Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
There I was, at my desk, feeling sorry for myself, when a work pal said he wasn’t 100% that morning. He’d opened an Australian shiraz the night before and his senses weren’t tickety-boo. I sympathised. We compared notes and we’d only had a couple of glasses of red on a school night. My red (more […]
Why some wines have more alcohol strength than others Read More »
THE UK’s supermarkets have really upped their game in the past year when it comes to their own-brand wines. Many have excelled in the 2015 International Wine Challenge Awards. Top of the awards pile is Marks & Spencer, which won 169 medals, including 12 gold, 52 silver and 105 bronze. In all, 498 own-brand and exclusive
International Wine Challenge success for UK supermarkets 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 »
THERE are two things I always do as the seasons tick by. One is to proffer a “pinch and a punch, first of the month”, to my pal Jamie; the second is to text my daughter whenI see my first lambs in a field. The latter went like this. You thought I’d made it up
Herald change in seasons with quartet of New Zealand wines Read More »
JOHN TORODE is now one of this country’s most popular celebrity chefs. Only last week he launched his new cookery programme Australia. But he also comes from a part of Australia which is the oldest wine-making region on that vast continent, the Hunter Valley. So it should come as no surprise that he has been
John Torode launches recipe collection with McGuigan Wines Read More »
IT’S Fairtrade Fortnight. I want to embrace wines which carry the Fairtrade stamp of approval and are born out of such a worthy cause; but I do so with mixed results. The Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) explains it has several missions; “better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and
Wine Press: Fairtrade Fortnight and a sparkling nod to the Oscars Read More »
Pongracz Sparkling Rosé In my glass: A fine bubble tinkles away after the excited pouring fizz dies down. There’s fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, brioche and rhubarb crumble on the nose; sweet sultanas too. Fresh red fruits and strawberries bedazzle on the tastebuds as a good balanced acidity comes along to woosh everything along. As a
In my glass: Pongracz Sparkling Rosé wine review Read More »
ROUSSILLON is the sunniest place in France, just over the Pyrenees from Spain. Sun and warmth. Remember that? I’ve been seeking it out in liquid form while the rain has been ceaseless. You can turn to these wines to warm your soul alongside a gravy-rich casserole and some buttery mash. Peas too if you like.
Roussillon wines will warm the soul as the rainclouds gather Read More »
I MIGHT be getting a new kitchen. Girlies, you would be proud of my steadfastness. Four years of dropped hints as heavy as an American fridge and the end is possibly in sight. Glossy cream storage beyond my wildest dreams. We have been to see a kitchen shop man. He clickety-clicked his computer and there
How to store wine … some simple tips to follow at home Read More »