The best no and low alcohol drinks

‘Tis the season to let your hair down, which, let’s be honest, usually means indulging in a fair few drinks of the alcoholic variety! For those of you who are looking to moderate or who would just rather drink something non-boozy that actually tastes nice however, we have picked some of our favourite non alcoholic and low alcohol drinks that will still make you feel like you’re treating yourself to something special. Let us know your picks!

Sentia spirits

Sentia is a plant based alcohol-free spirit with a difference. Using special ingredients, it enhances GABA activity in your brain, leading to a feeling of relaxation and calm without the need of alcohol to get you there. It’s floral, bittersweet and has a spiced berry finish. Try mixing it into a non-alcoholic mulled wine – it tastes great! An acquired taste for some, think bitter berry and lavender with cinnamon spice and a hot, ginger kick

Size: 500ml
Price: £30
Find here: sentiaspirits.com

Savyll Non-alcoholic Cocktails

With so many non-alcoholic cocktails out there, it can be really daunting trying to pick your way through them which is why we were so excited when we came across Savyll cocktails. Every detail from the stunning packaging to the liquid inside has been carefully thought about leading to a great selection of vegan-friendly, gluten free, ready to serve cocktails. From an alcohol free G&T to an Old Cuban, there is a delicious cocktail for everyone. Not too sweet and they taste just like what they are supposed to be.

Size: 250ml
Price: 6x250ml cans £11.99 // 4 x 250ml bottles £13.99
Find here: Savyll.com

Wild Life Botanicals Sparkling Wine

One of Helena’s favourites, let us re-introduce you to Wild Life Botanicals - stunning ‘bubbles with benefits’ hailing from Cornwall. Infused with a mix of vitamins, minerals and botanicals, including Lemon Balm, Damask Rose and Rosemary, each 125ml glass contains 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals and it is only 0.5% alcohol, meaning you sit back and feel really good about what’s in your glass.

Size: 750ml
Price: £15
Find here: wildlifebotanicals.co.uk

Crossip Rich Berry

Ever fancied trying your hand at a non-alcoholic cocktail but not been sure what ingredients to use? Well, if a hot toddy or even some mulled wine sounds appealing then you can’t go wrong with Crossip Rich Berry. It’s full of delicate spice alongside rich notes damson, blackberry and sour cherry that are a delight on the tastebuds. This one has a lovely viscosity too which means you could sip it alone. Check out their website for more serving ideas as well as their range of other delicious non-alcoholic drinks.

Size: 500ml
Price: £22
Find here: crossipdrinks.com

Blurred Vines ‘Spark’ & ‘Sharp’ by Three Spirit

We’ve been big fans of Three Spirit for some time so we were really excited when they brought out their non-alcoholic, sparkling, cold brew drinks. Lucky for us, they didn’t disappoint! ‘Spark’ is a fizzy elegant, floral, yeasty number made from a base of sake with spice from cayenne and sancho pepper and ripe fruit flavours of gooseberry and strawberry. ‘Sharp’ as the name suggests, is more crisp, mineral and elegant with a citrissy finish.

Size: 750ml
Price: £32 as a duo
Find here: Threespiritdrinks.com

Hofmeister Ultra Low Lager

Hofmeister beers are back with a bang and they are blimmin’ brilliant. This ultra low (0.5% ABV) is perfect for times like these when quantity increases, but you don’t want the hangover. Made with mineral water, locally sourced barley and Hallertau Hops, it’s full-bodied, sweet, fresh, grassy and hoppy with  and bready notes a good crisp finish. Highly drinkable.

Size: 330ml
Price: £17.99 for 12
Find here: hofmeister.co.uk

Sassy Organic Cider  

Sassy seems to have cracked the market, making Cider cool again. Partly, this is because they have got their packing right but really, it’s because the products are so good. Refreshing and tangy, try the Cidre Rosé for punchy, red apple fun that’s only 3% ABV. Gorgeous.

Size: 750ml
Price: £32 for 6 bottles
Find here: MaisonSassy.com

Lyre’s Italian Spirit

Lyre’s have smashed it with this Italian ‘spritz’ that is the perfect non-alcoholic version of Aperol, only slightly more interesting. Can we say that?! Oops, we just did. Check out the rest of their range of non-alcoholic versions of classics such as Vermouths, Triple Sec, Coffee liqueurs, Gins, Amaretto and more. 

Size: 700ml
Price: £23.50
Find here: Lyres.co.uk

Want more guides? Here is our Luxury Whisky guide, our affordable red wine guide, affordable white wine guide, gin guide, rum guide and cheeseboard advice!

