A swanky new cafe with champagne, oysters and a chocolate fountain is coming to Leeds

By Clementine Hall

One of Leeds’ trendiest restaurants is opening up a brand-new cafe.

We all know and love The Cut & Craft for its absolutely beautiful interiors, impeccable service and brilliant food.

And now they’re giving us even more to love, because they’re launching a pop-up cafe serving up a huge range of sweet treats and in true Cut & Craft style – champagne.

Taking over the former Northhome x Rinse Natural Wine pop-up in the luxurious Victoria Quarter, The Café by C&C will offer guests super fancy savoury filled croissants.

We’re talking smoked salmon served with crème fraîche, watercress and black caviar, or hazelnut hummus with honey & mustard beetroot tartare and pickled veg.

For those with a sweet tooth, their fabulous head pastry chef, Isabella Tokarski-Pudlo, has curated a selection of sweet treats baked-fresh each day.

The sweet treats menu includes giant raspberry macaroons, the restaurant’s famed gold chocolate bar as well as tiramisu, chocolate Biscoff shell, brownies and C&C cookies. 

But it doesn’t stop there, headlining the star studded menu is a chocolate fountain with three tiers of melted milk chocolate ladled onto a cup of fresh strawberries.

They will also be serving freshly shucked Carlingford oysters and nibbles including Gordal olives, black truffle crisps, salted pretzels and homemade pork scratchings – perfect accompanied by a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial or Whispering Angel Rosé. 

The pop up will be open throughout the festive season, the perfect opportunity to swing by for a pick me up mid-shop.

Rosé the Day Away with Sundara’s New Pink Brunch

By NOW Bali Editorial Team

From seasonal dishes to specially-crafted cocktails, pink hues take over the indulgent weekend experience, with every delight served at the table, from seafood platters to fresh salads and succulent steaks.

Brunch at Sundara has always been about leisurely grazing, with sharing-style plates brought to the table for everyone to savour together. The Pink Brunch menu covers both land and sea, from refreshing Coconut Crab Salad and Grilled Oysters, to Coffee Wood-smoked Steak Tartare, Grilled Whole Fish of the Day, and Duck Smoked Over Embers.

A highlight is most definitely the Chilled Seafood Platter, a generous serving of the freshest oceanic delights, including poached lobster, tiger prawns, scallop crudo, coffee wood smoked salmon, served with Bloody Mary dip, smoked chilli mayo, horseradish and lemon.

Leave room for the beautiful and equally-delicious desserts, all tickled pink, with an iconic Bali Vanilla Mille-Feuille served at the table, Sundara Macaron with pistachio cream, and Rosella Soft-Serve Ice Cream.

Of course, bottles and glasses of Whispering Angel Rosé are the most appropriate pairing for the Pink Brunch. However, Bar Manager Paul Minea has also prepared a list of gorgeous pink cocktails to choose from: Pink Me Up, with Whispering Angel, strawberry and basil cordial and elderflower tonic; Pink Cooler, with Aperol, snake fruit cordial and dragon fruit foam; to Frozen Rosé, with East Indies Gin, peach, rosé, citrus and pomegranate.

Choose from two available Brunch Packages:

Pink Indulgence – IDR 1,250,000++ per person
Including a Seafood platter

Whispers in Pink – IDR 3,800,000++ for two people
Including a seafood platter and a bottle of Whispering Angel Rosé

Special Perks:
Wear pink and receive 10% offper reservation
Pool & daybed access (based on availability) with hourly poolside amenities

Industry News

What Happens When a Wine Goes Viral?

By Kate Dingwall

It started with one post on January 7, 2024, from an X user under the handle @OptimusGrind_. 

“I’m not gonna keep telling y’all to grow up and leave that Stella & Barefoot alone,” read the post, accompanied by a photo of Josh Merlot. 

The post blew up, quickly amassing over 20 millionviews and spurring a storm of copycat posts. 

“It’s Josh ‘clock somewhere,” someone captioned a photo of a bottle on the beach. In another post, Don Draper says to a room of marketing execs:“A wine, but we call it Josh.”

A photo of people celebrating: “A live look at the Josh marketing department.” 

Dan Kleinman, now the chief brand officer of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, ran the brand when the @OptimusGrind_ Tweet took off. Josh had a social presence, but posted with careful curation and calculation—memes weren’t in the marketing plan.

They had some decisions to make. How do you ride out—and reap—the attention? How do you prevent Josh from becoming a meaningless fad, buried in the social media trend graveyard beside sea shanties, jalapeño Sauvignon Blanc recipes, and sorority rush videos?

