Summer wine initiatives as big event secured for next year

The London Wine Fair is returning to London’s Olympia next year, it has been announced. It follows a successful 2023 event which hosted more than 400 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors.

The 2024 show will take place from 20 to 22 May 2024 Amongst several others, the UK’s leading agents, including Hatch Mansfield, Enotria&Coe, ABS Wine Agencies, Felix Solis, Richmond Wine Agencies, Ellis Wines Friarwood Fine Wine and EWGA have already confirmed they will return next year

In further response to the success of the 2023 edition key players in the industry will be returning to the show for the first time in several years Mentzendorff have confirmed participation, with other big suppliers preparing to sign up in the coming weeks

In terms of exciting content from further afield New Zealand Wines have confirmed their intent to have a strong presence after a staggering response to their pop-up tasting this year, plus a large-scale Chinese wine pavilion is joining the event to further seal the Fair s already strong reputation for representing emerging territories

Organisers are also excited to announce an inspiring new feature for 2024 - The Judgement of London This will be a re-enactment of the historic 1976 Judgement of Paris and will see top Bordeaux estates tasted blind against their New World counterparts on the first day of the Fair The event will be co-curated and hosted by Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO at The Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, and will be by invitation-only

Meanwhile wine continues to be big news in 2023 with several exciting and interesting new initiatives this summer

Most Wanted Wines is launching their second most Wanted Collective ; a series of limited edition labels for three of their most popular wines designed by artists from lesser-represented communities celebrating diversity through creativity

After an incredibly successful launch of Collective 1 0 in October 2021, which featured labels created by five incredibly talented artists, the brand continues in its mission to combine great wine with original, contemporary and meaningful art striving for less exclusivity and more inclusivity when it comes to the wine industry

The labels have been designed for Most Wanted

Collective 2 0 by three talented and diverse artists Ana Curbelo’s artwork features on their Pinot Grigio, Tejumola Butler Adenuga’s artwork features on their Malbec and Anishika Khullar s artwork features on their Malbec Rosé thanks to the support of Creative Debuts who curated a shortlist of artists from thousands of emerging talent from all over the world Creative Debuts is an art platform that provides opportunity and support to thousands of emerging artists from all over the world

After sourcing a number of artists for the campaign, the final three were selected by actor Russell Tovey and his Talk Art co-host Gallerist Rob Diament

Russell Tovey comments on the final selection process: “ We chose the three artists because we felt their work would connect with diverse audiences and inspire people with their symbolic captivating and striking artwork Each artist has a very unique perspective and style which will create a very special series of designs for each wine bottle From bold colour combinations to highly detailed, skilful drawings, we are so proud to be supporting emerging talent and sharing their stories with the world”

Also TV wine expert Helen McGinn and This Morning fashion presenter Kat Farmer have teamed up with Côte restaurants to host their popular WineTime event

Hosted by Helen and Kat the celebration of wine focused on a Summer of Rosé Guests were treated to a variety of rosé wines specially selected by Helen as well as tasting Côte’s seasonal specials including the summer rosé dessert which features a rosé granita

The event in July featured Helen and Kat winepairing to Côte’s innovate menu designed by executive chef Steve Allen who previously worked alongside Gordon Ramsay at his Michelin-starred restaurants

Claridges and Petrus

This was the second WineTime event in partnership with Côte restaurants after the first event at London’s Barbican earlier this year was a massive success

Helen McGinn, author of The Knackered Mother ’ s Wine Club, an award-winning wine blog and bestselling wine book, said: “ We’re really excited to be working with Côte again for our next WineTime live

The success of the last event was huge ”

Kat Farmer who is also known by her social media handle DoesMyBumLook40 is a TV fashion stylist digital first talent and established author, added: “ This one felt particularly exciting with Côte’s new summer menu including a dessert with rosé wine, what could be better!

Twenty years on Port Royal Patties have cornered the market in this Caribbean treat, developed by Edward using the traditional recipes from his youth in Jamaica

Each patty inside its golden flaky pastry crust is filled with spicy goodness carefully constructed from aromatic herbs and spices

Now Port Royal Patties has grown to become a major supplier to Tesco Asda and Morrisons supermarket chains from its home in Wembley, London

Edward says: The patty is the perfect on-the-go food for people living busy lives and it s really taken off here

“Jamaica has such a strong connection with the UK and Port Royal make truly authentic patties that even Jamaican s say are the best they have ever had – and that is saying something!

Flavours range from the classic beef high grade meat combined with fresh thyme and scotch bonnet pepper and chicken to beef & cheese the latest taste trend direct from Jamaica, and sailfish boned, salted cod, a real Jamaican favourite The company has also recently introduced vegan options, including Jerk Bean and Butternut Squash & Lentil varieties

Port Royal patties have trade accreditations from SALSA, the Vegetarian Society, The Halal Society and COMPASS, and are also stocked in a wide range of independent retailers universities schools and Caribbean restaurants

The company has also developed a ready meal range called Cookin’ Edward says: “ They ’ re based on recipes that have been cooked by our families and friends going back generations

“ We’ve utilised everything we know about combining herbs and Jamaican spices to create the ultimate taste you can enjoy at home and feel like you re in the Caribbean ”

And if you think Edward is just bringing the taste of Jamaica to the UK , think again: he’s also bringing the sunshine well, at least making use of what we have here in Britain!

Port Royal Patties has just installed 268 solar panels on its warehouse, using a five-figure funding package from the HSBC bank

The huge array of solar panels on the Wembley warehouse is a commitment to the company s mission to improve its sustainability credentials

And it’s a canny financial move as well, as with energy costs spiralling for everyone Port Royal Patties has managed to slash its energy bills by 25% in the first month of use, with further savings predicted over the rest of summer

This huge saving means that Port Royal has been able to invest extra funds in other areas, mainly boosting its brand presence at prominent events such as the Notting Hill Carnival, making sure its patties are the name and taste on a growing number of lips

But they re also putting back into the community as well Port Royal supports various charity efforts, including Angel Foundation UKJA, which supports hospitals and schools in Jamaica and the Erma s Jamaica Hospital Appeal Fund, a charity which provides aid and support to disabled and disadvantaged people internationally

Port Royal Patties has banked with HSBC UK since its inception in 1998 A seven-figure HSBC UK-funded mortgage enabled the business to purchase its warehouse in Wembley in 2021, securing the business’s location and enabling the company to benefit from the increase in value of the building each year

Edward says: Not only has installing the solar panels made our business more sustainable, it has also allowed us to cut energy costs by a quarter while energy prices are high and set to rise even further in July

“I’m grateful for the support of HSBC UK , and in particular my Relationship Manager at the bank, Rico Lee who enabled us to install the panels ahead of the summer months when our energy generation will soar As well as easing our running costs, the money saved will go towards two charities very close to my heart ”

Jason Mowe Area Director for S&E London Business Banking at HSBC UK , added: Port Royal Patties is a market leader in bringing authentic Jamaican flavours to stores across the UK HSBC UK is proud to support the business as it boosts its sustainability credentials and increases its efficiency, enabling the company to invest more in building its profile and donating to its charity partnerships ”

It s all helping to secure Port Royal s position as not only a leading purveyor of Caribbean delicacies but a company with a strong social conscience both in ecological and humanitarian terms

For the future Edward wants to consolidate the company ’ s already impressive successes and continue to serve the major retailers and the independent stores, building on and expanding their customer base