Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
A few months ago I voted for something close to my heart. No, not a general election, or even Brexit (though obviously I voted in those and my heart sinks at the memory) …. but for a wine. I cast my vote for the style, look and feel of a new wine to be created […]
Members’ Choice Pioneer Pinot Grigio: A new Co-op wine selected by votes! Read More »
DO WINE shelves groaning with chardonnay and pinot grigio piddle you off? Perhaps it is just me. Supermarkets must be selling what people want to buy. Or are they dictating the market? This came home to me on my two-week fondly remembered sojourn by the coast. I’m not one to leave myself short of wine
If you’re a regular in Asda you might have noticed that the retailer has brought out a new sparkling wine to catch the attention of prosecco drinkers. The sparkling wine world is increasingly popular in the UK but very crowded. Every time a butterfly flutters its wings, a new sparkling wine is born, each one
Fizz Face-off: I compare Asda’s sparkling £5 Progrigio and a same price cava Read More »
Bacon and onion tart may not sound like a culinary dream – but with a glass of superb German pinot gris wine it can feel like luxury. I fancied some German pinot gris and came across a recommendation to drink it with Zwiebelkuchen, which is a traditional German baked dish of dough covered with onion
Wine Press: German pinot gris is perfection as food partner Read More »
Study for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines in a three-day course in Liverpool.
You’ll explore the winemaking and environmental factors that impact the style and quality of wines.
And through theory and tasting over 40 wines, led by Jane Clare of One Foot in the Grapes, you’ll learn how to describe them with confidence.
Please read the terms and conditions before booking.
Three payment instalments are an option at checkout, subejct to eligibility.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines in Liverpool: 3 days in city venue Read More »
My “wine life review” of 2021 continues! Here I reflect on a Zoom call with winery owner and “sustainable” wines advocate Stefano Girelli from Purato wines. Blimey, looking back on 2021 I’m amazed at how many winemakers I met from the comfort of my own home! Stefano’s Sicily-based brand has a green philosophy, and not
Purato wines: When I “met” Italian winemaker Stefano Girelli Read More »
The Raise a Glass feature is published every week in several regional newspapers … here’s one from May 2021 when my world was dominated by Italian wines for a few days. I’ve been feeling the love for Italian wines of late. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve been sharing the love with
Raise a Glass: Italian wines were the flavours of my moments Read More »
The Raise a Glass feature is published every week … here’s one from early lockdown when my life was full of sunshine, Zooms and cocktails. I joined a fascinating chat with Philip Cox and discovered some of his Cramele Recas wines from Romania. Ok. Here’s my latest lockdown lifestyle. I realise its difficult to get
Raise a Glass: Cramele Recas wines and the simplest of cocktails Read More »
I always think of white Christmas wines as being in two camps. Fresh and fruity wines which sit happily with seafood, or the creamier, more complex whites which add richness to the main course. In my first festive wine missive for 2018 I’m bringing you some fresh and fruity white wines for Christmas. Next time
Christmas wines Part 1: Seven fresh and fruity whites for under £14 Read More »
Those wine labels are key to our buying habits (I’ve said many a time) and Aldi has hit on a canny marketing idea to draw us in to a new range of wines. If you see “chicken” or “lamb” or “pizza” shouting at you in italics from the retailer’s wine aisles it is because the