“Viral moments bring broad exposure, which is exciting, but that spotlight can cut both ways,” says Jessica DeBenedetto, who leads social media at Colangelo & Partners. “If a brand isn’t prepared to manage the sudden surge in social engagement—responding to comments, handling criticism, or monitoring the conversation—it can quickly become overwhelming and even damaging.”

“When a wine goes viral, it’s hilarious or at the center of online discourse for a bit,”  says Amanda Joffee, who runs Shitty Wine Memes. “But in today’s fast-moving social media cycle, it quickly peaks, then gets old.”

What Makes a Viral Wine?

How doesa wine go viral? Is it pure luck, or a predictable equation? 

Ryan Goydos, one half of the Super Vino Bros, lists three requirements for a viral wine: a good story, an accessible price point, and a certain amount of visual appeal.

“Maybe the color is super pretty or the label is memorable—those things all factor into the shareability of a wine,” says Gaydos. 

A viral moment also needs to feel like just that: a moment. Goydos, who has had plenty of viral wine videos, underlines that it needs to feel organic. “It needs to be a spontaneous, grassroots movement.”

Can a brand start its own movement? Tricky question. “Going viral takes something social media can laugh at or be shocked by,” says Joffee. “It’s also timing. It’s hard to make moments like that premeditated. With how many ads we see everyday, the internet’s grown a better BS detector for brands.”

As Goydos puts it, “It’s very difficult for a brand to catch that spark without it feeling fabricated.”

To understand wine’s role in the digital zeitgeist, we looked at the biggest viral moments in wine’s recent history. 

Whispering Angel 

The blush-pink French rosé has made its TikTok rounds, which shouldn’t be surprising to anyone. Château d’Esclans’s Whispering Angel has always been that brand. It’s the world’s most popular rosé and almost single-handedly responsible for reviving the category. 

Now, videos of rose Salmanazars being poured at 2 pm rack in hundreds of thousands of views. As do videos like one user’s reaction when her son shows up with Whispering Angel. 

“It’s always a nice surprise when a brand maintains this level of cult status online,” says Julia Cuissart de Grelle, the acting head of Château d’Esclans. “It shows up outside of food and beverage spaces, organically appearing in fashion, travel, and lifestyle content. The way fans have created their own rituals around Whispering Angel has been remarkable—everything from midday ‘rosé o’clock’ to traditions where it’s ‘Whispering Angel or nothing.”

Raise a glass to Whispering Angel at Customs House

By Punnya Khanolkar

If there is one thing that Customs House knows how to do, it is transform their riverside terrace into something seriously magical.

This spring, the much-loved Whispering Angel Rosé Garden is back and it is prettier than ever.

So, dust off your pink outfits and get ready to step into a scene straight from a European postcard, with domes draped in dreamy fabric and walls covered in blush blooms. Only here, your backdrop is the glittering Brisbane River and the city skyline.

It is the ultimate spot to gather your mates and raise a glass of something pink. Speaking of, you will be sipping on glasses of Whispering Angel Rosé, hailed as one of the world’s most elegant pink drops, plus Moët & Chandon Imperial Rosé, and a curated cocktail list that will keep you refreshed all afternoon.

Pair your glass with gourmet bites like Moreton Bay bug croissants, fresh oysters, seared scallops or chicken mousse, and you have
got yourself the ultimate riverside soirée.

And if you are in the mood to elevate things further, book the Rosé High Tea experience for $105pp, which pairs Moët Rosé with sweet and savoury creations in an intimate dome setting (available Tuesday to Thursday). Or, grab your crew and secure a dome booking for $25pp (available Friday to Sunday) and enjoy a long, lazy afternoon of bubbles and bites.
Make it a moment to remember at the Whispering Angel Rosé Garden before it disappears in December.

The 20 Most Iconic Wine Moments in Bravo History

Receipts, proof, timeline: To celebrate nearly two decades of the Bravo-verse, we rounded up the network’s 20 most memorable wine moments.

By Elissa Halperin

For nearly 20 years, booze has been a cornerstone of Bravo’s brand identity. From visiting vineyards on cast trips to Bravo-lebrities launching their own adult beverage brands, this is a network that knows its audience.

With the flagship series of the Real Housewives franchise, Orange County, recently kicking off its 19th season, we are looking back at two decades of the Bravo-verse and celebrating the network’s 20 most iconic wine and spirits moments.

