coconut Oil

1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp Baking Powder

½ tsp Salt

Optional Cream Cheese Topping:

150g Cream Cheese

120g Icing Sugar

½ Tsp Vanilla Extract

Method:

Combine all dry ingredients, then slowly stir in the wine and oil. Grease the tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 25 minutes depending on your desired goo factor! If you’re going for a topping, wait for the cake to cool then combine the ingredients in a bowl, stir and spread. Super simple.

IN THE GLASS 🍷🇪🇸

Toro Loco Superior Tempranillo-Bobal Red, Spain.

£5.99 Tesco & £5.49 Aldi

Hailing from Spain’s Utiel-Requena region, not far from Valenca, this Tempranillo and Bobal blend is is the flagship wine from Toro Loco and shows of generous, fruity aromas of cherry, plum and blackberry, with soft tannins and a dry finish. It’s cheerfully uncomplicated and the perfect profile for this tasty pud.

For more on Toro Loco, see here!

For the latest episode of The HelenaSips Podcast, click here!

I’ve been doing some work with one of my favourite French wine brands Les Dauphins and I wanted to share the love as I always forget how good the wines are AND how Côtes du Rhône wines generally are a brilliant go-to when you want to zhuzh up a simple dish in the middle of the week - or take a bottle to someone’s house for dinner.

There’s full overview of the various quality levels of Côtes du Rhône on my website over here, but for now, here’s a cheeky little midweek recipe, which goes brilliantly with red, white or even rosé from Les Dauphins, depending on your vibe and whether it’s lunch or dinner. Here’s what I went for:

IN THE GLASS

Les Dauphins, Côtes du Rhône Villages ‘Grand Réserve’, *£12 Waitrose

With a bottle that looks like it’s come straight out of a 1920’s Parisian bistro (I want a poster of the label!), this is a silky, concentrated red packed full of brooding damson fruit and licorice spice with a waft of fresh herbs and a touch of grilled meat.

The ‘villages’ on the label means it’s a step up in quality from a simpler Côtes du Rhône. These wines come from a more tightly defined group of communes, mostly in the Southern Rhône, where soils, exposure and vine age tend to give greater concentration and character. With stricter rules around yields and ripeness, they are still largely red (around 85–90%), but show riper fruit, more depth and a touch more polish than the more generic Côtes du Rhône wines.

* NOTE! Price £9 for a special Dine In offer from 8^th to 29^th April *

ALSO TRY:

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône White, £10, Waitrose

A great example of a white blend, featuring Grenache Blanc and Viognier. This is a fruity and aromatic white with generous notes of acacia blossom and white peach.

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé, £8.75 (was £9.75), Ocado

A vibrant and perky pink made from soft Grenache and dark berried Syrah, showing off notes of summer berries with a refreshing slick of citrus.

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ON THE PLATE

A Classic Croque Monsieur

Ingredients:

• 4 Slices white sourdough

• 20g Melted Butter

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 100g Grated Gruyère

• 4 Slices Smoked Ham

For the Béchamel sauce

• 125ml Whole Milk

• 125ml Cream

• 1 Crushed Garlic Clove

• 2 Bay Leaves

• 1 Chopped Small Onion

• 20g Butter

• 20g Plain flour

• 1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard

• Freshly Grated Nutmeg

Method: Start by making a classic béchamel. Gently heat the milk and cream with garlic, bay leaves and onion until just below boiling, then take off the heat and leave to infuse for 10 minutes before straining. In a separate pan, melt the butter and stir in the flour, cooking until it smells lightly biscuity. Gradually whisk in the infused milk, bring to a gentle boil, then stir in Dijon mustard, a little freshly grated nutmeg and seasoning until you have a thick, creamy, deeply flavoured sauce.

Meanwhile, butter the bread and toast one side under the grill until golden. Turn the slices over, spread with Dijon, then a layer of béchamel, top with grated Gruyère and ham, and sandwich together. Finish with a little more béchamel and cheese on top, then bake in a hot oven (220°C/200°C fan) for 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve with a simple mix of mustard and mayo on the side. Serve with chips and a side salad. Enjoy!

Want to know more about Les Dauphins? Look here!

Want an overview of Côtes du Rhône wines? Read here!

There was a lot to love at the Tesco press tasting last week but I thought for this note it would be good to highlight some white, single grape variety sippers that are excellent examples of their type.

Aiosa Lucido 2025, £8 NEW

This lesser-known, ancient Sicilian grape is a different clone of Catarrato and gets its name from its shiny ‘lucid’ skin. Fresh, savoury-mineral and saline with a touch of creamy lemon and apricot, this is the kind of wine that’s going to take the summer by storm! New to Tesco and so well priced, stock up on this for your barbecues.

Tesco Finest Pecorino, Terre d’Abruzzo IGT 2025, £8.25

Pecorino is never going to be a grape that sets the world on fire with its personality but that’s often why people like it. This one has always been ‘fine’ but the 2025 vintage is showing more character with its subtle pear and guava nose and fleshier texture. Simple, smashable and affordable. A good example of the grape.

Tesco Finest Viñas del Rey Albariño 2025, £12

This has always been a great benchmark Albariño (that’s the grape) for the price and this new vintage is a corker. Lots of lovely, zesty lemon with ripe peach and a thirst-slaking saltiness on the finish. It’s a tad rounder and riper than previous vintages, which just makes it even more drinkable.

