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Writer's pictureCorina Lazea

A Taste of History: Exploring the Drinks at Fortnum & Mason and the Books at Hatchards in London


London is home to many iconic establishments, but two that stand out for their rich history and unique offerings are Fortnum & Mason and Hatchards. Fortnum & Mason is a luxury department store with a long history of supplying food and drinks to the royal family, while Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in London and a treasure trove of historical literature. This article will explore the variety of drinks available at Fortnum & Mason and the wealth of coronation history books at Hatchards.


Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is known for its luxurious food and drink offerings, and their drinks department is no exception. From tea to champagne, a wide variety of beverages are available, each with a unique history and story. For example, Fortnum & Mason's signature tea blend, the Royal Blend, was first created in the early 1900s for King Edward VII and is still enjoyed by the royal family today. In addition to tea, Fortnum & Mason also offers a wide selection of other beverages, including coffee, hot chocolate, and a range of alcoholic drinks. One standout option is Fortnum's Classic Champagne, which has been a favourite of the royal family for over a century.


Hatchards

Hatchards is a bookshop that has been in business since 1797 and is a true London institution. The shop specializes in history and biography and has a particular focus on the British royal family. If you're looking for a book on coronation history, this is the place to go. Hatchards stocks a range of books on the subject, from scholarly tomes to more accessible popular histories. Some notable titles include "Crown and Country: A History of England through the Monarchy" by David Starkey, "The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1" by Robert Lacey, and "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Our Times" by Sarah Bradford.

Whether you're a history buff, a tea aficionado, or just looking for a taste of luxury, Fortnum & Mason and Hatchards are must-visit destinations in London. From sipping champagne at Fortnum's to browsing the shelves at Hatchards, these iconic establishments offer a glimpse into London's rich cultural heritage.


A Thousand-Year-Old Estate with a Sparkling Future NYETIMBER


Nyetimber, one of England's most prestigious sparkling wine producers, has a history that stretches back almost a thousand years. Its earliest beginnings saw it named in the Domesday Book in 1086 when the valley of Nitimbreha first appeared in recorded history. The peaceful valley, believed to have referred to a newly timbered house or a small timber plantation, would eventually become the site of one of England's most renowned vineyards.

Almost 900 years later, in 1988, the holy trinity of sparkling wine grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noi, Pinot Meunier - found a new home in the lee of the South Downs. The planting of the first vines marked the second milestone in Nyetimber's history and the beginning of its transformation into a leading producer of English sparkling wines.

The third and most significant milestone in Nyetimber's history came in 2006 when Eric Heerema became the Owner and Custodian of the estate. Eric believed that the land had yet to achieve its full potential and recruited Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and Winemaker Brad Greatrix to help him realize his vision of crafting the finest English sparkling wines. Their dedication to quality and uncompromising attention to detail has helped Nyetimber achieve global acclaim, winning international awards and blind-tasting competitions and being recognized by some of the world's most celebrated wine experts.

Spread across several separate sites in Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, Nyetimber's vines are perfectly suited to the greensand and chalk soils of the region. The gentle south-facing slopes allow for the best possible exposure to the English sunshine, ensuring that the grapes achieve the optimum level of ripeness before harvest.

At Nyetimber, winemaking is where art meets science. Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs assesses every handpicked parcel of grapes for quality, ripeness, and character, and vinifies them separately to distinguish the subtle yet distinctive differences between each vineyard parcel. The result is a varied selection of grapes from which Cherie crafts the masterpieces of the Nyetimber range.


Married couple Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix have been integral to building Nyetimber into a sparkling wine producer that rivals the best in the world since they joined the company as winemakers in 2007. Their passion, craftsmanship, and pioneering spirit have helped Nyetimber achieve a sparkling future that's worthy of its thousand-year-old history.


The coronation weekend for King Charles is almost here, and I can't wait to celebrate with friends in Windsor! The festivities are going to be unforgettable, with lots of great food, music, and entertainment.




Love Aezal




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