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.

Subscribe now

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.

Subscribe now

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.

Subscribe now

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!

Want more food and wine pairings like this? Subscribe for free!

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.

Subscribe now

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!

Subscribe now

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.

Want more of these drinks picks? Make sure you have subscribed!

Subscribe now

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.

Make sure you’re subscribed to hear about more events and get recommendations and wine learnies into your inbox!

For those of you who don’t buy the Daily Mail, here’s the unedited version:

Wine is getting more expensive. Full stop. And sadly, for those of us who enjoy the odd tipple, the perfect storm of rising duty, shipping costs, glass shortages, exchange rates and endless paperwork have meant that finding a genuinely good, authentic bottle for under a tenner is about as rare as a lie in when you have young kids. What’s worse is that corners are now often being cut with the very cheapest bottles. Alcohol levels are also being sneakily lowered to dodge higher tax brackets and keep prices down. Let’s face it, a proper Aussie Shiraz or a juicy Chilean Merlot doesn’t naturally rock up at 11% ABV. If it does, chances are it’s had some of the booze whisked away, spoonfuls of sugar added to make up for the thinner body and a dash of lab-made acidity to make the whole thing taste vaguely normal. In short, many super cheap wines are now more like processed commodities, even if they don’t taste bad, per se. While these may be perfectly fine if you just want a jammy booze hit after a long day (and no judgement here!), if you’re trying to actually understand what’s in your glass, these ‘Franken-wines’ aren’t your friends.

None of this is to say that all cheap wine is bad. Far from it. There are still absolute gems out there that punch way above their price tag - the sort of bottles that make you feel smug enough to post pictures of them on instagram. You just need to know where to look. And this, conveniently, is where those of us who taste our way through the supermarket wine shelves for a living get to shine. I would say that, but it’s true.

When tasting, I try to look at the price last so I can form a picture in my mind first and guess. Those that surprise me go into my articles. I often recommend wines I wouldn’t necessarily drink myself because I know they’re decent and that there is an audience for them. Here however, are ten stonkingly good white wines, all tasted this year, that I would actively purchase to drink despite having countless other bottles in the house for sampling. All overdeliver on quality for price and are fantastic examples of type. Most importantly, I would be proud to share them with the most discerning wine lovers at any party.

There’s something for everyone in this eclectic mix. Happy sipping!

Azul Marinho Alvarinho 2024, £7.47 on offer (usually £8.42) ASDA

Portuguese Alvarinho is such a vibrant, happy grape, making whites packed with zingy citrus and ripe peach with a sprinkle of sea salt. This one is immensely gluggable for a great price.

Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone White, £9.50 Ocado, £8.75 on offer at Waitrose

I’ve got back into textural whites this year and this blend brilliantly combines a creamy mouthfeel with refreshing notes of lime and orange blossom over fennel and ripe apricot.

Tesco Finest Soave Superiore Classico 2023, £8.50 Tesco

Italian Soave is so underrated and this one is incredibly well-priced for the real deal. Crisp and classy, this is dry and savoury with notes of salted almonds and green apple.

Unearthed - Austrian Gemischter Satz, £6.99 Aldi

When Aldi goes off-piste, chances are they’ve found something special. This Austrian field blend is fun, fresh and a bit different. Think juicy nectarine and herbs with a peppery kick.

Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ, £9.97 ASDA

Yealands sets the benchmark for all kinds of premium New Zealand Sauvignon, from regional blends to single vineyard sippers. This is my go-to for a classic, Marlborough profile.

Specially Selected Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie, £7.69 Aldi in store

Muscadet is back! Earthy and melon-scented with a prickle of CO2 fizz, this wine elegantly proves that white can still be affordable, delicious and complex without blowing your socks off.

Languedoc White Wine, Taste the Difference, £9.25 Sainsbury’s

This richly textured white blend is a fantastic crowd pleaser and great food wine. Think white flowers and baked apple with white chocolate, liquorice and salty minerals on the palate.

