Tesco: Seven of the best summer wines

The summer Tesco press tasting gave Peter Ranscombe the chance to select his seasonal recommendations. AFTER press tastings with Aldi and Marks & Spencer, Tesco was the next supermarket chain to unveil its spring and summer selection. I came away feeling more positive about Tesco than I have done for a while. The focus on…

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East Coast: Where land meets sea and wine

Peter Ranscombe visits East Coast in Musselburgh to put the restaurant’s wine list through its paces. EVERYONE has their favourite chippies. One of mine used to be The Coral Reef in Musselburgh. My guilty pleasure was its southern fried chicken goujons. Carlo Crolla took over the chip shop in 2002 from his parents, who had…

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Belvedere vodka: going organic with infusions

Peter Ranscombe tries Belvedere vodka’s new organic infusions range, which kicks off the brand’s full organic conversion. BELVEDERE today unveiled plans to make all its vodkas using organic rye by 2030, starting with its new organic infusions range. The Polish rye vodka’s brand ambassador, Mike Foster, told an online tasting this morning that all the…

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Rufflets is an idyllic sanctuary for relaxing short breaks

In family ownership for over 68 years, Rufflets is set in ten acres of stunning gardens and mature woodland in St Andrews. Providing an idyllic sanctuary for relaxing short breaks, a base from which to explore the historic town of St Andrews and the East Neuk, and the perfect place to reconnect with family and…

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Cold Town glory: Reconnecting beer to pubs

Peter Ranscombe visits Edinburgh’s Cold Town brewery to hear how head brewer Ed Evans takes inspiration from pubgoers. WHAT inspires brewers? For some, it’s the hops, and the arrival of more and more varieties from around the world. For others, it’s the malt, and the challenge of balancing the depth with the freshness. For Ed…

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Glen Scotia reveals line up for 2021 virtual festival

Glen Scotia has revealed the schedule for this year’s virtual Glen Scotia malts festival which will go live next month. On June 7, for the second year running, the festival will be run entirely digitally, with whisky fans from all around the world able to access a range of different events and content by visiting…

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Aldi: Toasting reliable fizzy favourites

Peter Ranscombe salutes Aldi for the consistency of its sparkling wines. SUPERMARKET shopping is – let’s face it – boring. Don your face covering and trudge down the same aisles, week after week, month after month. Pick up the same milk, the same bread, the same giant bag of crisps that you promise yourself will…

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Marks & Spencer: If you like that, try this…

After the excitement of an in-person wine tasting subsided, Peter Ranscombe found interesting Marks & Spencer alternatives. A PRESS tasting. An actual, real life press tasting. With wines and people and everything. Novelty aside, yesterday’s press preview of spring wines from Marks & Spencer was a great chance to catch-up with the ongoing refresh of…

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Whisky tributes released for Glasgow and Edinburgh

A pair of whiskies celebrating Scotland’s two largest cities have been released, with Compass Box Artist Blend and Glasgow Blend. Artist Blend (formally Great King Street Artist’s Blend) is a tribute to Edinburgh, and the new label depicts an artist in front of the world-famous Scottish National Gallery and embodies the creative spirit of Compass…

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Join the party for our Whisky Challenge’s 21st birthday

Scottish Field’s Whisky Challenge marks its 21st birthday this year – and you can join in the celebrations. Tickets are now available for our whisky awards ceremony, which is taking place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh on October 29. Each ticket includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival, a three-course meal at the…

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