Few wine regions are as diverse in their landscape as Rioja. A relatively small area of only 70 miles east to west and 30 miles north to south, it boasts 150 square miles of interlocking mountain ranges shielding the land from both warm and cold winds, influencing the climate, the terrain, the exposure to sun […]
Celebrate the sunshine with this bargain from Majestic. You have to buy a case of six but don’t worry if Champagne isn’t your daily tipple, it’ll keep for a few years. It has a rich, generous peachy and pastry flavour; the fizz is long and soft, the finish elegant and refined. It certainly stood out […]
This morning my cup runneth over with a thick green dodgy-looking liquid which, despite appearances to the contrary, tasted delicious and I could almost hear my insides thanking me for all the goodness I was sending their way. My Nutribulleting has become a daily routine at breakfast; it seems I am joining a general trend […]
In my inverted snobbery, middle-class mildly rebellious way, I was expecting to question whether Krug 2002 was all it was hyped up to be. Well, dammit, the hype is entirely justified. It is, without doubt, outstanding; indeed, one of the best champagnes I have ever tasted. Up here in Birmingham we are a little late to the Krug party, but […]
Rosé fizz is a tricky thing to get right. And I don’t mean knowing which to buy. Making it is hard. Once upon a time rosé champagne was nothing but an embarrassing mistake, deemed to be a faulty wine. If you weren’t extremely careful, colour from the black grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, might […]
We all know that wines from Chile are pretty good value, right? They’re easy-drinking, inoffensive and crowd-pleasing, aren’t they? You don’t have to spend too much to get something acceptable. But what happens if you were to spend just a little bit more? Is it worth splashing out a few extra few pounds? Would you notice the difference? You betcha! […]
For me to recommend a dry January is as likely as Donald Trump suggesting that the USA should have a gun amnesty. It’s not going to happen. My children refer to me as the opposite of the alcohol police. Before anyone complains to the NSPCC, my children are all over 18 and, of course, it goes without […]
The end of the year is often a time to indulge in reflection. To consider what you’ve learnt, what you’ve tasted. What winey delights did 2015 give you? I’d rather not attempt to count the number of wines I have tasted, presented and drunk in the last twelve months (my doctor might be reading this) instead […]
A Lidl message from Richard: ‘‘Lidl’s latest Wine Cellar Collection starts this Thursday, November 26th. As ever, I cannot guarantee exactly what will be in stock in your local store, but the following would be my picks……. Bissinger Premier Cru Champagne £15.99 Pouilly-Vinzelles £9.99 Riesling […]
If you are already thinking about your Christmas drinking or Christmas presents, or both, you may find these amazing Bordeaux bargains from Tesco Wine by the Case worth taking advantage of. All 5 are from top vintages, 2009 and 2010, can be drunk now but will also keep for several years and at these reduced prices deliver […]