Effi drinks wine

04/06/2026

“Your table has been so busy all day, I had to wait all the way to the end to take a picture of both of you!” said the photographer as we had started to pack up our samples!

Last year, Alexandra Anthidou, Director of Winemakers of North Greece, flew to London to show together the fascinating plethora of grapes, colours, styles and sweetness levels of rosé expressions from Northern Greece!

You might think I am biased because I grew up in Thessaloniki but the truth is that last year’s guest were mesmerized! And I can’t blame them!

Next week we are coming back with:

🔟 Wines
7️⃣ Wineries
Alpha Estate
AmOenos Vineyards
Estates Costa Lazaridi
Kechris
Ktima Kir-Yianni
Ktima Pavlidis
Zoinos Winery

1️⃣PDO: Amyndeon
4️⃣ PGIs: Drama, Epirus, Macedonia and Florina
1️⃣Apellation by Tradition

5️⃣ Indigenous Grape Varieties:
Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Vlahiko, Becari, Debina

4️⃣ International Grape Varieties:
Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Tempranillo

You will leave our table with a smile, lots of notes and a postcard where you will find every piece of technical information your professional self may desire!

Join Alexandra and me at Drink Pink Wednesday on a mini masterclass on Northern Greece and its delectable and varied rosés!

I shall see you next Wednesday at the Crypt on the Green!

31/05/2026

Occasion: Friends for over 22 years reunion in London.

“The older you get, the more you need the friends who knew you when you were young.”

Wine pairing: Domaine Les Terre Promises “L’Apostrophe” Rosé, 2024 Provence, France

Location: .london (thank you for the recommendation!) excellent experience through and through!

Tip: don’t leave without ordering the “Poached chicken, rice, brown butter”. You are welcome.

26/05/2026

Never had an Alsatian PetNat made from Pinot Axerrois by Les Jardins En-Chantates but it was lipsmacking!

Manifest this hard, 31st August is just around the corner.

18/05/2026

Escape to the English countryside in West Berkshire to experience the fantastic vineyard tour and tasting session of All Angels!

📜 Immerse yourself in one of England’s most characterful small vineyards surrounded by this ancient woodland. You will see the 12th century parish church of St Michael and All Angels that still stands on the estate boundary.

🔝Quality: For those in the know, All Angels needs no further introduction as they consistently win top awards for their excellent quality! Oz Clarke named their Classic Cuvée 2014 Long Aged in his Top 3 at the London Wine Fair.

🌿 The Tour is a proper experience. Stroll through the south-facing vines, hear the full story of ancient Church Farm from the wonderfully passionate owners Mark and Christine Darley, and finish with a tutored tasting of their delicious vintage-only wines.

The Darleys are the kind of owners who make you feel like a guest in their home!

✨ Top Tip: Make sure to download the UK Vineyard Guide app to plan all your upcoming visits and explore the UK’s vinous heritage!

16/05/2026

Today started as a normal Saturday morning. You see I was not expecting to read the news that my first Vinocial producer, Paros Farming Community, was featured in Jancis Robinson MW article “It’s all Greek for me” in the Financial Times Magazine, in front of the milk aisle. A few customers had to ask me to go on the side because I stood still looking at my phone blocking their way to their milk needs.

I immediately called Dimitris Mansolas, Master Vigneron of Paros Farming Community, who is also the half of Hetero Wines along with Maria Tamiolaki. He didn’t pick up. I had to change the aisle at least.

I then run to the newspaper section, as I needed to make sure that what I read online is actually printed.

I needed to pick a physical copy and see the words “ Paris Farming Community, Seiradi Mandilaria 2025 PGI Cyclades (12.4%) 2024 is £18 WoodWinters” printed with real ink!

Finally, Dimitris calls back! I congratulate him, we cheer! Goosebumps!

Established in 1929 as the Paros Cooperative and reborn in 2021 as Paros Farming Community makes “Wines for Curious Minds”. They make 8 labels with just the two indigenous, organically grown, grapes of the island; Monemvassia and Mandilaria. And today THE Jancis Robinson MW picked one of them for her Financial Times Magazine article. My Paros Paradox listed under Greek Legends!

What a monumental day!

Thank you ever so much Jancis for all your love and support for Greek wine!

Congratulations Dimitris and Paris Farming Community Team!

11/05/2026

Welcome to Great British Rosé Week! An incredible celebration of lipsmacking rosé, their producers and of course their stories who shape today’s local vinous history!

