Words on wine, its makers and

anything else deservedly delicious

First Press

Looking back

The best of 2025

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Shifting gears at Ch. Haut-Simard

Everything you need to know about Rayas

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All recent features

Recent posts

Featured
Looking back: the best of 2025
Looking back: the best of 2025

Reflecting on the year gone-by – and the 10 best bottles I tasted

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I went on a podcast!
I went on a podcast!

Exploring my five top wine books from 2025 on the Italian WINE Podcast

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Books etc: December 2025
Books etc: December 2025

Rounding up some of my all-time favourite wine books for Decanter

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Books etc: November 2025
Books etc: November 2025

Two sommelier-written books that take wine beyond the table

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Everything you need to know about Rayas
Everything you need to know about Rayas

Your essential guide to the Reynaud wines and estates

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About First Press

Hi there, hey, hello. I’m Sophie Thorpe, a London-based wine writer – and the author behind First Press.

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Using words to tell the story in every bottle.

I believe that words can bring wine to life. Here’s how.

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Wine

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Wine · Food · Words · People · Places ·

Wine

·

Food

·

Words

·

People

·

Places

·

Wine · Food · Words · People · Places ·