Villages straight out of an Agatha Christie novel, rolling green hills, wildflower meadows, countless sheep and cows, and cosy country pubs. Welcome to the Cotswolds. This wasn’t just any trip to the Cotswolds, though. It was Camp Joy Retreats’ take on the region, and once again, I joined as their private sommelier. This time, things were a little different, as I wasn’t on site to source the wines myself. For Camp Joy’s French retreats in Cotignac and Ménerbes, the rhythm is

If you have ever found yourself in the wine aisle of a supermarket or browsing in a wine shop, chances are you have come across a bottle displaying a medal. But have you ever wondered how a wine actually earns one? I’m lucky enough to experience both sides of wine competitions, not only as a judge, but also as an organiser. After recently taking part in another competition, I thought it would be interesting to share a behind-the-scenes look at how these contests work, how win

Clos Aguilem first came onto my radar at a Christmas work lunch, where an oenologist colleague of mine had brought their cuvée KIARA for tasting. As the bottle was poured around the table, we all agreed, it was a beautiful wine. When I mentioned how much I enjoyed it, my colleague added that not only do they make delicious wines, but they are also incredibly warm and welcoming people. “They’re not far from you, you should visit.” Need I say more? And so, Clos Aguilem naturall