February 2014

Wine review: McGuigan Shortlist Chardonnay, 2011, Adelaide Hills

Shortlist is a range of individually numbered and limited release wines from McGuigan. The small print: Adelaide Hills – 13% abv – Grape: chardonnay – Buy: Tesco online –  Price:  £15   – screwcap – 2011 – Tasted Feb 23 2014 – Drink in 5 years of vintage Food matches Creamy pasta, poultry dishes, shellfish, […]

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Pongracz Sparkling Rosé wine review

In my glass: Pongracz Sparkling Rosé wine review

Pongracz Sparkling Rosé In my glass: A fine bubble tinkles away after the excited pouring fizz dies down. There’s fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, brioche and rhubarb crumble on the nose;  sweet sultanas too. Fresh red fruits and strawberries bedazzle on the tastebuds as a good balanced acidity comes along to woosh everything along. As a

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A rant about promoting wines as award-winners when actually they’re not

I’m not going to cast any aspersions on anybody here (even though perhaps I should). But *deep sighs*. Ladies and gents – do yourselves a favour and when you see a wine branded as an award-winner online, or in a supermarket, don’t always take it for granted that the one your mitts are eagerly reaching

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Wine Press: Award-winning wines from Lidl which are kind to the pocket

WE’RE all watching our pockets at the moment. Never more so than when we’re still paying off those random online buys in the New Year sales. I thought I’d check out Lidl’s wines after browsing  the interweb and discovered the retail chain sells several award-winning wines at surprisingly low prices. How would the Price Taste Ratio

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Tesco Finest Rosé Champagne review

Wine Press: Pink fizz to share on Valentine’s Day

VALENTINE’S. It’s the time of year when the card shops  make a killing, florists’  fingers flurry, men panic and wine shelves empty  quicker than Old Trafford  in the 80th minute. What better reason  to taste  some sparklie glasses of  pink fizz. Champagne Jacquart, Brut Mosaïque Rosé NV  (£30, online at  greatwesternwine.co.uk and you’ll see  it

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Roussillon wines will warm the soul as the rainclouds gather

ROUSSILLON is  the sunniest place in France, just over the Pyrenees from Spain.  Sun and warmth. Remember that? I’ve been seeking it out in  liquid form while the rain has been ceaseless. You can turn to these wines to warm your soul alongside a gravy-rich casserole and some buttery mash. Peas too if you like.

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