What is XO Cognac and What Should I Try?

With The Three Drinkers in Cognac exploring the stunning liquid that is cognac as well as its picturesque namesake surroundings, we thought it was about time we went into detail about what those letters on cognac and other brandy bottles mean. We’ve covered VS and VSOP cognac before and now it’s time for XO!

What is XO Cognac?

Whereas, VS (Very Special) is the youngest age statement of cognac and means no liquid in the bottle is younger than two years old, XO Cognac means Extra Old, which in numerical terms means that the liquid has been aged for a minimum of ten years. Some parts of the blend may be older, but ten is the minimum.

Interestingly, this actually changed in 2016 when six years used to be the XO minimum, so if you buy an older XO, you might find that there is in fact liquid younger than ten years old.

How Does XO Cognac differ to VSOP and XXO Cognac?

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) bottles are quite significantly younger than XO, requiring at least four years of aging. XO (Extra Old) is the next official category along, with ten years of aging needed, and beyond that there is XXO (yep, you guessed it - Extra Extra Old) that must be fourteen years of age.

Cognac masters use different eaux-de-vie of various ages to add different characteristics to the blend, so even though VS and VSOP are more commonly used for cocktails and mixes, it is not as simple as ‘the older the better’. Some VSOP will contain eaux-de-vie that are mostly XO, but may include some much younger liquid for vibrance, thereby categorising it as VSOP.

There are all kinds of unofficial age statements and other terms like Napoleon and hors d’âge so check out our full breakdown of the age statements here (including top recommendations from each!).

So many parts of the production process affect the end product of cognac, but generally the longer cognac sits in the barrel, the richer, nuttier, and more complex it becomes.  In the world of cognac, there is a relationship between age and price, with VS usually the most affordable, and XXO and beyond commanding the biggest price tags.

How is XO Cognac drunk?

Whilst the bright and fiery youth of VS blends lend themselves to cocktails, the nuance and complexity of an XO is likely to be lost mixed with such strong ingredients. It would still be delicious, particularly in a simple Highball, but for the money, it’s probably best enjoyed on its own.

When we say on its own, we mean either neat as an aperitif, or with a few drops of water as some drinkers enjoy. This, like a little ice, dilutes the cognac slightly for a smoother experience and often reveals new aromas such as fruity, floral, and/or spicy notes. If the XO is good quality (like below), you will want to slowly sip and find your way around the liquid and its layers without intensely flavoured mixers… but as is the golden rule with drinking, enjoy it in whatever way you enjoy it!

Which XO Cognac should I try?

Courvoisier XO

A timeless classic with layers of complexity from aged eaux-de-vie from all across the Cognac growing regions. Oak-y throughout, the nose of apricot opens out into silky smooth berries with delectable orange to finish. This is a serial award-winning XO for a reason!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £114.95 // US $189.99

Rémy Martin XO

This Grande and Petite Champagne blend is masterful from grape to glass. Vanilla, caramel and warm spice weave harmoniously in a rich and sophisticated XO. This alongside a few squares of dark chocolate is a dream.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £174.99 // US $249.99

Prunier Tres Vieille XO

Unbelievably soft, this Prunier Tres Vieille XO fills the mouth with elegant richness, including some more unusual leather and white pepper notes alongside a tarte tatin reminiscence to die for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £170

Hine Antique XO Cognac

This is a gorgeously soothing XO with indulgence and subtlety. 40 different cognacs aged over a decade create layers upon layers of spicy pepper, fruits rolled in cinnamon and perfumed spice.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £163 // US $234.99

Martell XO Cognac

Dating back to 1715, Martell is the oldest cognac house, and this XO radiates those generations of expertise. Mellow and soft in the mouth, it’s fragrant with citrus, walnut and blossom and every sip feels like a treat (exactly what you want from an XO).