How to Put Together the Perfect Cheeseboard

As Helena looks into wine and cheese matching, she gets some tips from Hero Hirsh, head of retail at the award-winning cheesemonger, Paxton & Whitfield about how to put together the perfect cheeseboard or cheese platter.

How much cheese per person?

If your cheeseboard is part of a meal, about 100g to 125g of cheese per person and  possibly a little more at Christmas is ideal, so 150g each. This is because at Christmas, the cheeseboard will often sit out for longer so people will come and go for snacks throughout the day. We can certainly agree with that!

How do you put a cheeseboard together?

Think about offering a mix of styles, textures and flavours on the platter. This is why the combination of Cheddar, Stilton and Brie has always been popular as you've got a blue, a hard cheese and a soft cheese; different textures, different milks and different flavours to savour. If you’d like to add further cheeses, perhaps think about a goats cheese and a washed rind to complete the board. Five is a good number for a full board.

Should you consider other food in the meal when putting together the cheese platter?

Yes, certainly consider what other food you are serving for the meal or at the event. If the dish just before is rich and flavoursome, think about selecting cheeses that have a stronger flavour so that they complement preceding courses. The cheese course should be a continuation of flavours so it can be enjoyed so try to match the intensity. 

What are the ideal accompaniments to a cheese board?

If you’ve got lots of flavoursome cheeses, then keep accompaniments simple, so one chutney or honey, one style of biscuit or artisan bread and then perhaps some grapes or dried fruits. Arrange them around the pieces of the cheese on the cheeseboard. Finally, I’d add  in the cheese knife and then you have a visually appetising cheeseboard to enjoy.

Are there rules to how to lay out cheese on a cheeseboard?

There are no hard and fast rules about laying a cheeseboard out. The most important thing is to make sure that it looks visually appealing and that it is easy for guests to help themselves to the cheese. There are no real rules about which cheeses can and can’t sit close to each other on a cheeseboard. If you go for a good balanced selection as outlined above, everything should be fine. 

Any tips on how to store various types of cheese?  And what to do with any leftover bits of cheese?  

How you treat the cheese has an important impact on your enjoyment of it. Once bought, I would always recommend storing the cheese in a cold room or the bottom of the fridge - if possible wrapped in waxed paper as this allows the cheese to breath. Before serving, bring the cheese out to warm up to room temperature. Twenty minutes should be enough, particularly in a warm house at Christmas. Letting the cheese warm a little will help improve its flavours when you come to eat it.  

A good piece of advice for when buying cheese for your cheeseboard at Christmas is to buy less cheese but bigger pieces. Larger pieces of fewer types will keep better over Christmas time. Bigger cuts of cheese store better than lots of small cuts. A hard cheese, a blue, a soft cheese and a piece of cheese that is slightly different or surprising is all that you need to create an appealing cheeseboard. 

In terms of leftovers, cheese is incredibly versatile and leftover cheese makes a superb cooking ingredient. It can be used in soups, risottos, pasta bakes and as a finishing touch stirred into a gravy, or sauce, to add a little bit of richness.  

Visit Paxton & Whitfield for all your cheese needs:

www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

London Shops

93 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6JE 
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7930 0259
Email: jermynstreet@paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

22 Cale Street, London, SW3 3QU
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7584 0751
Email: calestreet@paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

Bath Shop

1 John Street, Bath, BA1 2JL
Telephone: +44 (0)1225 466403
Email: bath@paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

Great Drinks Gift Ideas for Christmas

Words by Ana Patterson

Merry Christmas all! Get ready to panic shop in 3, 2, 1…

…or perhaps not? Trying to decide what to get for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members is a tough chore and not something you want to be dealing with this late in the game. Put down that pen and paper, stop scratching your head and start reading our 2021 Christmas Gift Guide!

Coravin Pivot

Throw away your old, simple bottle stoppers this minute – Coravin Pivot is on the scene! If you know a friend or family member who likes to drink nice wine, the Coravin Pivot is going to be a lifesaver for them. It allows one to stopper a wine bottle without letting it oxidise, meaning you can preserve a bottle of wine for up to 4 weeks – ensuring the last glass is as amazing as the first.

Find here: £99 (on offer from £119) 

Dottie’s Luxury Espresso Martini Christmas Gift Set

Dottie’s is all about premium coffee when it comes to their ready-to-drink Espresso Martinis, meaning they’re full of flavour and super delicious! Pour straight into a glass and wait a minute for the crema to settle and pop a coffee bean on the top. This is the first real, premium espresso martini in a can you can buy! The gift set comes with two cans of their famous Espresso Martini and two beautifully crafted Italian crystal coupe glasses. Decadence at its very best!

