After what feels like the longest winter recorded in the UK, the sun is finally beginning to make its long overdue appearance. As we brace ourselves for (hopefully) a glorious summer ahead, here is the lowdown on the must-have luxury drinks and accessories, as well as where to stay and what to do in London.
What to drink
Langham Blanc De Blancs
Part of Langham’s premium range, this wine is 100% Chardonnay made predominately from the 2019 vintage. This English sparkling wine is perfect to enjoy as an aperitif or with fresh seafood. Langham’s new Blanc de Blancs is a complex yet elegant example of how great Chardonnay can be in the UK. Aged on the lees for two years, this is an energetic, concentrated Blanc de Blancs. On the nose, a tense balance between ripe green apple and conference pear, white flowers and intense graphite minerality. The palate is delicate yet weighty in texture, with soft ripe pear, honeydew melon and white grapefruit acidity, finishing with a trademark saline nuttiness.
Morris Whisky
Hailing from the outback of Australia and founded in 2016, Morris Whisky has launched in the UK market this spring with the Signature and Muscat Barrel whiskies. Morris Whiskies are crafted at the world-renowned distillery in Rutherglen, made from 100% local Australian ingredients, then finished in award-winning Morris fortified wine barrels, producing extraordinarily unique flavours. Since 1859, the Morris family has been making award-winning fortified wines spanning over six generations and are regarded as one the best fortified wine producers in the world. At the heart of the whisky distillation process is the hybrid copper pot and column still. This is the original still installed at the Morris site in the early 1930s, when it was used for producing base spirits for Morris’ fortified wines. It has been meticulously restored and in recognition of its awakening after decades of slumber, the still has been named Aurora, a nod to the princess in Sleeping Beauty. Morris Whisky undergoes a process of double distillation through a hybrid copper pot and a column still aged in ex shiraz and cabernet wine barrels selected from family-owned wineries in the Barossa and Coonawarra regions of Australia. At maturation the whisky is finished in award-winning Morris fortified wine casks, which impart the unique Morris of Rutherglen flavour profile.
Champagne de Saint-Gall
Historic French producer Champagne de Saint-Gall has announced its arrival in the UK off-trade, with a launch into both UK retailer Marks & Spencer and a number of independent retail locations. Available nationally from summer 2023, the brand’s Tradition Premier Cru and Premier Cru Rosé will showcase the Chardonnay-dominant style and complexity the brand is known for. Additionally, the Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru, Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Extra Brut, Blancs de Blancs Grand Cru Vintage and Orpale Vintage are available at select on-trade sites, through importer Daniel Lambert Wines. Champagne de Saint-Gall is the product of an historic winemaking initiative. Founded in 1966, Union Champagne is a 15-strong network of growing cooperatives that specialise in Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards across the region, guaranteeing Champagne de Saint-Gall grapes of the highest level of quality from iconic vineyards with distinctive terroirs.
Château del ISH Sparkling Rosé
ISH offers one of the world’s broadest and most award-winning ranges of non-alcoholic drinks. Regardless of the occasion being solo or social ISH make it easy for you to enjoy your favourite drinks without alcohol and with no compromise. Creating superior drinks that deliver award-winning taste, bridging playfulness with mindfulness and facilitating occasions that fulfil both. The range includes canned cocktails and spirits, but we especially love the Château del ISH Sparkling Rosé, which is based on a de-alcoholised blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes. The brand’s range of products are made with naturally derived ingredients and flavourings, from the classic red and white wine grapes used to make its de-alcoholised wines, the botanicals and spices used in its gin and rum alternatives, and the real agave used in its zero-alcohol agave spirit, as well as the creation of a unique distillate using the shells from chilli seeds to provide the satisfying heat drinkers know from alcohol, and techniques that give its non-alcoholic spirits the body and mouthfeel to satisfy those used to drinking alcoholic spirits.
Get the look
Raymond Weil – toccata
Creating elegant and refined watches for both men and women since 1976, renowned Luxury Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has introduced new additions to its esteemed toccata range of men’s timepieces. The Raymond Weil toccata collection for men is a sophisticated and timeless capsule of timepieces, which combines versatility with luxurious design. Powered by quartz movement and housed within either a 42mm or 39mm sleek stainless-steel case, these new additions to the toccata collection feature sunray satin-finished dials, Roman numeral indexes and a railway-track chapter ring that aids readability. These timepieces are complemented by either a stainless-steel strap or a leather watchstrap adorned with an alligator motif.
Where to be
The Gunpowder Plot
If you’re looking for a slice of history with your activities this summer, then you can do no better than to visit London’s biggest new attraction – The Gunpowder Plot. Currently running at Tower Vaults at the Tower of London, this pulsating immersive theatre experience has been created by multi-award winning Layered Reality and Historic Royal Palaces. This multi-sensory adventure opened to rave reviews and is written by Olivier nominee Danny Robins with Creative Direction, story and experiences by stage director and multi-BAFTA award-nominated games performance director Hannah Price. The Gunpowder Plot mixes both live actors and digital stars in a multi-sensory theatrical adventure; leading Virtual Reality experts Figment Productions provide the magic that allows the actor’s images and movements to be motion captured and rendered “live” in the virtual world. Audiences can interact with Guy Fawkes, played by Harry Potter’s Tom Felton, inside Virtual Reality as they infiltrate the plotter’s inner circle and learn of the conspiracy against the Houses of Parliament.
Mama Shelter London Shoreditch
Mama Shelter London Shoreditch is the place to stay in the city this summer. This is a
dynamic and playful hotel with a restaurant, bar, ethereal Garden bar, events, Atelier and karaoke rooms in a vibrant East London neighbourhood. Part of the high-energy Mama Shelter powerhouse portfolio of hotels across the globe, Mama Shelter London Shoreditch is a truly inclusive urban refuge that’s not only beautiful and modern, but also flamboyant, friendly and sexy. Located in a culturally convenient East London setting, Mama Shelter London is close to Bethnal Green underground and a hop away from buzzing Shoreditch. The dog-friendly hotel has 194 rooms, ranging from Small Mamas to Large Mamas; 160 cover restaurant with private dining room; cocktail bar; outdoor courtyard; state-of -the-art gym; two large event room Ateliers and a private meeting room, and dedicated workspaces. Offering guests a mix of shared fun, affordability and exceptional service, the colourful, bold and exuberant, Mama Shelter London Shoreditch has her own persona. This hotel has an effervescent and provocative personality, she’s cheeky, funny, inclusive and welcoming – and we love her!