Piccozza Alto Adige Pinot Bianco 2024, £12.75

Every time I taste the Pinot Blanc (Bianco in Italy) grape, especially from this premium Italian region for white wines, I wonder why I don’t drink more of it. Textured, creamy and aromatic, with anotes of ripe pear, yellow apple and almond this is a substantial white but doeasn’t shout too loudly. A great food wine with chicken or pasta.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

In May, I’m back at the Cowes Fringe on the Isle of Wight together with the Chocolate Detective herself, Chantal Coady OBE to host two delicious chocoalte pairing events: one with wine and one with spirits. Join us for a Chocolate and Spirits pairing at 5pm on Sat 23rd May and Wine & Chocolate at 2.30pm on Sunday 24th May.

Tickets now on sale!

More Info & Tickets

The HelenaSips Podcast - Launches THIS THURSDAY!

Thursday April 2nd sees the launch of my all new, lifestyle podcast, where I talk to successful creatives about the sensory rituals that make them tick. If you’re subscribed to my newslatter already, you’ll see these fortnightly updates with links in your emails but you can also listen on Spotify, Apple or wherever you normally listen.

If this is not for you, feel free to manage your updates from so you only see this bits you want.

See Who's Coming Up...

Have a wonderful week and let me know what you’ve been sipping over on my Instagram @helenasips !

Cin cin x

Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day or just looking for a really good bottle to cheer you up in this shitey English weather, here are seven seriously special wines that I’ve really loved trying recently - and that remind me that sometimes, it pays to trade up.

COSY REDS

Little Giant Barossa Shiraz, £10 until 24th March (was £13) Waitrose

If you’ve watched the newest episode of Alan Carr’s Bottoms Up video podcast (with moi!), you’ll have seen Alan go properly gooey over this comforting red - and it’s easy to see why. Hailing from Australia’s Barossa valley, this is a classic, classy Aussie Shiraz, packed full of damson compote, cocoa and pepper notes and silky smooth with it. Try this with anything beefy or a square of dark chocolate.

Vergelegen ‘Mill Race’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2022, £14 (mix 6 price) Majestic

This iconic South African producer makes many different reds and this one is an absolute steal for the price. It’s a Bordeaux blend, so largely Merlot and Cabernet and shows off some serious blackcurrant fruitiness, balanced up by cedar and spice. It’s a hug in a glass and will adore roast lamb or steak or even a hunk of hard cheese.

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Red Wine 2020 California, £28 The Champagne Company

I described this recently as ‘satin sheets, spice and salt’ and that’s exactly how it makes me feel. There’s something really sensual about a Californian pinot and this one oozes all the charm of its cool, coastal home. There’s some smoky, dark cherry compote in there too. This is crying out for duck or a leg of lamb - or even just a cuddle on the sofa.

SERIOUS ROSÉ

Babylonstoren Mourvedre Rosé 2025, £13 until 24th March (was £18) Waitrose

Babylonstoren is another iconic name to know in wine. Based out in South Africa’s cooler Franschoek Valley, it makes wines of all colours and styles. This rosé has been the official wine of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the past five years and it deserves to be noticed. Made with the meaty, Mourvèdre grape, this fuller-bodied and textural pink gives serious Bandol vibes if you’re into that, but with a laid back, South African charm. Drink alone or it’ll love cold cuts - and a BBQ if it’s warm out.

TEXTURAL WHITES

Taste the Difference,Languedoc White Wine, £9.50 Sainsburys

White blends from France’s Rhône Valley are going to be big these year as many of us move away from crisp and light whites to seek out something with more creaminess and complexity. This one is a real grower, with subtle notes of pear and baked apple, cream and a squeeze of lime. Wonderful with anything chicken or a slice of comté.

‘Le Arenarie’, Vermentino di Gallura, £15.50 Waitrose

Another wine I’ve completely fallen back in love with is Sardinian Vermentino (that’s the grape) from the Gallura area, where it shines the brightest. Think baked apple pie with a citrussy lift, a sprinkle of salt and a subtle, herbaceous finish. It’s extraordinary - and great value because it’s not very well known. Wonderful with fish, cows milk cheese or a roast chicken.

Clos de la Vierge, Jurançon Sec, £19 Laithwaites

I showcased this recently for Laithwaites and now cannot get enough of it. Hailing from a teensy 3 hectare estate in southwest France, this is a fab example of the Gros Manseng grape done properly with a hint of oak. Think deep green gold with a floral nose and concentrated notes of greengage, white peach and spice, all balanced by a cool mineral core. This will love fleshy monkfish, white fish, chicken and your entire cheese plate.

Dates For Your Diary

If you fancy joining a wine or spirits masterclass with me sometime soon, I’ve just added some new events to my diary: Wine & Chocolate and Spirits & Chocolate tasting events at Cowes Fringe, a Seafood Fine wine & Food Story with top chef Robert Thompson in Ryde and several wine masterclasses as the Lymington Seafood Festival. See helenanicklin.com and ‘Upcoming Events’.

Bottoms Up! With Alan Carr & Lee Peart

Episode 15 of the Bottoms Up video podcast is out now! It features me and a riduclous amount of laughter adn bad behaviour, largely from Alan. See more for how to watch HERE!

Cin Cin!

H x

Wine? Good! Chocolate? Good! Together? A total minefield.

I posted recently here about the wine and chocolate pairing rules of thumb, so now here are some of my absolute favourite combinations to try.

