I know very little about English wine, aside from enjoying a few glasses of sparkling, but Cindy-Marie Harvey does. Cindy-Marie is an expert in wine from across the world thanks to a life spent in wine tourism. I’ve spent many a wine trip working with Cindy-Marie, as well as touring with her as a client, it’s always educational and a lot of fun. 

Now, she has turned her attention closer to home creating a beautiful book, Watercress, Willow and Wine. She calls the book a celebration and it feels like one, illustrated with evocative line drawings and watercolours buy Chloe Robertson.  It’s a poetic guide to Britain’s countryside from someone who knows the wine roads of the world so well.

Watercress, Willow and Wine describes some of Cindy-Marie’s favourite estates, some well-known, some less so. She illustrates the principles of food and wine pairing choosing wines and matching them with local specialties.  A selection of delicious and original recipes are all designed to complement  wines from the estates. Based on local produce, the recipes are heavily influenced by her years of eating her way round the wineries of the world. 

Although concentrating in the South of England Cindy-Marie gives a nod to wine regions across the country with even a mention for London Urban wineries. She covers the styles of wines, the history, the varieties (introducing us to Bacchus), and so much more. 

She mentions the Sustainable initiatives introduced by Wines of Great Britain as well as championing local sustainable food producers. 

There is a useful directory of wineries to visit, food producers to buy from, where to go for more information and a gallery of vineyard dogs – definitely an English thing.

I seem to have timed this review just right. From the 17^th to 25^th of June, English Wine Week will be promoting these wines across the country in vineyards but also restaurants and retailers. There’s a full list of events on the English Wine week Website. 

Watercress, Willow and Wine is a lovely book, and I’m not the only one who thinks so, it was shortlisted for the 2023 Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards.

The book is a perfect gift for anyone visiting the UK this summer but also for anyone feeling nostalgic because they can’t get back. For once that’s not me, I’m heading to the U.K. shortly, and I’ll have Cindy-Marie’s book tucked under my arm as my guide. 

To learn more about Bordeaux, you can find Bordeaux Bootcamp here and to cultivate a healthy passion for wine, watch the free Daily Detox webinar here, buy your copy of The Drinking Woman’s Diet  or discover the new online 7 days to a Liver friendly Lifestyle  here.