The future looks cloudy for this Sauvignon Blanc February 12, 2013 bottle.opener@cityam.com Once the wine of choice, Cloudy Bay now has some real competition Whatever HAPPENED to Cloudy Bay? A few years ago the release of the new Cloudy Bay Sauvignon vintage was greeted with excitement amongst wine lovers. After all, this was a wine to celebrate – a taut yet ripe Sauvignon Blanc with real [...]
A cynic’s solution to not loving Valentine’s day February 12, 2013 City A.M.’s cocktail expert Call ME a cynic, but there is only one thing worse than being single on Valentine’s Day and that is being forced to sit with your significant other in a bar or restaurant, spending hand over fist in a vain attempt to quantify your affections. And every year the expectations for [...]
The new Mini might be the best yet February 11, 2013 BACK WHEN most cars could still be relied upon to regularly break down, racing and rally car constructor John Cooper invented the original pocket rocket. He race-tuned the astonishing BMC Mini to create the Mini Cooper. It earned iconic status by dominating saloon car and rally racing in the 1960s. It won the Monte Carlo [...]
Rivals worth considering February 11, 2013 The BMW M1235i, from £29,995 At this price the bigger and more practical, rear-wheel drive BMW M135i might be worth considering. There’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine pushing out 316bhp from under its understated bonnet. It can accelerate from zero to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds and is a far better everyday driver than past [...]
School’s Out February 10, 2013 WHETHER YOU crave sea air and sunshine, meadows and mountains or lush forests, now’s the perfect time to plan a spring break to blow away the winter cobwebs. Jump in the car and make tracks to a beautiful UK bolthole, lace up your walking boots and tackle some of Italy’s most scenic hill climbs, strap [...]
All hail the simple Ayurvedic massage February 8, 2013 My first experience of Ayurveda – a Hindu system of traditional medicine native to India – was just before Christmas, and one I’ll never forget. I was locked in a dark room in a spa (read: a shed) on a dodgy Keralan backstreet, while a mute youth covered my entire body, face and hair in [...]
Sher shines in The Captain of Köpenick February 7, 2013 THEATRE CAPTAIN OF KÖPENICK National Theatre *** Were it not based on real life events, The Captain of Köpenick would be criticised for implausibility. Written in 1931 but set just before the first world war, German writer Carl Zuckmayer’s play tells the story of a real historical figure by the name of Wilhelm Voigt (1849-1922), [...]
Wreck-It Ralph is nostalgic fun for lovers of video-games February 7, 2013 FILM WRECK IT RALPH Cert: PG *** Wreck-It Ralph was a project in good hands: executive produced by John Lasseter (Toy Story) and directed by Emmy-award winner Rich Moore (The Simpsons). True to Disney form, its a journey towards the realisation that “there’s no one I’d rather be than me”, this time set inside the [...]
Warm Bodies: a terrific teen romp February 7, 2013 FILM WARM BODIES Cert 12A **** The latest from writer-director Joseph Levine (50/50, The Wackness) is a typically off-beat teen movie set in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. A marauding, dull-eyed army of the undead has invaded the world, and an ever-dwindling population of human beings have barricaded themselves in a nameless city. Heavily [...]
Valentine’s Day drinking for the City singleton February 7, 2013 No better half? No need! If you aren’t coupled up for Valentine’s Day 2013, head to one of the following clubs to celebrate courtly love’s patron saint. The Old Vic Tunnels in Leake Street is holding an avian-themed shindig named the Love Nest Valentine’s Ball. From 14-16 February the venue will be transformed into the [...]