Founder, Archie Patel, and Janina Doyle opened their arms and took us through a fabulous selection of rosé from Great Britain! An eye-opening and palate-tingling tasting! With the best dress code and prettiest cheeseboard setup!

The Dancing Dutchess’22: founded by and , 100% Pinot Meunier, only female-founded English wine brand without owned vineyard. Delectable!

Greyfriars Rosé Reserve ‘22: why have I not been to their chalk cave cellar? One of the first to plant Champagne grapes. Great colour, very appetizing!

Ambriel ‘Huzzah’ Rosé MV Big on regenerative viti with the MV 8 years on lees! Nodes to Hussar, Ambrosia and Gabriel. My new favourite?!

Artelium Marers Sparkling Rosé ‘19: wine art and culture. Yes to all. Delicious!

All Angels Sparkling Rosé ‘18: very intriguing Rondo-Pinot Gris blend. Sustainable Wines of GB certified. So flavorsom!

Silver Reign Charmat NV: UK’s 1st a carbon negative vineyard, largest organic. Delightful!

Albury ‘Silent Pool’ Rosé ‘25 organic/biodynamic. wildlife walk, sustainability focus. Very elegant!

Carvers Hill Rosé ‘25 fabulous bottle, expressive and classy! Off-grid cabins in their woods - such a great idea!

Otium “Deliquent” Rosé ‘25 ‘ex labore, otium’, slow life before it was trendy. Regenerative. Very pretty!

Four Daughters Rosé ‘25 Four sisters, four best friends, four fingerprints. Strawberries and cream in a bottle.

Balfour Nannette’s Rosé ‘25 sustainable, innovative and multi-awarded winery focusing on rosé! So charming!

Charles Palmer Rosé ‘25 very low-lying vines, great colour and crunchy apple. Very pleasant!

Great Wheatley Rosé ‘25 Duncan McNeil, top viticulturalist. All varietal wines. Crisp and versatile!

Abingworth Hidden Verse Rosé ‘25 Vivacious with creamy palate! A grasshopper on the label nodding to the rich musical heritage.

Blackbook “I’d rather be a rebel ” ‘22 Urban winery in Battersea with cult following. So expressive a

05/05/2026

Taste with me the Thamnus Wines range at Table 31 at Tim Atkin MW Best of South Africa event!

A hidden gem nestled in a remote corner of the Overberg where P.J. Greyer, Thamnus viticulturist and winemaker, who had worked with the Moueix family in Pomerol, selects the very best of fruit making about 10,000 bottles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from these north-facing, cool-climate vineyards!

These are incredible wines of remarkable energy and expression than no doubt will excite and surprise you!

20/04/2026

We bet that the Paros Farming Community Wines will rock the tasting floor at the London Wines of Greece Trade Tasting on the 28th April, table 26!

Paros Farming Community is returning to London with a brand new release, our first PetNat! This marks the 8th (❗️) wine we are launching… be reminded that we only work with just our 2 indigenous grapes from the island of Paros; Monemvassia and Mandialaria!

If you are intrigued by Wines for Curious Minds and are in need of a breath of summer in Paros, we can’t wait to welcome you at Table 26!

1. PFC New Wine: PFC PetNat NV - we can’t wait to taste our first Méthode Ancestrale wine with you! 100% Monemvassia, unfiltered and unapologetic!
Seiradi Core Range:
2. Seiradi White Paros PDO 2025 ( Monemvassia 100%)
3. Seiradi Rosé PGI CCyclades 2024 (Monemvassia 75% Mandilaria 25%)
4. Seiradi Red Manadilaria PDO Paros 2025 (100% Mandilaria)
Seiradi Limited Cuvée from Old Vines
5. Seiradi Limited Cuvée “Topos” White Paros PDO 2023 ( Monemvassia 100%)
6. Seiradi Limited Cuvée “Topos” Red PDO Paros 2023 (Monemvassia 55%, Mandilaria 45%):
7. Masterclass entry: Seiradi Limited Cuvée “Premno” Red PDO Paros 2022 (100% Mandilaria)

Our much anticipated new vintage release of Seiradi Vin Mousseux Rose Extra Brut 2025 (Monemvassia 50%, Mandilaria 50%) will be out soon and you’ll be the first to know!

03/04/2026

Repeat after me…

Did you know that the first ever sparkling wine was an “accident”? The very cold Champagne winter paused the alcoholic fermentation while the warmth of spring revived the yeast in the bottle and boom! A most attractive effervescence was trapped in the bottle and the light bubbles filled the glasses of some very surprised Champenois!

05/12/2024