Wine Sales Advisors from across Tanners were lucky enough to attend the London Wine Fair 2026, one of the most prestigious events in the calendar for those working in wine. An unmissable opportunity to meet producers from around the world, attend training sessions and taste a plethora of wines, hear about their day in London…
Aisha Wootton, Wine Sales Advisor
As a first timer to both London and the annual Wine Fair, I was keen to explore the city, taste some exciting wines and network with new faces from across the wine world. With the fair celebrating its 45th edition, it felt like a particularly exciting year to attend.
Arriving early in a rainy Kensington, we were soon greeted by the colossal sight of the Olympia - an impressive venue both inside and out. We wasted no time getting stuck in, beginning the day by tasting 20+ Albariños… certainly not a bad start! The wines of Rías Baixas were showing brilliantly, and it was incredibly beneficial to compare different expressions of the same grape variety side by side. After a good wander around the fair, Molly and I slipped away to grab lunch, steering clear of the rather eye-watering London price of £12 for a sausage roll! Refuelled and having discussed our morning highlights, we headed back into the hustle and bustle.
One of my discoveries was the range of Georgian wines on show. I sampled an off-dry Kindzmarauli and other wines using the Georgian variety, Saperavi, which impressed me. Georgia’s winemaking tradition, which dates back over 8,000 years, centres around the use of Qvevri (large egg-shaped clay vessels). These are buried underground with the grapes, skins and yeast inside. All fermented together inside the pots, where naturally cool and stable temperatures allow the wine to develop slowly over several months. During this process, the solids (known as chacha) settle at the bottom while the wine gains depth and complexity through natural fermentation. It was a fantastic insight into ancient and traditional methodology.
The diversity on offer really was in its abundance, with everything from Sake and European spirits to classical and lesser-known regions of wines, beers and cider. It was a feast for the senses! The event provided a brilliant opportunity to engage with producers, including many who work closely with Tanners. Hearing directly from the people behind the labels and learning more about current trends and innovations in viticulture and winemaking. Having the Tanners name on my lanyard certainly helped spark conversations! Leaving the fair with a tingling palate and plenty to reflect on, I came away with an even deeper appreciation and understanding of the wine industry as a whole.
Deanna Myers, Wine Sales Advisor
The day was a multi-step operation involving speed, determination, and more coffee than I care to admit. Having sped out of the house at 4 a.m. with travel mug in hand, I embarked on the nearly five-hour journey full of excitement for my first London Wine Fair experience. With little idea of what was in store, I eagerly went through the array of masterclasses and talks, which soon started to inspire my plans. Everything from busting wine myths to the more unusual varietals in Pays d’Oc, to sake, and newly emerging modern wines was discussed.
I set myself a few side quests: I wanted to taste wine from at least three new countries, learn about the new Claret style, and finally find a non-alcoholic wine I truly enjoyed.
The moment I walked through the doors, it was clear that my problem wasn’t going to be finding the wines, but instead tearing myself away from the continuous stream of passionate winemakers who were only too keen to answer all my questions. I loved it all and felt honoured to be a part of the Tanners team that so many people fondly recognised.
A particular standout was a selection of Turkish wines, many of which contained grape varieties I’d never tried. For example, Öküzgözü (oh-kooz-go-zoo) means "bullseye" and is named for its large, round berries. It’s rich and plummy, and the old-vine example I tasted had a pleasant earthiness to accompany the pomegranate and cherry flavours. I had a great day at the London Wine Fair and would be keen to go back again. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!
Georgian wine - a standout region for Aisha at the London Wine Fair
