At London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s, we sat down with wine influencer Kirsty Woodgate to talk about what fine wine really means to her. Spoiler: it’s not about price tags or rarity.
“For me, fine wine isn’t about how expensive or rare something is,” she says. “It’s about how it makes you feel – that moment when you know what you’re drinking is truly special.”
Kirsty’s most memorable wine experience? A large glass of 2006 Petrus, shared over lunch with her husband – a moment she knows won’t be repeated. “That’s what makes it so special,” she smiles.
When it comes to wine regions, she loves the calm, timeless charm of the Franciacorta in Lombardy, Italy. But she’s also got her eye on somewhere closer to home. “Essex,” she says without hesitation. “There are over 50 vineyards there now, and some of the wines being produced are absolutely amazing.”
We asked her how to make wine more accessible, and she gave a nod to what we’re doing at Tiny Wine. “You’re letting people share a bottle of fine wine remotely, and share the cost too. That makes it so much more accessible – you get to try a wider variety without breaking the bank.”
Her top tip for drinking better is simple but smart: “Be more intentional. Spend five minutes thinking about what you’re tasting, why you like it, and how it became that way. The more curious you are, the better you drink.”
Cheers to that!