Why Sicily’s wine is some of Italy’s best – and which bottles to buy Life&Style 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 [...]
Sexism is still rife in the wine industry – problematic men are the real ghouls this Halloween Life&Style 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 [...]
Fabulous! Pop these bottles this World Champagne Day Life&Style A day worth celebrating, 24th October is World Champagne Day, as if anyone needs an excuse to pop a bottle! Hundreds of years ago the wine in Champagne was still and pinky-red – a world away from what we associate with the region now. Bubbles were considered a fault, exploding the weaker bottles made for [...]
South American wine is booming – try these bottles for the best experience October 7, 2025 South American wine is booming for us Brits. An Argentinian Malbec has long been a gateway, converting consumers with broodingly smooth glasses of dark fruits and spice at a good price. Last year the UK overtook China as the largest importer (by value) of Chilean wine with their lithe Sauvignon Blancs and traditional Carmère. Even [...]
Humble Grape wine bar founder on his favourite Square Mile spots September 30, 2025 Ahead of our Toast the City awards taking place this October, Humble Grape wine bar founder James Dawson tells us why his venue deserves to take home a coveted prize Why does Humble Grape deserve to win a coveted Slice of Toast at the inaugural Toast the City Awards?Humble Grape deserves to win because we’ve built [...]
Cold Palmer: What footballer’s wine row tells us about trade mark protection September 28, 2025 The recent “Cold Palmer” trade mark case, which saw Chelsea and England footballer Cole Palmer’s application challenged by a vineyard, is a reminder that, whatever walk of business you are in, trade mark registrations are an essential part of business planning. Being a sports personality does not grant you extra rights in your name, likeness [...]
The best wine pairings for Spanish tapas September 16, 2025 How do you pair a meal that consists of a dozen little dishes? Here’s Libby’s guide to the best wine to serve alongside sensational Spanish produce Pairing wine to food is all very well but what about tapas, when dinner is a dozen or more little dishes? A wine that suits whitebait is not necessarily [...]
Why South African wine is the GOAT September 8, 2025 South African wine is eternally exciting. It’s a country bursting with maverick winemakers, swaggering onto the wine scene with innovative ideas, original designs and their treasure trove of old vines – a forgotten leftover from the country’s brandy making days. The once blend-relegated Cinsault is now gaining popularity as a refreshing, rustic, red-fruited easy-quaffer from [...]
Beyond Barolo: The crisp joy of Italian white wine September 1, 2025 Though the reds are arguably more famous – the revered Barolos, the bold Super Tuscans, the classic Chiantis – the white wines of Italy are quickly on the rise. Often refreshing with notes of sun-ripened citrus and wild herbs, they are the orderable crowd-pleasers on any wine list. Who doesn’t like a Gavi? Everyone likes [...]
Why you’re drinking Port all wrong August 19, 2025 It turns out I have been drinking port entirely wrong. For me, this heavy fortified wine has always been something for the winter. A small glass served at room temperature to pair with the Christmas stilton. If anywhere is going to school me on the “how tos” of port then Kopke, the world’s oldest port [...]