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £182.99 // US $264.99

Maxime Trijol XO

Spiced orange and caramel swirl together in this gem of an XO that also provides pretty impressive value. It’s dry, fruity, and lined with vanilla butterscotch for complete indulgence. Many cognac aficionados return to this as their regular sipper!

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 40%
Find here: £102.99

Frapin Château de Fontpinot XO Cognac

Winner of the prestigious Master award for Single Cru XO in 2018, this Grand Champagne blend is moreishly fruity and floral with terrific poise. Subtle nuts and oaky vanilla round off a characterful and distinct XO that’s bursting with flavour.

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 41%
Find here: £134.99

Jean Fillioux Grande Reserve XO Cognac

At a lip-smacking 44%, this is a bold and powerful single Cru XO that is masterfully balanced. Oak, vanilla, and orange all work with one another and for under £100, you just don’t get XO cognac much better.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: UK £91.75 // US $138.99

For more information about the rich world of cognac, check out the Beginner’s Guide (or The Three Drinkers in Cognac of course!)

Stunning No-Lo Drinks For Summer

No or Low alcohol drinks are improving every year, whether that’s replicating what we know and love about their boozy counterparts, or trailblazing their own unique path.

These refreshing summer sippers feel nothing like a compromise and everything like a treat, with many of them even containing benefit-rich properties that are not only delicious, but also leave you feeling reinvigorated in the sunshine! Say goodbye to the hangover with these expertly made beauties!

The Best No-Lo WINE

Oddbird Rosé

Oddbird’s reputation for quality alcohol-free wine precedes them, with a diverse sparkling and still range. Not only is their focus on quality, but also a commitment to sustainability and environmental production which we always applaud. Their rosé is a superbly balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Languedoc-Roussillon aged for a year. The notes of strawberry feel lovely and fresh, the fizz is perfect and crucially, it isn’t overly sweet.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%      
Find here: £9.99 (usually more!)

Wild Life Botanicals – Blush & Nude

We can’t split these two fizzy beauties so we’re including both. The white (Nude) and the rosé (Blush) are equally dreamy, with each glass containing 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals! An evening drinking these and not only will you not feel sluggish (they’re under 0.5% ABV), but you will also feel refreshed! The pair are immensely refreshing, infused with all kinds of benefit-rich herbs and flavours such as lemon balm, rosemary, ashwagandha and damask rose. Surprisingly complex, incredibly refreshing, subtly sweet, and charmingly packaged – the perfect summer sipper.

Size: 750ml
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £16

The Best No-Lo COCKTAILS

Belvoir Farm Non-Alcoholic Peach Bellini

We love Belvoir for their beautifully packaged fizzes and cordials, but have you tried their No/Lo cocktails? They’ve mastered that fresh feel with their J&T and Passionfruit Martini, but their Peach Bellini is flawless, with two great taste awards stars to back it up. Real juicy peaches meet with sweet grape juice in this delicious mix that is made to be poured over plenty of ice on a hot summer’s day.

Size: 750ml                                          
ABV: 0%
Find here: £3.25

The Best No-Lo ALE

Days Pale Ale

Wonderfully bright and refreshing not just in colour but also taste, Days Alcohol-Free Pale Ale scooped a Gold at the World Alcoholic-Free Awards. Up front with its hopps flavour, tropical overtones and clean grapefruit offset it nicely for a super satisfying pale ale.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £25 12 x 330ml

The Best No-Lo APERITIF

Mother Root Marmalade Switchel

We’ve sung the praises of Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel before, but they’ve now got a new flavour – marmalade! Mother Root is all about flavoursome and reinvigorating non-alcoholic aperitif, using apple cider vinegar and fresh ingredients in their innovative blends. Bright and bitter Seville orange sits at the centre of this, with aromatic cardamom, zippy apple cider and earthy green tea all in perfect harmony. Perfectly paired with a light tonic (to let the flavours shine) and a big slice of orange or grapefruit wedge.

