“Ladies & Gents, we are now descending into Madrid, where the temperature is chilly 8°C with rain…” Right. Not quite the warm welcome I was expecting from Spain. But no matter, the real adventure lay beyond the city, in the...
Whether you’re a Christmasaholic or a Grinch at this time of year, there’s no denying that the festive season is now well and truly with us. Though it’s certainly full on in the shop, we’ve managed to grab a few...
Cabernet Sauvignon vies with Merlot as the most widely planted grape variety in the world - and usually wins. It is also a variety which causes many wine drinkers to purr with expectation and deference. It is the bedrock of most...
This is one of the oldest of all wine areas in Italy. Evidence of viticulture exists in this region back to the 8th Century BC. Florentine wine retailers were known to exist in the 11th Century. By the 14th Century...
I can hardly believe it - not only is December upon us but the Big Day is almost here. If you're still looking for inspiration for a gift, or yourself, here (and back by popular demand) are our VG team...
Of all the countries in the Old World Italy is one of the oldest, and arguably the most individual in terms of indigenous grape varieties. Maybe only Portugal rivals it in this regard. It is also characterised by significant (often...
Today Rioja remains one of the most popular styles of wine in the UK, and I cannot remember, anecdotally, a wine where I encounter so few people who say they don’t like it. This is probably reflected in the fact...
These days the role of oak in wine has become a much more topical issue – many wine drinkers adore the smells and flavours that oak can impart to a wine – whilst others are less sure. So, I thought...
It is estimated that there are up to 10,000 different varieties in the world which technically can make table wine. Of these the Grape & Wine Research Development Corporation records a database of 1,271 being actively used in creating and...
As English Wine Week draws to a close, I feel compelled to write about my visit to the fabulous Flint Vineyard a few weeks ago. If you’re a VG podcast ‘fan’, you may already have listened in disbelief as Jake...
The magnificent Rathfinny vineyards – one of England’s finest sparkling wines - on the chalky Sussex Downs just 3 miles from the English Channel English Wine Week takes place from 17-25 June this year, so it is timely to coincide...
To the Brits these days, the idea of the sun-soaked Canary Island’s seems intrinsically linked with package holidays, cruise ships and troubled timeshares. In fact, mention Canary wine to the average imbiber and their almost certain eyebrow raise can be...
Probably the most consistent Champagne House today, still family run and delivering remarkable quality and style – so much so that the House has been awarded the IWC Trophy for “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” an unrivalled 14 times in...
Join us to celebrate International Malbec Day on the 17 April at Vino Gusto. We focus on this remarkable grape and above all its adaptation and international style – developed and championed by Argentina – now one of the UK’s...
Out of interest the Easter date varies as it falls each year on the Sunday following the paschal full moon after the Spring equinox. In practice, that means that Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon...
Wine Myths & General Misunderstandings – Time to Slay Some Vinous Dragons Chatting with Jake recently we got onto the subject of general misunderstandings in and about wine which have not only evolved over the years but, in some cases,...
Dry January!? Let’s Talk Sweet January... with a paradox… The Perfect Wine with Haggis on Burn’s Night! (25 January) Firstly, I hope you all had a particularly good Christmas and best wishes for the coming new year! It is customary...
Part II – Sparkling, White & Red Burgundies Read part 1, here. In Part II we look in more detail at the main wine styles produced in Burgundy and the impact the have made around the world and on other...
December. It’s here. Not only is it here but time is moving rapidly towards The Big Day. With that in mind, it’s time to talk about we’d like to be imbibing over the festive period. So here we go –...
Part I – Region, History, Classifications and Trade Structure Burgundy is one of the oldest and finest wine producing regions of the world. It is the spiritual home for both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties and has multiple...
As I left home at 5.20am on a dark Monday morning to walk to the station in the rain, I wondered if I might have lost my mind. I was joined there by Jake (AKA The Wise Wine Man –...
