The best of wine tourism within day-trip distance of London April 15, 2021 The warm sun on my back, I sip a delicious glass of wine looking across a sweeping vista of vines with the rolling green countryside stretched out before me towards – yes, could that possibly be? – the distant sparkle of the sea and a blue-sky horizon. Have I thrown lockdown travel precautions to the [...]
Where to eat, drink and sleep in Birmingham for Tory Party Conference October 2, 2022 On 2 october, Tory Party Conference kicks off in Birmingham. It remains to be seen whether the city famous for its Bull Ring will witness any blood sport following the fallout from the chancellor’s mini-budget. But whether it’s toasting the new PM or ruefully navel-gazing over Keir Starmer’s poll lead, the city’s hotels, restaurants, bars [...]
Last minute Mother’s Day idea: Try the Pan Pacific hotel March 25, 2022 Mother’s Day is on the horizon and with canny timing the Pan Pacific hotel has launched an afternoon tea centred around childhood memories in its elegant Orchard Lounge. Award-winning executive pastry chef Cherish Finden recalls her own Singaporean childhood during either a traditional English tea or a fully Asian affair, the latter of which I opted for. We [...]
Be part of something glorious this summer March 14, 2022 The Qatar Goodwood Festival, which takes place from Tuesday 26 July to Saturday 30 July, is one of the undisputed highlights of the British sporting and social calendar. The world-famous five-day festival, affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, presents spellbinding sport to the backdrop of the rolling Sussex Downs. To whet the appetite for an exquisite week [...]
Ten reasons to be part of something Glorious this Summer June 22, 2023 The Qatar Goodwood Festival, which takes place from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 August, is one of the undisputed highlights of the British sporting calendar and social. The world-famous five-day festival, affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, presents spellbinding sport to the backdrop of the rolling Sussex Downs. To whet the appetite for an exquisite week where [...]
The age of the staycation: Why you should visit… Guildford May 4, 2021 Welcome to the golden age of the staycation. Last week rail bookings trebled, with the most popular getaway destinations being Margate, Weymouth, Brighton, Inverness, Cambridge, Bournemouth and Guildford. The latter can be reached in little over half an hour from Waterloo. But what is the secret to Guildford’s popularity? The County town of Surrey and [...]
Rosé-all-day : Why it’s time to get serious about this fun wine May 7, 2021 Spring is in the air, terraces have opened up and despite what the rain gods may think, rosé season is upon us! But what is a rosé? And why are red and white wines defined by grape or region like Cabernet Sauvignons or Chablis, yet we lump all rosés together under that one umbrella term? [...]
Wines to swap for your Euro faves when No Deal Brexit bites October 28, 2020 With Brexit talks coming to a head, the Great British wine drinking prowess may prove to be a key negotiating tool. Winemakers are lobbying leaders across the Block to soften their stance in face of serious hurdles getting their plonk into our glasses. Currently over £2.2bn of wine is imported into the UK from the [...]
Harlot: The inside story of England’s most controversial new wine August 24, 2021 Harlot. Whatever that word brings to mind, it’s probably not an English sparkling wine recently launched by MDCV, which is causing consternation among wine circles. Harlot’s “playful branding” involves sticking “two fingers up at the status quo” and “refus[ing] to conform”. So is this the Pussy Riot of the wine world? Not according to those [...]
One of the world’s finest wines is Kent’s Squerryes 2011 Brut August 16, 2021 Get ready for something seriously tasty to tickle your tastebuds. Over 18,000 wines were blind-tasted at the largest, most renowned wine competition internationally, The Decanter Awards. The Judges then allocated the select few winners Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals, but this is not the pinnacle. Get ready to feel patriotic. Of those 18,000 wines, [...]