Luis Felipe Edwards Reserva Viognier, £9.50 Waitrose

I love Viognier, with its unapologetically round body and sunshine-in-a-glass notes of ripe peach, apricot and orange blossom. It’s hard to get right but this one’s fab and affordable.

Alsace Riesling Camille Meyer, £8.99 Lidl in store

Riesling is a real wine lover’s grape but others are still nervous of it thanks to Blue Nun. This one’s thirst-slaking, lime-scented and delicately floral. A wonderful way to discover the grape.

Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Gable Lodge, £8.50 M&S and Ocado

I love a powerhouse Chardonnay with a hint of vanilla spiced oak, as long as everything is in balance and it’s fresh and not too saccharine. This South African version is the bomb!

Want to learn more about wine? Check out my bite-sized video wine course!

Here’s something I wrote for The Sun but I thought you might like it too! It’s my pick of some of the best supermarket Crémant wines around…

Crémant has been the fizz on everyone’s lips for a while now but this year, we’re really loving it, with sales up a whopping 200% year on year according to M&S. It’s easy to see why too: Made in the same time consuming way as Champagne and usually with a blend of grapes, these super sippers can only come from France (plus and one cheeky one from Luxembourg), they are much drier than Prosecco and have a lot more flavour, leaning into those toasty, brioche notes we all love. Some of them really are giving Champagne a run for money too. Here’s my pick of the best from the supermarkets.

M&S Étoile de Timberlay Crémant de Bordeaux Brut NV, £10 M&S

M&S really are masters of great value Crémant, which is no mean feat as prices rise. This bubbly Bordeaux packs a flavour punch thanks to the fact it’s made mostly with two of the region’s top red grapes: Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Think ripe pear and baked apple tart with a sprinkle of sea salt. Excellent value for a traditional method fizz and perfect alone or in a Kir Royale.

Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, £14 M&S

This is M&S’s brand new, posh Crémant from Alsace but while it’s the most expensive on this list, it’s still less than half the price of a bottle of Moët. Made with local grapes Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, it’s not trying to be a Champagne-a-like in flavour terms, but it does have plenty of its own charm and complexity. Think white flowers, ripe peach and almond cream. Its soft weightiness makes it a great food pairing with white fish and chicken too.

Crémant de Loire Brut NV, £8.99 Lidl in store

Part of Lidl’s core range, this crisp and refreshing Crémant does not disappoint for the ultra low price tag. A classic Loire blend, Chenin Blanc brings the zippy acidity and fresh, white peach notes while a splash of Chardonnay bolsters the body. There’s a nicely moreish, tangy rhubarb note to this too. A great one to pair with lighter canapés and smoked salmon.

Specially Selected Chassaux et Fils, Crémant de Loire Brut NV, £8.99 Aldi

** Discount alert! Down to £6.69 on the 25% promo 8th-24th Dec

Cheaper Loire Crémant can often taste overly tart and weedy. Not so here with this exceptional sipper from Aldi at an impressively low price. I don’t know how they do it! Tasting drier and fresher than many others, this shows off lemon sherbet and ripe apricot flavours with subtle pastry notes and an indulgent, creamy mousse. Seriously good and ridiculous value.

Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Brut, £10.24 on offer Asda

Those looking for a style closer to Champagne will do well to seek out this awesome Asda tipple. Crémants from Burgundy like this use the same grapes as the posh stuff, so you’ll get more of that classic, peach skin and brioche vibe with a bit of tangy baked apple in the mix. For the price, this is excellent. Hide the bottle and people will think it’s Champers!

Asda Extra Special Crémant d’Alsace Brut, £8.47 on offer Asda

Another cracking, wallet-friendly Crémant from Asda, albeit on the lighter, less complex side. There’s still a lot to love about it though (including the super low price tag). It’s made with different grapes to Champagne and is packed with ripe apricot and peach flavours with a round and generous mouthfeel. This is one for sparkling cocktails and Kirs - or even just mid-week sipping!

