If you were to take a snapshot of the last few decades and have a look at what has been going on in the global wine industry, you’d be forgiven for believing that European wine production has been the dominant driving force today and historically. In some ways this is true. When you think of fine wines and prestigious wineries, you probably think of picturesque, sloping vineyards in France and Italy basking in the golden sunshine, because this is what is commonly portrayed in the media and in the marketplace.

The world of wine has been notoriously Eurocentric for a long time and this has all but erased the contributions to winemaking that have been made outside of the European market. In fact, if you look back thousands of years you will see that the oldest evidence of industrialised, purposeful winemaking are found not in Europe but in the Middle and Far East. And this is just what we know about so far. 

The history of winemaking is much more complex than many people will assume, and sadly a lot of the history has been lost to time over the millennia. All we can really say for sure of ancient winemaking is that human beings and other hominins were making primitive alcoholic precursors to modern wines from the very beginning. As you can imagine, this rich and fascinating history demonstrates that a love of wine and innovation in making wine is not a preserve of European vintners. 

Fastforwarding to the modern day, European (and North American) wines are still extremely well represented in the market, but change is in the air. In many cases, wines were always being made outside of the Eurosphere and are just now becoming more known and appreciated in the wider market, and in others advancements are making it possible for wine to be produced in places that were previously not favourable grape growing environments. 

A changing landscape

Diversity is not only good for the people directly involved in wine production, it’s also good for the industry as a whole. Opening the floor up to new perspectives and ideas is a huge driver of innovation There are many ways in which the wine industry is becoming more inclusive, some small and some more impactful, but together these changes are opening up the industry to new ideas and ways of doing things. 

From the women driving innovation in Pomerol production to those involved with the day to day care and maintenance of the vines, women are becoming increasingly prominent in winemaking. They bring unique perspectives in the ways wine should be made and marketed, and time after time prove that they excel in this traditionally male-led sector and vineyards and wineries that put women front and centre are seeing the benefits of doing so. 

The world of wine is also becoming more inclusive as new varieties of grapes are produced. These new varieties are more suited to being grown outside of the Eurosphere, making it easier for people in places such as Africa, Asia and South America to make their name in the industry. 

Investment in the global wine industry is also making it more resilient to factors such as climate change. As the weather and climate patterns change, wine growing conditions will become more and less favourable in different locations with some becoming too hot and dry and others becoming too cold and wet, while others still will become more favourable. Essentially this means that wine production will be able to continue despite changes in production and agriculture in general. 

It’s not just the people involved in wine production that are changing, it’s also the ways wine is made. As we become more aware of the environmental and ecological impacts of our agricultural activities, we are looking for ways to produce wine that are more sustainable and in tune with the natural world. 

Biodynamic wines are made using methods that are much more gentle on the planet, and this goes for the growing of the grapes as well as the processes that take place following the harvest. Growing methods such as these are set to become more prominent in the future, even though wine production is an industry that seems set in its traditional ways. 

Further Reading:

• Red Wine
• Pingus – Micro.Blog
• burgundy wine

Afternoon tea is a very British tradition that has been around for a long time. It’s said that the tradition of taking afternoon tea was first started in the early 19th century by Anna Maria Russell, the Duchess of Bedford. She started having tea and light snacks in the afternoon because she found she was getting hungry between lunch and dinner. Her friends soon started joining her, and the fashionable tradition of afternoon tea was born.

At first, afternoon tea was only for the upper classes. It was a way for them to show off their wealth and social status, and to demonstrate that they were able to afford the luxury of free time when lower class people were busy with work. It was considered a social occasion, and the ladies would dress up in their finest clothes and eat delicate cakes and sandwiches together. 

As afternoon tea became more popular, it became more elaborate. The menu was expanded to include sweets such as scones, clotted cream, and jam. Today, afternoon tea is enjoyed by people all over the world and it is no longer just for the upper classes. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoy getting together for a leisurely afternoon tea and it’s a tradition that is here to stay. 

The delightful tradition of afternoon tea

These days, afternoon tea is a beloved British tradition that has become extremely popular all over the world. Typically served between 3:00 and 5:00pm, it is a light meal consisting of tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes. The tea is often the star of the show, and is usually a black tea blend, Earl Grey, or green tea, and can be served hot or iced depending on where it is being served and the season. Let’s take a look at some of the most important and popular additions to an afternoon tea.

Finger sandwiches

Finger sandwiches, often made with white bread and various fillings such as cucumber, cheese, salmon, and egg salad, are a staple of afternoon tea. They are small, bite-sized sandwiches that are perfect for snacking. As more establishments serving afternoon tea recognise the need for sandwiches that meet specific dietary requirements and preferences, you can expect to see a range of modern and cultural fillings such as falafel and hummus, or shredded duck with plum sauce. 

