June 2015

Record haul of medal winners in UK wine awards

There has been a record-breaking haul of medal-winners  in the UK wine industry’s annual national wine awards – The English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition. It is organised by the United Kingdom Vineyards Association and this year saw the largest number of wines ever entered … 327 wines, from over 90 producers all over […]

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The man behind Aldi wines, Mike James, picks his special wines for you

MANY of my friends say that Aldi wines have changed their lives. Friday nights begin with a “rush to the shops” to stock up for the weekend. Mike James, Aldi’s wine buyer, since 2010, has overseen the team which has made Aldi a must-go destination for reliable, affordable wines. I spoke to Mike, and asked

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Barone Pizzini wine tasting

A night of wine and food celebrating Barone Pizzini and Italian wines

IT’S always lovely to meet Real People behind wines.  I was lucky enough to “break bread” with Silvano Brescianini, the CEO of Barone Pizzini, from the heart of Franciacorta, Italy, and enjoy  his wines with a lovely bunch of people at Liverpool’s Bretta & Co shop and bistro just off Bold Street. Now I love franciacorta sparkling

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Just when you thought you can drink red wine and lose weight …

Another day, another piece of advice about why you should drink red wine … or why you shouldn’t drink it. News from the  International Journal of Obesity told  us  yesterday that  the chemical resveratrol in grapes, berries and red wine can turn excess flab into calorie-burning “brown” fat. Yay!! But, nay!! The NHS has been quick to

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Fathers Day

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a special-buy red for Father’s Day

If I had a pound for every time people say “Châteauneuf-du-Pape” when I ask them to name their special-buy red, I wouldn’t be sitting here. Sorry, but that’s how shallow I am. It’s June and you might not be thinking of red wine, but tomorrow is Father’s Day, so you have an excuse. I asked

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Oddbins launches The Palate to find finest amateur wine-taster

If you fancy yourself as a  savvy amateur wine-taster, then Oddbins’ The Palate contest might be the perfect place to show off your skills. The High Street and online chain is launching its 2015 search for the ultimate amateur palate.  The competition is now in its fourth year and last year 21,000 people took part.

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