SmoothRed

The best places to truffle hunt, beyond the classics 🍄

Tuscany and Piedmont stand out as the most popular truffle hunting spots, but did you know you can also truffle hunt in the UK and Spain?

With truffle hunting season in full swing across the UK & Europe, we've been thinking about some lesser-known places to truffle hunt.

Guided autumn and winter foraging experiences take place in the chalk-dappled woodlands of Southern England, while prized black winter truffles are also found in the pre-Pyrenees and Girona forests between December and March.

Swipe to find out our favourite truffle hunting hidden gems, the perfect addition to any autumn or winter w**e trip 🍷

Have you been truffle hunting? If so, let us know where in the comments ✨

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We are proud to have helped raise over £117,000 for Cure Parkinson's 🧡💙

Last week, the charity hosted an exclusive black-tie dinner for their Grand Cru.Saders, a group of philanthropic w**e lovers passionate about raising funds to support Parkinson's research.

SmoothRed Founder and CEO Adam was joined by our Travel Design Manager Chris at the event, held at the historic Apothecaries' Hall in the heart of the City of London. The evening was carefully curated with fabulous food, fine w**e and stories shared by those affected by Parkinson's, as well as both live and silent auctions of rare vintages and exclusive experiences.

The w**e pairings at dinner included:

- Puligny Montrachet Les Champs Gain 2022, Côte de Beaune supplied by Corney & Barrow
- Ornellaia 2010 & 2011
- Klein Constantia Vin De Constance 2011
- Churchill's Vintage Port 1999

We were delighted to donate an auction prize of a two-night trip to Bordeaux, working with Chateau Troplong Mondot, and other Cru Classé Chateaux.

Thank you to Cure Parkinson's and Grand Cru.Saders founders Barry O'Brien, Malcolm Le May and William Cook for including SmoothRed in this wonderful evening in support of an amazing cause.

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Share this with the friend who always knows the best spot for a glass 🍷

You may not know this, but science suggests that context can influence the way we experience w**e.
 
So, if you think w**e tastes better by the sea, overlooking a vineyard, or surrounded by good company, you’re not alone. It’s no wonder that w**e and travel pair so well.

We asked our team where they love enjoying a glass of w**e most, and where they think it tastes best. Swipe through to see their answers…
 
Tell us: where does w**e taste best for you? 🍇
 
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Join the celebration at Rioja's W**e Harvest Festival 🍷

As Rioja's vineyards begin to glow with autumnal shades of red, gold and amber, harvest season is in full swing, bringing with it the return of the Rioja W**e Harvest Festival in Logroño from 19th to 25th September 2026.

For w**e lovers, this is your invitation to experience one of Spain's most iconic w**e celebrations, where Rioja's world-renowned w**emaking heritage takes centre stage.

Known locally as the Fiestas de San Mateo, the city comes alive with colourful parades, traditional music, street performances, w**e tastings and exceptional local gastronomy, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for both residents and visitors.

One of the festival's most cherished traditions is the grape-treading ceremony, where freshly harvested grapes are crushed and the first must is offered in a symbolic act of thanksgiving for the harvest.

Save this for your next trip to Rioja 🍇

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📸 Slide 1: Arizcuren Bodega & Viñedos, Rioja

Boring team meetings? Never heard of them🍷
 
Each month at SmoothRed, we gather as a team to discuss new ideas, celebrate our successes and yes — taste some great w**e from the destinations we work in.
 
Our team tastings are led by our passionate colleagues or industry experts, helping us to explore new w**e styles in a casual (and delicious) format. 
 
This month our Marketing Manager Mackenzie took us through a series of four English w**es following a press trip she hosted through Essex, Kent and Sussex last month. Paired with some great British cheese and charcuterie, the w**es we tried were:

— Walgate Sparkling Rosé 2022
— Artelium W**e Estate Pinot Gris 2023
— Marbury W**es Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both 2024

Being London-based, this was a fun and insightful way to sample some w**es from our own part of the world!
 
Do you have a favourite English w**e? Let us know below 👇
 
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Celebrating International Port W**e Day 🍷

Few w**es carry as much history in a single glass as Port. September 10th marks International Port W**e Day, established in 2014 by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) to commemorate the date in 1756 when the Marquis of Pombal formally demarcated the Douro Valley, creating the world's oldest officially demarcated and regulated w**e region.

Port's popularity in England dates back to the late 17th century, when English merchants, faced with limited access to French w**e during periods of conflict with France, turned to the w**es of Portugal's Douro Valley.

What sets Port apart is its w**emaking method: fermentation is deliberately interrupted with a neutral grape spirit, locking in natural sweetness and pushing alcohol up to around 19–22%. The result is a w**e of real intensity and richness.

Port pairings:
🧀 Vintage Port with blue cheese and Tawny Port with walnuts
🍫 A glass of Ruby Port alongside dark chocolate or dried fruit
🍸 White Port served chilled, or with tonic, as an aperitif alongside salty snacks

Swipe to discover more about this fortified classic and its many styles, and let us know your Port of choice 🍇

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Grab your glass and get ready to run! 👟🍷

Today marks the 40th edition of the renowned Marathon du Médoc, which as you may have guessed, takes its name from its route through Bordeaux’s Left Bank.

Hosted and fueled by dozens of renowned châteaux, the 26.2-mile route features 23 stops along the way, each with sumptuous sips and gourmet delights. From oysters to steak, foie gras to local cheeses, runners are treated to the best of French gastronomy, all paired with world-class w**e and fancy dress.

Our own founder Adam ran the race two years ago with Château Pichon Baron, so enjoy a glimpse of his experience for an idea of what you can expect!

There is no comparison anywhere else — this is a bucket-list race for avid runners and w**e lovers alike.

We wish all of this year’s runners good luck as they take on this extraordinary challenge!

**eTours Château Pichon Baron Marathon du Médoc