Scones

Scones are small round cakes made with flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, and are traditionally served warm with clotted cream and jam though there are savoury versions which are often made with cheeses. They are the perfect combination of sweet and savoury, making them a must-have for afternoon tea, and they are always extremely popular with those looking for an authentic Rosewood afternoon tea experience.

Cakes

Cakes are also extremely popular options to give a sweet finish to a traditional or contemporary afternoon tea. There are many different types of cakes that can be served during afternoon tea, including fruitcake, chocolate cake, and sponge cake, though regional variations can be found which serve local and cultural cakes and sweets. They are a sweet indulgence that adds a touch of luxury to the experience and are a part of the afternoon tea tradition that you’ll love if you have a sweet tooth. 

Other foods served with afternoon tea

Other foods that may be served during afternoon tea include pastries and chocolates. Pastries are small sweet cakes made with flour, butter, sugar, and eggs and there are hundreds of different types that would be a wonderful addition to an afternoon tea. 

Some of the most popular and best loved pastries for an afternoon tea are croissants, pains au chocolat, profiteroles, palmiers, canele, and fruit tart. They are perfect for those with a sweet tooth, though many pastries are traditionally less sweet than cake and so are a lighter choice. Chocolates don’t tend to be a main attraction for afternoon tea, but can be a pleasant addition. 

Try something new this spring

Afternoon tea is a delightful way to relax and spend time with friends or family, or to indulge in a leisurely meal alone or with your partner or spouse. Whether you are a fan of traditional finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, or decadent cakes, there is something for everyone to enjoy during afternoon tea. If you have not yet had the pleasure of enjoying afternoon tea, it is an experience not to be missed and is the perfect way to spend a balmy spring afternoon.

Posting tubes are made from wood pulp fibre which creates ribbons that are glued together to form the final cardboard mailing tube. There are many great advantages of using cardboard postal tubes for a variety of products and documents. In this article, we take a look at some of these benefits so you can decide if postal tubes are a good choice for your business.

Strong and durable 

The way that cardboard tubes are made makes them incredibly strong and durable as a form of packaging. You will struggle to crush or bend a cardboard tube by hand. This makes them ideal for protecting documents and prints that are being sent through the postal service. Documents and prints can easily become folded, ripped or torn when they’re sent flat. A postal tube prevents this from happening as the tube is very strong and durable. 

Avoid folding documents and artwork

Artwork and some documents need to be kept in pristine condition. Folding them before sending them out will cause damage to the item. In the case of artwork, it can be very challenging to remove a fold from artwork in order to place it on the wall for display. A fold will ruin the whole look of the piece, and the customer is unlikely to be happy with the artwork delivered. Postal tubes allow the business to roll documents and artwork carefully so they can easily be returned back to their original flat level if they’re placed under a book or box. Rolled artwork can also be flattened in a frame without you ever realising the item had been rolled.

Postal costs 

Postal tubes are much cheaper to send in the post compared to large boxes and heavy folders of documents. If you sell artwork and want to ensure the item arrives without any folds or creases, you may choose a large box as an alternative to a postal tube. However, sending large boxes in the post is much more costly as they take up more space in warehouses and on delivery vans. Therefore it’d be better to use postal cardboard tubes to save your business money. Find the cost for sending different parcel sizes using the Royal Mail. Currently, the best option in terms of cost is to use postal tubes over delivery boxes. 

Creating an impression

Most items and documents sent in the post will use envelopes; these are efficient and often the cheapest way to send documents. However, if you want to stand out and create an impression, a postal tube is a great option. Mailing tubes are a great way for a business to create an impression and make documents stand out over everything else that’s received in the post. People won’t ignore postal tubes as they are much larger and more commanding than an envelope. Try sending items in postal tubes next time you want someone to sit up and take notice. 

Choosing the right postal tube

There are many different types of postal tubes you can choose from when sending out items. It’s important to select the right tube for your particular needs. If the item is fragile, you should choose a postal tube that will protect the item. In addition, you can choose to add protective packaging to the tube to prevent the item from moving around during transit. The document or item shouldn’t be too tightly packed into the tube as this could lead to damage or tearing when the customer is trying to get the item out. Try to leave a bit of space at either end to prevent this from happening. In addition, you might want to select a postal tube that’s made from recycled materials. Many customers are looking at businesses and their environmental credentials. Anything you can do as a business to reduce your carbon footprint is a step in the right direction. 

Postal tubes have many great advantages over other forms of packaging, especially for documents and artwork. As a business, you can also get a great discount when buying postal tubes in bulk. Many packaging companies will be more than happy to reduce the individual unit price when you buy over a certain amount of tubes. 

Research:

• Tips for Negotiating With Business Suppliers
• Ring box
• Tips for Expanding Into New Business Markets
• Favour Boxes
• Notepin – Product packaging
• Creative Ways To Give A Gift