Fenders Oh Fenders - Chris Howells

Fenders Oh Fenders - Chris Howells DipWSET | Wine Writer | Unfiltered ✍🏼
Somehow turned drinking into admin
International Wine Judge🍷
Bar Owner | Travel
Former Director .bar

29/04/2026

Spring/summer tasting vibes 🌸☀️🍷

Spent some time with Majestic Wine at Vagabond and honestly… what a lineup. There were definitely a few golden nuggets hiding in there ✨

I found myself coming back again and again to the Albariño – drinking so well right now. Fresh, expressive, and exactly what you want in the glass as the days get longer.

Safe to say my wine list (and fridge 😅) is about to get a seasonal refresh…

A face I remember from a while back at this years Definitive Champagne Tasting.Some of the most rewarding work in brand ...
25/04/2026

A face I remember from a while back at this years Definitive Champagne Tasting.

Some of the most rewarding work in brand leadership comes when two businesses with genuine shared values come together in a way that feels authentic.

As one of the former Brand Head’s and Brand Director’s for Alpine Cars UK, I had the pleasure of helping support the 2023 collaboration between Alpine and Champagne Barons de Rothschild — bringing together two iconic French houses connected by craftsmanship, heritage, precision and a contemporary sense of elegance.

Launched in early 2023, the partnership marked another important step in Alpine’s continued brand evolution, blending performance, design and lifestyle credentials with one of France’s most respected luxury names.

For Alpine, it was an opportunity to reinforce that performance and emotion can sit naturally alongside refinement and lifestyle. For Champagne Barons de Rothschild, it created a connection with innovation, modern luxury and a new audience.

Successful partnerships are never just about logos or launch moments. They depend on clear strategy, aligned ex*****on, market relevance, customer experience and strong storytelling to create real impact.

I’m proud to have played a role in shaping this partnership for the UK market during my time leading the brand, and supporting a collaboration that reflected Alpine’s growing ambition in 2023 and beyond.

The strongest brand partnerships don’t feel forced — they feel naturally aligned.

MarketingLeadership Alpine UKBusiness

Show me a better picture of the ‘perfect spring beer garden’.
21/04/2026

Show me a better picture of the ‘perfect spring beer garden’.

Ever noticed how the same grape can go by totally different names? 🍇It’s not wine being confusing — it’s history. As vin...
20/04/2026

Ever noticed how the same grape can go by totally different names? 🍇

It’s not wine being confusing — it’s history. As vines moved across borders, languages and traditions gave familiar grapes new identities. And it’s far more common than most people realise.

Here’s your grape alias cheat sheet:
• Syrah = Shiraz
• Zinfandel = Primitivo / Tribidrag
• Pinot Gris = Pinot Grigio
• Tempranillo = Tinto Fino / Tinta Roriz / Aragonez
• Mourvèdre = Monastrell / Mataro
• Grenache = Garnacha / Cannonau
• Carignan = Cariñena / Carignano / Mazuelo
• Trebbiano = Ugni Blanc
• Chenin Blanc = Steen
• Cinsault = Hermitage (South Africa)
• Vermentino = Rolle / Favorita

Same grape. Different passport. 🌍

Next time you see an unfamiliar name on a label, chances are you already know it — just under a different alias.

At this point, grapes need witness protection. 🍷😂

A real privilege to attend and be part of Taste of Europe 2026 at Sinfonia Smith Square — an evening celebrating both tr...
17/04/2026

A real privilege to attend and be part of Taste of Europe 2026 at Sinfonia Smith Square — an evening celebrating both tradition and innovation across European food and drink.

From standout wines and beers to cheeses, cured meats and more, it was an effortlessly engaging showcase of over 20 EU member states, paired with sharp insights from Jay Rayner and a masterclass led by Ned Palmer.

Great to catch up with Harry Furse of Drinks, pouring some brilliant Bulgarian sparkling wines — highly recommend keeping an eye on those.

Tough evening… but someone had to do the tasting. 🍷✨

🍷 Happy World Malbec Day! 🍷Fun fact 1: Malbec might be Argentina’s icon now 🇦🇷, but it actually started life in France—t...
17/04/2026

🍷 Happy World Malbec Day! 🍷

Fun fact 1: Malbec might be Argentina’s icon now 🇦🇷, but it actually started life in France—talk about a glow-up!

Fun fact 2: The name “Malbec” is believed to come from a Hungarian peasant named Malbeck who helped spread the grape in France. So yes… this whole celebration is basically thanks to one very helpful guy 🍇

And honestly? I LOVE it. ❤️ No wonder Malbec is one of the UK’s favourite red wine varietals—big, bold, smooth, and packed with those rich dark fruit flavours.

I told myself I’d only have one glass of Malbec tonight…
…turns out my wine glass identifies as a bottle 😭🍷

Go on, celebrate properly 😉

It’s World Tannat Day 🍷A few things you might not know about this bold beauty…• Tannat originally comes from جنوب غرب Fr...
14/04/2026

It’s World Tannat Day 🍷

A few things you might not know about this bold beauty…
• Tannat originally comes from جنوب غرب France — especially Madiran — where it built a reputation for being seriously structured (and a little wild) 🇫🇷

• It was once considered too intense… high tannins, big personality, not for the faint-hearted

• Then it found a second home in Uruguay 🇺🇾 — and everything changed

• Thanks to the climate and winemaking style there, Tannat became smoother, rounder, and honestly… a bit of a superstar

• Today, Uruguay is the country most associated with Tannat — it’s basically their national grape

From rustic French roots to South American icon… not a bad glow-up 🍇

One of my faves above from the winemakers at

I’m absolutely buzzing to have passed my Level 4 Diploma in Wine with WSET! 🍷✨ Without a doubt one of the most challengi...
04/04/2026

I’m absolutely buzzing to have passed my Level 4 Diploma in Wine with WSET! 🍷✨

Without a doubt one of the most challenging exams I’ve ever taken—but every late night, every swirl and sniff was worth it. I’m so glad I pushed myself to do it… if not for anything else, just to prove to myself that I could.

Feeling proud, grateful, and ready for whatever comes next! 🥂

Turns out all that “research drinking” finally paid off—purely academic, of course. 😉

Behind the Scenes with Our Judges 🎥At the 9th Annual London Competitions, we sat down with some of our esteemed judges f...
02/04/2026

Behind the Scenes with Our Judges 🎥

At the 9th Annual London Competitions, we sat down with some of our esteemed judges for exclusive interviews during judging week. From the tasting floor to thoughtful conversations, we captured the energy and expertise that power the competition.

🎥 In frame:
👉Chris Howells DipWSET - Group Director for MUST WINE GROUP
👉Tim Triptree MW - Master of Wine & International Director, Wine & Spirits, Christie’s
👉Bianca Ford - Operations Director, Yapp Brothers Ltd
👉Elizabeth M. - Head Sommelier, Gleneagles Townhouse
👉Stephanie Macleod - Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky, Bacardi
👉Sunny Hodge - Founder, Aspen & Meursault
👉Dan Belmont - Director & Wine Buyer, Good Wine Good People
👉Rachelle Carandang - Sr Manager, Product Development & Sourcing (Beverages), Sam’s Club

📅 Results go live April 22nd, stay tuned! 🏆

         April22 CountdownToResults

Adresse

Salzburg

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