Wine

There is something gloriously refined about drinking Venetian wine on a warm summer’s evening, I wrote of Masianco’s brother Campofiorin back in 2016. Located in the best vineyard sites in foothill and hillsides near the Italian Austrian border, winemakers Masi has been at the forefront of Venetian wine for several decades, working to identify the historic “cru” vineyard sites for Amarone. They produce modern, attractive and well-balanced wines credited for “revolutionising the art of wine-making in the Venetian region”, defined...

The word Brexit is heard so frequently that it now feels like that annoying fly buzzing around your ear, refusing to go away. This interminable political hoi polloi has, inevitably affected public confidence, leaving traditional investment markets wheeling from uncertainty like a run-away thorough bred horse. 2018 was a record setting year for stocks, one that many investors would rather forget. The Dow Jones fell 8.7% the S&P 500 was down 9% and the Nasdaq fell 4% and the FTSE...

There are certain grape varieties that have become heroes of the New World. In a piece I penned in 2015 I went to great lengths in celebrating the many virtues of Carménère – a grape that has largely been ostracised from Bordeaux but has found new life in Chile. And I could list many more. Excusing the obvious inclusions – chardonnay in Australia, Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough, Malbec in Argentina and, of course, Pinotage in South Africa – there a...

It’s not every day you get to try a wine blended with six full-bodied red grapes before going through an intensive oak ageing process to deliver a uniquely bold flavour layered with maple, vanilla and charred spice more akin to whisky than wine. But thanks to Apothic Wine’s latest release, Inferno, you can now get your hands on this intriguing wine for quite a reasonable price at most Sansbury’s, and it’s well worth a try. The Californian small-batch bottle is...

The Bank Holiday is here and following a prolonged absence the sun is out, gardenware is being dusted off and there’s a noticeable feel-good factor in the air as millions of Brits across the country prepare for a long weekend off work. This evening cellars will undoubtedly be filled with wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Beaujolais in preparation for the main event, and what a selection there will be. Tipped by TLE as being the best wine-drinking holiday of the...

Wine from the Swiss canton of Valais will soon be more readily available to buy in the UK after producers announced plans to ship more of their produce to Britain. Despite being home to a nation of “passionately obsessive winemakers” who cultivate some 37,000 acres of land for viticultural purposes the Swiss have historically only exported between 1 per cent and 2 per cent of its total production abroad. Domestic demand and high production costs have limited overseas appeal with...

I'm going to make a bold claim. Easter is a better wine-drinking holiday than Christmas, hands down. The bleak midwinter offers little joy for wine fanatics much beyond a comforting pour of claret in front of a warm log fire. When the main event arrives you face the realisation that turkey pairs comfortably with few good wines, nor do many of the other ingredients that adorn the mishmash plate. After all, when does turkey make it onto a tasting menu...

Mother's Day is around the corner and while gifts and cards make the cut nothing beats cracking open a good bottle of wine to celebrate. This year we have wines from across the world to help you make the right pick for the occasion. From old world to new, red wine to rose, here are some wines to say thank you for being awesome. Red: De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2016, Australia Alluring red fruit aromatics, charcuterie and spice....

Australian by name but deceptively Austrian in nature, this week's wine pick hails from the sunny state of Victoria in the south of the country. Combining the aromatic Gewürztraminer with the flowery, perfumed Riesling this is a perfect way to kick-start spring. Heavy perfumed aromatics of musk and rosewater complement fresh spice and lime. A gorgeous and balanced palate of freshly dusted Turkish delight and lychee freshened by a fresh and zesty finish. Will pair perfectly with Thai food. Buy...