First things first; choose proper chocolate. Not the cheap commercial stuff packed full of sugar, additives and with a very low cocoa content. I’m talking about the artisan chocolate that actually tastes of something (and doesn’t destroy the planet. Bonus). This is where the best pairings sit. I love The Chocolate Detective & Pump Street particularly. Try these!

Milk Chocolate + New World Pinot Noir

While Port is an obvious pairing, if you’re not into fortified wine, then a fruity, New World Pinot is an elegant choice. You’ll need chocolate that’s not too sweet.

CHOC: Pump Street Togo Swiss Milk 44%, £7.45, Pump Street

WINE: Toast & Honey California Pinot Noir 2022, £15.50 (£14 mix 6) Majestic

Dark Orange Chocolate + Tokaji

Both wine and chocolate share vibrant, zesty orange notes here balanced by sweetness and the Tokaji’s high acidity lift the richness of the chocolate.

CHOC: Dark Chocolate Orangettes, The Chocolate Detective, Jack Thompson

WINE: Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2018 50cl, £33, The Wine Society

White Chocolate + Moscato

White ‘chocolate’ (yes, we know it’s not technically chocolate) is sweet, fatty, creamy and delicate, which makes it a natural match for the light, floral charm of Moscato.

CHOC: White Broken Chocolate with Foraged Fennel & Cardamom, The Chocolate Detective, £16.95 from Jack Thompson

WINE: Moscato Spumante Dolce, 7.5% £6.99, February Wine Tour in Store, Lidl

Dark Cherry Choc + Valpolicella Ripasso

Ripasso style wine is a little richer in flavour and alcohol and there’s often a hint of sweetness with its bright cherry notes. It’s a winner with dark cherry chocolate.

CHOC: Dark Broken Chocolate with Whole Sour Cherries, The Chocolate Detective, £16.95 from Jack Thompson

WINE: Domini Veneti ‘La Casetta’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, £21 (£18.50 mix 6) Majestic

Salted Caramel Chocolate + Tawny Port

Aged in oak, Tawny Port develops nutty, toffee-like, dried fruit flavours that mirror the caramel notes beautifully, while the salt draws out the wine’s complexity.

CHOC: Artisan Salted Caramel & Chocolate Ganache Seagull Eggs, £14.95 Jack Thompson

WINE: Cockburns 10 Year Old Tawny, £25.50, Sainsbury’s

Rose & Violet Creams + Amarone

With its floral perfume and silky sweetness and dark cocoa bite, both rose and violet creams pair remarkably well with the rich elegance of Amarone della Valpolicella.

CHOC: Rose & Violet Creams, The Chocolate Detective, £14.95, Jack Thompson

WINE: Amarone della Valpolicella, £9.99 Aldi

Dark Mint Choc + New World Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark mint chocolate, with its bittersweet depth and cooling herbaceous edge, is a striking match for a New World Cabernet from places like Chile & South Africa.

CHOC: Rococo Artisan Dark Chocolate Mint bar, £7.75, Jack Thompson

WINE: Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, £19.99 Laithwaites

Have you found a perfect pairing? Let me know!

Helena x

Those who shop regularly at Lidl will know they they have monthly ‘wine tours’, which are a great opportunity for the retailer to try out new wines and for wine lovers to do some exploring - but you need to try them before they disappear. Here’s my pick from Lidl’s February Tour with some favourites from their core range that you can find any time and guess what? They’re all under £10. Boom!

WHITE

Greco Beneventano, Campania, Italy 2024, 12.5% £7.99 (February Wine Tour)

Greco is an indigenous grape hailing from southern Italy and this one is a good example for an accessible price. It’s golden and viscous with subtle exotic fruit notes and a thirst-slaking minerality. Yummy.

Traminer Aromatico, I.G.T Trevenezie, Italy, 12%, £6.99 (February Wine Tour)

If you’re familiar with the perfumed, rose and lychee notes of Gewürztraminer (watch this!), you’ll recognise this grape, though it’s a much drier version. Gorgeously aromatic with crisp acidity, you’ll want this with fragrant, midly spiced Asian cuisine.

Deluxe, South African Fairtrade Chenin Blanc, 2025, 13.5%, £6.99 (Core Range)

A very good, inexpensive version of a South African Chenin, showcasing its classic notes of honeydew melon, white chocolate and a crisp acidity. It has a tiny touch of sweetness on the palate and a lovely, long length of flavour too. Just add Comté.

New Zealand Pinot Grigio, Gisbourne, 2025, 12.5%, £7.85 (Core Range)

This wine shows what this grape can do from New Zealand. Made in more of a Pinot Gris style (Pinot Grigio’s alter ego) It’s elegant, aromatic and soft with notes of fleshy, white peach and a cool, stoniness that keeps it fresh. A great apéro sipped alone.

RED

Aglianico Calapirata, Italy, 2023, 13%, £8.99 (February Wine Tour)

This grape is known as the ‘Barolo of the South’ as it’s bold and ageworthy but I think it’s much friendlier than Barolo. Rich, full and a little meaty with notes of cocoa powder and baking spice, this is a hug in the glass and will love anything beef-based.

Séguret Les Aumôniers, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, 2024, 14.5%, £8.99 (February Wine Tour)

Fans of a classic Côtes-du-Rhône Villages with enjoy this polished, old school red. with it’s dark berry notes and a moreish stoniness, it’s more reserved than some but still highly drinkable and crying out for cold cuts, stews or nutty cheese.

