Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants

16/07/2024

As the world eagerly anticipates the start of the Olympic Games, Sussex-based Nyetimber Wines has released a special, limited-edition bottle of their classic cuvée – the official sparkling wine of Team GB. 🇬🇧✨

Nyetimber is no stranger to success in competitions. Winemaker Cherie Spriggs was the first non-Champenois to win the prestigious ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ award at the International Wine Challenge. The Nyetimber range has become a benchmark for English sparkling wines globally. 🌍🍾

The classic cuvée, their flagship blend based on the classic ‘Champagne trio’ of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, is intense, delicate, elegant yet complex. It has frequently brought back gold for GB in wine competitions worldwide. 🥇🌟

Swipe for pictures from the beautiful Nyetimber estate itself, from a recent team visit! 📸

The special edition is in limited supply – so order now: https://tinyurl.com/33zyt2p8
** NB does not include gift box pictured**

12/07/2024

🥂 Celebrating 150 Years of Champagne Barnaut à Bouzy

✨Champagne Barnaut, established in 1874 and still family-run, has been delighting us for over 20 years with their characterful, delicious Champagne.

🍇 Located in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, Barnaut's Champagne is renowned for its fine Pinot Noir, making up two-thirds of the Grande Réserve blend. Long lees-aging (6 years!) adds to its structure and richness.

🌱 Philippe and Guillaume, the fifth and sixth generations in charge, work sustainably, respecting nature with organic composts and natural methods.

🍾Find their Blanc de Noirs on our

10/07/2024

We won!

A very exciting evening last night at the International Wine Challenge awards, where we scooped a trio of awards:

🏅 IWC Regional Retailer London 2024
⭐️IWC Sparkling Retailer 2024
🏆IWC Small Multiple Site Retailer 2024

Well done to all those shortlisted – there was stiff competition!

A big thank you to all our customers, producers and staff🥂

19/06/2024

It's rosé season! Order now to receive the brilliant crisp, cool MiP* Rosé by Domaine des Diables in time for the heatwave. Free delivery on orders over £150 or drop by any of our London shops. 🌞

Citrus, hawthorn, peach and pear, quite boldly aromatic. Sleek ripe and flavour filled, red fruits, citrus and stone fruits, textured bright and with great acid push. Cinsault-based for a classic anytime super-pale aromatic Provence rosé.

17/06/2024

Meet the producer: ENGLISH WINE WEEK

🍾 Hopefully you have started this year’s English Wine Week (15th – 23rd June) in style (and perhaps raised a glass to the football results, if you’re that way inclined).
In any case, one to try this week is Herbert Hall

🌳 At the turn of the 19th century, Mr Herbert Hall arrived in Marden, Kent, and transformed a ten-acre site into a thriving farm. Herbert, a colourful character and exceptional horticulturist, embodied the spirit of The Garden of England, cultivating hops, apples, pears, and plums.

🍇 In 2007, Herbert's great-grandson, Nicholas Hall continued this green-fingered legacy, planting a vineyard growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. This sunny, organically-farmed patch continues to yield superb fruit, as it did for Herbert.

🥂 Together with fellow Winemaker Kirsty Smith, Nicolas now crafts exceptional English Sparkling Wines with his grapes. Their wines, set apart by organic viticulture, careful fruit selection, barrel ageing and a focus on individual cuvées (some as few as 500 bottles), are a benchmark for English Artisan winemaking.

Follow the to see the Herbert Hall range.

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07/06/2024

Huge thanks to Jean ( , ) who bought the South African sunshine with him for his UK visit this week.

It has been brilliant to taste the new 2022 vintage (landing soon) of the cold-climate Moya Meaker wines and the site-specific, single-varietal wines from the Damascene range. Jean has sourced all the sites for this across the Cape, driving over 40,000km per year looking each time for unique vineyard sites that give an epiphany or 'damascene moment'.

Swipe to see a 'Damascene moment' of our own with Jean at the shop tasting in Fulham 🌄

01/06/2024

Looking forward to a week tasting the 2022 vintage with winemaker Jean Smit from Vineyards and Moya Meaker Wines 🍷

🇿🇦 Jean has been turning heads with his site-specific Syrah, Chenin and more from carefully selected plots across the Cape, and his brilliant cool-climate wines from the Moya Meaker vineyards in Elgin.

You can catch him at the beautiful new Adfern in Edinburgh (from the minds behind Little Chart House) on Tuesday 4th June from 6pm - 8pm

Or head to our Fulham Shop on Wednesday 5th June for a tasting of the range with Jean (tickets via our )

18/05/2024

🧐Look familiar?

