Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
I’VE got a red nose. Not a wine nose (or even a wino’s) but a sunshine nose. I have a sunshine nose because we’ve had lovely weather and yours truly has been sitting outside enjoying it. I’ve bought myself a little 99p windmill on a stick and popped it in the ground so I can […]
Springtime white wines, virtual reality and twizzling sticks Read More »
THE Co-operative hasn’t had the best of starts to the year, but as far as wine is concerned it is defiantly full steam ahead. The retailer has been busy revamping its wine range with new lines and a more tailored range to “reflect customer demand”. The Co-op is giving prominence to its Fairtrade and Truly
Co-op wines have a revamp to reflect customer demand Read More »
You wait patiently for one celebration to brighten up the year and then several come along at once. Happy Easter. I’m turning my first thoughts to Malbec, because in case you missed it, Thursday was Malbec World Day, the celebration (created by marketeers) of this grape which Argentina has made its own. Malbec is as
Enjoy some lovely wines this long Easter weekend Read More »
Jane Clare speaks to Neil McGuigan, the IWSC Winemaker of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Where did you first develop a passion for wine? My passion for the wine industry began a long time ago due to its diversity – it is a mix of agriculture, logistics, marketing, selling, running a business and much
Winemaker Neil McGuigan talks of his passion for the wine industry Read More »
BY THE time you read this I will have enjoyed a Girlies’ Night In, with yours truly in charge of a wine-tasting challenge. Other entertainment was to be one Girlie playing tunes on her ukulele. My plan: To disguise all bottles in tin foil and to ask the Girlies questions, including guessing the grapes. I
Top winemaker Neil McGuigan shares his wine-tasting tips Read More »
It’s always nice to know that people read my wine columns. I know, because occasionally people get in touch with me. Here is an email from Deiniol ap Dafydd, the managing director of www.blasarfwyd.com The note reads: “Enjoyed your ‘Raise a Glass’ article again today, but had to smile that you were promoting Bruno Paillard
Support your independent wine merchants if you can Read More »
I HAD a rotten day the other day and was in need of comfort. I stood in a supermarket aisle in front of something which declared itself to be fresh and crisp. I wasn’t in the fruit and vegetable section. It also had “sparkling” on the label. I certainly wasn’t near the household cleaning products.
Freixenet and Mia range looks to the younger market Read More »
PICTURE French winemakers and what do you see? Veterans. Wisps of white hair blowing in a warm breeze. Soil brushed off gnarled hands and a grape taken firmly but gently between Gauloises-stained fingers. A face the colour of Red Rum’s saddle bags turned upwards to the life-giving sun…. well that’s what I see. And of
Young bloods challenge our perception of French winemakers Read More »
McGuigan’s winemakers use grapes from south Australian vineyards for its reserve range. The small print: South Australia – 12% abv – Grape: sauvignon blanc – Buy: Tesco – Price: £9.99 – screwcap – 2013 – Tasted Feb 23 2014 – Drink in 1 year of purchase Food matches Salt and pepper squid, seafood paella, green
Wine review: McGuigan Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Read More »