Classics and discoveries with The Wine Society

Spring’s online wine tastings continue with bottles from a very special wine club, writes Peter Ranscombe. THERE are two things for which The Wine Society is known – classic wines at classic prices, and exciting oddities that will make even the most seasoned wine geek sit up and take notice. Both ends of the spectrum…

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Tales 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…

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A delicious foccia to make at home

As lockdown continues, we are all looking to find things to keep us busy. Thanks to Katia Crolla, owner of the East Coast, a restaurant in Musselburgh, East Lothian, we can try making a delicious bread. The East Coast is the next chapter for the Crolla family, who have been serving the folk of Musselburgh…

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Small businesses unite to mark Valentine’s Day

Award-winning St Andrews distillers Eden Mill have collaborated with a collection of small Scottish businesses to create the ultimate Valentine’s day gift. Their A Time for Love hamper includes a range of premium Eden Mill drinks and gifts alongside bespoke handmade chocolate bonbons from Edinburgh-based artisan chocolatier, BonBox and a bespoke bouquet of dried flowers…

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Alexander Wines serves up Christmas with a twist

Peter Ranscombe pops the corks on some exciting alternative festive choices. I’M AS guilty as anyone else when it comes to reaching for the same old favourites at Christmas. A bottle of Chablis, a bottle of pinot noir, and a bottle of something with bubbles in it, and I’m usually set for the festivities to…

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Making organic wine in style

NEVER judge a book by its cover – nor a wine by its label. Fortunately, the liquid inside brothers Paride and Jacapo d’Angelo’s bottles lives up to the promise of its packaging. The siblings have been making wine in Italy’s Abruzzo region for the past seven years, having learned about wine at the feet of…

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Balcarres House auction spans three centuries

FURNITURE and art spanning three centuries from a Scottish country house will go under the hammer next month. Lyon & Turnbull’s “Five Centuries” auction in Edinburgh on 3 September will feature lots from Balcarres House in Fife, home of the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres. The Lindsay family has lived in the house since 1595.…

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Meet the paper wine bottle coming to Scotland…

Peter Ranscombe ponders a cardboard wine bottle that’s been launched today – and revisits the wine inside. I ALWAYS feel more than a wee bit guilty on recycling day. As the blue box is lugged off the pavement and its contents heaved into the back of the bin lorry, I pause and think about the…

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Capturing Italy’s character with organic wines

Cantina Tollo is letting local grape varieties shine thanks to organic farming, writes Peter Ranscombe. BEING stuck in a coronarvirus lockdown hasn’t stopped Italian wine co-operative Cantina Tollo from innovating. The Abruzzo-based producer has launched its “biologico” range of five wines that carry both organic and vegan certification. The co-op, which was founded in 1960,…

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Five of the best from Lidl’s latest wine tour

Head to Italy is Peter Ranscombe’s advice when it comes to the German supermarket’s latest summer special offer. IN THE big scheme of things, this definitely ranks as a #FirstWorldProblem – but the coronavirus lockdown has played havoc with wine writers’ routines. While many masterclasses with individual producers have shifted online, it’s much harder for…

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