There are certain names that make wine lovers excited when it comes to Languedoc wines, and Mas de Daumas Gassac is one of them. I had recently enjoyed a bottle of the Daumas red 2022 with my dad (albeit opened a little too early in my opinion) and it made me want to discover the philosophy and wines of this iconic estate. Lucky for me, I live just five minutes away. A pioneer of the Languedoc wine scene, Mas de Daumas Gassac helped change the perception of this region, provi

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