Featured Selections - July 2025
Giuseppe D'Aniello, the UK Sommelier Association's Best Sommelier for 2023 and the new Head of Wine for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, has initiated a series of guided wine tastings across the group's venues. The aim is to enhance the wine program by leveraging the wine lists and utilizing the beautiful private dining rooms.
A prototype session was held at the Savoy Grill, where D'Aniello led a tasting focused on traditional-method sparkling wines from around the world. The sparkling wine line-up included Devaux, Grande Réserve NV, Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV, Ferrari's Maximum NV, Raventós i Blanc's 2022, and the House of Arras NV.
The initiative aims to provide an educational and engaging experience for participants, exploring the world of fine wines in a unique setting. While specific dates for future events are not detailed in the current information, the focus is on developing these guided tastings further.
### Wine List Highlights
Champagne enthusiasts will be delighted to find featured wines such as Devaux, Grande Réserve NV and Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV. For those seeking Blanc de Blancs, a selection of wines from different regions such as Ferrari’s Maximum NV (Trentino), Raventós i Blanc’s 2022 (Penedès), and House of Arras NV (Tasmania) are showcased to highlight diversity and quality beyond Champagne.
### Scheduled Events
For the most accurate and updated information on scheduled events, it would be best to contact Gordon Ramsay Restaurants directly or check their official website for announcements. Additionally, the introduction of new wine pairings this month, curated by James Sharp and Giuseppe D'Aniello, suggests ongoing innovation in their wine programs.
Meanwhile, in the world of winemaking, Paul Junet, a sixth-generation winemaker from St-Emilion, is reviving his ancestors' Grand Mirande label. The gravelly Bellescise, a highly untypical 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Junet's Grand Mirande label, offers a unique terroir identity through distinct lieux-dits, similar to climats. The 2023 Merlot-driven Grand Mirande Berthonneau, from a clay-rich terroir, offers silky tannins and vibrant, crystalline fruit.
Elsewhere, Hannes Myburgh, the eighth-generation owner of Meerlust Estate, was present in London for the celebrations marking 50 years of production under the Meerlust Estate’s own label. The estate, which has a history that can be traced back to 1693, has produced some remarkable wines over the years. The 1980 and 1993 Meerlust Estate Cabernet Sauvignons were harmonious and had incredible depth to the palate. The Rubicon 1980 vintage, the inaugural release from Meerlust Estate, was a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Rubicon 1995 vintage was described as having purity, presence, and a neverending finish.
In California, Williams Selyem, a Healdsburg Pinot producer, has been making waves since it was started by Burt Williams and Ed Selyem in 1979 and relaunched under the name Williams Selyem in 1984. Jeff Mangahas, the current head winemaker, has been leading the team since 2013. The Saitone Estate Zinfandel 2022 and Lews MacGregor Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 are recent releases from Williams Selyem.
Bottega and Masottina are wineries now tucking away vintages for release at a later date. The 2020 Masottina RDO Levante Extra Dry offers a perfect balance between freshness and complexity, while the 2023 Merlot-driven Grand Mirande Berthonneau, from a clay-rich terroir, offers silky tannins and vibrant, crystalline fruit.
As the world of winemaking continues to evolve, it's exciting to see initiatives like the guided tastings at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, providing opportunities for wine enthusiasts to explore and learn more about the industry's finest offerings.
[1] For more detailed information on the 2022 Sonoma County vintage from Williams Selyem, look out for our upcoming vintage report on our website Premium later this summer.
[2] James Button is discussing a new school of thinking around top-quality Prosecco. Stay tuned for more updates on this intriguing development.
- The new wine tastings sessions at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, initiated by Giuseppe D'Aniello, will delve into the world of champagne, offering featured wines like Devaux, Grande Réserve NV and Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV. (lifestyle, food-and-drink, champagne)
- These guided tastings, promoted on social media and entertainment platforms, aim to provide an enriching experience, showcasing diverse Blanc de Blancs from regions like Ferrari’s Maximum NV, Raventós i Blanc’s 2022, and House of Arras NV. (wine news, social-media, food-and-drink)
- By attending these events or checking Gordon Ramsay Restaurants' official website, food and drink enthusiasts can be the first to learn about the introduction of new wine pairings, a testament to the continuous innovation in their wine programs. (entertainment, lifestyle, food-and-drink)