Brindiso DOP Rosso, 2022, 13.5% £8.99 (February Wine Tour)

Hod onto your hats, this is a big ol’, unapologetically fruity, generous red. Made largely with Italy’s Negroamaro grape, this is all plum and chocolate. It’s a slightly sweet style but all very much in balance and exactly what‘s needed to counterbalance hot spice.

L’Escarpe Beaujolais-Villages, 2024, 12.5%, £8.49 (Core Range)

This is an excellent, go-to, classic ‘villages’ Beaujolais, which does everything you’d want it to do: Light-bodied with a gentle grip, aromatic, strawberry compote, earth and a subtle leafiness. it’s bone dry too. Highly smashable and great with cold cuts.

Cepa Lebrel Rioja Crianza, 2022, 14%, £5.79 (Core Range)

Read that price again. No, I didn’t miss off a digit. This is a genuinely excellent Rioja for not much cash. It’s got that tobacco-leafy, baking spice, leathery goodness about it but still has wild strawberry fruit too. Stock up! It’ll love roast lamb and veg.

Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, 2023, 13.5%, £8.99 (Core Range)

Valpolicella doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for its refreshingly tangy, berry and red apple skin-scented wines. This is a ripasso style*, which gives it a bit more punch and concentration. It’s the the ultimate, classy pizza wine.

*Ripasso is when young wines are refermented with the skins from Amarone or recioto, which gives them more flavour, alcohol and tannin.

Don’t forget to tag me @helenasips if you try any and please answer this👇!

Helena x

If you’ve made it this far without breaking your Dry Jan promise to yourself, then congratulations! I didn’t even start. One must support hospitality after all. Ahem. What I will be doing however, is opting for more delicious non-alcoholic drinks; ones not packed full of sugar and preferably with some kind of health function. Here’s what I’ve been tasting recently that I would heartily recommend:

POSH SOFTIE / MIXER

The Green One, Toby & Co. From £24.99 (gift box of 4) Tobyandco.uk

New to the market is this stunning-looking can, which houses a sophisticated mixer or non-alcoholic cocktail - whichever you prefer it to be! Blended with a smart mix of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, mushrooms and botanicals chosen for hydration and mental clarity, this is a feel-good drink that tastes fabulous. Think sparkling apple with a pleasing, full mouthfeel and lots of subtle, savoury complex notes. It’s a guilt-free, alcohol-free upgrade and you’ll want the retro artwork as posters on your wall (check outther website to see what I mean).The cans come in beautifully presented, highly giftable boxes too.

SPARKLING WINE

Casillero del Diablo ZERO Sparkling (0.5% abv), £6 Sainsbury’s

To be completely honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this relatively inexpensive, big brand name but I was very pleasantly surprised with this sparkling fizz. Made with 100% dealcoholized Chardonnay, this manages to keep some of the grape’s peachy fruitiness without having that heavy, cooked flavour you can so often get with booze-free fizz. It’s crisp and refreshing and certainly looks like the real deal in the glass. An absolute winner, especially for parties.

STILL WINE

Future Château Sauvignon Vermentino 2025, 5% abv, £19.99 futurechateau.com

In my opinion, having tasted pretty widely, most no/ low alc STILL wines really struggle in the flavour department, often tasting unfresh or out of balance, with a ton of sugar added to make up for the lack of alcohol. I genuinely enjoyed this white. The tangy, apple pie notes from the Vermentino really sing and it’s crisp and refreshing without being tart or sugary. At 5% it feels like a real wine too - just a lighter styled one. The disco label won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, nor will the price tag, which is a tad on the punchy side, but for those wanting to real wine experience, this has a lot going for it.

COCKTAIL

Free AF Margarita with Afterglow™, £15 for 6 can tasting pack af-drinks.com

If you’re intrigued by the ™, you should be! What we have here are some well-mixed, decent tasting cocktails in a can that hail from New Zealand, but what makes them different is that they use something called Afterglow™. This is apparently an all-natural ingredient that gives these drinks a real, booze-like, tingly kick with a subtle sense of warmth on the finish. I’ve now tried three flavours and can say this is certainly true - Not quite like the real deal but near as dammit! The Margarita is my favourite and they’re perfect for zebra striping. They’re excellent value as well. I’ll be taking a box out with me next time.

CIDER

Chance Clean Cider, 0.5% abv, 33cl, £2.25, The Wine Society, chancecider.com

I always thought that non-alcoholic cider was basically apple juice, but thankfully, there’s a lot more going on in this drop than simple fruit. With its crisp, apple-skin tang balanced by ripe orchard fruit notes and a gentle sweetness, there’s complexity and mouthfeel here. You can tell it’s been expertly blended and the slight sparkle makes it a great fit for aperitifs, a base for non-alcoholic cocktails or even for a bit of food pairing. It’s making me want some salty cheese right now, that’s for sure. Lovely stuff.

APERITIF or DIGESTIF

The Pathfinder Hemp & Root, £26.67, Master of Malt, drinkthepathfinder.co.uk

Fans of sweeter Amaro like Averna will love this quirky, alcohol-free tipple, which still has pretty much all the flavour and bitter kick of a boozier version, with a gentle touch of sweetness rounding it all out. This is made to a secret recipe featuring fermented hemp and I love how their website describes it as ‘inspired by the apothecarial mysteries of Old West snake oil salesmen, alternative medicine and the supernatural marvels that go hand-in-hand with them.’ Intriguing? Very. It’s a fab pre or postprandial sipper too - and who isn’t a sucker for the old medicine bottle packaging vibe?

