Things you wanted to know about wine... but were afraid to ask
What is a vintage wine, a vintage year or a vintage Champagne? We unpick the nuances between all these commonly used terms and look at which wines you should be drinking now, and which are best to keep.
Best wines for picnics! On those rare weekends when the sun is high, the birds are singing and the grass is green, it's time to pack up a picnic and get outside.
Here are a few tips and tricks I've learnt over many years, including the benefit of wines that you don't need a gadget to get into.
All young grapes are green, but from late July and August they start to change colour. Find out more about why grape skins matter and how they influence the finished wine.
This month we are pairing one of my favourite reads this year with a delicious little wine from Bordeaux which seemed appropriate for a seafaring tale.
You may have seen the terms Vielles Vignes, Vinas Viejas or Vecchie Viti on a wine label - all of which mean Old Vines - but what does this mean for a wine and why is it important to know the age of the vines?
Pairing Rosé wine with food is easier than you may think. While delicious on its own, a good Rosé pairs really well with wines that match its freshness and flavour. Spicy food, certain cheeses, shellfish and tapas all benefit from being paired a Rosé and it can bridge the gap between red and white wine.
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Many people believe that a pale rose is better, and an indication of both quality and sweetness of the wine. Neither of these things is true. Read on to find out more about how rose is made and what gives it its range of distinctive pink colours.
Lamb is one of the easiest foods to pair with wine. Most people prefer red wine with red meat, but I've included options for both white wine and rosé wine that will elevate everything from Roast leg of lamb to a spicy lamb stew.
Have you ever been asked to taste the wine in a restaurant, and you suspect it may be corked? We shine a light on the whole issue of corked wines – what causes it, what corked wine tastes like and the difference between screwcaps, natural and synthetic corks.
A traditional Boeuf Bourguignon comes from Burgundy and is cooked with wine from that region - in other words a Pinot Noir. I've shared by family recipe for this classic French dish and looked at which wines work best both in it and with it.
There are times, and perhaps particularly in the aftermath of the feasting season, where we really fancy a glass of something lovely, but we don’t want to feel pressurised into finishing the bottle in a sitting.
Whether we are drinking alone, or perhaps want a glass of white followed by a glass of red a deux, here's how to ensure your wine stays fresh for days.