The Virtual Dinner Party – with Virtually Perfect Wine Pairings By David Porter on 15/04/2020 Is there anything that beats a good Dinner Party? Coming together to share delicious food, exciting wines, and lively conversation with friends now seems more essential than ever before – but how to have that experience now? In recent weeks, technology has really stepped up to the plate, changing the way we work, play, and socialise. Read more
Best wines for Thanksgiving By Eve-Marie Letondel on 25/11/2019 It may be surprising to know that most of the states of the US produce wine. But, of course, most of the American wines that hit these shores are from California. From the earliest days of Spanish settlers, through waves of various European migrants, surviving the vicissitudes of Prohibition, to the modern internationally recognised industry of today, wine has always been part of the Californian scene. Read more
2018 Bordeaux En Primeur: Delight Or Dismay? By Edward Richardson on 01/04/2019 We will touch down at Mérignac airport early on Sunday morning and fly straight into the 2018 Bordeaux en primeur tastings. Judgement will be reserved until all the barrels have been sampled but here are some early impressions of the vintage and thoughts on the upcoming campaign. Read more
2015 Le Macchiole New Releases: Superb Super Tuscans with Scores to Match By David Porter on 28/02/2019 ‘Simply put 2015 is a tremendous vintage for Bolgheri.’ Antonio Galloni, www. Read more
Le Macchiole: Latest releases from the Tuscan Coast – Pre-Shipment Offer By David Porter on 25/11/2017 2014 was undoubtedly a challenging vintage across Italy - and Bolgheri was no different with uncharacteristic rain, cool temperatures and a constant lack of sun adversely affecting the harvest like rarely before. This was a vintage that required understanding, hard work and unstinting commitment. Only in the right hands at the right estates was glory possible. Read more
In pursuit of Tuscan Treasures: a recent trip to some of our top wine producers By Will Edwards on 07/06/2017 Italy has always been close to the heart of Lea & Sandeman and we are very fortunate enough to represent some superb estates across the length and breadth of this beautiful country. Read more
Understanding Californian Wines – Our New Kids on the Block By David Porter on 25/11/2016 For many, Californian Wine means one thing – the big, rich, bold style – fruit-laden whoppers embodied most often by the wines from the Napa valley – but after 10 days hard study and exploration along the dramatic coastline of this beautiful state, we have learnt lots and there is great variety for those looking for more. Read more
Decanter – Weekday Wines: October 2016 By Beth Thomas on 31/10/2016 The December issue of Decanter landed on our doorstep this morning, and we were delighted to see some really high praise for lots of wines in the L&S portfolio. The ‘Weekday Wines’ section is put together each month by Tastings Director Christelle Guibert. It features 25 wines for less than £20, all of them a little different or adventurous in their own way. Read more
2015 Bordeaux – Our Recommendations By Beth Thomas on 12/06/2016 Bordeaux can be a rather confusing and confounding market and never more so than at 'primeur' time. It is very easy to switch off, and many of us do, with just some of the big names and wild prices making the headlines. Read more
2015 Bordeaux – anecdotal evidence – The Right Bank By Charles Lea on 21/04/2016 There are various people in Bordeaux (or rather in the vineyards around Bordeaux) who are prepared to be intelligently honest in their appraisals of vintages, and that can really help sort out what one's thoughts about a vintage are. Read more
NSPCC City Fine Wine Challenge 2016: £186,500 raised By Ed H-B on 29/02/2016 As the NSPCC celebrates the 30th anniversary of Childline, we were delighted to be involved in one of the longer-running fundraising events for the NSPCC for our tenth year. This year's City Fine Wine Challenge raised a wonderful £186,500, so a big thank you to all who attended who make our work for this event so rewarding. Read more
The ‘other’ Super Tuscans – Tignanello, Sassicaia & Saffredi 2013 pre-shipment offer By Ed H-B on 03/02/2016 As ever we don't want you to forget about of our own Italian 'Supertuscans' that we are so proud to represent in the UK: Le Macchiole, Castello del Terriccio, Magliano and Monteti but we would be failing you if we didn't offer today's releases of three other great wineries from this exciting region. Read more