About Laithwaites

Laithwaites Wines The company was started by Tony Laithwaite in 1969 and was originally called Bordeaux Direct and sold just one wine. Fast forward 40 years and today Laithwaites has over 700,000 regular customers and around 2000 wines and has won a whole host of industry awards. Over the years Laithwaites have introduced many new wine regions to the UK.

Laithwaites have an outstanding customer service team and have won Best Retail Call Centre beating some well known household names! Their website is easy to use with lots of useful information to help with your wine choices. Browse by grape, price or country and read customers reviews to help you decide.

If your’re new to wine buying or just want to know a bit more about the wine you’re drinking have a look at the ‘Discover Wine‘ section which is broken down into sections Countries & Regions, Grape Varieties, Food Matching and Winemakers.

English Sparkling Wine Britagne or Merret? A Sparkling Success!

Italy has prosecco, Spain has cava and with the continuing success of English sparkling wine many think the time has come to have a catchy name for it – suggestions include Merret or Britagne. Marks & Spencers have reported a huge 70% increase in sales over the last 12 months.

The grapes used in France to make traditional champagne are now grown in the UK. The climate at vineyards such as Manstree Vineyard Shillingford St John near Devon make it ideal wine making conditions.

So why has this come about now? Many think the term sparkling wine doesn’t do justice to the quality of the wine being produced and the term is just too general and bland. Finding the correct name will appeal to consumers, the international wine industry and restauraters alike.

Wine producer Christian Seely from wine producer Coates & Seely suggest the name Britagne whilst Mike Roberts of wine producer Ridgeview think the name Merret should be adopted.

The name to give to English sparkling wine is set to be debated this month by the trade body English Wine Producers

Three Choirs Vineyard

With popularity of English wine growing a visit to an English vineyard is fast becoming a popular day out. One of the best is the award winning Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire. Well located the vineyard is within an hours drive of Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff with excellent motorway locations to other parts of the UK.

Experience a wine tour and tasting every day between the 5th January and 23rd December usually between 11.00am and 3.00pm whatever the weather! The tour and tasting last approx 75 minutes more details are available here

At Three Choirs you can enjoy lunch or dinner in the Vineyard restaurant with freshly prepared meals sourced locally wherever possible. A sample of the menus can be seen here. Located close to the restaurant and shop is the Vine Room where you can enjoy fine wine and food overlooking the vineyards. A large decking area with seating is the perfect place to relax.

If you are planning a longer stay in this part of the country perhaps to explore the Forest of Dean or the Cotswolds, Three Choirs has eleven rooms which overlook the vine clad valley or choose to stay in a Lodge room nestled amongst the vines. Rooms are beautifully appointed, furnished to a high standard and a continental breakfast can even be delivered to your door!

Browse the online shop that stocks a wonderful range of English wine, gift and accommodation vouchers or treat yourself to a cookery course. A Three Choirs voucher can also be used for a variety of treats such as Afternoon Tea for Two or a Wine Tasting Tour and Lunch.

So enjoy a great day out or treat yourself to a short break enjoying some of the best English wine and food available. Do your Christmas shopping online for a unique selection of gifts!