Posh prosecco: The drier side of Italy’s all-conquering fizz

Peter Ranscombe explores the “Prosecco hills” – online – as he gets to grips with the quality end of Italy’s ubiquitous bubbles. THE numbers surrounding the success of prosecco are mind-boggling; Britons guzzle more than 110 million bottles of Italy’s flagship fizz each year, with the drink accounting for more than 60% of UK sparkling…

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Why a wall broke down barriers at Chateau de Pommard

American entrepreneur Michael Baum has married traditional organic and biodynamic farming with modern marketing, writes Peter Ranscombe. RISING gently above Burgundy in a hot air balloon, the famous French wine region’s patchwork of vineyards soon sailed into view. It’s hard to get a proper feel for the landscape of the Côte de Beaune area from…

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Going green in the Bordeaux Hot 50

France’s most famous wine region has turned its ‘Everyday Bordeaux’ listing into a ‘Hot 50’. Peter Ranscombe follows his visit to the area in March with a look at the ‘green’ wines on the new list. SOMETIMES it’s hard to know where to begin with Bordeaux. It may be famous for its five “first growth”…

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Bank holiday rosé: Provence and beyond

He may not suit a pink shirt, but Peter Ranscombe has some rosé wine suggestions to brighten the weekend. IT’LL be a bank holiday like no other – no lazy picnics in the park, no boozy brunches with friends, and definitely no making a break for that secluded hideaway in the country. It was already…

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Albarino: how will lockdown affect the way wine is made?

Two very different vintages and two very different tastings demonstrate how the weather still plays a crucial role in winemaking, writes Peter Ranscombe. WHAT a difference a year makes; nearly 12 months ago, I was sitting in a London tapas bar – remember when we could go out for tapas? – listening to Paula Fandino,…

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A sneak peek at Majestic Wine’s new range

One of Scotland’s favourite wine retailers has some exciting bottles arriving in its warehouses, as Peter Ranscombe reports. MAJESTIC Wine has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride in recent months – and that’s even without the lockdown. Back in 2015, Majestic bought Naked Wines, an online retailer founded by Rowan Gormley, who became the…

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Haud yer Wheesht: listen tae low-alcohol lockdown libations

Wanting to cut down on your alcohol intake during the lockdown and beyond? Peter Ranscombe has some suggestions. I DON’T know if it’s just my imagination or if it’s a guilty conscience, but my blue glass recycling box sounds like it’s been clinking just that wee bit more during lockdown. If the number of memes…

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Armchair exploring: Supporting South African wines

As South Africa lifts its ban on wine exports – again – Peter Ranscombe picks bottles to kick-start some armchair exploring. FEW countries have had such an intense rollercoaster ride through the lockdown as South Africa. First wine exports were banned. Then they were allowed again. Then they were banned again. Last week’s news that exports…

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Sauvignon blanc: New Zealand and beyond

To mark international sauvignon blanc day, Peter Ranscombe goes on a mission to find exciting examples from New Zealand and beyond. FEW grapes split that audience like sauvignon blanc. For some, it’s the very epitome of freshness, with crisp acidity balanced by either savoury asparagus or tropical guava. For others, it’s over acidic, over hyped, and…

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Say ‘G’Day!’ to Yalumba’s viognier

It may hail from the Rhone, but viognier has found a new home in Australia, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. LOUISA Rose takes her viognier very seriously – so much so, that she’s even designed her own glass for the white grape variety. The shape of that vessel gives some clues as to how Yalumba’s head winemaker…

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