Wine Events, Wine Education, Journalist
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
JUST when you thought you’d had your fill of celebrations, a new year beckons and it’s time to start all over again. Here’s some sparkling wines to help your 2013 go out with a snap crackle and a hand-clapping pop. Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante DOCG (£7.29) Aldi has a frizz-frazz of light bubbles with delicate apples
Sparkling wines to welcome in the New Year with a pop Read More »
PRESENTS bought? Wrapped and under the tree? Thinking of the Christmas meal and festive wines? Well I’ve not done the presents thing – but I’m well on with the drinking thing. Let’s go. Guests arrive. Sacchetto Moscato IGT Veneto NV (www.nakedwines.com £10.99 or £7.99 if you’re an investing Angel).The wine notes describe it as tasting
Festive wines to enjoy with your Christmas Day meal Read More »
Christmas dinner wine … what to choose? To make this a genuine Scientific Experiment, I rustled up two of my favourite Christmas Day starters to help you with suggestions for wine to drink as you first gather round the table. My first was a smoked salmon terrine with a filling of creme fraiche and horseradish cream;
Christmas dinner wine ideas to go with your starter Read More »
THINK sauvignon blanc and you probably think of gooseberries, vibrant newly-mown grass, green peppers or passion fruit. No doubt you think of New Zealand too, even though the historical home of sauvignon blanc is France; the wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume more restrained than the teasey-squeezy-cheeked Kiwi versions. Though perceptions are there to be changed.
Sauvignon blanc wines from New Zealand Stich it to ‘em Read More »
THERE was a bit of a whirlwind in France last week. Not one that you would see on a weather map. Perhaps because it was a blur. A very nice blur. Yours truly popped over the Channel to spend a quick couple of days in Bordeaux. Understanding the nuances of Bordeaux wines is no easy
Flying visit to Bordeaux where wine blending is art form Read More »
DO WINE shelves groaning with chardonnay and pinot grigio piddle you off? Perhaps it is just me. Supermarkets must be selling what people want to buy. Or are they dictating the market? This came home to me on my two-week fondly remembered sojourn by the coast. I’m not one to leave myself short of wine
What was going on in the world in 1997? A book about a schoolboy wizard hit our bookshelves, Pierce Brosnan enjoyed his second outing as a Martini-shaking secret agent, while Tony Blair became Prime Minister for the first time. Oh, and a Scotch whisky was laid down in Bourbon casks. Sixteen years on and the eighth
Balblair 97 whisky is delicate and “Bryan Ferry smooth” Read More »