Cin Cin! Helena x

Liked this? Check out these other articles on the best non-alcoholic drinks of 2025, or What are ‘functional’ drinks and let me know which you’ve enjoyed in the comments below!

So you’ve read about Burns Night and now you’re staring at a wall of bottles wondering where to begin. The good news? Scotland’s core whisky regions each have their own personality and getting to know them is half the fun. Here’s where I’d start if I were mapping out the landscape for the first time:

Speyside

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, £38 Master of Malt

Speyside whiskies are the crowd-pleasers: fruity, approachable and silky smooth. The Glenlivet 12 gives you everything you need to know about why Speyside dominates the market with its notes of apple, pear, vanilla and moreish, honeyed sweetness. There’s zero intimidation factor so this is where you start, full stop.

Highland

Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Old, £29.50 (was £41.50!) Waitrose

The Highlands cover half of Scotland, so saying “Highland style” is a bit like saying “European cuisine”; technically accurate but utterly unhelpful. Glenmorangie is the safe bet, however. Their Original 10 is light and citrusy, with honey and floral notes that won’t scare anyone off. It’s elegant without being precious about it and takes a splash of water beautifully if you want to open it up.

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Lowland

Auchentoshan 12 Year Old, £34.50 The Whisky Exchange

Triple distillation makes Lowland whiskies the gentlest of the bunch. Auchentoshan is soft and delicate with its notes of citrus and vanilla with a crumble of toasted almonds. It’s perfect before dinner when you want something civilized. If someone claims they “don’t like whisky,” hand them this. It’s the proof that Scotch doesn’t have to punch you in the face to be interesting.

Islay

Laphroaig 10 Year Old, £36.94 Master of Malt

On a completely different level are Islay whiskies. These will punch you in the face - but many love them for it. They’re heavily peated, intensely smoky and taste like a bonfire on a beach. Laphroaig is the poster child for this style with its iodine, seaweed and medicinal TCP notes. You’ll taste the smoke for days. There is no middle ground here and you’ll either love it or hate it.

Campbeltown

Springbank 10 Year Old, £115 Amazon

This tiny peninsula amazingly used to have thirty-four distilleries; now there are three. Springbank is the one to know, though it is pricey. It’s briny and lightly peated, with a bit of dried fruit and this gorgeous oily texture that coats your mouth. It sits somewhere between Highland finesse and Islay aggression, which makes it endlessly fascinating if you’re ready to pay attention.

Islands

Talisker 10 Year Old, £53 Tesco

The islands aren’t technically their own region (they’re lumped in with the Highlands), but their whiskies are different enough to deserve separate billing. Talisker from Skye has that classic island character of maritime smoke and sea spray, with enough malty sweetness underneath to keep it balanced. There’s a famous, rather glorioius white pepper finish this this too.

The Wildcard

Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old, £24.50 (Was £37.50) Waitrose

Sometimes you don’t want to think about regional characteristics or tasting notes and it’s here that a seriously good blend will come in. For a reliably excellent dram that works neat, on ice or in any cocktail without complaint, Johnnie Black does it better than almost anything else at the price. It’s fruity, smoky and complex enough to be interesting. An absolute must for any collection, keep a bottle on hand for all eventualities.

Now go forth and explore. Your palate will thank you!

Yes, I know it’s indulgent for Monday but it’s Blue Monday, so I’m not taking any chances - and this has to be the best food and wine pairing I’ve tried in ages.

Californian Chardonnay is often not for the faint-hearted. It can be bold and buttery and peachy in a vanilla pudding kind of way. I absolutely love it. When it comes from the cooler, coastal parts of California like the Carneros region however, all this delicious flavour gets a refreshing squeeze of lemon a a sprinkle of salt, balancing everything up beautifully. It’s exactly what you need to stand up to an indulgently creamy mac ‘n’ cheese like this one and cleanse the palate afterwards. They can be pricey but WOW are they worth it.

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IN THE GLASS

Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2023 from Majestic Wine (£40 mix 6, £50 single btl)

Recipe (Serves 6)

350g Macaroni Pasta

480ml Full Fat Milk

240ml Double Cream

200g Gruyère Cheese (grated)

400g Mature Cheddar (grated)

2 Tbsp Plain Flour

4 Tbsp Butter

1 Tsp Smoked Paprika

1 Tsp Dijon Mustard

100g Panko Breadcrumbs

Parsley to garnish

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees while you cook the pasta. Drain it and set aside. Next. make a roux by melting the butter and gradually adding the flour. Cook for two minutes then lower the heat. Gradually add in the milk and cream, whisking all the time. Keep stirring as the mixture thickens; it should take 3-4 minutes. Stir in the grated cheese while on a low heat, season to taste, then pour in the drained pasta and combine everything together. Grease your dish lightly, then transfer the creamy pasta goodness into it and shove it in the over for about half an hour.

Garnish with parsley for a bit of zhuzh and serve with a large glass of the chilled Chardonnay.

Cin cin!

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Want a Sips Safari to discover more Chardonnay? Watch this!

January is a great time to fall in love with apples thanks to the noisy, slightly bonkers Twelfth Night tradition of wassailing in apple orchards with pots and pans. It’s coming back, don’t you know! I’m going to one on Saturday dressed in foliage. Intrigued? See more about wassailing in this article here.