Size: 480ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £28

Three Spirit The Nightcap

Three Spirit produce three plant-based alcohol alternatives, with botanicals to match different occasions. Each beautifully packaged, there is Social Elixir, Livener, and today’s shout-out – The Nightcap. With lemon balm, valerian, hops, ashwagandha (Indian/African shrub) and white willow bark, pure alchemy creates flavours of vanilla, peppery wood and spice, as well syrupy treacle tart and toasted nuts. There are some similarities to whisky, but this is very much its own thing and it’s an absolute vegan delight.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £23.95 (usually more!)

The Best CBD No-Lo Drink

INTUNE Elderflower & Hops

We love drinking INTUNE for its all-natural CBD soft drink style. The touch of sweetness is just right in this floral Elderflower spritz style can with a hint of apple and rose blossom. It’s well worth checking out their full range because the standard is sky high, but this 10mg CBD Elderflower is a winning place to start leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 10mg
Find here: £25.95 12 x 250ml

If you love exploring new No/Lo drinks but haven’t ventured into trying CBD drinks yet, then check out 8 of the best here.

The English Sparkling Wines You Need to Try

If you haven’t embraced the flourishing world of English Sparkling Wine just yet, then English Wine Week is the perfect time to do so. Over the last decade, it has stormed past still wine in terms of reputation and quality, rivalling Champagnes on the international stage and becoming a mainstay of wine lists.

So, if you’ve been put off by the English fizz of old, then we’ve got just the bottles to show you what you’re missing!

Balfour M&S Lark Song English Rose

From renowned winery Balfour comes this English Rosé, a refreshingly dry bottle that’s half Pinot Noir, and half Pinot Meunier, Regent and Chardonnay. Ripe redcurrants and zesty lemon provide a sweetness with some subtle tang and juicy pears flesh out the taste nicely. Elegant beyond its price point.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £16

Folc Rosé

Without a doubt, this is an English Rosé that holds more than a candle to the Provence Rosé selection. Bursting with ripe strawberries and raspberries, the sweetness is balanced to perfection. Floral and citrus hints with touches of elderflower and lemon keep things interesting, and the mix of seven varietals is so expertly blended that it feels delicate, vibrant, and fresh. Self-assured and sublime.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £17.95

Fitz Sparkling NV

Now for something a bit different. English wines are generally made in the traditional method like Champagne and with great success too, but Fitz doesn’t follow this method. Rather than a deep, biscuity and dry taste, this a super fresh and fruity expression more reminiscent of an approachable everyday sipper. Notes of peach, honeysuckle and apple intertwine in this delicate and light wine that could easily become a favourite go-to for any or no occasion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19

Silverhand Estate, Silver Reign Brut NV

The first release of Kent’s Silverhand Estate, this is a quintessential English fizzer made from Champagne varietals and by the Charmat method. Prosecco style with bright citrus and fresh orchard fruits, this really is an exceptional Champagne-rivalling liquid without the huge price tag.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £21.50

Lyme Bay Winery Brut Reserve

Down to Devon now, where Lyme Bay produced this fruit-forward blend of 6 different varietals including Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir. Made in the traditional method, the result is a tantalising mix of acidity, full and fresh flavour, and a delicate fruity mousse. Freshly cut grass notes intrigue the nose, before opening up to green apple, toast, and citrus notes as well as just a hint of flinty minerals. Fantastic whatever time of year, this is a benchmark English sparkler.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £21.99

Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Rathfinny is another Sussex winery taking its rightful place on wine lists across the country, making full use of its sunny south-facing slopes. Single-harvest Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier join for this delicious, rich expression offering notes of cherry, vanilla, and baked apple. Minerality and florality intertwine harmoniously and a really loveable character comes across in every sip. This would sing alongside some fruity desserts!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £38.75

Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018

Gusbourne has been stacking up the awards for a while now and for a good reason. Their original Blanc de Blancs more than got people’s attention in 2010, and every release since has commanded justified excitement. This 2018 Vintage is plush with crisp green apple, citrus and buttery toasts, with an elegant and lingering minerality to fill out the profile. You’re paying a bit more than most, but this is a wine that completely lives up to those expectations. Serve alongside quality seafood for the perfect culinary experience.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £63.95

Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvée 2015

This widely loved family-owned winery in Hampshire has been industry acclaimed since its first release. As is Hattingley’s way, this is aged for 7 months in oak and a further 6 years on the lees creating dreamy depths of texture and toastiness. A blend of 50% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir and 16% Pinot Meunier, the balance of refreshing lightness and deep richness is magical. Honied nuts, brioche, creamy oak – it’s super premium English sparkling wine done perfectly.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.7%
Find here: £85

If you want to get up close and personal and see the English winemaking process from grape to glass, then check out these incredible Vineyard Tours!

What is VSOP Cognac and What Should I Try?

The Three Drinkers in Cognac follows Aidy and Helena as they explore everything the stunning region has to offer, and VSOP Cognac pops up again and again, so what exactly is it?

What is VSOP Cognac?

If you’re completely new to the world of cognac then do consult our Complete Beginner’s Guide, but in a sentence, cognac is a brandy produced in its namesake region in between Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France. When the Dutch became invested in the 18th century, Cognac rose above the competition and it’s now a protected and prestigious type of brandy.

Newbies are often thrown by the baffling letters that appear on cognac bottles, but all these signify is the age of the bottle. Now, to be more precise, cognac is made up of different blends usually of various ages, so this age statement lettering tells us the minimum age of the youngest liquid in the bottle.

VS (Very Special) is the youngest age statement and means that the youngest eaux-de-vie used has been aged for at least two years. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) on the other hand is slightly older at four years. So, a VSOP Cognac will contain no liquid that wasn’t aged for four years, but is this as simple as older cognac equals better cognac?

How Does VSOP Cognac differ to VS and XO Cognac?

Each eaux-de-vie brings something different to the blend and you will find that a mixture of many different ages is commonly used to achieve the distiller’s vision. VSOP sits between VS (Very Special) and XO (Extra Old), because as mentioned, VSOP is a minimum of two years old, VSOP four, and XO must be at least ten! Beyond this, there are categories like XXO and unofficial names such as Napoleon cognac, so check out our comprehensive breakdown of age statements here (including recommendations from each!).

As a general rule, cognac becomes richer and often nuttier the more that it rests in the barrel, losing some of the fresh vibrance that VS brings. Whilst there is a correlation between cognac age and price, different bottles are used for different purposes as well as different mixers and like always, it all comes down to personal preference anyway! Which brings us onto…

How is VSOP Cognac drunk?

VSOP cognac is probably the most versatile age statement because it has the depth and complexity to be sipped over ice, but also can be enjoyed in cocktails. Like we say, there are no hard and fast rules because different bottles use different ages in varying proportions, but VSOP is what Aidy and Helena use most during The Three Drinkers in Cognac because it’s a fantastic balance of vibrance and depth.

It tends to give a cocktail such as the Sidecar a touch more extravagance and layering than a VS but might lack the complexity to be sipped on its own. You can find The Best Cocktails to Make with Cognac here where you can see that VSOP was used throughout the show, but particularly in long and simple serves like a Highball, a VSOP will absolutely shine.

Which VSOP Cognac should I try?