Morrisons The Best Crémant de Limoux Rosé, £12.75 Morrisons

It’s getting embarrassing how often I recommend this perky, darker pink fizz to people, but it’s genuinely great. Hailing from Limoux in the South of France, this brings together joyous, melon-like Chardonnay with the crisp acidity of Chenin and a wild strawberry flourish from a splash of Pinot Noir. It’s layered and mineral too with a whiff of smoke. A seriously classy drop that could pass for a posh, foodie rosé Champagne.

Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux Brut NV, £10 Tesco

This super smart looking sipper punches well above its weight in the packaging department and what’s inside the bottle isn’t bad either. Another bubbly from Bordeaux, this is mostly Merlot, which gives the pastry and melon notes in this a moreish, red apple skin tang. A great one with food, especially cold meats and savoury canapés.

Want to know a little more about wine? Subscribe to my bite-sized video wine course!

As there are so many Black Friday offers still available, I thought I would share this early! We all have that friend we need to find a gift for who’s heavily into wine or spirits, but fine booze is becoming so expensive… and… where do you start anyway?! Luckily for us, there are some exceptional wine-related gifts out there that will make great presents for the most discerning sippers and at every price level. Here are some lovely things I’ve come across recently:

The Wine Wisdom Desk Calendar, £11.99 Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon

Created by fellow wine lover and educator, Amanda Selby from Drink With Me, The Wine Wisdom 2026 desk calendar is a perfectly sized present, brimming with fun, daily facts and tips to choose the right wine, every time.

Vinca Wine Tasting Cracker (3x187ml), £16 John Lewis, vincawine.com

Vinca is one of the best canned wine brands you can find and this cute cracker is the perfect way to gift all three of their Sicilian wines to someone for Christmas. Inside you’ll find their zingy, tropical Cataratto white, their pale and saline Syrah rosé and their crunchy, strawberry-scented red made with Nero d’Avola and Frapatto.

Mulled Wine Candle, £12 thewinecaverns.co.uk

This rather smart mulled wine candle smells as good as it looks and will certainly make any home feel more cosy this festive season with its rich, red wine and winter spiced aromas. These are hand poured, vegan and made with soy wax.

On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Wine Tales From the Heart of Italy, compiled by Susan Keevil, £35 Académie du Vin Library

Tuscany will always have my heart and it will yours too after reading this. A wonderful look at one of the world’s best loved wine regions, written by a team of knowledgeable experts who also clearly love the finer things in life.

The HelenaSips Bite-Size Video Wine Course, £39 helenasips.com

For those who want the basics in bite-sized chunks with videos between 1 and 5 minutes long, take a look at subscribing to my substack here to access my wine course. It’s a bit different in vibe but this time, you’ll remember what you’ve learned.

Coravin Wine Journal £29.99 coravin.co.uk

Perfect if your giftee already has a Coravin wine preservation system (see below), this journal lets you record all your tasting experiences, even of the same bottle over time. Inside, you’ll find guides to assessing wine along with tips on food pairing and best practices for using your Coravin. It’s super smart too - and a nice affordable price.

Coravin Timeless Six Wine Exploration Bundle in Hermitage Red, £296.99 (WAS £539.99) SAVE 45% in the Black Friday sale NOW!

Coravin is the ultimate home wine-by-the-glass system that allows you to enjoy tasting fine wine without pulling the cork. This super slinky, all singing all dancing version is in ‘Hermitage Red’ includes extra premium accessories like a Fast Pour Needle and Vintage Needle to leverage with different wines in your collection, along with six argon capsules, six Coravin screw caps, a Coravin aerator, display base and a carry case.