For those seeking some proper apple-based drinks to explore this January however, here’s a handful of proper ciders, an apple cider vinegar based ‘switchel’ and a gorgeous, new, non-alcoholic cider:

Apple Drinks to Try

Starlight, Traditional Method Sparkling Cider, 75cl, 8%, £17.50, Rull Orchard

Starlight earns its Champagne comparison the hard way: through the same painstaking ‘traditional method’ process used there. Here at Rull Orchard in Devon, hand-picked apples undergo wild fermentation before being bottled for a second fermentation on the lees: the process which creates those fine, persistent bubbles and gorgeous yeasty tang. The result is crisp green apple on the nose, brut-dry on the palate, with a delicate thread of apple-skin tannin holding everything in balance. At 8% ABV, it’s got the weight to stand up to delicate seafood or carry a celebration and its credentials speak for themselves: British Supreme Champion Reserve at the 2023 British Cider Championships, Gold at the same competition in 2024, and Gold for Best in Class Bottle Fermented Cider at the 2025 Devon County Show. This is proper bottle-fermented cider that happens to be vegan and gluten-free, showcasing the 2022 harvest at its most refined. Well worth trading up for.

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Maison SASSY Brut Organic Cider, 75cl, 5%, £5.50, Laithwaites

Maison Sassy’s Brut is a classic Norman cider-making,, Here, 22 apple varieties undergo traditional pressing and natural fermentation before bottling to create a light sparkle without the lengthy secondary fermentation on lees. Made with 100% pure juice with no additives, certified organic and made from fruit grown near Château’s historic forests, this is fresh, and crisp with gentle apple aromatics and an unexpected hint of leather. The simpler production keeps the price accessible and creates an everyday-drinking cider with serious credentials, perfect for aperitifs or pairing with white meats and Normandy cheeses like Camembert.

Crackington Dry, Still Cider, 12 x 500ml, 6.5%, £42 crackingtoncider.co.uk

Crackington’s ciders are just about as stunning as their coastal, Cornish location. Made entirely from Dabinett apples - a vintage, bittersweet variety, their dry still cider has a wine-like quality that sets it apart from the usual crowd. It seems crazy to say it’s very appley but IT IS, followed by a long tannic finish that gives it structure and grip. At 6.5% ABV, it works beautifully anywhere you’d reach for a dry white wine too. They have a wide range of styles that are all vegan and gluten-free and they get extra points for nurturing their wildflowers, birds and bees in the orchard.

Pssst. If you need an epic rental home at Crackington Haven, check out Penkenna House!

Mother Root, 500ml, £24.95 (Was £27.95) Waitrose

Still apple based but with a twist, Mother Root is a modern take on ‘switchel’, i.e. an old-world tonic that’s been quenching thirsts since colonial America, traditionally made from apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey. This revival brings that centuries-old formula into sharp focus to create a wonderfully punchy tipple. Zingy ginger hits first, followed by the bright tang of apple cider vinegar, all smoothed out by the gentle sweetness of blossom honey with a subtle kick of chilli at the finish. It’s bracingly refreshing rather than sweet with a complexity that makes it far more interesting than your average soft drink. The vinegar gives it backbone and bite, while the ginger and chilli create warmth without overwhelming. Serve it ice-cold, topped with soda or sparkling water. It’s the kind of drink that feels both restorative and celebratory, perfect for when you want something with character and depth minus the alcohol to sip slowly. It’s actually stonking for your gut too!

Chance Non-alcoholic Cider, 0.5%, 330ml x 12, £17.60 chancecider.com

Chance ‘Clean’ (meaning non-alcoholic) proves that alcohol-free cider doesn’t need to taste just like apple juice. Made by traditional British cider-makers using quality apples, this is a genuinely well-crafted drink that stands on its own merits. There’s a touch of sweetness, yes, but it’s kept in check by bright acidity and a gentle sparkle that lifts the whole thing. The flavour profile is more layered than you might expect too: crisp apple bite, with bursts of citrus and pineapple playing against subtle woody notes. What impresses me is the structural complexity. This has a lot more going on than simple, sparkling apple juice and it has a genuinely refreshing finish. This is a good drink to get you over that ‘booze o’clock’ hump and it’s delicious to boot.

Need to geek out on cider now? Here’s a great book about it: Modern British Cider Book

Want to know more about ‘other drinks’? See these:

What is Mead?

What is Sake?

What is Absinthe?

On cold days like these (and because my Jan is damp, not dry), I crave Viognier; the exotic sun goddess white wine grape that hails from France’s Rhône Valley.

What does Viognier taste like?

Fans of fuller-bodied whites like Chardonnay will love Viognier as it’s generally rich and creamy with lots of weighty mouthfeel. No tart, super crisp acidity here! Key notes are apricot and peach with a whiff of acacia blossom or frangipani and a touch of coconut and banana cream on the palate. This is why I describe it as a voluptuous sun goddess on a tropical island, skin glistening with coconut oil wearing a garland of white flowers and drinking a peachy cocktail. What’s not to love?

WATCH THE ‘VINALOGY’ VIDEO HERE! (2 mins 48)

Viognier Sips Safari

Want to get to know the grape? Try these:

Viognier, Paul Jaboulet, £11.50, (£9.50 Nectar price) Sainsbury’s

Like a baby version of the more intense and even more opulent (and expensive) Condrieu, this Rhône white from one of the region’s top producers is an excellent example of the style. It has it all going on with a fresh, citrussy appeal, which makes it a great one to get to know the grape with.

