[January 2025]

Spring is springing!  The Laithwaites team has a handpicked selection of wines to capture the vinous spirit of the season: from one of the greenest whites you’ll find, via a Valencian Viognier and South African Sauvignon-Colombard, rosés from the South of both America and France, plus a pair of jubilantly juicy reds.

Biodiversité White Blend 2023, France RRP £14.99 [11% ABV]

This citrussy Vin de France from négociants Mickael and Camille Alborghetti, whose aim is to make wines with the lowest environmental impact, is Laithwaites’ lightest bottle yet weighing in at just 300g.  A blend of organic Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, it’s packaged in recycled and recyclable glass and uses biodegradable labels, plant-based glue with no capsules.  A perfect match for this wine merchant whose stated aim is to have an average bottle weight of 420g by next year.

Hacienda de Lluna Viognier 2024, Spain RRP £8.99 [11% ABV]

A Valencian Viognier which is bursting with ripe stone fruit.  Known as the white grape of the Rhône Valley,  it’s a varietal that can also find a home in similarly sun-soaked vineyards of eastern Spain - aromatic and tropical, perfect for afternoon al fresco dining.

The Gooseberry Bush 2024, South Africa RRP £8.99 [10.5% ABV] 

One of Laithwaites’ most-loved whites and a firm fridge-door favourite, The Gooseberry Bush 2024 is a zesty South African combo of crisp Colombard (90%) and citrus-charged Sauvignon Blanc (10%).   Made by Bon Courage in Robertson, from vineyards nestled between the Breede River and Langeberg Mountains - a grassy, kiwi-fruit-laden white which is a great party wine and delicious with stir-fries.     

Don Cayetano Merlot Malbec Rosé 2024, Chile RRP £9.99 [11% ABV] 

 From the Luis Felipe Edwards stable, a lush summer berry rosé made from a blend of Merlot and Malbec, and with all the bright fruit flavours Chile is renowned for.   

Violette de Mireval 2024, France RRP £9.99 [11% ABV]

Warming weather always needs a southern French rosé, and this aromatic pink is made from local variety, Negrette.   A vibrant and lively rosé with ripe summer berries and exotic fruit.  Serving a seafood platter?  Serve with this!   

Notebook Old Vines País 2022, Chile RRP £10.99 [13.5% ABV] 

Buyer Leo Bassano reckons Pais is probably Chile’s best kept secret - a grape so bright and full of summer berry joy that it’s going to be brilliant on your springtime picnics.  This is made by Jorge Martinez at the Viña Morande winery where he ferments at low temperatures to capture all the grapes’ juicy red fruits.  Serve slightly chilled for something that’s super refreshing with supper!   

Babele Merlot 2023, Romania RRP £7.99 [13% ABV]  From Romania’s hottest winery, Cramele Recas, and named after the Romanian tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring, this is a silky-smooth Merlot - bright, juicy flavours with spiced plum and vanilla.  Definitely a tasty treat for the dinner table!

Celebrating the Cricket? 

As the cricket season bats off (sorry!), don’t forget to look ‘Beyond the Wicket’! 

During his cricket career - and beyond! - Stuart followed a rule of only drinking wines from the region that he’s playing in, and this has inspired his ‘Beyond the Wicket’ collection which is exclusive to Laithwaites.  Please let me know if you’d like to try any of these wines. 

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Note to Editors – About Laithwaites

Laithwaites Wine was founded in 1969, when Tony Laithwaite drove a van of Bordeaux wine to England to share with family and friends. 

Laithwaites has since grown to become one of the UK’s largest wine merchants, yet remains family-owned and still gives pride of place to smaller producers.  The Laithwaites wine team tastes over 40,000 wines a year before selecting the best buys for customers. Laithwaites offers 1,200 wines from 26 countries, ranging in price from £4.99 up to £1,200 a bottle and all covered by a 100% guarantee of enjoyment. 

They also offer an extensive gifts range, complimentary Wine Advisor service, and host a range of events.  Laithwaites Wine is the only UK wine merchant to win the Service Mark accreditation from the Institute of Customer Service and has twice been awarded Online Retailer of the Year. 

Laithwaites is delighted to be one of ten leading retailers which have signed up to the 'SWR Bottle Weight Accord'.  Founded in 2021, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is the only global independent multistakeholder roundtable in wine.  Jancis Robinson is a founding member and with now more than 100 members from around the world, the SWR has become the centre for collaborative action across the wine supply chain.

Please mark as #gifted   

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Further information:    

Ali Mann [alison@ew-pr.co.uk]

emma wellings pr: 020 8996 5168