Keeping his finger on the pulse..

It's been a hive of exciting activity at Firth & Co. HQ with new wines going on the list and wine tastings & lunches taking place all over Yorkshire!

A new addition to the list is the English sparkling wine, Digby Fine English. Digby Fine English is now the fastest growing exporter to prestige English sparkling wines; winning listings for its signature Digby Fine English 2010 Vintage Brut and other styles in the USA, Hong Kong and Australia. 'With English wines and sparkling wines on the up, we are delighted to have met Trevor Clough, who co-owns the excellent producer, Digby Fine English'.

Next up is the award winning Champagne Météyer of which Firth & Co. is the sole UK importer. In June UNESCO awarded Champagne Météyer the prestigious 'Pierre Coeval de l'Embellissement' prize.

'We constantly review our range of wines to ensure we are supplying the very best and most exciting wines to our customers. In Champagne, we have always admired the lesser known quality led grower's Champagnes, which offer great quality at very attractive prices. Météyer Pere et Fils in Trelou-sur-Marne, close to Epernay provides us with an innovative range of top notch quality'.

Along with supplying wine, Andrew is a wonderful host. I was lucky enough to attend the recent wine tasting and lunch at The Fairfax Arms in Gilling, North Yorkshire. We enjoyed outstanding wines such as, Churchill's White Port (a new one on me, so delicious & decadent), Albarino 2015, Finca de Arantel, Rias Baixas, Crianza 2008, Urbina, Rioja and tastings of Foxdenton Gin.

Nick Foxdenton of Foxdenton Gin gave an interesting talk on the history and making process of his gin. I can highly recommend the Golden Apricot flavour... makes the best cocktail mixed with a splash of Astoria Prosecco (available from Firth & Co.!).

With over 35 associates, Firth & Co. covers a lot of Yorkshire ground.

One of which, The Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold which I recently passed on my travels. Currently, undergoing a makeover; the landlords are great and most importantly, local! Pop in, if you are passing!

Finally tonight I'm off to The Pheasant Hotel in Harome, attending an Italian themed evening hosted by Andrew Firth and Jacquie Pern, owner of the hotel. (I photographed the flowers below when having lunch on the terrace at the hotel - I hope they are still going strong after all this rain .... )