Courvoisier VSOP

Courvoisier are one of the main cognac houses we have to thank for the spirit’s resurgence and their VSOP is simply one of the best, picking up the Master award for Super Premium VSOP at the Luxury Masters. Around 10 years of ageing means the minimum requirements for a VSOP are easily exceeded creating a deep and warming richness plush with oaky vanilla, citrus, sugary coffee, and toasty spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

Frapin VSOP

A renowned and highly respected Grand Champagne Cognac, Frapin’s VSOP blend is full of fruity orange, persistent vanilla and lofty florality. The smoothness and complexity are well worth paying slightly more for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.75

Hine Rare VSOP

Eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne regions are harmoniously blended into this elegantly floral expression that punches with fresh fruit and woody spice. With marmalade, toffee apples, ginger and candid orange at play, the rum-like finish is a pleasant surprise.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £54.95

Rémy Martin VSOP

The ever-dependable Rémy Martin produce a delicious smooth and mellow VSOP that has too many gongs to mention. Red berries, silky honey and warm vanilla from an iconic estate.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40.99

Camus VSOP Borderies Single Estate

Most cognac bottles are blends of eaux-de-vie from various estates, often across multiple growing regions, but this is a little different. Made with eaux-de-vie from just one estate in the Borderies region, this is distinct with the nutty and floral notes associated with that particular cru. Super characterful and elegant, with a moreish touch of oil on the finish too.  

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.95

For more information about the rich world of cognac, check out the Beginner’s Guide. And if you want some delicious cocktails to make these VSOP bottles sing, go here!

The new face of English Wine: Silverhand Estate

With English Wine Week 2023 in full swing, we turn our attentions to a brand new English wine producer based in Kent who are doing things a little differently. Welcome to Silverhand Estate!

Who are Silverhand Estate?

If there were ever a sign that English wine and oenotourism is booming, then this is it. Officially the biggest wine project happening in Europe and the biggest organic wine project in the UK, Silverhand is part of the MDCV UK group who own various vineyards in Provence as well as England and its set to be a biggie.

Located in a properly ancient part of the country around Luddesdown in Kent, where there’s a 1000 year old court house and a house that belonged to William the Conqueror's brother on the vineyard site, Silverhand gets its name from the town’s namesake King Ludd, the founder of London and all round royal legend who lost his hand in battle. He was stripped of his battle rights until he was forged a hand made of silver and thus, Silverhand felt a fittingly royal name for the legacy that this English vineyard means to have. 

Big ambitions

Silverhand Winemaker

With 550 acres already under vine and another 300 to come, Silverhand’s output will be impressive with a million bottles slated to be sold by the end of 2026. A state of the art winery designed by Sir Norman Foster has been planned with a top end café-bar and restaurant on site too. While big does not always mean better in terms of wine however, it’s important to note that the team are setting an example by being organic and sustainable from scratch with their new winery being carbon neutral and producing biogas. Here are some of the things Silverhand are doing to minimise their impact on this area of outstanding natural beauty. 

Sustainable from scratch

Helena with the sustainability manager, William

The company’s existing mosaic of vineyards with their flinty chalk and clay soils are certified organic by Demeter and there’s a conservation team that works tirelessly across the estate throughout the year to ensure that the land gives back. In fact the biodiversity net gain in the area is already at +16%.

Dotted inbetween the vineyards are wild grasslands which are home to numerous wildflowers, flora and fauna. Working sheep graze between the vines and fertilise the soils and the hedgerows and bluebell woodlands are kept in place and maintained. Truffles are being planted beneath a swathe of trees to nourish the soil from within and there is also now a conservation programme for rare orchids that have been found by the hedgerows in the top fields. On the production side, the site composts organic waste, harvests rainwater and uses heat from natural sources, such as ground source heat pumps.

A new style of wine for England

What is currently setting Silverhand apart is a new style of wine they have produced which feels like a hybrid between Prosecco and Champagne or rather, traditional method, English sparkling wine. Their maiden release Silver Reign is a charmat method wine, aka the Prosecco method, where the bubbles are formed in a tank rather than in single bottles. Unlike Prosecco however, only the three Champagne varietals, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier are used in the blend, each grape is vinified separately before blending and there is lees ageing happening as well as 5% reserve wine to add complexity to the final wine. The result is a sparkling that has much of the complexity and toasty notes of Champagne, is less sweet than your average Prosecco on the market but with added fruitiness, verve and freshness. At a retail price point of £17 (though it will be launched in the on trade first), it really feels like a game changer for the industry.