If you've been watching the latest series of Bridgerton on Netflix this week, you might have spotted this charming house on your screens.

It's none other than Squerryes Court, home to Squerryes Sparkling Wines!

If you fancy watching with a glass of Squerryes in hand (our serving suggestion), check out the link below for the Squerryes range.

https://bit.ly/squerryes

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15/05/2024

A brilliant couple of days in London, spent with Fabio Alessandria from Comm. G.B. Burlotto - the fifth generation of winemakers from this brilliant Piedmont estate.

The highlight? Hard to choose, but tasting the double magnums of Monvigliero 2009 or 2016, or the Barolo Cru Magnums have to be strong contenders!

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14/05/2024

Excited to share the news that we have been shortlisted for three prizes in this year's IWC awards!

We've been nominated in the 'Sparkling Retailer of the Year', 'Small Multiple Retailer of the Year' and 'Regional Retailer - London' categories.

Thank you to all our customers and suppliers and team for helping us get to this point - and fingers crossed for the final results.

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26/04/2024

Our team has been busy on the ground in Bordeaux this week, racing around the Châteaux and furiously tasting over 300 wines to get to grips with the 2023 vintage.

We'll be reporting back on this soon - in the mean time, have a look at our blog for a look at some of the rumours that have been circulating ahead of this year's campaign.


https://www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/blog/2024/04/what-on-earth-can-you-expect-from-the-bordeaux-2023-releases/

24/04/2024

Guillaume from has been with us this week - bringing the sunshine from Provence with him (sadly sometimes figuratively) along with his delicious new 2023 vintage! ☀️

His MiP* Classic and Collection, plus the Bonbon and Hydropathe Rosés from Sainte Victoire are vibrant, fruit-filled and crying out for a day in the sunshine and we are looking forward to sharing these with you all 🌸

Have a look at the for more on these perfect spring wines

22/04/2024

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our biggest ever Grower Champagne and Sparkling tasting last week! 🍾

It was brilliant to see our winemakers and customers tasting together, discussing the wines and, above all, enjoying these delicious wines.

If you missed out, or want to dive deeper into our sparkling selection you can still find most of the wines from the evening on our website - https://www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/2024-L-S-Champagne-Sparkling-Tasting-Wine-List-1233-02.html

29/03/2024

Yesterday we were at 67 Pall Mall, tasting the very first bottles of ‘s latest vintage.

Founder Piero joined us virtually from the vineyards of Patagonia to takes us through the wines from this 'el dorado' of wine regions.

The wines were tasting fantastic and we're excited to launch the wines soon... Watch this space 👀

16/03/2024

The South African wine scene is in an exciting place.

From the Bordeaux varieties of Stellenbosch, cool and elegant wines from Elgin, intense expressions from Swartland’s old vines and the huge diversity of the Western Cape there is plenty to work with.

With historical vine plantings, and a well-established old guard of respectable domaines making great wines – South Africa seemed well placed with its wine industry, and yet the wine scene here continues to evolve and develop. A renaissance of sorts is underway and there is so much exciting winemaking going on – it can be hard to keep up. Unlike a lot of the ‘Old World’ where every corner of vineyard has been logged, scrutinised and appraised, in South Africa it is the rediscovery of old plots of vines and the new potential of existing vineyards that is keeping things moving forward so excitingly. Ambitious winemakers (often with the benefit of extensive training under celebrated winemakers across the world) are producing very accomplished wines from indigenous and international varieties.

We’re excited to work directly with a group of these winemakers - check out what Damascene Vineyards, Maanschijn Wijn, Tim Hillock Wines, Moya Meaker Wine and Van Niekerk Vintners

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15/03/2024

We have been extolling the virtues of the fabulous Chardonnays from Kumeu River in New Zealand for nearly 10 years now. These are truly some of the greatest Chardonnays in the world, once even famously outscoring some very grand White Burgundy at a blind tasting.

Now, we are thrilled to hear that winemaker Michael Brajkovich has been awarded the illustrious ‘Winemakers' Winemaker’ title at a ceremony at the wine festival Prowein in Dusseldorf. Awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine (where Michael was New Zealand’s first entrant), we are delighted he has received this recognition from his peers. He has been crafting New World Chardonnays that have become the benchmark by which others are judged.

Michael now rightfully joins the hallowed hall of winners, which includes luminaries such as Jean-Louis Chave, Peter Gago (Penfolds) and Anne-Claude Leflaive, to name but a few.

