Raise a glass and celebrate English Wine Week
Times Drinks Editor James Viner seeks out five palate-pleasing English wines that are worth cracking open… The English wine industry is thriving, with increasing sales, production, and recognition through awards and accolades. English Wine Week, which started June 17 and runs until June 25, is a chance to discover wines made on our doorstep, […]
Celebrate Father’s Day with winning wines and spirits
Fired up by Father’s Day this coming Sunday, June 18, Times Drinks Editor James Viner says make June all about Dad (and English wine of course, since it’s English Wine Week from 17-25 June)! If he enjoys fine wine and spirits, your gift shopping for Dad just got more straightforward… 2022 Arbousset Tavel Rosé, […]
Cheers to six tasty Cabernet Sauvignons!
Late-budding, relatively late-ripening, full-bodied and often tannic, the planet’s most-prized Cabernet Sauvignons have historically come from Bordeaux, particularly from the communes of Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe. Let’s raise a glass to this much-admired grape. Cheers! 2022 Chassaux et Fils IGP Atlantique Rosé, France (£6.49, Aldi, groceries.aldi.co.uk) Snap up this dry, crunchy, medium-bodied, Atlantic […]
Celebrate with seven corking Chardonnays
This week Times Drinks Editor James Viner raises a glass to International Chardonnay Day, which this year is celebrated on Thursday May 25… More neutral in aroma and flavour than aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, the early budding, early ripening (making it suitable to grow in a cool region) and globetrotting white grape of Burgundy (where it […]
Cheers to Sauvignon Blanc!
Times Wine Editor James Viner identifies five bottles of the ever-popular variety for International Sauvignon Blanc Day on May 5 Fling open the windows and grab a bottle of aromatic, crisp and zesty Sauvignon Blanc – by far the most familiar and popular of the white grape varietals. Spring is here and it’s time […]
Coronation tipples fit for a new King
Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6, Times Drinks Editor James Viner suggests toasting the new monarch with some of these celebratory English bottles… 1: A supermarket vodka to mix a majestic Coronation cocktail to toast King Charles III Haysmith’s English Vodka, England (Aldi, £14.99) With the Coronation just around […]
Seven cracking wines to raise a glass to at Easter
With the bank holiday weekend just a hop away, this week our Drinks Editor, James Viner, has the sweetest selection of drinks to pair with a classic roast lamb, Good Friday fish and even Easter eggs – or to just simply enjoy with friends and family… Last-minute Easter bubbly Marks & Spencer Found Blanquette […]
Get savvy about Sauvignon Blanc this spring
Times Drinks Editor James Viner welcomes a new crop of aromatic and zesty Sauvignon Blanc… All-conquering dry, simple to recognise, fresh, fabulously aromatic, zesty Sauvignon Blanc, the parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is easily the most well-liked grape variety in the UK. According to NielsenIQ intelligence data, in 2021 we spent nearly £1bn retail (£973m) […]
Raising a glass to the talented female producers this International Women’s Day
As today is International Women’s Day, Times Drinks Editor James Viner selects four wines and a beer made by female drinks makers to mark the event… Officially celebrated for the first time in 1911, International Women’s Day is an event where countries all over the world connect in the celebration of women’s accomplishments. This […]
Quench your thirst with one of these fine Hungarian wines
This week Times Drinks Editor James Viner pays tribute to Hungary’s Furmint grape, which he declares is most probably the tastiest variety you’ve never heard of – until now… Are you aware that this is Furmint February? No? Well now’s your chance to try out the Furmint grape, which is indigenous to Hungary, courtesy […]