Silver Reign English Charmat

Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier
12.5% ABV and Vegan
13 g/l Residual sugar (NB extra dry Prosecco is between 12 and 17%) and 4.6 Tartaric Acid
3 months on lees in tank
Note: Nose of elderflower, white hedgerow flowers, pear and apricot. citrus and ripe stone fruit. Filled with citrus, fresh pear and cut apple flavours, and best enjoyed at any time.
£17 from thewinecaverns.co.uk 

However, it is not just charmat  / tank method wines that the estate produces; later this year will see the release of a vintage blanc de blancs wine and a Chardonnay dominant Brut NV wine.  There are also some other exciting developments on the way, but we’ll all just have to wait and see what those are…. Watch this space!

Words by Helena Nicklin

The Best Places To Drink English Sparkling Wine

Happy English Wine Week! Now in times gone by, this might not have been much of an occasion but with English fizz’s staggering rise in quality, popularity, and reputation, it is well worth getting out there and enjoying a glass. But where?

Well, for pretty much wherever you’re based, we’ve got a stellar establishment that’s championing fantastic fizz made right here in the rolling fields of England.

VINEYARDS

All over!

Now we’re not revealing anything too shocking here, but the best place to enjoy English sparkling wine is straight from the source, by visiting one of our many superb vineyards putting English fizz on the global stage. Getting up close and personal with the process from grape to glass is a special experience and it helps that they’re in glorious surroundings too. Check out the link below to find the best vineyard tours near you (and if you’re in the South West, you’re spoilt for choice!).

Find our guide here

LONDON

Oxeye Restaurant

Whilst it might not the cheapest option to sip on English fizz, Oxeye Restaurant in central London is a stunning establishment built around the very best of British ingredients. English bubbles dominated the huge wine list, from Nyetimber’s luxury Tillington, to Blackbook’s super silky Pinot Noir. When it comes to a premium dining experience to celebrate British food and wine, Oxeye is a treat you’ll never forget.

Find the website here

The George

Sister to the adored Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is The George, inhabiting a site that has hosted a pub since the 18th century. Stylish wherever you look, it’s upstairs that we’re interested in because it’s there that you’ll find it’s very own English Sparkling Wine bar. When the Wine List’s subheadings are, ‘London/Hampshire/Kent/Devon/East Sussex/West Sussex/Costwolds/Dorset’, you know you’ve got a great selection on your hands. If you want insight as you sip, keep your eyes peeled for their regular English wine tastings too!

Find the website here

The Coral Room

This beautiful, opulent bar sits in the heart of Bloomsbury, boasting striking art deco décor and a grand salon-style central bar from which you can order a superb selection of English sparklers. Curated by Master of Wine Anne McHale and sorted by county of origin, there are some 50 bottles to pick from, with house favourite being Ridgeview’s Bloomsbury Cuvee NV. Every style is represented here from award-winning Champagne varieties to quirky grapes you might never have tried, and there’s no better surroundings to sip them in.

Find the website here

MANCHESTER

Salut Wines

Like many others in Manchester, Salut is a wine shop doubling up as a dine-in venue. Slap bang in the city centre, over 400 bottles of wine surrounding you as well as a tapas restaurant, including stunning English Classic Cuvee from both Hambledon and Rathfinny. There’re also tapas if you like, stunning surroundings and all kinds of further afield wines from the familiar to the unusual.

Find the website here

NORFOLK

The White Horse

Coming in at Number 34 in the prestigious Estrella Top 50 Gastropubs list is The White Horse along the stunning marshes of Brancaster Staithe, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Top-notch gastropubs like this now rival swanky restaurants for their wine selections, and The White Horse provide a trio of English stunners from the masters at Nyetimber. Classic Cuvee NV, Rose NV, and Blanc de Blancs all feature, as well as locally made Cobble Hill Bacchus. English fizz and incredible seafood – what a pairing.

