WineTime allday

09/12/2022

One of my very favourite English sparkling wines - Nyetimber's classic cuvee - is down from £38 to £28 at Waitrose, while stocks last. Snap it up!

15/11/2022

This made me chuckle - so true!

The circle of life...

12/10/2022

Apologies for such a long period of inactivity! What with Covid, two major operations and the death of my lovely mum earlier this year, I have had a lot of my plate. However, I assure you that for most of that time I have continued to enjoy my wine - both old favourites and new discoveries. I have had a few requests to re-start tastings so I'm putting out some feelers for a Friday night late Nov or early Dec. It could have a party theme, a Christmas theme, or be something completely different. Anyone up for a sherry tasting, for instance? Such a wonderful, versatile and under-appreciated drink! Let me know if you might be interested!

24/05/2021

Only a few weeks until Midsummer's Day and we don't seem to have had any summer yet! However, things are set to change later in the week and we might - just might - get some better weather. If so, our thoughts should turn to rosé wines - and last weekend Victoria Moore (wine writer for the Times) published her list of recommendations for summer pinks. Something for everyone here although I'm sad to see that there are no Sancerre rosés in the list. Made in small quantities in the Loire valley using the pinot noir grape, they are my absolute favourites - but not always easy to find. I love the Provençal rosés too but once they became super-trendy the prices rocketed and the best often sell for silly money Try one from nearby Costière de Nimes instead - just as good and half the price - or one of Victoria's two recommendations from Corsica. Whatever you choose, enjoy a taste of summer....

19/04/2021

With another hat on - as Chair of the Bath & Bristol Branch of the International Wine and Food Society - I invite anyone interested to join us on Friday - St George's Day - at 6.30pm for a fun tasting - sadly on Zoom! - of English wines and cheeses. There are three recommended wines (all from Waitrose). If you would like to join in, let me know on [email protected] and I will send you the details and Zoom codes. .iwfs.org

The International Wine & Food Society (IW&FS) is the world’s oldest and most renowned gastronomic society. The Society’s mission is the promotion of a broad knowledge and understanding of both wine and food, the enhancement of their appreciation, and the nurturing of camaraderie among those who ...

19/04/2021

I've missed you all so much! I am still hoping to be able to run a couple of wine tastings this summer, so watch this space.

19/04/2021

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-new-day-trip-20-uk-vineyards-to-visit-sx0kbchjt

Langham Wine Estate, Dorset Sit on a rug among the vines of this 30-acre vineyard and enjoy a delicious picnic. Choose between hampers containing an afternoon tea option, with sandwiches, sausage

26/02/2021

Earlier to day I came across this article from a 2020 issue of Wine Enthusiast. It explains the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary aromas and flavours in wine in a very accessible way. Aged wines can be an acquired taste, and these days fewer and fewer drinkers are prepared to invest the time and money involved in ageing a wine "properly", ie in a cool, dark or only dimly-lit cellar or wine store where the wine is protected from extremes of temperature and humidity and from vibration. If you buy wine en primeur or from a winery and want it to age gracefully, consider professional storage, which costs about £10 per case per year. It's well worth this modest outlay.

The primary, secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors in wine evolve over the course of its life. Learn how to identify them with this guide.

06/02/2021

A fascinating combination of hi-tech and low-tech solutions to a growing problem...

The winemakers of Bordeaux have long been credited with an innate ability to hide their feelings behind a veneer of slightly aloof refinement. In recent years, though, it has become common to see them

26/01/2021

I have just received the latest Wine & Spirits Education Trust e-newsletter, which includes an item on international wine days!! Has to be good news. Though I'm not sure about having a mulled wine day in March!!!

If you are not familiar with Furmint, this is a Hungarian white grape variety used to make both dry white wines and the famous Tokaji dessert wines. At this time of the year I should go for the latter - treat yourself to a pud and a little glass of Tokaji. Nectar! Always available at Waitrose and Majestic and often at other supermarkets too

Happy tasting for 2021!

1 February - International Furmint Day -
18 February - Global Drink Wine Day -
3 March - International Mulled Wine Day - ;
13 March - International Riesling Day - ;
21 March - World Vermouth Day -
17 April - World Malbec Day - ; ;
7 May - International Sauvignon Blanc Day - ;
21 May - International Chardonnay Day -
21 June - World Lambrusco Day -
18 August - International Pinot Noir Day -
2 September - International Cabernet Sauvignon Day - ;
17 September - International Grenache Day -
10 October - International Pinotage Day -
23 October - World Champagne Day - ;
31 October - International Carignan Day -
1 November - International Xinomavro Day - ;
7 November - International Merlot Day - ;
12 November - International Tempranillo Day - ;
*18 November - Beaujolais Nouveau Day -
24 November - International Carménère Day -
04 December - International Cabernet Franc Day - ; ; ;

* NB this changes every year. It's always on the third Thursday of November.

23/12/2020

So go right ahead and enjoy your Christmas cheese and wine!

'Responsible' wine and cheese consumption could help prevent cognitive decline, suggests new data analysis on diet and brain health over time...