Yalumba ‘Worthy Grounds’ Viognier, Eden Valley, £17 (£15.50 mix 6) Majestic

Viognier has a long term holiday home in Eden Valley Australia and Yalumba were among the first to plant it there. This particular wine has had a touch of oak which gives it a mildly spiced, saffron- like against its apricot richness. A fabulous food wine that will sing with tagines and mild spices.

Splash Out! Condrieu ‘La Combe de Malleval’ 2023, Domaine Stephane Ogier £42.33 Vinatis

If you want to discover the OG, look for a ‘Condrieu’, which is the name of a small appellation (designated wine growing area) in the northern Rhône Valley. Condrieu is Viognier’s spiritual home and it’s here where it expresses itself in its most unapologetic, creamy, aromatic way. Not for everyone and it can get very pricy but I would bathe in the stuff!

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Viognier Food Pairing

With its upscaled fruitiness and floral aromatics, Viognier can take mild spice. Gorgeous matches are Moroccan tagine, chicken korma, roast chicken with all the trimmings, monkfish and a cheeky pad Thai.

Have you tried it before? Let me know your faves!

Want more Vinalogy videos? Try this one on Syrah for size.

The purse strings feel a lot tighter this year for all sorts of reasons but fear not; we can still pop the corks on some special sparklers that taste and look more expensive than they are. Here’s my pick of 8 top sparkling tipples under a tenner from the supermarkets:

Comte de Senneval Champagne, Lidl £9.99 OFFER ENDS TODAY (was £13.99)

Lidl’s fan favourite Comte de Senneval offers a lot of bang for very little buck - especially if you grab some today before the offer ends! It’s a mid-way style that’s mineral and nutty with a savoury hint of cheese rind. Not the most fruity or with the most finesse, but for the price it’s very good.

Less is More Italian Semi-Sparkling Wine, £5.95 on offer at Co-op

Eco warriors after a tipple, look no further. This first of a kind Italian fizz comes in a super light, recyclable bottle that looks a lot smarter than it sounds. What’s inside is perky and pretty too, packed with frothy pear, white blossom and a refreshing lemon twist. At its offer price, it’s hard to beat - and it won’t make a racket going into the recycling bin. Pairs with light bites and makes a good base for a Bellini.

Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV, £8.99 Lidl in store

This Lidl stalwart fizz from France has always knocked it out of the park for price and it’s getting better every year. Golden, lean and crisp, with a subtle, savoury finish, this is a classy little number in the glass and the bottle looks the part too. A smart choice for gifting and another that will go with just about anything. It makes a mean Bucks Fizz too.

The Best Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, £9.50 Morrisons

If you’ve not yet tired of Prosecco, look for the ‘G’ and upgrade to a DOCG version, which will have a bit more going on in the flavour department. Made with grapes grown on the more premium, steeper slopes of the region, this Morrisons tipple is impressively classy - a tad drier than some and with a pinch of pear, green apple and a cool mineral vibe.

Specially Selected Method Cap Classique Aldi, £9.99 in Store

This dry, South African Sparkler was new to Aldi this year and has made a real splash for its gorgeously gluggable, Champagne-a-like character with a jolly dollop of fruitiness. Cap Classique means it’s made like Champers and often from the same grapes (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), so it tastes properly premium without the price tag.

Fiari Ribolla Gialla, £7 on offer Co-op

This fabulously festive looking fizz brings the sparkles inside and out. Made with the lesser known Ribolla Gialla grape from Italy, this offers a light, fruity style of bubbles with less sweetness than Prosecco and a salty tang. Perfect for parties and gifting your host and even better when on offer. Serve alone or with a wide range of canapés.

M&S Crémant de Bordeaux rosé £10 M&S

If it’s a classy Crémant you’re after, look no further than this pink and pretty bottle from M&S. Made in the Champagne method but with a quirky mix of red Bordeaux grapes like Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this is all about flavours like strawberry pastry with a delicate crust. Elegant and versatile, this is great with ham and speaking up the leftovers.

Extra Special Crémant d’Alsace Brut, £8.47 (Was £9.98), Asda

Alsace makes some of the best value Crémant out there and is often a little softer and riper than other style. This one has a gorgeous, ripe peachy vibe with a dollop of generous apricot fruitiness. The perfect all-rounder fizz, this goes with just about everything and even better, it’s currently 25% off when you buy 6.

Extra Special Mas Miralda Cava Brut, £7.48 Asda

Cava is very much back in fashion and showing what brilliant value it can be. This one is no exception. Made like Champagne but with local, Spanish grapes, this is a great mid-way style that brings an easygoing toastiness to its tinned pineapple and peach flavour profile. Perky, vibrant and fresh, this can take heavier more savoury nibbles.

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Portugal is arguably the most underrated European wine region out there for wonderfully complex, brilliantly inexpensive wines and the reason is clear: they tend to use local grapes that people can’t pronounce and the wines tend to be blended too, which can be an extra barrier to understanding immediately what they are. Once you get over that however, you’ll know to seek out these stunning Iberian sippers because you’ll know they’re relatively undiscovered gems that will knock it out the park for price.