Find it here: £39

Majestic’s Ultimate Christmas Wine Club

Majestic have scored a blinder with gifting AND sorting Christmas dinner this year. Welcome to the Majestic Wine Club: a 12-bottle case of hand picked wine for Christmas which can be bought as a one off purchase or as part of a subscription. The case includes Champagne, Crémant, a selection of big, comforting reds and an epic tawny port. Each bottle is new and exclusive to Majestic and the case comes with education materials, an attractive guide and links to video tasting guides. The ‘Wine Club’ case is available on a strictly limited run.

Order here for £159 by 23/12/21 for pre-Christmas delivery

Banks Brothers Wine Discovery Set

Chef Tommy Banks and his brother James launched these premium wines in a can earlier this year to rapturous applause from wine professionals. They are genuinely fantastic. If you have an indecisive wine lover in your life, then this wine discovery set is exactly what they need this Christmas. It comes with 7 different wines inside beautifully designed cans. You’ll receive a Syrah Mourvèdre, a Chardonnay, a Riesling, a Grenache Blanc, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend and a Pinot Noir. If you’ve ever wanted to try spotting the difference between different types of wine, this is a great place to start! 

Find it here: £40 for 6, £78 for 12 

STIR-UP Cocktail Subscription Club

STIR-UP is all about going on journey of discovery through the world of classic cocktails with the freshest ingredients, the finest spirits and expert tricks and tips to finesse your creations. Beautifully packaged, with a monthly delivery of individual ingredients for 4 cocktails, each box costs from £34.95 and is delivered directly through your door. No waste, super fun and the perfect reason to get together with friends. We love the Blackberry Old Fashioned and the Mai Tai. Yum!

Find it here from £34.95

M&S Marksologist Ready-to-Drink Cocktails

Ready-to-drink cocktails are the perfect gift as the lucky receiver can open up the bottle and have a taste right then and there! The M&S Christmas Elves have been hard at work this year and have provided us with 6 different cocktails! There’s a Clover Club, Old Fashioned, Passionstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Negroni and a Verdita Margarita. You can either buy the cocktails separately or in a case of 6.

Find it here: £18 for 500ml, £108 for all 6 

OTO CBD Cocktail Bitters

Without a doubt, this is the most sophisticated bottle of bitters you will ever own with that matte black bottle sporting a shock of orange. It’s the world’s first CBD bitters, combining organically grown hemp plants with a bespoke range of botanicals with antioxidant properties. It’s savoury, herbaceous and complex – delicious in a wide range of cocktails (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) or even splashed into water for a more relaxing night. We are obsessed with ours. 

Find it here: £58.65 (on offer from £69) 

Azu Spirits Tasting Sets

This gift isn’t just a bottle, it’s an experience that can be shared amongst friends this holiday season. Azu is offering spirits tasting kits in both British Gin and Scotch Whisky. The kits come with numbered bottles and guides to each spirit so you can taste them and discover what makes them unique. If you go for the gin selection you’ll also be provided with perfectly portioned bottles of tonic! If you want a fun gift, why not try out the ‘Who Am I? Guess The Malts’! It’s education, entertainment and a great gift, all rolled into one.

Find it here: from £45

Innis & Gunn Vanishing Point 05 Beer

There’s something so special about receiving a limited-edition gift at Christmas, which is why we’ve included this delicious limited edition beer in our gift guide. Innis & Gunn are known for the limited runs of their rare beers, handcrafted in Perth and matured in Scotch whisky casks. Their current star is ‘Vanishing Point 05’, an 11% Imperial stout matured in 15-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky Casks for a year. It’s deep, dark, chocolatey and even comes with its own goblet! Make a beer and whisky lover very happy this Christmas with Innis & Gunn.

Find it here: £15.00

Pink Diesel Rosé

Pink Diesel Rosé is not just a great rosé to consider for your wine loving friends, but it’s also a great foodie rosé. Hailing from Bandol AOC in the heart of Provence, an extra splash of the Mourvèdre grape brings red fruit, weight and texture, making it a great, more refreshing choice for Christmas lunch than heavy reds. A creamy, fruity rosé, it combines ancient methods with modern winemaking techniques to produce a beautiful wine with notes of honey, peach, red berry and citrus. It’s eco-friendly too with all grapes handpicked in low yields from a small, single vineyard in Bandol, Provence, so really there’s nothing not to love!

