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Uncorking the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the world's leading provider of drinks qualifications and provides courses in 74 countries. I...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 17, 20243 min read
464 views
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New World Gems: Standout Wines from Washington State and Oregon
I had the pleasure of attending the Pacific Peaks & Vines: The Best of Washington State & Oregon Wine recently. American wines don’t tend...
Francesca De Franco
Mar 144 min read
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A Valentine’s Treat That Goes Beyond the Ordinary: Truffle & Cuvée Experience Day at High Clandon Vineyard
There is something magical about the sound of a cork popping on a bottle of sparkling. That joyous little sound signals something...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 242 min read
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Raise a Glass to The Grape Variety Wine Bar: A Chipstead Gem
The Grape Variety wine bar in Chipstead, Surrey combines upmarket, city wining and dining with the cosiness and intimacy of a village local
Francesca De Franco
Dec 3, 20244 min read
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The Former Engineer on a Mission to Simplify Gourmet Cooking in Debut Cookbook
You don’t always need to know the history of the author of a cookbook to appreciate it fully. However, in this case, Surrey chef Renu...
Francesca De Franco
Oct 9, 20242 min read
109 views
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A Sonnet in Every Sip: High Clandon's Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut
High Clandon's Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut is another triumph for the Surrey vineyard. Read more about this award-winning
Francesca De Franco
Sep 6, 20242 min read
99 views
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6 Great Red Wines for Summer Drinking
When the mercury starts rising, it often feels like the right time to swap from red wines to whites and rosés. I love nothing more than a...
Francesca De Franco
Jun 14, 20244 min read
201 views
3 comments


5 Surrey Vineyards to Discover During English Wine Week
Surrey boasts many of England's premier wines and vineyards. This southeastern county shares the same chalky limestone soils as Champagne
Francesca De Franco
May 24, 20248 min read
227 views
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Exploring the Culinary Delights of Emilia-Romagna: A Foodie's Dream Trip
Exploring the culinary gems of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy including Bologna, Parma and Ferrara
Francesca De Franco
Apr 16, 20246 min read
485 views
2 comments

Focus on Corvina: Italian Indigenous Grape Varieties
Corvina – also known as Corvina Veronese and Cruina – is one of Italy’s many indigenous grape varieties. Hailing from the Veneto region...
Francesca De Franco
Feb 22, 20244 min read
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Pizza: The Global Culinary Icon
What better time to celebrate arguably the world's most universally recognised and popular dish than on National Pizza Day? The history...
Francesca De Franco
Feb 9, 20244 min read
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Valentine's Day and Champagne: The Perfect Love Match
With Valentine's Day around the corner it seems like the perfect time to do a Champagne review. However, I'm not looking at the likes of...
Francesca De Franco
Feb 4, 20242 min read
101 views
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6 Family Winter Warmers: Hearty Recipes for Cosy Winter Cooking
Winter Cooking I love winter cooking. I find it so much easier to come up with family meal ideas in the colder months as we're big fans...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 31, 20245 min read
84 views
2 comments

VIGNA PETRUSSA: An All-Female Affair of Love, Passion, Hard Work and Sustainable Winemaking
Vigna Petrussa, an environmentally-friendly boutique winery in the Friuli region of north-east Italy (right by the Slovenian border), is...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 26, 20243 min read
123 views
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Farinata recipe (chickpea pancake): vegan, gluten-free
With pancake day on the horizon, I thought I'd share a great vegan, gluten-free alternative to the traditional variety. Farinata -...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 22, 20242 min read
57 views
2 comments

Pairing Wine and Food - Tips and Suggestions
One size doesn't fit all when it comes to wine and food pairing, but... The first thing to remember when considering food and wine...
Francesca De Franco
Jan 2, 20243 min read
17 views
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