Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Following the spice route to Azaline
Peter Ranscombe samples a pinot noir-driven vermouth that takes drinkers on a trip to the Orient. ONE of the most exciting aspects of tasting a new drink is pulling it apart to study its components. Why does this wine taste of lemons, and butter, and vanilla? Why does this whisky taste of dark chocolate, and…
Read MoreOutlander’s Sam Heughan is the star of our May 2021 edition
The May edition of Scottish Field is available to purchase now – and it’s a cracker of an issue. Our main feature of the month features our cover star, Outlander star Sam Heughan, in an eight-page interview, in which he gives the lowdown on Bond rumours, Men In Kilts, and his love for the water…
Read MoreThe best sake and shochu for whisky fans
Japan’s brewed and distilled drinks have lots to offer Scotch lovers, as Peter Ranscombe finds out. YOU’VE heard of sake, but how about shochu? While sake has been growing in popularity and prominence in Scotland, I confess that shochu was a new one on me. Sake is brewed like a beer, while shochu is distilled…
Read MoreTales of the unexpected from Aldi and Lidl
Peter Ranscombe discovers some surprises among the latest wines released by Lidl and Aldi. DRAW closer and let me tell you some tales of the unexpected. There’s the tale of the sauvignon blanc from Hungary. There’s the story of the sangiovese from Chile. And there’s the legend of the riesling – from Canada. Supermarket chain…
Read MoreFind out what Oz Clarke picked as his ‘unexpected’ wines
Louis Latour let Oz Clarke loose in its cellars to select bottles for his ‘Tales of the unexpected’ tasting; Peter Ranscombe reports on the results. THERE’S something a wee bit weird about one wine reviewer writing about another wine reviewer’s choices – but, for Oz Clarke, I’m happy to make an exception. As a child…
Read MoreNOTEBOOK – FEBRUARY 2021
Scottish rum, oak-aged gin, and low-alcohol beer are among the latest treats to emerge from Scottish Field drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe‘s notebook. AFTER the Christmas rush of spirits reviews, January offers a bit of welcome relief. Catch your breath, refresh your palate, and give your liver a rest. That break makes February’s new releases all…
Read MoreNew Zealand syrah: Gimblett Gravels and beyond
After exploring syrah from Gimblett Gravels, Peter Ranscombe casts his net wider to look at other parts of New Zealand. WINES fall into two categories. There are the crowd-pleasing styles that most fans will recognise – Prosecco from Italy, shiraz from Australia, sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. Then there are the niches, the bottles about which…
Read MoreKeep your dog on the lead as lambing season begins
Several Scottish organisations have united in an urgent plea to dog owners across the country to keep their dogs under proper control around livestock. Lambing season is already well underway in Scotland, and most of the ewes we see now grazing the hills and fields are heavily pregnant at this time of year. Already farmers…
Read MoreFind 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…
Read MoreSeven South African wines you need to try
Peter Ranscombe revisits some of his recent favourites from South Africa as the country’s alcohol ban shifts direction once more. YESTERDAY’S news that the South African government has lifted parts of its alcohol sales ban will provide some relief for wine producers. Yet – as winemaker Bruce Jack warned in a recent article for The…
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