Words on wine, its makers and

anything else deservedly delicious

First Press

Bordeaux 2024

All my coverage of the challenging year

Redefining Grenache: Momento

South Africa’s New Wave: 10 years on

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All recent features

Recent posts

Featured
South Africa’s New Wave: 10 years on
South Africa’s New Wave: 10 years on

Looking back at my first trip to the Cape and the region’s wines today

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Redefining Grenache: Momento
Redefining Grenache: Momento

Talking to one of the Western Cape’s most exciting new names

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Books etc: May 2025
Books etc: May 2025

Reviewing Elaine Chukan Brown’s new book, The Wines of California

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Bordeaux 2024: a lawless year
Bordeaux 2024: a lawless year

Trying to untangle a complicated vintage

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Books etc: April 2025
Books etc: April 2025

Escapist reads for those dreaming of a different life: my latest for Decanter

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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.

Using words to tell the story in every bottle.

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

Wine

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Food

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Words

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People

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Wine · Food · Words · People · Places ·

Wine

·

Food

·

Words

·

People

·

Places

·

Wine · Food · Words · People · Places ·