Far far away in lands older than the setting sun children hear the tale of Tigerlily - the beautiful maiden who captured many a great warrior`s heart. All her wild innocent beauty is captured in turn in these striking orange lilies.

Azienda Agricola Valle Reale Abruzzo Italy The Abruzzo region on the Adriatic coast has long been associated with the Montepulciano grape an indigenous variety capable of producing a wide range of styles. Until recently few producers tried to achieve anything other than to make a wine that didn’t cause too much offence. When travelling through the region in 2002 we came across the Azienda Agricola Valle Reale and were immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the vineyards and the surrounding mountainous landscape.The Valle Reale project was started in the early nineties by the Pizzolo family assisted by Leonardo Valenti (Professor of Oenology University of Milan) aiming to match the best Montepulciano clones to the best soils and microclimates available.

The results after just a...

Dipsy doodle delight Embrace your hand-tie in the soft curves and melodious proportions of this jazzy 24cm-tall black glass sphere for instant visual delight.

Located just south of Laudun to the west of the River Rhone Victor Contis’ vineyards are farmed to organic and non-interventionist practices to give wonderfully pure expressive wines.2007 Cotes du Rhone `Lauriers d`Or`A classic Grenache-Syrah blend expressing all the warmth richness and spice of the Rhone Valley. Soft ripe and eminently sippable!

The estate is situated between Florence and Siena and the vineyards lie between 280 and 400 metres on south or south-west facing slopes. The cooling breezes at this height extend the growing season slightly giving better quality grapes and used to provide the power for the mill (Il Molino = the Windmill) which now houses the winery. This project was started by Frank Grace an English-based American who first acquired the ancient Villa Castagnoli which had 26 hectares of vineyards as well as some wonderful woodland.

In 1997 the opportunity arose to buy his next door neighbour’s 27 hectares which included some 12 hectares of superb Chianti Classico-rated vineyard and a significant area available for additional plantings. The views from the vineyards are quite breathtaking and one...

The family can trace their winemaking roots back to 1870 when Don Amancio Ugarte began cultivating vines in this part of Spain. The current cellars are carved into the rock of Rioja Alavesa and the family still take care of every stage of the winemaking process – the best of the old with a modern twist.2006 Rioja Cosecha A fantastic ‘baby Rioja’; oak is scaled down to let the pure red fruit sing through. Tempranillo plus Garnacha with a hint of gentle vanilla oak to add Spanish warmth.

The eponymous Cathy Marshall has travelled to Australia California Oregon Bordeaux and Burgundy to hone her winemaking skills so you can reap the rewards. Based in Elgin grapes are sourced from the best provinces for each variety. As she says; ‘the wines are exciting to make terrific to drink’!2008 Sauvignon BlancRipe but focussed Cathy’s sauvignon captures lovely green apple fruit freshness with a mineral lift.

Great for seafood and outdoor drinking.

Sunsets of rippling petals spill out of this bouquet of rich russet roses.

A thoughtful gift of gorgeous simplicity these stunning white roses are perfect for any occasion.

Unconscious beauty A kiss could wake your sleeping beauty but if you’re hoping to rouse latent passions send this single crimson-lipped rose that pouts between rich green fronds of foliage in a handmade vase with hourglass curves.