Wine Paris 2026

Dearest gentle reader,

Did you imagine that I would slip away unnoticed? Perish the thought. For though the calendar has turned, your devoted author has been most attentive indeed — and February, as it happens, is far too delicious a month to ignore.

It is during this most romantic of seasons that the illustrious Wine Paris unfurls its splendour. A gathering so grand that even Emmanuel Macron himself was compelled to grace the French Hall with his presidential presence. One might say the bottles were positively preening.

Naturally, the ever-discerning team of Cellar Door Wines could not be absent from such a spectacle. With admirable haste, Penny, Geraldine, and Victoria boarded the swiftest train from London to the capital of love, arriving just in time to toast both viticulture and St Valentine’s Day. Romance, it seems, is not confined solely to matters of the heart — sometimes it resides most ardently in a glass.

Their first port of call? The revered lands of Bordeaux, more precisely Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank, where Merlot reigns with quiet confidence. At the stand of Château Tournefeuille, our trio sampled forthcoming treasures destined soon to grace the shelves of Cellar Door Wines. Gentle reader, prepare your decanters.

No exhibition would be complete without a touch of scholarship. Victoria immersed herself in the noble depths of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, while Penny was seen most studiously examining the charms of Chianti from Italy — proof that even the most seasoned palates may continue their education.

And what of our homegrown triumphs? English sparkling shone brightly, with Gusbourne maintaining its position as one of the nation’s most admired producers. Whisper it softly, but new vintages are imminent. One would be wise to remain attentive.

From there, the ladies ventured eastward — at least in spirit — to the Georgian stand. Georgia, oft described as the cradle of wine, holds particular affection for Penny, who journeyed there in 2024 to deepen her understanding of its ancient traditions. Rumour has it that Cellar Door Wines now boasts one of the most impressive Georgian selections in the United Kingdom. 

Yet the whispers do not end there. Your correspondent has learned that a recent darling of the team hails from a Champagne house previously unknown to them: Guy de Forez. Having personally inspected this Blanc de Noirs at their St Albans establishment, I can attest — it is nothing short of captivating.

Devotees of Chablis will be delighted to know that Camille Besson of Chablis Besson continues to hold pride of place in their collection. From Petit Chablis to Premier Cru, these wines are poured with particular pride — not least because Cellar Door Wines remains steadfast in championing female winemakers of distinction.

And now, dear reader, this author must retire — if only briefly — to recover from the sparkle and splendour before recounting her forthcoming escapades in Épernay, in the heart of Champagne itself. One suspects there will be much to divulge.

Until then, keep your glasses polished and your curiosity sharper still.

Yours most devotedly,

Lady Vino