The Kumeu River top wines have crept up in both price and scarcity as the estate becomes better known, but we are delighted to be able to offer the 2022 Kumeu ‘Village’ Chardonnay to celebrate Michael’s award and to raise a glass. It’s a fascinating introduction to the wines of this great estate, and an absolute steal for under £16 at case price.

follow the link for this wine from an award-winner: https://bit.ly/3v2C47X

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08/03/2024

Last night was Lea & Sandeman's 19th time supporting the NSPCC City Fine Wine Challenge! This means that we’ve poured somewhere in the region of 35,000 glasses of wine for this excellent cause! 🍷

The evening sees teams of City luminaries compete for the Patrick Sandeman Trophy, and this year, in an upset of the long-standing dominance of headline sponsor FNZ, the quiz was won by the team from JP Morgan, who were clearly on fire!

There is still a chance to be involved in the fundraising too - of special interest for Chelsea fans: two fantastic hospitality packages for the upcoming Burnley and West Ham matches.

If you're interested - follow the link here: https://bit.ly/3TcfqBZ. The lots say 'auction closed', however simply message us or email [email protected] if you are interested in placing a bid.

Thanks to all the participants for raising money for such an important cause, our hosts for the evening and to the committee and the team from the NSPCC who make the event such a success.

🙏

06/03/2024

Looking to learn more about Grower Champagne?

Then check out Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richard MW's latest Wine Blast episode - dedicated to this fascinating subject. Francis and Clémence from Champagne Egly Ouriet and Charles Lea share their thoughts here too. However, be warned: the tasting could make you thirsty - best to pour a glass to listen along with....

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28/02/2024

We were kicking off the L&S Italian celebrations a day early today with the help of the charming Gianluca from

A 'textbook' year for the estate, the 2019s of his single-varietal Paleo, Scrio and Messorio showed beautifully - and the 2004 Paleo magnum (pic no. 1) surprised everyone with its amazing freshness.

Swipe for a snapshot of the absolute feast provided by to accompany the wines.

You can catch Gianluca, and 27 other producers from across Italy tomorrow at our Italian tasting - evening tickets are sold out now, but we have a few (less than 10) spots left for trade in the day.

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11/02/2024

👈

Yes please!

Where do we get one Ch. de Plaisance?

Have a look at their full range here: https://bit.ly/49k3sgc

07/02/2024

Bravo to all of our restaurant customers featured in this year's Michelin Guide 👏

Recognising those who are at the very top of their game, these hard-won stars are a mark of consistency, teamwork and more than a little brilliance.

New (or returning) to the list this year are: Brooklands at The Peninsula, Gymkhana London , Mountain, The Ledbury, Lake Road Kitchen , Trivet, Pavyllon London, St. Barts and many more retaining their place on the list. Congratulations to all!

(📸Michelin Guide)

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02/02/2024

Our winter sale is back!

As we emerge from January it's a moment to take stock, make plans and restock your wine rack accordingly.

And right on cue, we've launched our winter sale. Explore our offers including Rhône for drinking now, Napa Cab Sav from Ashes & Diamonds and some beautiful Tuscan reds.

And with springtime just around the corner (really!) we've thrown in a few rosés that are worth stocking up on, for the moment when the weather turns.

Browse our online selection here: https://bit.ly/LSWinterSALE, or pop into your closest shop, as we have a few bottles that are still available on the shelves only.

We have limited stocks and it’s first come, first served in the shops and online, so don’t delay!

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27/01/2024

This week we were delighted to welcome Clémence and Francis from the brilliant Champagne Egly Ouriet for a whirlwind few days packed with tastings, trainings, meetings and even a podcast recording!

The Eglys are working at the pinnacle of grower Champagne with tight yields, a judicious use of oak in fermentation, lees ageing and bottling without fining or filtration.

Swipe to see what we got up to, and for a first look at their new cuvée, coming later this year: 'Les Vignes de Bisseuil'. This latest premier cru from Egly-Ouriet is 70% Chardonnay and aged in barrel on the lees for four years before release - an exciting, expressive addition to the range.

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05/01/2024

GROWER CHAMPAGNE FOCUS: ROGER COULON

Eric and Isabelle Coulon, now joined by their children Edgar and Louise, have around 11 hectares of vines in Premier and Grand Cru sites in Vrigny, Gueux and Coulommes-la-Montagne on the Montagne de Reims, and Chouilly on the Côte des Blancs. The vineyards are farmed organically under the principles of agroforestry. They are justly proud of the history of the vineyard, which goes back to the cultivation of vines here in the 6th century, and also of their own long family history, with Edgar and Louise being the ninth generation.