Set of 4 Vintage Art Deco Nick and Nora Coupe Glasses, £39.99 Amazon

Party like it’s the 1920s, they say! These vintage, 150ml Art Deco style ribbed Nick and Nora glasses are exclusively shaped for many classic cocktails from the Martini and Manhattan to Lemond Drops and Cosmos. They’e my corporate colour too. I must sent this link as a hint to someone!

Grahams NEW EDITION: 40 Year Old Tawny Port in a Gift Box, £185 vintagewineandport.co.uk

A glorious masterclass in patience, this 40-Year-Old Tawny has spent the better part of four decades dozing in seasoned oak, slowly turning into liquid mahogany. A kind of edible time capsule, think of it as your more relaxed, still impeccably tailored alternative to Vintage Port when the occasion calls for something special but not solemn. A fabulous wine that looks the part too.

Hambledon English Wine Experience Voucher, from £25-£225 Hambledonvineyard.giftpro.co.uk

Known to many as the birthplace of English sparkling wine, Hambledon Wine Estate in Hampshire is offering a selection of gift cards at various amounts for tasting and dining experiences at their South Downs estate, products and even wine education courses. It’s the ideal gift for the wine lover who has everything!

Cask & Crust: A Trio of 50cl whiskies £124.99 Casktrade

Whisky lovers, heads up! Cask Trade have done a brilliant collaboration with dram-loving pieman Si King who has hand selected some limited-edition whiskies to pair with pies, all in aid of Sunderland & Newcastle Foodbanks. The whiskies featured are Benrinnes, 11 Years Old, Oloroso Quarter Cask; Ben Nevis, 15 Years Old, Refill Barrel and Pulteney, 11 Years Old, Refill Barrel.

The Whiskey Bible (Hardback), Noah Rothbaum, £28- 35 Waterstones, Amazon

A proper tome from a proper expert, The Whiskey Bible is a guide to all styles of whiskey, from Scotch to Bourbon, with a country-by-country look at prominent distillers and culture, the various techniques used, hundreds of tasting notes and some rather fabulous, classic more more modern cocktail recipes at the end.

More gift ideas will be added soon so keep checking back!

October was, quite frankly, a wine tasting blur. I went to just about all of the supermarket wine press tastings, all so I can pick the best of what there is to offer in a world where wine prices are rising more quickly than the pile of empty bottles in my recycling bin. And that’s saying a lot. Here are my top wine picks for £10 and under from the recent Co-op wine press tasting:

White Wine

Irresistible Grenache Blanc, £8.50 Co-op in store

Textural whites seem to be all the range this season as the temperature drops and we crave something a bit richer. White Grenache will always give you a nice fleshy mouthfeel with notes of white peach, apricot and in this case, a smidgen of fresh herbs and vanilla spice. It’s remarkably fresh with it too.

Pair with: Roast chicken or hard cheeses.

Irresistible Marsanne Pays d’Oc, £9.65 Co-op

Another gorgeous, textural Rhône Valley white that packs a punch for its price tag. Think bruised apple, honeysuckle and stone fruit on the nose. The palate is surprisingly fresh with a slick of stony minerality and a pleasing, slightly waxy texture. This tastes much more serious than the price suggests. Fab!

Pair with: Halloumi, chicken, creamy pastas.

Zalze Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025, £9.15 in store Co-op

One for fans of the more punchy, New World style of Sauvignon like those from Marlborough, this is an in-your-face, refreshing and zippy Sauvignon with a great balance of grassiness and citrus. It has a lovely rounded mouthfeel too, which makes it all feel balanced and adds to the drinkability. A lovely South African version.

Pair with: Strong goat cheese, salad, grilled vegetables.

Sparkling Wine

Less is More Italian Semi-Sparkling Wine, £6.95 Co-op

The fizz in its ultra light, recyclable plastic bottle is a world first, coming in at around 65g as opposed to the more standard 800g in weight. The wine is good too. Made with 100% Trebbiano Rubicone from Emilia Romagna, it’s crisp and aromatic with notes of ripe pear and lemon citrus with a mineral core. It’s a great Prosecco alternative that’s very well-priced. Worth supporting their work!

