Posts Tagged ‘savoury’
Chardonnay showdown: Australia v New Zealand
Peter Ranscombe had a ring-side seat for this afternoon’s virtual clash between two chardonnay giants. IN THE red corner: all the way from the southern hemisphere, the undefeated heavyweight champion of chardonnay, it’s Australia. And in the blue corner, from the other side of the Tasman Sea, the upstart challenger looking to land a knock-out…
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…
Read MoreGoing 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”…
Read MoreBank 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreArdbeg’s 5-year-old expression is a Wee Beastie
Ardbeg is adding to its core whisky range with Ardbeg Wee Beastie. And at just 5 years old, this is a feisty and intensely powerful smoky whisky. From elusive sea creatures to eerie hillside half-breeds, the Ardbeg Distillery has a history of exploring inexplicable legends in their bottlings. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks,…
Read MoreA beautiful orange and chilli glazed duck recipe
We all like to try something different, and we’ve a recipe that’s a little unusual for the festive season. Here, we present a recipe for orange and chilli glazed duck with roasted Brussels sprouts, fennel, thyme, carrot and candied walnuts by Barry Bryson of Cater Edinburgh. Barry said: ‘The holiday season is just glorious, but…
Read MoreYou will be spoiled for choice at Voujon
Voujon is a bit of an institution in the capital. Opening in 2005, this southside stalwart serves up authentic Bangladeshi and Northern Indian food alongside all of the classic dishes you would expect from an Indian restaurant, as well as a few dishes showcasing fusions of flavours from east and west. The interior of the…
Read MoreMar de Frades: Doing albarino differently
Innovation is the name of the game for Spanish winemaker Paula Fandino at Mar de Frades, as Peter Ranscombe finds out. FOR a lump of old rock, granite is an incredibly versatile material. It’s been used to make everything from posh kitchen worktops to the carved faces of the American presidents on Mount Rushmore –…
Read MoreSeven of the best from Brunello’s 2014 vintage
Wet weather and cool temperatures didn’t stop some Brunello wineries from producing excellent bottles, writes Peter Ranscombe. THINK Tuscany, think sunshine: whether it’s Tony Blair wandering around in shorts and a t-shirt on his summer holidays or field after field of fragrant purple lavender swaying in the breeze, it’s hard to picture Italy’s most-famous wine…
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