Rosé is not just for the summer: the best winter Rosé

The rain hammers down outside and one wonders how on earth there can be any more rain left up there. My mind drifts back to those hazy summer days in June and a glass of rosé in one’s hand. For many, rosé is a wine for the summer months. Sorry I have to totally disagree. It’s…

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Age means nothing: James Robertson on new age whiskies

For decades we have been told that age means everything with whisky and in some circumstances it certainly does. If the new spirit runs off the still with bags of flavour and structure, then placed in a good oak barrel, there is every chance that once it passes the magical three year point it will…

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Sherry Week: The best wines to look out for

James Robertson takes us through his top pics for Sherry Week. The week marks the start of Sherry Week, the 10th anniversary of this global festival. All over Edinburgh, Scotland and the UK, events s There are around 150 events happening all over Scotland and the UK, uch as tastings and pairing dinners in bars,…

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Wines for summer drinking

James Robertson shares his top wines for summer drinking.  In the middle of June I recall a friend suggesting that it was too hot and that we needed a break in the weather. Well they got more than they bargained for with the awful July that we then had to deal with which seems to…

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Wine to Dine – Loch Arthur Creamery

Wine columnist James Robertson selects five bottles to pair with Scottish cheeses. Don’t miss our latest food feature on Loch Arthur Creamery in the July issue of Scottish Field magazine and then check out the full reviews of James Robertson’s matching wines.   Loch Arthur Creamery Farmhouse Cheddar Tempest Armadillo IPA – There is something classical…

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Walter Scott Prize longlist unveiled

THE longlist for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction has been published Twelve novels are in the running for the £25,000 prize, which celebrates books published in the UK, Ireland, and the Commonwealth. James Robertson won last year’s prize with News of the Dead. Katie Grant, chair of the judges, said: “This year’s submissions…

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Last-minute drinks for Valentine’s Day

Drinks blogger James Robertson recommends some last-minute drinks for Valentine’s Day. THE annual culling of red roses, carnations, and other flowers is taking place as florists prepare for Saint Valentine’s Day or, if one is being correct, the Feast of Saint Valentine. Chocolates, bottles of fizz, and maybe a few engagement rings are all being…

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Wines for Australia Day

Drinks blogger James Robertson picks wines to celebrate Australia Day. AS WE wearily trudge through the tail end of winter, looking forward to those glimpses of spring, down under in Australia today they celebrate their national day. The BBQs will be lit, stubbies of beer will be in the cool box alongside some chilled bottles…

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Dry January – is it worth it?

Drinks blogger James Robertson looks at the options for “Dry January”. SOME of us do “Sober October”, some of us do “I Cannae Remember December”, and some are now two weeks into “Dry January”. I have not been successful in achieving Dry January by the way, but hats off to my wife who has stoically…

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REVIEW: Eteaket Tea

Drinks blogger James Robertson pours himself a cup of Eteaket tea. I AM a self-confessed tea junkie and have been lucky enough to have visited the tea plantations in Dayuling, Taiwan, and both China’s Wuyi Mountains in Fujian and Heng Mountain in Hunan. So when Eteaket, the leaf tea company based in Edinburgh, sent me…

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