Runner Who Loves Wine. Sharing my wine knowledge

BLOGS, REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE WINE INDUSTRY SUCH AS EVENTS, BOTTLES, COMPANIES, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.

Tag: travel

  • Reflections from the Embassy: A Day of Slovakian Wine and Insightful Conversations

    Reflections from the Embassy: A Day of Slovakian Wine and Insightful Conversations

    Attending the Slovakian Embassy Wine Event on April 16th was not only a chance to enjoy an exceptional selection of wines and it was also an opportunity to reconnect with some of the passionate people behind them. After the event, I caught up with Lucia and Darren from The Naughty Grape, Emma Zvolenská from Terra Parna, and Soňa Šabík from Chateau Grand Bari. It’s always fascinating to hear their perspectives, learn how they experienced the event, and gain deeper insights into their work and vision. Their reflections added a personal and enriching layer to an already memorable evening, filled with great wine, meaningful dialogue, and a shared appreciation for Slovakian viticulture.

    Lucia and Darren (The Naughty Grape)

    Lucia and Darren, founders of The Naughty Grape Ltd, had a fantastic day with having the honour of representing five amazing Slovak wineries:

    Martin Pomfy @martin_pomfy_vinarstvo_mavin 

    Vins Winery @vins_winery 

     Repa Winery @repa_winery 

     Zlatý Roh @vinarstvo_zlatyroh 

     Rariga @vinarstvo_rariga 

     Víno Magula @vinomagula 

    Most of the producers / wines not yet available on the UK market.  Their stand consisted of 30 wines from fresh frizzantes and elegant whites to bold, characterful reds, so proudly pouring the largest selection at the event. They found the atmosphere was relaxed, with a crowd of over 150 guests was ‘buzzing’. The feedback they received was so positive. Lucia and Darren were so thrilled that so many people were impressed by the exceptional quality and purity of the wines they showcased.  Slovak wine is a hidden gem and one of the world’s best kept secret, the @thenaughtygrapeuk are proud to be leading the way in sharing it with the world. Here’s to new discoveries, exciting beginnings to put Slovakian wines as being truly exceptional.

    PS: special thanks to the Slovak Embassy and the team for organising such successful event!

    Emma Zvolenská (Terra Parna)

    “What an incredible experience to be part of the Slovak wine showcase in London!

    We were proud to stand alongside fellow Slovak wineries and share the best of what our country has to offer with British importers, sommeliers, and wine lovers. The response was amazing — so many guests tasting Slovak wine for the very first time and loving it!

    A huge thank-you to the organisers – @thenaughtygrapeuk and the Slovak Embassy in UK, and to everyone who stopped by our table to taste, chat, and connect. We left feeling inspired and proud — not just of our own wines, but of the passion, talent, and diversity across Slovakia’s wine scene.

    Here’s to new friendships, future collaborations, and more opportunities to bring Slovak wine to the world”.

    Soňa Šabík (Chateau Grand Bari)

    “The event at the embassy was great — for me, it was time spent with very interesting people. I liked that we were able to talk about wine in depth. 

    The guests especially enjoyed our dry wines and found them interesting. Many were surprised by the potential of Tokaj. 

    They also appreciated the cans as a good idea — it’s a drink that’s very suitable for the summer season”.

    As the event came to a close, it was clear that events like these do more than showcase wine, they spark connections, inspire conversations, and deepen our understanding of the craft behind every bottle. Hearing directly from the people shaping Slovakian wine today was both enlightening and energising. And this is just the beginning.

    Stay tuned for more stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of Slovakian winemaking. There’s so much more to discover.

  • Stepping into the World of Wine: My First Experience as a Brand Ambassador

    Stepping into the World of Wine: My First Experience as a Brand Ambassador

    Starting something new is always daunting. Stepping out of your comfort zone, striving to do your best, and navigating through unfamiliar territory can be overwhelming, but it’s also exhilarating. I feel incredibly fortunate that Lucia and Darren from The Naughty Grape have given me such a fantastic opportunity to represent their brand as an ambassador.