Find it here:  £15.95

Copper Rivet Distillery Gin Duo, Jigger and Cocktail Stirrer Gift Box

Gin lovers far and wide will be flocking to this beautiful gift set by Copper Rivet Distillery that includes two bottles of their gin (one Dockyard, one Damson), a copper jigger and a copper bar spoon. You’ll be ready to mix up your favourite gin cocktail in no time while sporting some classy barware that’ll be the envy of all your friends.

Find it here: £25

Cucielo Negroni Gift Set

The Negroni is the most stylish cocktail on the block right now, and what’s even more stylish is being able to knock one up yourself! As all seasoned mixologists will know, the Negroni is a delightful combination of gin, vermouth and Campari. Cucielo’s gift set includes their delicious Rosso Vermouth di Torino and two of their Il Tempo Vola crystal Negroni glasses. The perfect gift for a Negroni lover!

Find it here: £38

Signature Brew Pub in a Box

Can’t go to the pub? Bring the pub to you this Christmas! Signature Brew’s Pub In A Box features a selection of craft beers, glassware, pub snacks, a music quiz and some exclusive playlists tailored to each beer which makes for a fantastic all around experience. We all know someone who’s dying to own their own pub, or perhaps someone who’s already set up shop in their back garden – so here’s to them!

Find it here: £30

Looking for more? We also have Christmas gin, rum, white wine, red wine and luxury whisky guides available!

Great Value Red Wines for Christmas

It’s fair to say that we really are spoiled for choice with wine in the supermarkets these days. Some have really stepped up their game in recent years too, offering great quality, entry-level wines that won’t break the bank as well as some finer classics that even if you’re trading up, would easily cost more elsewhere. Here are some bold and beautiful red wines hand-picked by us for your festive feasting pleasure. 

Graffigna Reserve Malbec

From the higher altitude of Argentina’s Uco Valley, this is quite simply just a darn good Malbec for the money. Rich and chocolatey with a ripe blueberry note. Lovely. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Malbec (Argentina)
Find here from Sainsbury’s: £7

Casa Roscoli Organic Primitivo

Organic and vegan friendly, this is a wonderfully juicy Primitivo. So easy to drink and packed full of plum and blackcurrant fruit with a touch of baking spice. Not too sweet and cloying either. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Zinfandel (Italy)
Find here from Tesco: £8

Specially Selected Amarone

Amarone is making a comeback this winter as we reach for its comforting notes of dark cherry, raspberry and cocoa. This is big and brooding - ideal with beef and hard, truffle cheese. Just what you need in the cold! 

ABV: 15%
Size: 750ml
Find here from Aldi: £12.99

Magnums for celebration

Ramón Bilbao Crianza Rioja Magnum

Nothing says celebration like a big bottle and this is one hell of a crowd pleaser. Think wild strawberry, spice, a touch of licorice and leathery notes starting to appear. A great, reliable producer too and fantastic value.

ABV: 14%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Tempranillo (Spain)
Find here from Tesco: £19

Viñalba Reserve Malbec Magnum

Another classic, reliable Malbec only this time, in a big bottle! Concentrated and inky, this has a lovely texture where graphite meets bramble fruit. Elegantly poised - and a must with meat. 

ABV: 14.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Malbec (Argentina)
Find Here from Tesco: £10 for 750ml (magnum coming soon)

Sparkling Red

Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz

Yes, you saw that correctly. A sparkling red! Australia has been producing wonderful sparkling Shiraz for years and years. Its slight sweetness makes it a fun, alternative choice for grilled meat and veggies. Serve slightly chilled but not too cold, as well as with meat, It can take some salty, blue cheese too. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Shiraz Blend (South Australia)
Find here from Aldi: £6.99

Sweet Red

Malamado Fortified Malbec (perfect with chocolate truffles or a chocolate log)

Christmas isn’t Christmas without some form of fortified red at the end of the meal, but if Port is a little too much, try this! Made in a similar way to Port, this is a high quality Malbec that has been fortified to 18%. A little softer than Port ‘proper’, this is chocolatey and velvety with notes of raspberry, cherry and spice. Have it with chocolate truffles after dinner - or for dessert - and it will sing! Incredible value from one of Argentina’s best producers.

ABV: 18%
Size: 500ml
Grape: Malbec (Argentina)
Find here from Tesco: £9

Click here for our other gift guides: Drinks gifts, whisky, rum and great value white wines.

Affordable white wines for Christmas

The Christmas and New Year period is when we’ll be popping more corks than normal. Well, some of us will be!  Thing is, we don't want to break the bank, but we still want the wine to be really darn good. Is this possible? Yes! We’ve done the ‘hard’ work and sipped our way through enough wine this year, so we can bring you the most delicious booze for your buck. Here are some great, special, yet affordable white wines for Christmas.