While most famous for Port, which comes in 14 different official styles (see this piece here for more on that), the country makes glorious dry, reds, whites, pinks and sparkling. Here are some to try:

Florão 2023 - Ocado (£15) or Portugal Vineyards

This is a bright and breezy white from northern Alentejo, where higher vineyards and cooler nights bring a welcome lift to this sun-soaked part of Portugal. It’s made from Verdelho and Arinto, two native grapes that thrive on freshness rather than weight and you can expect ripe citrus, pineapple and a hint of apricot blossom, followed by a clean, lightly textured and gently mineral palate, with a refreshing line of acidity that keeps everything in check. It tastes like warm days, cool evenings and the sort of holiday where lunch quietly turns into dinner. A seriously drinkable white that is equally happy with grilled fish, salads, or poured generously just because it’s open.

Altano Rewilding Douro 2022 - Tesco (£11)

A partnership with Rewilding Portugal, money from every bottle sold goes towards rewilding the Portguese countryside. It’s a vibrant, easy-going red from the Douro is made in a lighter, fresher style than you might expect from this dramatic region, which is famous for Port. Crafted from a classic local blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, it’s all about drinkability rather than heft. You can expect juicy black cherry, wild berries and a flicker of spice, followed by a supple, softly textured palate with bright acidity and gently grippy tannins that keep things fresh and moreish. It tastes like lazy Sunday roasts ending up by the fire and the sort of wine that disappears faster than planned. An effortlessly likeable red that works just as well slightly chilled, with roast chicken, veggie dishes or a midweek supper.

Altano Organic Rosé DOC Douro, Taurus Wines (£13.99)

From organically tended vineyards in the Douro Valley, Altano Organic Rosé is a dry, elegant expression of Portugal’s rosé potential, crafted with sustainability and finesse. Made from traditional Douro varieties like Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão, and fermented cool to preserve vibrant freshness, it shows a delicate pale hue and a beautifully balanced profile. On the nose, a touch of saline minerality leads into subtle floral notes and bright red fruit; think rhubarb, strawberry and a splash of citrus leaf. The palate is crisp, clean and lively, with refreshing acidity and a and green tea-like nuance. Perfect for boxing day lunch with festive ham.

Graham’s Blend No.5 White Port - Waitrose (£26.50)

A funky looking WHITE Port again from the Douro Valley, this is a fresh and modern take on the style, made to be lighter on its feet than the after-dinner classics. It’s bright and floral, made with local aromatic varieties including Malvasia Fina and Moscatel (Muscat) Gallego and you can expect citrus peel, grapefruit, orange blossom and a soft honeyed glow, with a clean, medium-dry palate that feels crisp rather than cloying. It tastes like sun on white stone and it equally wonderful sipped chilled with hard cheese or mixed with Mediterranean tonic and a slice of orange.

Cockburn’s 10YO Tawny Port - Sainsbury’s (£18.50)

A great example of a Tawny Port, this is a beautifully mellow, nutty style of Port, where wines are aged slowly in small oak casks to develop their signature tawny character. Made from a traditional blend of local grapes including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz and hailing form the Douro Valley, it’s all about time, texture and quiet complexity. Tasting-wise, think toasted nuts, caramel and dried fig, with hints of orange peel and warm spice, followed by a silky, gently sweet palate that feels polished rather than heavy. The acidity keeps it lively, the finish lingers, and it tastes like the luxury of not rushing anywhere. A brilliant bottle to keep on hand and it’s perfect with hard cheeses, nutty desserts or simply poured slowly at the end of the evening, when one glass really is enough. If that is ever true.

Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port - Asda Rollback Price (£11.23)

The step up form the norm Ruby Port is a rich, crowd-pleasing sipper from the Douro Valley, blended for depth, fruit and immediate appeal rather than long ageing. Made again from the classic local varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, it’s bold, generous and unapologetically comforting. A benchmark example of a Ruby, this oozes ripe black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate, with a hint of spice and a plush, warming palate that feels smooth and satisfying without tipping into heaviness. A brilliant-value Port to have on standby, especially at this promotional price. It’s perfect with chocolate desserts, strong cheeses, or poured when the evening calls for something indulgent but familiar.

Graham’s 2020 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port - Tesco (£18)

Drawn from a single standout harvest in the Douro Valley, this ready-to-drink, Late Bottled Vintage Port sits beautifully between youthful fruit and early maturity. Made from a traditional blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, it delivers depth and structure without the need for years of cellar patience. The nose leans into blackberry compote, damson and cocoa, with a flicker of spice. On the palate it’s rich and generous, yet still composed and fresh, with firm but polished tannins. It has that classic LBV confidence: bold, assured and quietly impressive. Ideal with chocolate desserts or blue cheese, but just as satisfying on its own when you want something warming, reassuring and a little bit special at the end of the day.

Warres Vintage Port 1985, Vintagewineandport.co.uk (£99)

Declared in an exceptional year and made from grapes of a single harvest, this Warre’s 1985 Vintage Port is a snapshot of the Douro at its finest. Vintage Port represents the pinnacle of Port production, bottled after just a short time in cask and designed to mature slowly over decades in bottle. Now beautifully evolved, this wine shows aromas of dried blackberry, fig and plum giving way to notes of walnut, cocoa powder and a gentle hint of spice. The palate is rich yet elegant, with mellow tannins, softened sweetness and a long, beautifully balanced finish. There’s a sense of quiet authority here; less about power now, more about poise and complexity. A classic partner for blue cheese, dark chocolate or simply a moment of reflection at the end of a meal.

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