    Though I’m still new to the wine world and finding my feet, this experience is helping me grow into something beautiful. For the first time, I truly feel like I belong and like I’ve found my place in the wine industry.

    My first outing as a brand ambassador took place at none other than the Slovakian Embassy in London. What a fitting and prestigious place to begin this adventure. The event featured 12 tables, each represented by wineries and importers. I was a mix of nerves and excitement, as I always put pressure on myself to succeed. But I reminded myself: this is a journey, and I’m here to learn.

    Lucia and Darren welcomed me warmly, immediately putting me at ease. I had so many ideas I was eager to bring to life, so I got straight to work capturing media and content from the event.

    Before this, I had already been creating content for some of the wineries present, including Terra Parna and Grand Bari. Meeting their teams in person and hearing how much they appreciated my work was deeply rewarding. It was a real confidence boost that told me I was on the right path.

    I also connected with several of The Naughty Grape’s represented wineries, including Erik Dorusinec and Dom Baranek from Vino Matyšák. With their impressive backgrounds as sommeliers in prestigious venues and their deep knowledge of Slovak wines, we had inspiring conversations that captured the essence of their brand.

    One of the most comforting parts of the day was having my good friend Haydy by my side. We make a strong team at these events, sharing similar ideas and passion for wine. Her support and wine wisdom always give me that extra confidence.

    This event was a major learning experience. I was inspired watching everyone speak so passionately about their wines, and I feel privileged to have captured that passion in the media I created. It was also a very well-organised event, and I was made to feel relaxed and welcomed throughout.

    Now I’m stocked with new wines to try, share, and talk about, I’m more excited than ever for what lies ahead. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to continue this journey in the wine world.

  • Online: Jimmy’s Aged Cellar: Aged Australian Chardonnay Part 3

    Online: Jimmy’s Aged Cellar: Aged Australian Chardonnay Part 3

    Margaret River is a 3-hour (approx. 270KM) drive from Perth and is a peninsula surrounded by two oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. This is different to the maritime factors compared to Mornington Peninsula as the Indian Ocean brings warm sea breezes whereas the Southern Ocean brings a cooling influence. There is a balanced heat temperature throughout the year where it is never too cold or too hot. This means that the diurnal ranges are very low.

    Vines were first planted here in 1967 as the Western Australian Government wanted more people to increase viticulture in the state. Agronomist, Dr John Gladstones was tasked to identify the best sites for viticulture. This was due to Margaret River having a similar climate to Bordeaux and had the oldest vineyard soils of the world. The soils are of deep, well-drained red gravelly loams (very similar to Left Bank Bordeaux).

    GinGin Clone

    The 1st clone was planted in 1975 and is now the most planted clone in Margaret River. It is known for its tendency to produce loose grape bunches with berries of different sizes. It is known as the Hen and the Chicken. The pepper corn sized berries (Chicken) have high acid levels, high skin to juice ratio resulting in more phenolics. The larger berries (Hen) have lots more juice and concentration giving more depth in fruit flavour and high acidity. This is a great combination as it resembles a pasta al dente texture behind the palette.

    Wine No.9 – Cullen, Kevin John, Margaret River 2019

    Cullen wines were founded in 1971 by Dr Kevin John Cullen and Diana Madeline Cullen. This winery has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation trends. The vineyard was made organic in 1995 and biodynamic in 2004.

    This wine still has a lot of potential for ageing. There is definitely an Al Dente texture coming from the GinGin clone with a touch of phenolic. The fruit characteristics are very vibrant and intense. Overall, this is an outstanding wine and a good representation on how different a chardonnay can be in this region.

    Summary

    What a remarkable journey Jimmy and Emma had taken us on going through the history and changes of Chardonnay. This is expanded my knowledge on how different regions and vintages can really determine the characteristics of this fascinating grape variety. After doing this online session, my love for Chardonnay has increased and I have a better understanding and respect on how different it can be. I would highly recommend attending Jimmy’s Online courses at the West London Wine school. Jimmy has so much enthusiasm and passion for the world of wine and definitely shares his love for the love of wine.