The vines are in around 100 parcels, so although they aim to press by parcel, some do end up going together. Around one third is vinified in tank, the rest in barrel. Both Edgar and Louise have trained in wine-making elsewhere, Louise at Domaine Ott, and Edgar with Philippe Pacalet and Fredéric Cossard in Burgundy, but also in England and Australia.

The family aim to pick at decent maturity, to give the wines a natural balance and feel, and the maximum dosage used is 3g/l. The second fermentation is at around 4.5-4.8 bar, a little lower than the classical 5 bar, giving what Eric describes as 'measured effervescence'. 'I make wine of Champagne not Champagne', he adds, 'Everything at Roger Coulon needs to be harmonious, that's what counts the most for me'.

Why not try: Heri Hodie, 'Yesterday Today' as the Latin name proclaims. 90% of this wine comes from a solera of Pinot Meunier. Superb rich autolysis on the nose, soft attack, full and expressive with fruit and dried fruit, almost waxy, then juicy - harmonious and classy - soft and charming. Follow the link in bio.

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01/01/2024

Burgundy 2022

"Lea & Sandeman now represent over 40 Domaines in the UK, a total which brings us above 500 individual bottles of wine, all of which we need to taste, qualify, and write notes on to prepare for their release in January.

There are nearly 4,000 individual producers in Burgundy, so we are truly looking at ‘the 1%’ and I can tell you, with the certainty of having spent two weeks in the region, that these 1% are absolutely sizzling.

Thibault Liger-Belair used the phrase ‘a new classic’ to describe the vintage, which I am going to pinch. The wines had incredible structure and acidity – tannins were exactly where you wanted them to be, in balance and beautifully sculpted with enough spring to show the berries hadn’t over-ripened, but no hint of hardness. Acidity was abundant, giving everything a refreshing zest and carrying the wines across the palate, but critically and what made this a ‘new classic' was the generosity of fresh fruit. I’m going to re-iterate the word fresh here, as it’s really important to focus on. There is lots of concentration to these wines, dense, intense fruit which shines out the glass, but it is all completely fresh.'

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25/12/2023

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from the Lea & Sandeman team

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22/12/2023

Meanwhile, in Tuscany...

Beautiful winter skies over the vineyards of Collemattoni , and Azienda Agricola Padelletti last week

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20/12/2023

Last chance to order for delivery (in central London) is midday tomorrow - but our lovely festive shops are still very much open, and that a warm welcome awaits you!

See below for all our shop opening times. After a short Christmas break, we will re-open on Wednesday 27th.

CHELSEA
Christmas Eve: 10am - 4pm
New Year's Eve: 10am - 5pm

KENSINGTON
Christmas Eve: 10am - 4pm
New Year's Eve: 10am - 5pm

BARNES
Christmas Eve: 11am - 4pm
New Year's Eve: 11am - 4pm

CHISWICK
Christmas Eve: 10am - 4pm
New Year's Eve: 10am - 5pm

FULHAM
Christmas Eve: 9am - 5pm
New Year's Eve: 10am - 5pm

18/12/2023

A perfect Christmas centrepiece 🥂

At Lea & Sandeman we are staunch believers in the sheer quality, value and interest that Grower Champagnes offer. At very least, they are a far cry from 'formulaic fizz', as Tamlyn Currin MW remarked after our Grower Champagne tasting in spring.

For nearly two decades, we've proudly partnered with esteemed producers like Larmandier Bernier, and now feature seventeen incredible growers in our portfolio from across the Champagne region.

A recent tasting of Lea & Sandeman's impressive collection of grower champagnes had me falling back in love with champagne after a long period of what one might call indifference.'
Tamlyn Currin MW (JancisRobinson.com)

But what is grower Champagne? In short, it's Champagne at its most 'vinous', more about terroir than house style. The producers work with single varieties, anchored to their own vineyards and often working within single vineyard plots.

We think you'll find no better education than to open a bottle (or two) and explore the category first-hand - find our Grower Champagne Christmas case here: https://bit.ly/LSGrowerChampagne and don't delay: Christmas delivery inside the M25 ends midnight on Tuesday 19th.

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16/12/2023

People flock to magnums and to make a statement, or just make friends, turning up with a large bottle of wine is the easiest and one of the most fun ways of doing so.

Especially if the bottle contains a (keenly priced), world-class Pinot Noir, grower Champagne, high altitude Rioja or a classic white Burgundy. Just browse our online Christmas shop to find these and more!

And remember, nationwide Christmas delivery ends at midnight !

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