The festive season invites a certain grandeur—moments when the table gleams a little brighter, the conversation stretches a little longer, and the wines deserve to be every bit as memorable as the occasion itself. This year’s selection brings together bottles of genuine distinction: wines shaped by exceptional vintages, meticulous craftsmanship, and the quiet confidence that comes only from producers at the top of their game.
When Heather Bradshaw talks about Washington State, her eyes light up with the conviction of someone who has watched a region rise from quiet potential to global significance. A former broadcast journalist, she began her career in the small agricultural town of Yakima — “the heart of wine country,” she recalls — where viticulture was not yet an international talking point but an emerging dream.
If you’re a food lover looking to elevate your dining experience, look no further than D.O. Cava—Spain’s iconic sparkling wine crafted using the traditional method. Born under the Mediterranean sun, Cava combines freshness, complexity, and elegance, making it one of the most versatile wines in the world.
The alcohol-free sparkling wine category has exploded in recent years, attracting everyone from health-conscious millennials to Michelin-starred sommeliers. Among the names making waves is French Bloom, a brand with undeniable pedigree. Founded by Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and linked to a Champagne house, French Bloom promised glamour and refinement in a space often dismissed as bland. The branding is chic, the bottles look the part, and the price tag reflects its luxury positioning.
This year marks a remarkable milestone for House of Arras: three decades of redefining Australian sparkling wine. To celebrate 30 years of craftsmanship, Ed Carr—the visionary and Chief Winemaker behind the brand—hosted an intimate lunch that showcased the elegance, complexity, and longevity of his creations.
Step inside the newly launched Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern and you feel a sense of London’s dining history humming through the walls. Part tavern, part chop house, this is both a nod to the City’s 17th-century eating houses and a modern reinvention, where heritage and produce are treated with equal reverence.
Every extraordinary meal is elevated by the company. On this occasion, I was joined by three luminaries from the worlds of hospitality, design, and gastronomy.
Unearthing Wine, Wonder, and the Heart of the Rhône
The sun rises over the vineyards of southern France, scattering gold across a landscape steeped in centuries of viticultural tradition. As we continue our journey through the Côte du Rhône, we delve deeper into the region’s enchanting terroir, unearthing not only exceptional wines but also the stories, people, and natural marvels that make this corner of France so captivating.
Early this summer I had the pleasure of spending 4 days in Avignon exploring what the Côtes du Rhône region has on offers when it comes to Wine Tourism. I went with quite a few pre-conceptions, mainly that all the wines would be red, very heavy with high levels of alcohol that would blow my head off and the quality would be questionable! But my experience was far from those pre-conceptions and I learnt so much more about the wines of Côtes du Rhône, the people and the wide range of activities (including family friendly) you could take part in from a ble
Nestled on the ever-vibrant 100 Wardour Street, Freak Scene Wardour Soho beckons with neon signage, eclectic beats, and a promise of gastronomic adventure. It’s a pop up restaurant that wears its name with pride—a place where boundaries between cuisines blur, traditions are gently subverted, and every dish tells a story of creative rebellion. Freak Scene captures the dynamic spirit of Soho: irreverent, artistic, and unapologetically bold.
The Visionary Behind the Mayhem: Scott Hallsworth
