London Wine Fair 2025
There is a palpable effervescence at London Wine Fair. Amidst the swathe of glorious summer blazers a harmonious symphony of clinking, popping, swishing and sloshing, and the gentle murmur of a happy hubbub of wine tasters.
English Wines were the real stand out star of the show this year. Although as the UK Producers Pavilion was decidedly small this year, trying to get to the front to taste our homegrown wines one had to throw a few polite elbows. Such was the demand to taste their impressively diverse ranges that many of us took the time to spend a considerable amount of time at the stand in order to get to the good stuff. Consider this a plea to the organisers for a much larger glorious stand for the UK producers next year please. The demand is clear and the quality has never better or more exciting.
Let’s start with Oastbrook wines.
America and Nick Brewer are the power house couple making wines at Oastbrook Estates Vineyards, with the vivacious America at the helm of their sustainable winemaking practises, a passionate supporter of minimal intervention and soil health she is keen to see that their viticultural approach is generational in scope.
A natural raconteur, America Brewer effortlessly entertains a willing and growing crowd of wine professionals. The wealth of technical details, the wines and the stories are poured out in a delightful whirlwind of enthusiasm and energy.
Deftly illustrating every fine detail with useful technical knowledge all with the verve of someone who truly loves their craft and connection to the land. Impressive indeed.
“Close your eyes and taste,” she whispers, “Now think of a blanc de noir champagne.” It all finally makes sense to your brain as you sip the White Pinot Noir and taste delicate wild strawberries and juicy red cherries on the finish.
This is a woman who loves to be amongst the vines, and the wines reflect that commitment in their significant range.
The perfect option to slip in to your blind tastings, this pale gold Pinot Noir is full of white flower blossom aromatics, delicate and subtle wild strawberries and with a lovely fresh lifted acidity on the finish. Surprisingly elegant.
At 11.5% alcohol it’s ideal for long balmy summer days.
https://oastbrook.com
YOTES COURT
On the Nod Bacchus
Sparkling, Benie Des Dieux’ Blanc de Blancs 2020
https://yotescourt.co.uk
SANDRIDGE BARTON
Sandridge Barton
Georgian Wines with Sarah Abbot MW also shone out amongst the others, as fresh exciting and frankly fascinating. With a history of over 8000 of wine making and using ancient tools and techniques such as clay qvevri and skin contact, it is clear the modern wine making landscape is significantly inspired by Georgian Wine.
I highly recommend attending any wine tasting with Sarah Abbot MW, as her knowledge and passion is always enriching, not to mention seasoned with glorious descriptors which always delight the ear as well as the palate.
Viticultural and Agricultural sector integration.