Find the website here

CORNWALL

The Idle Rocks

Cornish wine continues to go from strength to strength, and where better to celebrate it than the gorgeous coastal town of St Mawes where boutique hotel and restaurant The Idle Rocks sits. A personification of waterside comfort, the wine list is varied with options from across the globe, but it’s the Cornish and English Sparkling Wine Section that caught our eye. Again, Nyetimber provides tasty options alongside Knightor’s Classic Cuvée Brut and Sugrue’s The Trouble With Dreams. The wine list not only pairs with the dishes on offer but is also entirely sustainable – bravo!

Find the website here

BRIGHTON & HOVE

etch. By Steven Edwards

Winner of MasterChef the Professionals, Steven Edwards’s first restaurant, Etch in Hove showcases English wine’s cream of the crop brilliantly. Stocking wines from all over the South-East, there are dry Whites like Davenoport’s Horsmonden and Tickerage’s Chardonnay, but it’s the sparkling wine section that really celebrates the English Wine Revolution. Nyetimber, Wiston, Ridgeview, Rathfinny, Tickerage, Hoffman & Rathbone, Westwell... if you’re anywhere near Hove then this is the place to be.

Find the website here

If you want to get closer to England’s beautiful wines, then there are some incredible Winery Tours available here! Or, if you’d rather sip at home then these our are recommended bottles!

How Do You Store Wine Bottles Properly?

We love wine, but it’s sensitive and there’s nothing worse than putting time and money into buying a lovely bottle of wine only for it to be spoiled by not storing it correctly.

Whether it’s opened but unfinished, unopened but penned in for a pour, or you’re storing with no intentions of ever drinking, there are surprising pitfalls waiting for you at every turn. So, here is a comprehensive guide on how to store wine properly. Let’s begin with leftover wine…

How to store open wine bottles

Temperature & Light

As a number one priority, high temperatures and direct sunlight must be avoided. Wine deteriorates rapidly in these conditions, so cool and dark conditions are always best. For opened wine, refrigeration is the safest bet because it slows oxidation down and guarantees no high temperatures or sunlight.

Oxygen

Oxygen is initially a friend to wine, with many bottles improving after an hour or so of opening. However, it quickly becomes an enemy.

Re-corking is essential, and the same goes for checking that the cap is tightly secured. Basically, anything you can do to stop air from getting into the bottle will help preserve the wine so we’d recommend buying yourself a reusable cork if you haven’t got one already.

Once opened, you’ll need to store your bottle vertically to minimise the amount of wine coming into contact with the air. This won’t help to keep the cork moist but once opened, this shouldn’t have time to have much of an impact. You can always tip the bottle to moisten it, or add some water to it so that it remains a snug fit.

If you regularly find yourself with half a bottle leftover, then it might be worth buying some empty half bottles to decant into. If you want to really push the boat out, there are even wine pumps that remove the air. Remember, the less air in the bottle the better!

How to store wine bottles you will open

Temperature & Light

Even if you’re planning on cracking open a bottle of wine soon, don’t make the mistake of just leaving it anywhere. It’s easy to just pop it down somewhere and forget, and even an hour in direct sun can completely ruin a wine. White wine in particular can become ‘light struck’ which is why bottles are generally not clear!

There’s really no need to refrigerate a bottle you plan to open, but cool and dark conditions are best. No direct sun (avoid indirect if possible), and comfortably below 20 degrees Celsius.

Oxygen

Screwcaps don’t really need to rest on their side as that’s more relevant to corks and longer ageing. Just check that the cap is secure with no dents or anything letting in oxygen. As long as it’s not opened, there’s of course no harm in horizontal positioning, however.