Pair with: Smoked salmon blinis with cream cheese, cold cuts and salty snacks.

Vega Medien Cava Rose NV Rosé, £10 in store Co-op

Cava has always been excellent value for money and this dark pink expression is no exception. The nose is savoury and mineral with a moreish, slightly rubbery strawberry note. In a good way. Although it’s a brut (meaning dry), it tastes a little riper and sweeter, which means that all in all it will be great with salty foods.

Pair with: Salty or slightly spicy tapas, especially hams and cheeses.

Red Wine

Co-op Irresistible Salice Salentino Riserva 2021, £8.15 Co-op in store

This lesser known Italian red wine style offers ridiculous bang for buck here, especially given it’s had a few years to mature. Dark, rich and savoury this is full-bodied and full on, packed with notes of mocha and grilled meat with tobacco leaf and a flourish of chocolate and vanilla. Definitely a food wine.

Pair with: Rich, meaty stews or roast beef on a cold day.

Albert Glas Pinot Noir 2023, Albert Glas, £9.50 Co-op in store

If it’s a much lighter style of red you’re after, then Pinot Noir is your grape and Germany is where to find it from. Beautifully bright and perky, this pretty little Pinot is all about fresh raspberry and red apple skin with a zippy, crisp acidity. There’s something saline about it too which makes it even more gluggable!

Pair with: This one is a great light red for duck, pork or turkey.

Être Affamé Cinsault 2024, £8 Co-op

With its funky looking bottle, you want this to taste as good as it looks and thankfully, it does. Smooth and tangy, this has notes of crunchy raspberry and bramble fruit with a touch of chocolate on the finish. There’s also a moreish balsamic note that lifts it. A lovely, slightly rustic food wine.

Pair with: Patés, cold cuts and meat pies.

Hidden Vines Red, Bodegas Muriel, 2024, £9.65 in store

Maturana Tinta is the hidden grape here - a Rioja variety that’s pretty rare yet in this wine, it’s the main feature. Super fruity with notes of fresh herbs and a whiff of rose petal from the Grenache, this is fun, juicy and refreshing with supple tannins and the bonus that it’s just a bit different.

Pair with: Burgers, steaks or grilled meat and veg of any kind.

Château Vieux Manoir 2022, £10.15 Co-op

For a classic, Merlot-dominant, Right Bank Bordeaux blend, this is very much on the money style-wise and a great example for the price. Silky and mineral, it’s just showing some tertiary notes from ages such as tobacco and cedar too - and all with a moreish grippiness. Great bang for buck and it looks smart too.

Pair with: Roast lamb, beef or hard cheese.

Want to know more about wine? Check out my bite-sized video wine course! It makes a great gift too 🙂

Until next time!

Helena x

As seen in my latest piece in The Sun Newspaper, not all Champagnes are created equal and you definitely get what you pay for BUT, Champagne is arguably the hardest to judge quality-wise. This is because we’re distracted by the bubbles and even the cheaper tipples have a fair amount of flavour going on - and it’s rarely, genuinely bad. We all tend to have our favourites, though our wallets may not necessarily agree. Here are some great bottles to try when it’s not time to splash ALL the cash but we crave an old fave.

Bollinger NV (£64) Majestic

TRY Veuve Monsigny, Brut NV, £15.49 Aldi

Bollinger is deliberately made in an opulent style and fans love this Champers for its golden hue and biscuity flavours, which come from lots of Pinot Noir in the blend as well as reserve wines from older vintages. Aldi’s now iconic Veuve Monsigny captures much of this toasty, creamy vibe with a whack of spiced, baked pear and nuts. There are clearly reserve wines in there. We don’t know how it’s still so cheap!