So raise your glasses high, Bravo fans! This one’s for you, tonight …

2017-2025

Summer House Drinks Rosé All Day

The core premise of Summer House is people in the Hamptons drinking on the weekends. Exhibit A: Back in season one, reality TV all-timer Lindsay Hubbard said when she met her co-star, Kyle Cook, he was drinking a bottle of rosé the size of a seven-year-old.

After guzzling dozens of cases of Whispering Angel, in 2018, Cook launched Loverboy sparkling hard tea, which immediately became the official drink of Summer House. Meanwhile, after a struggle with alcoholism, Kyle’s co-star and former employee Carl Radke is embracing a non-alc lifestyle and launching a mindful consumption space called “Soft Bar.”

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I thought NYC would be brutal on my wallet but I lived the high life on a budget’

Can you really visit one of New York’s most upmarket borough’s on a budget? I visited this wallet-friendly hotel and felt like I was staying in a boutique haven.

By Kenzi Devine

When I arrived in upmarket New York City neighbourhood Chelsea to see the sprawling streets of flower markets, trendy art galleries and Madison Square Garden in eyeshot, I had a feeling this trip wasn’t going to be kind on my wallet.

But the hidden gem hotel I stayed in showed me that you don’t always have to choose between luxury and sticking to a budget. Nestled between the string of flower stalls gracing 28th St, the Moxy Chelsea hotel blends in almost too well—with greenery surrounding the entrance and a structure to match its neighbours. You would be forgiven for missing it despite its towering 35-floor height.

Despite the hotel’s low price point, you can experience a touch of luxury at The Fleur Room, which offers upmarket cocktails, champagne, and well-known wines such as Whispering Angel.

Rosé wines under $25 earn praise from sommeliers for quality and value across the United States

Rosé wine continues to be a favorite choice for American wine drinkers, especially during the warmer months. With its light, crisp character and range of flavors, rosé is both versatile and approachable. Sommeliers across the United States have identified a number of standout bottles under $25 that deliver quality and value, making it easier than ever to enjoy top-tier rosé without overspending.

One of the most recognized names in the category is Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans in Provence, France. This wine is widely available at major retailers and is praised by sommeliers for its silky texture, dry finish, and notes of red berries and citrus. Marcie Van Mol, a Nashville-based sommelier, describes it as “the most ubiquitous choice for rosé season for a reason,” highlighting its balance between fruitiness and refreshment. It pairs well with seafood, salads, or can be enjoyed on its own.

… recommended by U.S.-based sommeliers or wine experts who emphasize their quality relative to price. 

Abu Dhabi: Queen of the Emirates A Symphony of Serenity and Splendour

By Sarah Morgan

There are destinations that whisper their secrets. There are others that sing them aloud in a blend of tradition and modernity. Abu Dhabi is the latter; a city where golden sands meet the turquoise sea, and where every moment feels both timeless and surprisingly new. This is not simply the capital of the UAE, this is the self-appointed Queen of the Emirates. Graceful, stately, and quietly self-assured. As the largest and wealthiest of the seven Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s prosperity was born from oil but now flourishing in tourism and culture. It is the architect of its own future—creating a destination that caters to so many tastes while holding true to its roots.

My journey began in Etihad Airways’ Business Class, cocooned in soft leather and stillness. Spoilt with Armani Casa accessories, curated menus and seamless service, the flight felt like a prelude rather than a commute. Upon arrival, I was swept into the quiet luxury of the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Access to Executive Floor 54 of this iconic skyscraper included a daily ritual of hors d’oeuvres and chilled champagne, savoured high above a beautifully dystopian cityscape, where I watched the Arabian Gulf shifted through shades of silver and sapphire.

The following morning, I stepped into silence at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the eighth largest in the world. With 82 domes, over 1,000 pillars, four minarets and a central chandelier weighing 12 tonnes, it welcomes over 30,000 worshippers during its height at Eid. It’s a place that stills you, offering a potent reminder that beauty and faith can coexist in space and stone.

Then came the Louvre Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat, the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi and home to no shortage of creative projects. Its French floating dome casts filtered light like lace across centuries of art and artefact, and with 12 chapters depicting the growth and development of humanity, it tells a fitting narrative: how travel and tourism have ignited a new chapter for Abu Dhabi, reflecting the needs and desires of the international traveller. It’s also the location of the Michelin-starred Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, where Parisian elegance meets Arabian light. I lingered over perfectly grilled sea bass and crisp Burgundy along the Louvre’s promenade.

The days spent as a guest of the city unfolded with no shortage of delights. A particular highlight was kayaking through the mangroves of Jubail Island, drifting between salt-loving roots and mirrored waters. You can also kayak under the domed brilliance of The Louvre, where Jean Nouvel’s architecture can be appreciated from a wholly new perspective – definitely first on my list for our next visit.

