Cap Classique: Are these the world’s best-value bubbles?

Peter Ranscombe celebrates 50 years of South Africa’s flagship sparkling wine. IF YOU went to a party and all the guests were sparkling wines then you’d be able to spot the usual suspects. There’s Champagne over there, holding court, and hogging the limelight. Then there’s Prosecco in the middle of the dance floor, causing trouble…

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Find fantastic fizz for your Valentine’s Day at home

Whether you want splash-out sparklers or bubbles on a budget, Peter Ranscombe has you covered. FEW dates strike fear into the hearts of wine fans like the fourteenth of February. Should I buy bubbles? Should the wine match the food? Should I shake the bottle and spray the room like I’ve just won an F1…

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#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…

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Fizz Feast organiser unveils ‘Fizz Friday’ online tastings

THE annual Fizz Feast wine and food festival may not be taking place in Edinburgh this autumn but organiser Diana Thompson has created an online “bonanza of bubbles” to take its place. Thompson, who runs Wine Events Scotland, has organised five “Fizz Friday” tastings on video conferencing platform Zoom. They begin on 30 October and…

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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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What does 150-year-old wine taste like?

Peter Ranscombe travels back through vinous time to try a pair of wines from the Victorian era. “IT’S not every day that you get to try two 150-year-old wines side-by-side,” quipped James Davy, as he poured the sixth and final drink at a very special masterclass to mark the century and a half that his…

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Making waves with successful Scottish brands

The nation’s first floating hotel is to host a series of exclusive events celebrating Scotland’s exciting luxury brands who are making waves in the world. For the debut event, they will welcome Kingdom Scotland and Pringle of Scotland aboard for an afternoon of decadence. Attendees can take their place in Fingal’s ballroom where a sumptuous…

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On the fifth day of Christmas… Fingal

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, the gift of being onboard. Give the gift of Fingal this Christmas – Scotland’s first luxury floating hotel.  Step aboard and discover something completely different. A world-class destination with unique luxury cabins and decks for stargazing and Champagne.  Choose from a delicious five…

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Glasgow has itself a Moët little Christmas

A new Moët & Chandon cocktail tastes just peachy in the Dear Green Place, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. IT MIGHT not be fashionable among wine writers to say it, but I do enjoy a glass of Moët. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a big fan of grower Champagnes, the sparkling wines made by farmers…

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