Who made the naughty list in the wine world in 2025? December 23, 2025 This was another fascinating year in the world of wine, with some great initiatives and events celebrating the people who make this vital and brilliant industry tick. But there were also some things on my naughty list… read on to find out who made the cut. Nice List – Aldi Aldi’s wine department is fantastic, [...]
What I have learned from eight years of sober Christmas December 22, 2025 The last time I had alcohol on Christmas Day was 2017, at the age of 40. This year will mark—excuse me while I count on my fingers—my eighth sober Christmas, enough to make a statistically valid sample. So I thought I would distill any wisdom I’ve gathered from the two slopes of the mountain into [...]
Last minute gift guide: Top presents from tech to games and books December 18, 2025 Whoever you’re buying for, we have the perfect present ideas in our guide to the best Christmas gifts 2025. Whether you want cutting edge tech for the nerd in your life or fancy socks to keep dad happy until Boxing day, we have you covered. Christmas gifts 2025: Books Always Remember the Boy, the Mole, [...]
Woodford Reserve teams up with fashion house Markarian for 2025 holiday bottle December 9, 2025 Kentucky Bourbon brand Woodford Reserve has launched a limited edition 2025 holiday bottle, created in collaboration with New York fashion designer Alexandra O’Neill. Best known as the founder of luxury label Markarian, O’Neill’s design features a classy take on traditional sprigs of mistletoe and festive stars. The palette – with a backdrop of sage green [...]
Where to drink wine in London with a touch of old-fashioned glamour December 8, 2025 It is a pattern we see repeatedly. At times of austerity and economic hardship: people crave luxury, colour and escapism. During the Great Depression we saw the rise of jazz, dancehalls and art deco glamour, while the World War II ushered in an era of escapist, technicolour movies filled with flights of fancy. Now in the [...]
Where do chefs eat their Christmas lunch? We asked the best, from Chris Galvin to Jose Pizarro November 27, 2025 With every restaurant in the capital promoting a Christmas lunch special, how do you choose where to go? We’ve asked some of the capital’s finest chefs for their recommendations to help you make the right choice. Lewis Simmons, founder and head chef of Outback BBQ If I’m not manning the grills at Outback BBQ, my [...]
Why Sicily’s wine is some of Italy’s best – and which bottles to buy November 18, 2025 A sun soaked tour of Sicily’s vibrant reds, zesty whites and a wine-making culture shaped by centuries of shifting influences Sicily is known for its dazzling coastlines, romantic ruins and for Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, Mount Etna. The largest island in the Mediterranean, it has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and [...]
Exclusive: The Ned eyes new clubs in Dubai and LA, with new rural ‘estate’ and first European venture to come November 13, 2025 Square Mile institution The Ned is pushing ahead with plans to roll out its brand across the globe, with an outpost in Europe imminent and Dubai and Los Angeles in the firm’s sights. The Soho House spin-off has embarked on an “aggressive” expansion plan, with clubs now open in Doha, New York and Washington DC. [...]
Sexism is still rife in the wine industry – problematic men are the real ghouls this Halloween October 31, 2025 Forget the ghosts and apparitions, the real terrors this Halloween season are the wine industry’s bigots and sexists Halloween may be on the way, but the scariest thing in wine is that snobbery and bigotry still exists. Recently, after a very good lunch in London Bridge, some friends and I popped into a nearby wine [...]
Celebrate Day of the Dead at a Toklas bakery speakeasy October 24, 2025 Tequila brand Don Julio Tequila is bringing the colour and soul of Mexico to the capital with Panadería Don Julio, a three-day takeover of Toklas Bakery. Running from 31 October to 2 November, the event marks the UK debut of Mexico City’s hip bakery Panadería Rosetta, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Elena Reygadas. Guests will be [...]