The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most prestigious and renowned horticultural events in the world, held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, England. It is organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and will take place from the 21st to the 25th May this year.
The Chelsea Flower Show has a rich history dating back to 1913 when it was first held in the Temple Gardens near the Thames. It was an immediate success, attracting thousands of visitors and quickly establishing itself as a premier event in the gardening calendar. Over the years, the show has evolved, adapting to changing tastes and trends in gardening while maintaining its reputation for excellence and innovation.
The Chelsea Flower Show typically spans five days and the primary aim is to showcase the very best in garden design, plant cultivation, and landscape architecture. It provides a platform for garden designers, landscapers, and horticulturists to display their skills and creativity, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in garden design. Additionally, the show aims to educate and inspire visitors, promoting a greater appreciation for gardening and the natural world.
During the show the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea are transformed into a stunning display of gardens, floral exhibits, and horticultural showcases. Show gardens are the centrepiece of the event, with designers from around the world competing to create the most innovative and visually striking displays. These gardens range in style from traditional English cottage gardens to contemporary urban landscapes, each showcasing the latest trends in garden design. They also feature a variety of other attractions, including plant displays, gardening workshops, demonstrations, and talks by leading experts in the field.#
we have listed some wines we think will get you in the gardening spirit and are perfect for sipping outside in sunshine.
À Peu Près Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Domaine Lispaul is a new project started by David and Shirley Maudry, based in Trace Sur Loire, at the heart of Pouilly Fume. Pouilly Fume is one of the most recognised wine labels of old, a staple on most restaurant wine lists. The Maudry's specialise in getting the best from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, from small parcels of vines, expressing the local terroirs. They make a classic Pouilly Fume, and also a Menetou Salon. The 'A peu pres' meaning more or less, is also made from Sauvignon Blanc, but from fruit outside the recognised appellation areas, so it has to be labelled as a lowly table wine (with a rather stunning label we might add).
Secateurs AA Badenhorst Chenin Blanc 2022 & Shiraz Grenache Cinsault 2023
AA Badenhorst Family Wines are cultivated, crafted, and aged on the picturesque Kalmoesfontein farm situated within the Swartland appellation of South Africa. Here, 180 hectares of ancient bushvines thrive under the African sun.
The farm is proudly owned and managed by the dynamic and charming cousins, Hein and Adi Badenhorst, who hail originally from Constantia. Their familial roots run deep in South African winemaking history, with a grandfather who served as the farm manager of Groot Constantia for an impressive 46 years. Born and raised in Constantia, their fathers cultivated the land together in the days when fresh vegetables and Hanepoot grapes were staples, Cinsault was the wine of choice, and traffic lights were a rarity while hippies still roamed freely.
Together, Hein and Adi have revitalized a once-neglected cellar on the farm, dormant since the 1930s, resurrecting the art of crafting natural wines using traditional methods. This restoration symbolizes their commitment to honouring the rich heritage of South African winemaking while pioneering new frontiers in quality and sustainability.
Their Secateurs range are an amazingly affordable quality duo from such an esteemed producer. The Chenin is full of fresh green herbs (in particular tarragon) and juicy lime on the nose, with a gentle orange note, like the oils spritzed onto the edge of the glass from a delicate twist of peel. Starfruit, and little physalis too. Just gorgeous and really persistent in its length, with a lemon drizzle finish and hint of white pepper. The redis a classic Rhone blend that is smooth and elegant, filled with glossy and bright red fruit, but just that edge of earthiness.
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Their aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. They source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
An expressive Vermentino from Sicily's west coast, named after the delicate white flower of the lemon tree which is showcased on the label. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks but spends a short period on fine lees, lending a pleasing texture. It displays ripe stone fruit and delicate floral notes on the nose, with an uplifting palate of lemon and peach. The finish is fresh and mineral with bitter citrus peel. Drinks well with fish, seafood, and simple pasta dishes.
Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto 2021 & Branco 2021
From the stunning Douro wine region of Portugal, Lavradores de Feitoria works as an exciting collective of likeminded and dedicated growers and winemakers. Their wines are authentic expressions that seamlessly blend the essence of terroir with grapes sourced from diverse regions. Founded two decades ago, this collective stands as a shining example of community spirit within the region and an all-encompassing approach to winemaking. These wines act as a vital thread that connects these growers to their ancestral lands. This range shows a beautifully drawn circle of bees, the perfect metaphor, they say, for this community of eighteen farmers (lavradores), with family-owned vineyards throughout the Douro.
The Branco is made with white grape varieties; Malvasia Bianca and Viosinho, and presents a delightful medley of citrus and green fruit notes that effortlessly blend with tropical elements like melon and peach. With a medium-bodied profile, it boasts vivacious acidity and a lively, spirited character that makes each sip a genuine pleasure. This wine is a superb choice to infuse a sense of freshness into dishes like salted cod or tomato stew.
The Tinto is made from a blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Barocca, that are sourced from the steep vineyards of various growers on their Quintas, located at high altitudes. This wine consistently embodies a fruity, fresh, and elegant character, making it ideal for everyday enjoyment. It showcases an abundance of blackberry, black plum, and cherry notes, accompanied by a remarkably smooth and velvety texture.
Overall, the Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of all things horticultural, bringing together garden enthusiasts, professionals, and experts from around the world to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world. It continues to be a highlight of the gardening calendar, attracting visitors from far and wide who come to marvel at the stunning displays and take inspiration for their own gardens.
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