Don’t disturb it

This isn’t likely to have a massive impact if you’re going to get round to drinking it sooner rather than later, but vibrations in the fridge will cause some degradation to the wine over time by disturbing sediment and altering the chemical structure slightly. There are other reasons to avoid the refrigeration too, like intense odours breathing through the cork and the likelihood of it being regularly moved and sloshed around to make room in the ridge.

How to store wine bottles you plan to keep

Temperature & Light

If you’re planning on storing wine bottles for longer periods of time, then it’s pretty much the same rules – cool and dark. Ensure there is no risk of the area climbing over 20 degrees Celsius, and ideally lower. Remember to make sure that no light comes through at any point of the day, and if there’s a risk of this simply cover the bottle with cloth or something similar.

Store horizontally

Wines that you’re storing for years will likely be corked, so store these wines horizontally. The cork might seem tight, but if it dries out completely then oxygen will seep in and gradually destroy the wine.

Avoid strong odours

As a rule of thumb, keep wine separate from any strong odours from foods, cleaning products and alike. As we mentioned before, wine breathes through the porous cork so just be aware of the nearby smells and make sure it’s neutral. The kitchen might initially make the most sense for wine storage in your home, or perhaps the garage, but both these locations have potential to surround your wine with strong aromas so be careful.

Don’t disturb it

Similarly, to bottles of wine you plan on opening soon, it’s important to leave wine alone. Any vibrations from a fridge or washing machine or movement from gym equipment will slowly affect the liquid. This is even more relevant for long-term storage because constant jolting of the bottle adds up over time. Like we say, the occasional removal of a bottle to look at it won’t be detrimental, but if you’re storing wine it’s likely to be of high quality or an investment, so keeping it still is best.

Humidity

Something people can forget about when it comes to storing wine you don’t plan on opening is humidity. Even if stored horizontally, very low humidity will dry out the cork which again, can lead to oxygenation issues.

On the other hand, higher humidity could begin peeling labels off bottles or at least damaging them, causing issues with re-sell or just aesthetic irritation. Luckily, no particularly special humidity conditions are required (it’s wine not some exotic frog!) but just make sure humidity isn’t much lower than 50, or above 70 – around 60 is perfect. Most homes will be around 55 but this obviously varies house to house and room to room!

If something’s gone wrong with storing your wine, or you just have leftover wine that is on the turn then hold your horses. A staggering amount of leftover wine gets poured down our sinks every year, and there’s actually loads you can do with it! Explore your wine’s second life here!

What is the Hugo Spritz?

Summer after summer, the Aperol Spritz cocktail glistens in the sun as the dominant spritz, but is that all about to change?

Fuelled by viral TikTok clips, the Hugo Spritz is capturing the hearts and minds of drinkers as summer beckons. Hailing from Northern Italy as a regional twist on the classic Spritz (which usually involves amaro and bitterness), the Hugo Spritz has slowly made its way over the Alps and across Europe over the last fifteen years. So, what actually is it?

Well, it’s elderflower liqueur (usually St Germain), Prosecco, soda, mint and a little lemon or lime. As gloriously effervescent it sounds, this is as refreshing as it gets with tantalising florality and fizz at the forefront of it all. The sweet, aromatic, and crisp profile is a crowd-pleaser with pretty much everyone and it’s being dubbed the most refreshing cocktail ever invented!

Part of its appeal is how simple is to make, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about and make a Hugo Spritz next time the sun is shining, this is how to go about it:

Ingredients
40ml elderflower liqueur (like St Germain)
20ml soda water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Dash of lime/lemon juice
Prosecco to top up
Ice
Lime/lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Take a large wine glass (you could use a highball if it’s big enough) and add some mint. Depending on how minty you want it, crush, and rip the mint to release the flavour, then pour in your elderflower. If you want a less boozy version, elderflower cordial works well too. Fill the glass with large ice cubes, add a splash of soda water, some lemon or lime juice, and top up with prosecco! And the final touch…a lemon or lime garnish! The ultimate summer sipper right there.