If you came to my house without knowing who I was, you might worry. At any one time I have about 80 bottles of wines, split between ‘work’ and ‘pleasure’ bottles, stored in a couple of wine fridges and on racks. Some are stored in-bond (in a bonded warehouse).
That’s because it’s my job to taste a lot of wine. On average I drink between two and three bottles a week, but sometimes I sample up to 400 wines in one week if I’m at press tastings for supermarkets.
Why, people ask me, do I not look dreadful? I need to stay focused and as a professional, you have no chance if you blur that line. On top of my day job I became a mother to a four and a one-year-old, finished my wine diploma, started my career as a columnist for YOU, and published my first book, all while worrying and caring for my mum who had a chronic illness. So, I have rules.
Sometimes, I’m aware I’ve had more units than ‘recommended’, and that’s when I’m strict about taking a break. There are times I go into ‘actress mode’ – nursing a glass or pretending to sip.
When new wines arrive at my house, I’ll often take just a taster sip (and use a spittoon) before my lucky neighbours get the leftovers. I also have a device called a Coravin needle, which lets you pour wine without removing the cork, so it doesn’t go off after opening.
On average Charlotte drinks between two and three bottles a week, but sometimes she samples up to 400 wines
I rarely drink at lunchtime and can count on one hand the number of work lunches I say yes to. And I’m careful with spirits, because they give me the ‘booze blues’. One cocktail – fine, but a night on them can make me feel anxious and jittery.
Midweek, I try to avoid wine after 10pm otherwise it affects my sleep. I always eat something with it, and I look at the alcohol percentages, leaning towards lighter blends. For reds, I go for styles under 13% ABV – many Bourgogne Pinot Noirs, Loire Cabernet Francs, and I’m obsessed with Sicilian Frappato and light South African Cinsault. When it comes to white wines, I often reach for lower-ABV options like Chablis, which offers freshness and elegance.
Staying hydrated is important, and I’ve cut down on coffee for that reason. I already drink wine for my job and don’t want to add coffee to the mix because it makes me slightly dehydrated. So, other than wine, it’s mainly water and tea.
I’m a big fan of PRESS drinks. Sometimes I’ll do a liquid juice/soup diet for a couple of days to pack in all those nutrients and cleanse. I’ve done a five-day detox before, but even just two days can make a huge difference.
While I have always been relatively healthy, looking after myself over the last five years came second to family and work. But it was the pain of watching my mum’s once strong body gradually lose its vitality, that convinced me to start looking after myself and carve out time to care for my own body. We only get one, after all.
So, in mid-2024 I slowly began to get back into exercise and began with reformer Pilates, to rebuild muscle strength, my core in particular.
Last September, just two weeks after my book Wine: Taste Pair Pour was published, my mum died, from an infection related to her ongoing treatment for kidney disease. The celebration of my book launch was our final evening out together. I’d lost my best friend – I was totally broken. After a whirlwind of post-death arrangements, my brother and I impulsively booked a spin class at Psycle in Clapham – desperate to move our bodies and escape. It turned out to be one of the most cathartic decisions I could have made.
Though I spent much of the class in tears, there was a strange sense of relief – a rush of euphoria in the chaos. The music, the dark room, and the shared energy from the group gave me a release I didn’t know I needed.
My rediscovery of cardio began as an antidote to grief but became a dopamine fix that I’ve become happily hooked on. After a couple of months, the weight started to fall off and I felt amazing inside and out.
While I have always been relatively healthy, looking after myself over the last five years came second to family and work, Charlotte writes
By February this year, I was going to spin classes three or four times a week and feeling the effects of it in my mood if I couldn’t go. In my mother’s final weeks, I’d had a Bupa health check that had noted my BMI was slightly high, which was a trigger for me to take better care of myself. I began intermittent fasting, shortening my food window from midday to 9pm (although I allow myself a cup of tea with a little honey in the fasting period).
I have also learned the art of planning and portion control. If I arrive home to an empty fridge, it’s tempting to get a takeaway or grab something quick and heavy. If I prep my meals – always having good food in and knowing roughly what I’m going to eat during the week – I don’t get caught out.
It has all made a big difference. I have lost 10kg and I’m now slightly lighter than my pre-baby weight.
Lastly, I have the odd tweakment. Is that a bad thing to admit? Whenever I feel like I have alcohol bloat in my face, or I’m feeling tired, I have a lymphatic drainage facial massage. From £55 for 30 minutes at Nue Ground Studio. I am a fan of Profihlo and Profihlo Structura (from £400), which stimulates collagen production in the skin and is supposed to be a natural alternative to filler, and is incredibly hydrating. And I do get bit of Botox (from £250) – I have been seeing Dr Navi at Melissa Coupe in Wandsworth for 3.5 years with big gaps for pregnancy and breastfeeding. He knows my face and has a very light touch.
I get a lot of compliments on my skin, but I think the main reason is that I’ve always been self-conscious of my freckles, so I never tanned my face. I make a point to wear SPF 50 every day. I’m definitely a fake tan girl! Oh, and Victoria Beckham highlighter, along with the original Cookie Benefit illuminator – for that fresh, radiant glow.
My week in booze
In an average week, I usually attend one to two press/work events and socialise once or twice, so that’s about three evenings out drinking. On top of this, if I’m cooking a roast on a Sunday, I’ll always have a couple of glasses of wine. In my industry, there’s always something going on, and I could be out every evening. But I also cherish my quiet home time – after spin class, I enjoy a protein-packed broth, some dark chocolate then curl up in front of Netflix with a bath and a scented candle – snug in bed by 10pm.
Charlotte’s typical food day
First thing: A cup of with milk and honey – my guilty pleasure before a spin class
Mid morning: A glass of coconut water
Lunch: Sourdough, eggs, broccoli, halloumi
Mid afternoon: If I need a pick me up, I have some dark chocolate or cashew nuts
Dinner: Gyozas, then spicy rice noodle salad with lots of chicken, herbs, veggies, and a soy dressing
As told to Maria Lally
