Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
I’ve been tinkering with chenin blanc in the last few days. It just came over me; I thought I’d have a tinker and here we are. I don’t mean I wanted to change the structure of its molecules, or mess with its DNA; but just, you know, tinker. It’s another of those Old World grapes […]
Wine Press: Chenin blanc, a grape with its heart in the Old World Read More »
I WATCHED a lovely couple – well I’m sure they were lovely – looking totally bemused in a wine shop the other day. They were walking up and down the reds baffled, nay, befuddled, by the choices in front of them. So here’s some simple guidance on six basic wine grapes. You’ll see them all the time… but do you know if you’ll like
Basic wine grapes: Facts about six of the best Read More »
I’M quite proud that my friends are beginning to listen to me. I know I go on about it a bit, but finally some of my pals have stopped drinking pinot grigio and are moving on to other whites. Sauvignon blanc seems to be the fashionable choice; I’ve tempted them with viognier and picpoul de
Soave … seek out classico wines if you want the best Read More »
I MADE burgers the other day. I needed burgers for the barbie. There weren’t any in the shops. I could have flattened meatballs, but I felt sorry for them, sitting there pert and plump and perfect and expectant. I would have felt like I’d squashed a fly. So I made some. Perfect timing too, as this coming Wednesday, t’internet tells me, is National Burger Day. (Not for the
Wine Press: National Burger Day and red wines to disguise disasters Read More »
CARMENÈRE. Chile’s signature grape. I’m intrigued by this wine’s story, so I’m sharing it with you. As I write, I’m still on staycation, staring out at blue Welsh skies brushed with rolling grey clouds, but happily sipping Viña Koyle Alto Colchagua Reserva Carmenère, 2012 (£8.95, The Wine Society) at the naughty wine time of 5.15pm.
Carmenère and Chile go together but for years grape was forgotten Read More »
SOME nights you can’t be bothered going overboard cooking food, but you still neeeeeeed a glass of midweek wine. Beans on toast may be the way to go. Or sausage and mash. Or chippie shop fish and chips. A tikka masala ready meal? If you want to perk up your plates (and who can blame you)
Baked beans? You can have anything with a midweek wine Read More »
TO celebrate the British Open last weekend I opened some wine. That is the closest affinity I have to golf. I didn’t even have a British “open” it was a French “open” with wines from Languedoc-Roussillon. It is the most prolific wine-making region in the world. Yes, there are some mass-produced so-what wines, but there
Sun-kissed winning wines from Languedoc-Roussillon Read More »
THIS girlie, as I write, has a mild red wine hangover. I have tried revitalising shampoo but it hasn’t worked, so I’m going to write to the Shampoo Ombudsman. The reason for my “mild” head? This week the International Wine Challenge announced its Merchant Awards and I was there “quietly” enjoying the occasion. The headlines
International Wine Challenge announces Wine Merchant honours Read More »
I’M a woman of a certain vintage. Which means I still have a soft spot for David Cassidy, despite the fact he’s gone a bit off the rails lately. I can sing all the words to Barbados by Typically Tropical and I know the correct dance moves to Come On Eileen. I pogoed to Going
A wine vintage explained: it doesn’t guarantee quality Read More »