Billecart Salmon Rosé (£75) Majestic

Tesco Premier Cru Rosé, £26 Tesco

When it comes to Champagnes that lead with their rosés, Billecart-Salmon is the pretty, pink tipple to beat - but it’s not cheap. While ‘Billy’ is silky with restrained notes of wild strawberry and cherry and a gentle toasty note, Tesco’s version is a little fresher on the fruit with pink sherbet notes and a frothier fizz but it does settle down to show a cool, mineral side that keeps it classy. It’s Premier Cru too, which equals quality grapes!

Piper-Hiedsieck NV (£40-45) Majestic

Les Pionniers Brut NV, £22.75 Co-op

Piper’s NV has always been a bright, characterful Champagne that emphasises approachability and fruitiness backed up by a little brioche and zippy acidity. Co-op has scored a blinder with Les Pionniers, which falls very much into this flavour camp with vibrant notes of pear and citrus, impressive mineral backbone and just the right level of brioche. Some even say Piper-Hiedsieck make it for Co-op, which would explain why it’s so good! Fabulous.

Laurent-Perrier Brut NV (£53) Sainsbury’s

Etienne Dumont Champagne Brut NV, £15.49 Sainsbury’s

Laurent-Perrier Brut NV is a much-loved classic. A fair bit leaner and lighter in style than other brands, it brings a delicate, floral note to its poached pear in pastry, white peach and lemon citrus flavours. If it’s the lightness of style you’re after, Sainsbury’s Etienne Dumont brings an easy-drinking, pinch of peach to proceedings and a gentle, pastry note. It’s a tad simpler and the bubbles are less fine for but a third of the price, you’ll forgive it!

Moët et Chandon (£45) Sainsbury’s

Comte de Senneval, £13.99 Lidl

Moët sets the benchmark for commercial, non-vintage Champagne, partly because it’s made with almost equal thirds of the three famous grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Ripe and round with notes of custard cream and green apple, its generous and easy drinking, if lacking some of the freshness of other brands. Lidl’s Comtes offers a similar profile and drinkability with a savoury, nutty note on the finish. For the low price, it’s impressive.

Lanson le Black Création 257 (£46) Majestic

Exceptional by Asda Champagne Benoît Renaud Blanc de Noirs Brut NV, £24.95 Asda

Lanson’s ‘Création’ only uses their top grapes as well as lots of older reserve wines and ageing before release. The result is a bold, super-concentrated, quite nutty style that’s big on the spiced apple and red fruit notes. While Asda’s Exceptional hasn’t had quite the same attention, the fact it’s ‘blanc de noirs’, i.e. made with only black grapes, means it’s naturally richer with red berry notes and an apple skin tanginess that goes some way towards mimicking the Lanson style. A real foodie fizz.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, £50 Tesco

Nicolas de Montbart, £13.99 Aldi

With its eye-catching orange label and punchy, sweeter style, Veuve Clicquot is a real fan favourite. Today though, it will set you back around fifty quid a bottle! If it’s fun and frothy bubbles you want though with just enough toastiness and a whack of sweet, baked apple and spice, then Aldi’s natty Nicolas is a good bet - especially if you need a few for a party. It doesn’t quite have Veuve’s mineral verve but serve it really cold with canapés and no one will complain.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (£88) Majestic

Delacourt Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (£30) M&S / Ocado

Blanc de Blancs means 100% Chardonnay in Champagne and Ruinart is famous for this saline, chalky style. The M&S house version really holds its own next to the posh stuff with toasted brioche and honeycomb notes balanced by green apple and lemon blossom. In the mouth, it’s creamy and textural like the Ruinart but it doesn’t share that classic, lime wine gum note that can split the judges with the premium fizz. Not necessarily a bad thing!

Want to know more about wine? Check out by bite-sized video wine course!

This season’s press tasting at Lidl was interesting. Prices have definitely gone up in most cases, but there are still some good value wines to be found. Here are my top picks of what’s available now but there are some corkers coming in out in store during November and December, so check back soon!