Eylo Verdejo, Rueda 2020

Vibrant, tropical and zesty, Verdejo is a luscious, Spanish grape that lovers of Sauvignon who want something a bit different will adore. A little fuller-bodied than a Sauvignon, the Eylo has a lush note of smoky guava with its citrusy, crisp goodness. Drink this with goats cheese, white fish and smoked salmon - or just sip it alone. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Verdejo (Spain)
Find here from Laithwaites: £10.99

Tempus Two Quartz Chardonnay, 2020

Modern style, easy drinking, Aussie Chardonnay at its best and by that, we mean fresh and fruity with notes of melon and white peach - not a sickly oak bomb. This is a great food wine that will work with your turkey as well as nutty hard cheeses.  A proper, reliable crowd pleaser. 

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Chardonnay (South Australia)
Find here from Sainsbury’s: £7

Tesco Finest Soave Superiore Classico, 2020 

Soave lost favour as a wine style when Pinot Grigio took over for a while, but it’s finding favour again as a go-to, quality-driven, dry white wine style. Easy with everything, alone or with food, this particular version with its touch of salted almonds will appeal to everyone and at any time. 

ABV: 13%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Garganega (Soave Classico, Italy)
Find here from Tesco: £7.50 (IWSC 2021 Gold Medal Winner) 

Campanula Pinot Grigio, 2020

It’s not every day we recommend Pinot Grigio because to be honest, we were a bit over it. However, Hungary is producing some really fabulous whites at the moment and this little PG is rather good. It has the classic white pear and mineral vibe going on with a lovely balance and texture. Italy, watch your backs! 

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Pinot Grigio (Hungary)
Find here from Laithwaites: £9.99

Chapel Down Chardonnay, 2020

There’s something about Chardonnay grapes in Kent and the sunny 2020 vintage really made them sing! This is a glorious, mid-world style of Chardonnay that has a crispness that Chablis lovers will enjoy with an extra dollop of fruit to keep everyone happy. Peach, melon, a touch of vanilla pod and a cool slick of citrus. Lovely. 

ABV: 11.5%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Chardonnay (England)
Find here from Majestic £11.99

L’émigre Blanc, Graves, White Bordeaux, 2020

Ok, so £14.99 is not your cheapest wine but for a high class, White Bordeaux it’s actually pretty good value. White Bordeaux will usually be a blend of zesty, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc with the more waxy, weighty Sémillon. The result is rich and intense yet elegant, with a touch of spice. This white Bordeaux is organic with great intensity offering well defined flavours of elderflower, lime and blackcurrant leaf. Its label appeal is big too!

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Grape: Sauvignon Blend (Graves - Bordeaux, France)
Find here from Virgin Wines: £14.99

See our other guides on red wines, rum, gin and more!

Focus on Cairanne & Lirac: Two Côtes du Rhône Cru

Photo credit: Liam Dickson @dicksonliam

A look at two lesser known Côtes du Rhône ‘Cru’

Côtes du Rhône wine fans, listen up. Did you know that this fabulously reliable, versatile and value for money wine appellation (appellation means production area with rules) has different levels of brilliance? In this article, I explain the various quality levels of Côtes du Rhône wines, from the entry level Côtes du Rhône AOC, up through Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC to the top of the tree: the very special, Côtes du Rhône ‘Cru’. 

In most Côtes du Rhône wines, the grapes are harvested from several villages. In the sixteen ‘Cru’ wines that exist however, the villages they are named after have been deemed so good that the grapes only come from there. I’ve talked about Rasteau AOC before here but it’s two of the other Cru that I got to wax lyrical about at a recent ‘Unexpected’ wine tasting: Cairanne AOC and Lirac AOC. Here’s what you need to know and a few to try. 

Photo credit: Liam Dickson @dicksonliam

Cairanne AOC and Lirac AOC

Cairanne and Lirac are the youngest and the oldest Cru in the Côtes du Rhône but they have a lot in common. First of all, they share an incredible community spirit, where winemaking is an integral part of just about everyone’s lives. Secondly, there is a huge focus on organic and sustainable farming, where the communities work together to ensure that the vineyards are still here and the wines enjoyed for generations to come. And thirdly, each appellation has a true love affair with its soils and ‘terroir*, knowing exactly what qualities each will give the final style of the wine. Sand? Well, that will add finesse. Large stone ‘galets’? Powerful wines! And chalk? It’s great for adding grip and tannins. 

