SmoothRed

Corsica: A gourmet food and wine tour 🌊🏔️🍷
 
Back in June, our Product Lead Marjorie visited Corsica to explore the island’s vineyards and scope out the food and wine scene.
 
A Mediterranean island of striking contrasts, here rugged mountain peaks rise above crystal-clear waters and centuries-old villages overlook dramatic coastlines. Renowned for its pristine beaches and wild nature, the island is equally celebrated for its culinary culture. Think fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, charcuterie and locally produced wines to pair, such as Niellucciu and Vermentinu.
 
Enjoy exclusive stays Hôtel**** U Capu Biancu in Bonifacio and Le Hameau de Saparale near Sartène. Dine al fresco, tour their vineyards and sample their wines. Set off on a scenic boat trip to explore the coast and wander through Bonifacio’s charming old town.
 
Swipe to discover the full Corsica itinerary and save this as inspiration for your next wine trip ✨
 

The rosés we keep returning to this summer 🌞

For this month's 'By the Glass', we're shining the spotlight on our team's favourite rosé wines.

Light, refreshing and best served cold, this pale pink tipple has become synonymous with summer. For many, the sight of a perfectly chilled glass of rosé is as evocative of the season as the scent of sun cream on a warm day.

Take a look at our team's picks and let us know which rosé you'd recommend!



📸 Slide 1: Fontenille Collection

Our favourite alpine wine regions 🍷⛰️

Perhaps best known as ski destinations in winter, these alpine escapes are just as rewarding in summer. Beyond the hiking trails and mountain views, each boasts a unique viticulture shaped by alpine landscapes, varied elevations and cool-climate conditions.

Alto Adige
One of Italy's smallest wine regions, Alto Adige produces an impressive range of styles. With vineyards stretching from around 200 to 1,000 metres above sea level, the region's varied elevations and microclimates support everything from aromatic Alpine whites to structured, age-worthy red wines.

Grisons
Home to some of Switzerland's highest vineyards, Grisons is best known for elegant Pinot Noirs. The vineyards lie in sheltered Alpine valleys, where warm Föhn winds, abundant sunshine and mineral-rich soils help grapes ripen.

Gorizia & Collio
Straddling the Italian-Slovenian border, Gorizia sits at the crossroads of European cultures. The surrounding Collio wine region is one of Italy's most celebrated for white wine, famed for exceptional Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon Blanc.

Baden & the Black Forest
Tucked between the Black Forest and the Rhine River, Baden is Germany's southernmost wine region and one of its warmest. Best known for Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), it produces fruit-driven reds alongside distinctive Burgundian-style whites.

Which alpine wine region is at the top of your list? 🍇

SmoothRed clients Mark and Gayle recently enjoyed a bespoke journey through some of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, pairing exceptional wines with outstanding cuisine and iconic culture at every stop.

Their tailor-made Italian itinerary opened in Veneto, wound through the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, and rounded off in the ancient streets of Rome.

Highlights of their Italian wine adventure included:

— A private Prosecco tour through the UNESCO-listed hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, with exclusive winery visits and tastings 🍾
— A gastronomic exploration of Verona, uncovering the city's rich culinary heritage and local specialities 🍷
— A visit to a family-owned winery in the picturesque Valpolicella region, renowned for prestigious Amarone wines 🍇
— A private Chianti experience in Tuscany, starting at a traditional cheese farm before tastings at an organic winery in the heart of Chianti Classico 🧀
— A guided tour of Rome's most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill 🏛️

With first-hand knowledge of Italy's wine regions, our Travel Designers craft bespoke itineraries that weave wine experiences together with local culture, cuisine, and luxury accommodation. Dreaming of your own Italian wine escape? Get in touch!

Live la dolce vita at Pieve Aldina in Tuscany 🍇

Once the summer residence of the Bishops of Siena, Pieve Aldina sits in one of Tuscany's most coveted settings, overlooking the celebrated Chiantigiana wine road and surrounded by the vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills of Chianti Classico. The hotel is perfectly positioned between Florence and Siena, making it an ideal base for exploring one of Italy's most celebrated wine regions.

More than just a countryside escape, Pieve Aldina invites you to embrace the rhythms of Tuscan life. Spend your days discovering family-run wineries and historic wine estates, enjoying private tastings of Chianti Classico, and wandering through the medieval villages that dot the surrounding hills. It's the experiences which really set the hotel apart, with every one designed to showcase the best of the region:

— Picnics under the olive trees
— Wine tastings and vineyard tours
— Tuscan cooking classes
— Olive oil tastings
— Yoga with a view
— A cinema under the stars
— Cycling and hiking
— Hot air balloon rides
— Horseback riding
— Spa treatments

With its timeless setting and sense of understated luxury, Pieve Aldina encapsulates everything we love about Tuscany in one unforgettable stay.

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10 things to do in Greece for wine lovers 🍷
 
1. See Santorini’s basket-trained vines — an ancient technique which protects the vines from wind and heat.
2. Follow ancient footsteps to Delphi, where you’ll find the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, dating back to the 4th century BCE.
3. Tour the renowned region of Nemea, Greece’s largest and most famous red wine region.
4. Set sail around Paros, famed for its whitewashed villages, sandy beaches and laid-back feel.
5. Sample high-altitude Mantineia wine — the region is renowned for producing crisp, aromatic and floral white wines.
6. Join biologists in search of bottlenose dolphins in the Aegean Sea, during an expert-led dolphin-watching cruise.
7. Try fortified Vinsanto wine, a naturally sweet dessert wine from Santorini.
8. Hike the Caldera Trail from Fira to Oia in Santorini, along the volcanic cliffside.
9. Sample Greek barrel-aged feta — the ancient, artisanal way of maturing the cheese.
10. Marvel at the 14th-century monasteries perched atop striking rock formations in Meteora.
 
Which would you add to your next trip? 🇬🇷
 

Discover the best of Rioja with this tour through Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa 🍷

Begin in the heart of Rioja Alta with a boutique hotel stay and visits to top wineries. Choose between vertical, horizontal and barrel tastings, discover Rioja’s first urban winery in Logroño and experience a unique open-fire dining experience.

From there, head to Rioja Alavesa, situated between the Ebro River and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. Enjoy vineyard lunches and olive oil tastings, alongside tours of the region's renowned wineries. Visit the hilltop medieval town of Laguardia, home to Michelin-recognised dining and underground wine caves.

Ready to raise a glass to Rioja? Save this as inspiration for your next Spanish wine escape 🍇