At the mesmerising Al Hosn Festival, I found a vivid celebration of Emirati heritage with craftspeople, poetry, pearl divers and falconers gathered around the city’s oldest structure, the Al Hosn Fort. The air was thick with the scent of oud, and for an afternoon, I felt part of something older and wiser. The prized falcon, still used to hunt, holds deep symbolic value here. A month is all it takes to train these erudite birds of prey, yet some sell for upwards of $275,000—a reflection of their speed, grace, and cultural legacy.

Of course, no trip is complete without a visit to Qasr Al Watan. The UAE’s Royal Palace is a living institution; it’s where global diplomacy meets regional pride. Walking through the mirrored halls beneath a dome soaring 37 metres above, one senses that this isn’t just a place, it’s a statement. Power and poetry, balanced in limestone and light. The iconic Corniche was another key point to visit. The famous eight kilometre stretch along the city’s edge acts as both the spine of Abu Dhabi and a visual thread between its 200 islands. It showcases public art installations and provides a living, breathing promenade of community, creativity, and skyline vistas.

Urban explorations completed, it was time to venture into the second-largest desert on Earth after the Sahara. Dune bashing in a Toyota Land Cruiser gave way to visits with camels and tastings of their highly revered milk, celebrated for its health benefits. Lunch was served light and local, inside an authentic Bedouin tent. This was the oldest of the eight desert camp experiences, and its heritage was made clear in all its soulful simplicity.

When the sun finally sank behind the dunes, supper at Hakkasan awaited. Situated within the palatial grandeur of Emirates Palace, the restaurant delivered not only phenomenal views and uncompromising ambience but an unforgettable dining experience too. We began with delicate scallops and exceptional dim sum, each bite precise and refined, and raised glasses of chilled Whispering Angel. After dinner, we were invited to contribute to a quiet ritual – adding our hopes to a discreet orchard of wishing trees, their slender branches already heavy with handwritten dreams from former guests.

Our final afternoon was spent at the iconic Saadiyat Beach Club, often referred to as the Maldives of Abu Dhabi, and with good reason. Uber-cool and effortlessly refined, it sits on the longest, whitest beach in the UAE, a stretch of pristine coastline kissed by turquoise waves. Dolphins and dunes were there to greet us, as if nature itself had decided to join the celebration. Saadiyat Island gives Mother Nature’s stamp of approval to this man-made paradise, proof that contemporary urban elegance and ecology can coexist. Poolside dining blurred into barefoot luxury as we reclined into loungers with a sea breeze and the sun slipping westward – it became the perfect place to process all we had experienced in this diverse and dynamic destination—art, adventure, faith, food, and the future, all wrapped in Arabian light.

As a city set amid spectacular surroundings, this destination felt safe, humble and gracious. There truly is something for everyone, and Abu Dhabi’s vision to offer peace, culture, adventure and activities, wrapped in the chicest manner, is well on track. If anything, I’d love to see even more of its deep-rooted history and Emirati culture woven into everyday experiences, so that travellers not only see the splendour, but understand where the heartbeat of the Queen of the Emirates truly originates.

Sant Ffraed House Hosts Iconic First-Ever ‘Summer Soirée’

Luxury wedding venue Sant Ffraed House by the Oldwalls Collection made its mark on the Welsh social calendar last week with the launch of its first-ever Summer Soirée. A standout event that brought together 24 influential women in Wales for a one-off day of style and celebration

Held on Thursday the 17th of July, the exclusive invitation-only event took place at the grand countryside venue and marked Sant Ffraed House’s debut into the influencer event space. Designed to showcase the venue’s idyllic setting, gorgeous décor and elevated hospitality, the Summer Soirée blended laid-back luxury with curated glamour.

Guests arrived to a warm welcome, signature champagne spritzes and seasonal canapés in the Kitchen Bar and Courtyard while exploring the estate’s stunning gardens. The afternoon continued with a lavish long-table 5 course lunch accompanied by a live acoustic pianist.

A highlight of the day was the arrival of a 9 litre Salmanazar bottle of Whispering Angel which continued to flow into the evening. Followed by golden hour cocktails on the K room terrace and grazing boards as the sun set over Sugar Loaf Mountain.

The dress code Summer Glam was embraced wholeheartedly, as guests delivered looks and content moments throughout the day. The Soirée was a celebration not only of the spectacular Sant Ffraed House, but also of the women attending.

The event marks a bold new chapter for Sant Ffraed House, which is set to become a leading UK destination not just for weddings, but for luxury events too.