(Sorry about the weird, disembodied hand photos. Needs must…)

SPARKLING

Comte de Senneval Brut Champagne, £13.99

For the very low price, this is decent. It’s savoury, nutty and complex - proper Champagne with a lot going on - it’s just lacking some of the charm and zip you get in more expensive versions. A solid choice when you don’t want to break the bank but you do want the real deal.

Crémant de Loire Brut, £8.99

Crémant is really having its moment in the sun and for good reason. This is traditionally made like Champagne so has the finer bubbles a bit of brioche. Infinitely drinkable, with tangy notes of rhubarb and lemon sherbet, it’s not massively complex but that is also part of its charm. For the price, this is what you stock up on for parties.

WHITE

Greco Beneventano IGT 2024, £7.99

Italy’s native grapes make brilliant bang for buck wines and this mild and minerally white is a real crowd pleaser. Golden in colour with notes of baked pear and apple, this is viscous and mouth filling without being ‘too much’ of anything. Lovely.

Duca di Sasetta Viognier, Terre Siciliane 2024, £7.49

Viognier is a marmite grape - you either love it or you hate it. Personally, I love it for its perfumed, peachiness and its unashamedly curvy body. Lots of ripe fruit here from apricots to yellow plum. It’s juicy and fun, even if it’s not the most complex wine on the shelf.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, 2024, £7.49

Pinot Grigio rarely floats my boat if I’m honest because at the cheaper end, it’s often neutral an insipid. Not so here. A touch herbaceous with notes of almond cream and a lean, mineral character, this punches well above its price tag. A delicious, easy drinking PG with a brain!

Vin de France Chardonnay Barrique 2024, £8.49

Fans of oaky Chardonnay, come closer. This golden wine is in your face flavour-wise, but it’s not too sweet or cloying. Full, round and balanced, think toasted vanilla marshmallows with a slick of saltiness keeping it all fresh. It’s not exactly white Burgundy by then, neither is the price.

RED

Violet Garnacha Tempranillo 2023, £9.99

This Spanish wine’s bright purple label really primes you for what’s inside: a dark, lean red that has the most exquisite nose of cocoa and violet. It’s a tad rustic in the best way with grippy tannins and tangy fruit. Best with food but it’s a heartwarming, different choice.

Duca di Sasetto Nero di Troia, £7.49

If it’s a bang for buck red you’re after, look no further. Full-flavoured with notes of smoky, grilled meat, mocha, bramble fruit and a subtle leafiness, there’s a lot going on in the glass. The label looks fairly posh too so it’s a great one for gifting or opening up with a steak or Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2023, £13.99

While this may be pricey for Lidl, it certainly isn’t for a Grand Cru Bordeaux of this calibre. Merlot dominated as you’d expect from the Right Bank appellation of Saint Emilion, this is old school and reserved on the nose but opens up to cedar, tobacco leaf and pepper on a bed of cassis. It’s silky on the palate too. A great wine for gifting.

Chianti Riserva Corte alle Mura 2021, £5.69

I know, I know, I keep going on about this wine but for the ridiculously low price tag, this just keeps on delivering - and I’m not sure how long they can keep it up! Full of Italian charm, this is riper style of Chianti with some of that sour dark cherry tang and herbiness but also, with a dollop of red fruit and mocha. An idea pizza wine for anything with tomatoes.

Wish you knew a little more about wine? Check out my bite-sized video wine course!

It’s press tasting season and I’ll sipping and spitting everything so you don’t have to! Here are my top 10 wines from the recent Sainsbury’s tasting. Comment below if you’re tried any and tell me what you think!

Sparkling Wines

Taste the Difference Cava Brut NV, £8.75

This cracking, pocket-friendly Spanish Cava is a regular in my newspaper columns for good reason. Made with the three, classic local grape varieties (Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeu), it gives classic, savoury notes of chalk and smoke, balanced by generous, pineapple and baked apple flavours. Lots going on for not a lot of cash, so it’s great for a party, especially if a selection of canapés are on offer as it is so versatile.

Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace NV, £11.50

As far as traditional method (made like Champagne) fizz goes, for this price, it doesn’t get much better. Wine from Alsace is often seriously underrated and this proves the point. A vibrant sparkler that’s crisp and sherbety but also has a gorgeous, red apple tang and a classy, refreshing minerality to it.

Taste the Difference Ellercombe English Sparkling NV, £22

I’ve been tasting this wine for a few years and it is just gets better and better. Made with the three Champagne grapes and left to mature on the lees (dead yeast cells left from fermentation. Mmmm) for four and a half years, this is rich and creamy, like apple crumble in a glass. Classy, but really easygoing too. Just like me, yes?

White & Rosé Wines

Taste the Difference Friuli Pinot Grigio Blush 2024, £9

This wine really surprised me - in a good way. It takes a lot to impress me with Pinot Grigio but this did. The natty, textured glass is quite different for a start but what’s in the bottle is ripe and round with juicy notes of raspberry and berry perfectly balanced with a crisp acidity. The fact it comes from Friuli rather than the Veneto is probably why it has a little more to it. Great alone or with some salty crisps. Prawn cocktail would do nicely!

Taste the Difference Languedoc Blanc 2024, £9.25

In this weather, we often fancy a richer style of white and southern France is a great place to look for these. A blend of the ‘broader’ grape varieties: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Vermentino, this is pretty and aromatic up front, then all baked apple and white chocolate on the palate with a wonderful, waxy texture, all freshened up by a saline core. Food tip: roast chicken and pasta in creamy sauces.

Taste the Difference New Zealand Pinot Gris 2024, £11

Wow. Fans of more opulent, Alsace style PGs, take a look at this! Nothing like it’s neutral, crisp cousin Pinot Grigio over in Italy, this is full, round and slightly honeyed but balanced with it. Think fleshy greengages and yellow plums with a touch of spice. That teensy touch of sweetness will sing with mild spices and Asian cuisine too. Wonderful.

Taste the Difference Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2022, £17.50

As the world get warmer, it’s harder for leaner wine styles like Chablis to keep their freshness - but this one has done a great job. You have all the chalky, slightly marzipan notes you could want with that quintessential minerally leanness but there is also some generous, melon fruit there underneath. The bottle is very pretty too. A properly delicious, trade-up wine. Ideal with seafood or fish and it can handle a bit of grill.

Red Wines

Taste the Difference Côtes du Rhône Villages 2022, £9.50

If ever in doubt, Côtes du Rhône. That’s what I often say: white, red or even pink. This juicy Grenache and Syrah blend gives you classic Rhône vibes with its notes of rustic strawberry, a bit of brooding, bramble fruit and a few dried herbs for good measure. Nothing super special, but a decent, mid-week drop. Perfect for stews and steak with chips.

Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, £14 in store

Made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa, this is a fabulous red that’s full-bodied and flavoursome but with a silky, elegant touch so it’s not too in your face. Thnk ripe, black fruit, tobacco, cedar and a touch of leather, all in perfect harmony. If you’re serving steak or smoky, grilled meat, this is the one that you want.

Taste the Difference Brouilly Château de Pierreux 2023, £17

I bloody love Brouilly. It’s one of the 10 posh Beaujolais ‘Cru ‘ and style-wise, it lands right in the middle between the light and airy, super floral Fleurie and the heavier, more savoury Moulin à Vent. Vibrant, dark pink in colour, this has such a pretty nose of dried rose and raspberry, with a tangy, crisp and refreshing, light-to-mid palate. Think wild strawberry, a bit of raspberry leaf and a pinch of spice. This is your festive turkey wine.

Want more recommendations straight to your inbox? Don’t forget to subscribe!

If you want to take your wine knowledge further, take a look at my wine course!