Grape&Grain
Spanish sunshine in Lidl’s latest ‘wine tour’
Peter Ranscombe dreams of Spain’s beaches, beers, and sunshine – yet is content to make do with its wines for the time being. SCOTLAND’S clincial director, Professor Jason Leitch, might be advising civil servants not to book non-refundable summer holidays, but that hasn’t stopped me daydreaming about Spain. The beaches, the beer, the sunshine –…
Read MoreNOTEBOOK – JANUARY 2021 – WHISKY FOR BURNS NIGHT
Scottish Field drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe dips into his notebook to share his selection of whiskies to mark Burns Night at home. “IT’LL be a [insert name of event here] like no other…” has become one of the most hackneyed phrases during the pandemic – including by yours truly. Burns Night is no exception. Burns…
Read More#TryJanuary: If you like that, try this…
Looking for inspiration to kick start your #TryJanuary? Peter Ranscombe is on hand with some suggestions. If you like… Albarino Try… its fizzy friend As we saw during lockdown, the pandemic hasn’t got in the way of Mar de Frades continuing to produce seafood-friendly albarino. Winemaker Paula Fandino has also been busy perfecting her sparkling…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: Rioja
Peter Ranscombe‘s “12 Wines of Christmas” reach their end with a look at traditional Rioja. SO MUCH of my wine writing these days focuses on “the next big thing” – concerete eggs, clay amphorae, obscure varieties grown in unusual locations. Sometimes it’s refreshing to slip back into the classics, and that’s exactly what happened during…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: Bordeaux
In his penultimate “12 Wines of Christmas” article, Peter Ranscombe picks Bordeaux to suit every pocket. FEW words in the world of wine epitomise poshness like “Bordeaux”. Its five “first growth” chateaux produce some of the most expensive labels on the planet. Yet Bordeaux is also one of the largest production regions in France, which…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: New York
Peter Ranscombe explains why New York is featuring in his new year’s resolutions in the latest article in his “12 Wines of Christmas” series. I AM notorious for failing to keep new year’s resolutions. But one promise I’ve made to myself for the year ahead with which I’m determined to stick is to learn more…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: Chile
Day nine of his “12 Wines of Christmas” series sees Peter Ranscombe taking a look at carmenere from Chile. DIVING into a tin of Christmas chocolates can be a bit like a playing lucky dip at the showies – you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. Back in 1994, Chilean farmers were faced…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: Spain
Day eight of his “12 Wines of Christmas” series sees Peter Ranscombe exploring Spanish food and wine pairings. THINK Spain, think sunshine. Long lazy days spent soaking up rays on the beach, simmering summer evenings spent devouring plates of tapas, and cringe worthy late nights spent crooning to questionable karioke in “Irish” pubs. Yet master…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: South Africa
In the latest instalment in his “12 Wines of Christmas” series, Peter Ranscombe looks at KWV’s top wines from South Africa. QUANTITY and quality don’t necessarily have to sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. As we saw with Paul Mas’ operations in the south of France, it’s possible to produce quality wines in large…
Read More12 Wines of Christmas: England
Peter Ranscombe ventures south of the Border for the latest instalment in his “12 Wines of Christmas” series. WHAT is “English sparkling wine”? It’s a question that I get asked more and more often by readers. The answer is a bit complicated. As we discovered back in June during my series of articles covering English…
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