Cairanne

Known as the gateway to the southern Rhone from the North, Cairanne is the newest talent in the Cru pool, achieving its Cru status relatively recently in 2016. Located on rocky, sunny hills just on the left (East) bank of the river and to the north west of Vaucluse, this single village makes up the entire Cairanne appellation. It’s not hard to imagine why when you discover the Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine and the cooling, drying Mistral winds, which keep the vines so healthy. 

The wines of Cairanne

95% of the wines here are red, 5% are white and there is no pink at all! It stands to reason then that the reds are pretty serious. Favouring Syrah and lots of old vine Grenache and some Mourvèdre, the style of red wine here is full-bodied, velvety smooth, packed with red and black fruit and with a peppery finish. If you want to taste high class, classic, Rhône reds, Cairanne is where it is at. 

The smaller amount of whites are made with the classic, white Rhône grapes: Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier as well as some Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc. They make wines that are elegantly textured with aromatics of blossom, pineapple and lime. 

Lirac

Lirac is the oldest Cru, achieving its AOC Cru status in 1947. Located right down in the south of the appellation off the beaten track on the West (right) bank of the river, vines have been grown and appreciated here since ancient times. Despite its heritage though, this is no stuffy old region that ignores change; It’s the funky, wise-old man of the Rhone! Modern winemaking meets old traditions here in the best way and a new generation of producers are innovating all the time. 

The wines of Lirac

Lirac does make rosé wine, but not a huge amount. 87% of wines here are red, followed by 10% white and just 3% pink. The reds here are more powerful and round than those of Lirac with a kick of spicy red fruit. The whites here are beautifully intense, yet refreshing; perfumed and tropical with lots of acacia and apricot notes. The grapes used in Lirac are the usual suspects: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre with a whack of Cinsault in places for the reds and for whites, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc.

Unlike Cairanne, Lirac uses grape from across four communes in the Gard with exceptional terroirs including  Roquemaure, Saint Laurent-des-Arbres and Saint-Géniès-de-Comolas. 

Try these wines from Cairanne and Lirac to get a feel for both Cru:

Cairanne White: Domaine Berthet-Rayne, Castel- Mireio Blanc 2018

A full blend of Viognier, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Grenache, this is an elegantly complex wine with stunning, peach blossom aromatics and a lovely weight to it. Perfect with poultry and creamy sauces. 

Find it at Carte du Vin for £17.75

Lirac white: Chateau d’Aqueria Blanc 2019

Château d’Aqueria is most famous for its dark pink wines from neighbouring Tavel but it chose Lirac for its whites. Another blend of all the key white grapes, this is an exotic white with an intoxicating, floral aroma. Rich in flavour but not heavy, this is an ideal wine for food, especially nutty hard cheese or creamy, cow's milk cheese. 

Find it at Old Bridge Wines for £18

Cairanne Red: Domaine Roche Cairanne, 2019

Rich in fresh, dark fruit flavours with hints of spice, cedar and thyme, this is a silky, food-friendly red that’s fantastic value for money. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from vines in conversion to becoming biodynamic, Domaine Roche is a name to watch. 

Find it at Lea and Sandeman for £18.95 

Lirac Red: Lirac, Les Closiers, Ogier 2019

For the money, this red really over delivers. Think powerful, bramble fruit with baking spice and fresh pastry notes. It’s bold and velvety, yet not at all austere. Made with a blend of  Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and a splash of Cinsault, this has Christmas and Sunday roasts all over it. 

Find it at M&S for £10 a bottle when bought as a six.

Want a beginner’s guide to the Côtes du Rhône? Click here!

The Best Boxed Wine for 2021

You will have seen us extol the virtues of the new face of boxed wine. We’ve shouted about it on the radio, we’ve given you a few goodies to try and why is this? So many reasons, the key ones being much tighter technology, which means wine stays fresher, which means that producers trust the packaging to put better wines in. Simples! There’s also the pretty major fact that most wine boxes are infinitely greener to make and more recyclable too. Let’s not forget the price per bottle ratio being even better value either. 

Check out this previous piece and video about 8 reasons to try boxed wine! 

It’s clear that the UK particularly is taking boxed wine to its heart and more and more producers are following suit, offering their wines in these larger, greener formats. We’ve fallen on our swords for you and tasted a huge round up of recent releases. Here are the best producers of boxed wines for 2021 in our not so humble opinion as well as some singular suggestions:

3 Boxed Wine Companies to Seek Out 

There are three companies who are out and out leading the way when it comes to wine quality, range of wines, premium packaging and green credentials. Presenting their wines in 2.25L boxes (the equivalent of three bottles), they’re the perfect size for entertaining or to sip over a couple of weeks at home. 

