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Ahoy Hot Bottlers!

Like a cork from a never-ending bottle I’ve been popping all over the place in the last few months, filming in the USA to bring you my new series Olly Smith’s Ale Trails but, kapow! I am back on UK soil for now at least... and ready to ride forth into the festive season astride my mighty booze-plough.

It was indeed a Bonkers weekend with the Chris Evans’ Radio 2 team driving the vintage buses from London to Brighton in aid of Children in Need with Alex Jones and Ken Bruce at the wheels.  The lucky bidders to this charity auction were then treated to a fabulous 4 course lunch inspired by historical menus cooked by Tom Kerridge paired with my wine selections. Giant thanks to Corney and Barrow for their generosity in supplying the wines for this event and to Quinta do Noval for the tawny port that crowned the pud.

This weekend I‘m heading up to  Manchester for my first taste of Christmas at the Ideal Home Show.  If you’re in the area, come and join the fun and hopefully I can inspire you with some ideas of what to drink this Christmas.  I’ll be there Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November and then in London for more festive joy on 23rd & 24th November roaring around Olympia. Check out the website for full details. 

James Martin’s Christmas with Friends premieres on Food Network next Monday 14th November at 9pm. I had great fun putting together a tasty selection of drinks for the festive feast. James has brought together his foodie friends, Mary Berry, Brian Turner, Paul Ainsworth and more to cook the finest festive feast.  Have a sneak peek at the very musical trailer and revel in the spirit of Christmas.

How do you fancy being awarded a certification in dark chocolate tasting….?  I'm hosting a very select masterclass with Lindt Excellence on Thursday 17th November at London’s Hospital Club with Lindt Master Chocolatier, Stefan Bruderer to show off the perfect wine accompaniments for different dark chocolates.  I will be presenting some beautiful wines that bring out the very best in each carefully crafted flavour and I have 1 of only 16 coveted places to give away.  For a chance to win, email LindtEM@talkpr.com with your name and a one sentence answer on why you should be chosen to participate.

The ballot will be closed by 23:59 Monday 14th November 2016 with winners notified on Tuesday 15th November 2016.

Three Wine Men return for another mega tasting in Manchester on 19th & 20th November with me, Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin and some fabulous exhibitors showing a huge range of excellent wines.  Check out the website for more details and tickets for this and the London Christmas tasting on 3 & 4th December. It’s a lot like Glastonbury only indoors with more booze, less music and no mud. Plenty of camping though - you should see the shirts I’ve got lined up.

I’ve got some very exciting Radio 2 news coming up next time, concerning my new show on a certain day which may have Eve and Christmas in the title, along with further details of my Ale Trails TV series - but for now to whet your appetite I've picked out a few bottle for your delectation:

First up is a Greek white in M&S, Lyrarakis Dafni, Parades Vineyard 2015 (13%) is £10 and it’s an expressive beauty from Crete that’s perfect to remind you of sunnier days. It stood out at a recent tasting here at Wine HQ thanks in part to its striking aroma - of bay leaves! Divine, if you adore bay as much as I do. Wonderful wine from off the beaten track.

Next is a light red from Adnams that’s an absolute steal - Adnams Beaujolais 2015 (12.5%) £8.99. Light and lovely, I chilled my bottle and slurped it with a tuna steak, definitely a red wine but I almost thought of it like a rosé with the grip of Sly Stallone.

Finally, a sherry, Aldi’s Caversham Cream Sherry is the perfect foil to mince pies, Christmas cake and all that festive malarkey. It’s bascially liquid Christmas and for £5.25 per bottle along with a gold medal under its belt from the International Wine Challenge - a great drop to round off International Sherry Week which is drawing to a close. Chill your bottle and unlock the spirit of Christmas.

More Hot Bottles to come in my Christmas special but for now, here’s to you and however you feel about the American election, at least we’ve got wine. And one another.

Hold tight!

Love to you and yours,

Olly