Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
This time last year I shared news of a new gin, Spitfire Heritage Gin in an exclusive “look out for this” kind of way just before it went on sale in Wine Rack. I mention it again because two things have happened. Number 1 Thing: Spitfire’s distillers have now brought out a new vodka – […]
Spitfire Heritage Gin leads sky-high nationwide toast on Armed Forces Day Read More »
I know I’m not fashionable. I only have to look in my wardrobe to know that. I don’t listen to the latest tunes and I prefer to watch a Doris Day film rather than a superhero leaping from a building dressed as a spider. But I am what I am. The other week I was
Champagne on ice that’s great, yes please. But what’s this? Champagne WITH ice? Read More »
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 »
I’ve turned into a person who’s gone all tidy-uppie. I’m not very domesticated. It’s a rare thing to catch me with a duster in my hand. Let me put this into context. Years ago I was the victim of a burglary and I duly gave the list of missing goods to the police. It was a month before I
Wine Diploma Diary: I’m not exactly what you’d call a domestic goddess but … Read More »
Farewell 2016, you strange old year, you little monkey. Putting the madness of Brexit, Trump and Celebrity Deaths to one side, there’s been a lot of change for me personally, changes that will see me taking a route yet to be determined, sometime around May in 2017. Meanwhile – here’s some 2016 photo memories, ahem, and of course they
Photo memories: My 2016 year in pictures and a drop of something now and again Read More »
I’ve finally signed up to study the Wine Spirit and Education Trust diploma after years of indecision. It’s taken me a while to take the plunge for lots of reasons, not least money and time. But the urge to learn more about wine and spirits was ultimately just too strong so I’ve opted for the online course;
What links my new wine diploma diary and one of the cheesiest songs ever? Read More »
I’ve made some fudge for Christmas. I haven’t fudged up the fudge because I’ve made it before, using a favourite drinking implement called Baileys. A couple of years on the trot I carried white chocolate Baileys fudge into work to hand out to pasty-faced hungover journos who’d had one drink too many at the works’ Christmas do. A sugar
The one where I rustle up some Baileys Christmas Fudge with a tipple on the side Read More »
I’ve spent most of the morning spooning sticky toffee sauce and squares of sticky toffee pudding into tin foil trays and popping on a lid. And it’s quite possibly the most rewarding thing I’ve done all year. It’s Christmas in two days’ time. I bet you can’t bear the thought of those queues for last-minute
If you think Christmas is stressful, the Share Your Lunch campaign is food for thought Read More »
We’ve had a bit of a Christmas tree nightmare truth be told. Yesterday we began the day nursing a mild hangover, so off we tootled for a nice cuppa and a bacon buttie at a nearby café. I’ve been nagging abut a tree for ages – I love my real Christmas trees. But The Other Half
The Christmas tree tests the patience of everyone, even the dog Read More »