The BIB Wine Company

The BiB  Wine Company were the first we saw to make their packaging sleek and sexy, to match the impressively high quality of the wine insides. This is where you come for your luxury, fine wine in a box that looks as good as it tastes. What’s more, for every box you buy, they will plant a tree through a partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects. They also have a wine club that offers regular discounts. What’s not to love? 

Try…

...The Clos du Roi Sancerre (£49.90 for 2.25L) as your splash out white this festive season. Beautifully balanced, grassy, chalky and elegant, it’s hard to believe it’s from a box! Snag this for your smoked salmon. 

I’m also a huge fan of the Bea Organic Monastrell (£26.80 for 2.25l); a pocket friendly, easy drinking red from DO Yecla in Spain that packed full of spiced strawberry and black berry fruit.  

Laylo

Laylo boxes are so pretty, they could be the centrepiece for your table. Personally, I’d like to go for a range of them on the sideboard this Christmas to keep the family happy! The wines are great too; sourced directly from small-scale producers and interestingly off the beaten track a lot of the time. Their green credentials are impressive as well.

Try…

... The Pinot Blanc (£32.99). Unusually from Slovenia and with a splash of fragrant furmint, (that’s a grape), this is deliciously perfumed, crisp and ctrussy. A great, quirky find. 

We’re also big fans of the Rosso Vulcanico (£36.99); a blend of rustic, licorice and berry-scented Nero d'Avola & Nerello Mascalese from the slopes of Etna. 

When in Rome

When in Rome was the other early adopter of decent boxed ‘craft’ wine as they call it. Specialising in Italian wines made from lesser known grape varieties, their wines are brilliant value and the boxes are arguably the easiest to recycle out of anyones. When in Rome are also the producer of Phillip Schofield’s own wine range!

Try…

... The Organic Grillo (£25.99) for a refreshing, orange and pineapple, citrusy glass of white. This Sicilian wonder is a brilliant crowd pleaser and great alone or with hard cheese. 

I’d also recommend the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (£25.99) for a juicy, blackcurrant and spice experience in a glass. Perfect for a mid week spag bol or pizza. 

Other wine in boxes to seek out 

Côtes-du-Rhône, Famille Jaume

This is a youthful, fresh Côtes-du-Rhône red with lots of lively, dark berry fruit and a touch of spice. Made with Grenache and Syrah from young vines, this is a Wine Society stalwart and a must if you’re hosting at Christmas!

£45 from The Wine Society (approx £6.75 equivalent)

Terre di Faiano Rosso

I should probably stop banging on about this one but it’s so pretty inside and out; it looks like an easter egg! A blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia, this juicy, figgy, plummy red is organic as well as vegan. Full-bodied and a touch on the sweeter side. 

£25.99 for 2.25L from Waitrose Cellar

See what we tasted in talk radio recently here and find that article with a video about 8 reasons to try boxed wine!

Announcing TV Series 2: The Three Drinkers in Ireland

The Three Drinkers return to our screens in February 2022 with a brand new, six-part series on Amazon Prime called ‘The Three Drinkers in Ireland’ - and they've shaken things up!

The Three Drinkers are drinks experts, writers and broadcasters Helena Nicklin and Aidy Smith, joined by a deliciously diverse revolving roster of ‘third drinker’ guests. This will be the second Three Drinkers TV series for Smith and Nicklin who also produce the popular ‘Bring a Bottle’ podcast, run the drink, travel and lifestyle-focused online magazine thethreedrinkers.com and have a growing social media/influencer presence.

A New Focus

Their first Three Drinkers series, ‘The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky’, came to our screens on Amazon Prime in 2019 and is still streaming in over 170 countries (in 39 languages) as well as being broadcast in China and on various airlines including British Airways and Lufthansa.

The Three Drinkers in Ireland will take a slightly different tack from the Scotch show, exploring all sorts of drinks beyond the delicious whiskey, from gin and poitin to cider and Irish cream. Aside from discovering some of the country's oldest and most game-changing distilleries, they’ll also be taking a deeper dive into Ireland’s incredible food scene and showcasing some traditional activities such as bog snorkelling, cheesemaking, eel fishing and Irish dancing. The result is an escapist, gastronomic journey with a drinks hook through the picturesque island of Ireland that’s light-hearted and aspirational with plenty of take-home tips. It's the perfect pour of armchair travel and feel-good entertainment.

