Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
I’m keeping everything simple for my Christmas Day wine countdown. If you’re into off-the-wall Christmas Day menus then you won’t find a wine and food matching pair here. My menu? A glass of fizz. Then into a seafood starter such as a prawn cocktail, or my favourite … flash-fried Thai prawns. Then moving on to turkey […]
Christmas Day wine ideas for blushing pink prawn starters Read More »
KEEP your eyes peeled on the supermarket shelves for a new raft of medal winners which have impressed judges in the International Wine Challenge. A total of 184 gold, silver and bronze medals have been awarded to supermarket own-brand wines, with Marks & Spencer trouncing the competition picking up 73 gongs, more than twice as many medals as
Marks & Sparks’ wines top Gold table in International Wine Challenge gongs Read More »
I had a girlie night out on Saturday. It started as a girlie night in and then for a few hours it was a girlie night out and then a girlie night back in. I’d taken some red wines as a bit of a treat; an inexpensive treat too. A couple of Aldi wines came in
A girlie night and three red Aldi wines to enjoy 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
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 »
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 »
SOME people can’t stand Mother’s Day. I mean they love their mum, but they can’t stand leaving the house for the so-called “treat”. Over-booked restaurants, under-cooked food and poor old mum trying to pretend it’s the best time she‘s had since the grand final of The X Factor. The alternative is staying in – cook
Mother’s Day wine: Choices for mum’s special day Read More »
THE other week I was a guest at quite a posh function, so I made an effort and became very girlie for the evening. There were a couple of surprises in store. Number One: I didn’t spill any red wine on my sparkly top (though I did knock over a coffee) and Number Two: I
AS I write I have five glasses of low alcohol beer next to me and a packet of salted crisps. This is one of my scientific experiments which would not bear the scrutiny of a Nobel judging panel. I can’t /won’t give up alcohol for the month; the least I can do is try and