Nicklin says “We’ve loved bringing everything together here, from the food and drink, to the people, places, culture and tourism of the whole of the island of Ireland. We’ve been blown away by the sheer quality of Irish produce too. It’s world class! Ireland is also the perfect country to visit as the world opens up again, thanks to its wide open spaces and easy accessibility - and it’s a great location for lovers of fantastic food and drink to boot.”

New Guest Presenters

In this series, Aidy and Helena welcome two new faces from the world of food, drink, travel and lifestyle: Beth Brickeden, Irish native, wine consultant and alternative events specialist behind the renowned Drag & Wine Tasting, joins the duo for episodes 1-3, and Eulanda Osagiede, award-winning American travel writer, social influencer and co-founder of the popular travel, food and lifestyle blog ‘Hey! Dip Your Toes in’, comes along for the journey in episodes 4-6.

Along the way, they’ll also be getting a cheeky visit from iconic UK drag queen Vanity Von Glow as well as original ‘third drinker’ and whisk(e)y guru, Colin Hampden-White.

Smith & Nicklin have been keen advocates for better inclusivity within the drinks industry, with Smith being one of the only TV Presenters globally with Tourette Syndrome. He says:

“As part of the LGBTQIA+ community and having faced ongoing hurdles due to stigmas associated with Tourrette’s throughout my career, I’ve been very keen for us to play our part when it comes to increasing diversity and inclusion within the drinks industry. We are delighted that our key guests within this series showcase a more inclusive world; it’s a step forward for the trade and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome our incredibly talented third drinkers.”

Take Home Tips

The new series sees an evolved format, with to-camera, take-home tips from wine and spirits experts Aidy and Helena, helping viewers navigate their at-home drinks discovery. From advice on forming the perfect egg white flip for cocktails to exciting, Irish-inspired drinks recipes, the duo even offer wine and spirit food pairings with their lifestyle-driven approach.

Smith says “Having been drinks professionals for over 25 years collectively, we felt it was time to take the leap and speak directly to our audience via the TV screen. We’ll be offering them a variety of tips, tricks and wisdom tidbits they can explore for themselves at home”.

Live Dates

The Three Drinkers in Ireland will be live on Amazon Prime in early February 2022 in 130 countries and territories. More information will follow over the coming months.

More about The Three Drinkers in Ireland

The Three Drinkers in Ireland is a feel good, infotainment-style travelogue with a drinks hook that showcases the beauty of Irish gastro-tourism in all its glory. Road trip in style with just the right amount of knowledge thrown in, this armchair travel series follows Aidy, Helena (renowned drinks and lifestyle communicators) and their ‘third drinker’ guests on the ultimate, lifestyle journey through the unique and diverse landscapes of the Emerald Isle.

Along the way, they’ll scope out famous local landmarks and characterful locals before heading off to key stops on their tour of distilleries, orchards, country pubs and more via numerous points of interest, delicious food and unmissable scenery. Packed full of personality and flavour and using a blend of epic drone videography, natural, amusing in-car conversation and sweeping landscape shots, this is Ireland for a new, global audience.

More about Aidy Smith

Aidy Smith is an award-winning TV presenter, journalist and wine and spirits expert. He currently writes a weekly drinks column for the Evening Standard. Aidy is one of the few LGBTQIA+ personalities within the industry and the only TV presenter in the UK with Tourette Syndrome, raising awareness for D&I across the board. He has spent his career developing a fun and curiosity-piquing mind-set to drinks through interactive tastings, video, written and social/influencer content. Find him on social media @Sypped.

More about Helena Nicklin

Helena Nicklin is an award-winning wine and spirits writer, TV and radio broadcaster and judge for various international wine and spirits awards, including the IWSC and The People’s Choice Drinks Awards. Helena also presents a weekly drinks segment on talkRADIO. A working mother of two young children, Helena is a strong supporter of female empowerment in a typically male-dominated industry. Find her on social media @HelenaSips.

More About Beth Brickenden

Working at the forefront of London’s trendy food and wine scene for over a decade since leaving the Emerald Isle, Beth has a wealth of experience and passion for all things wine and dine. Beth is currently heading up the wine for FIEND by Chris Denney whilst continuing to create her legendary wine tastings. She loves producing immersive dining experiences that to date have ranged from life drawing and wine tasting, to drag queens and wine (her two greatest loves). Find her on social media @my.corkscrew.and.i.

More About Eulanda Osagiede

Eulanda Shead-Osagiede is an award-winning food culture and travel journalist, photographer, TV presenter, and DEI marketing consultant. She has been featured in a number of high-profile print and digital publications. As a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the travel and hospitality industry, she has promoted DEI on multiple platforms as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and thought leader. Find her ons social media @dipyourtoesin.