Drinks to adore on Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air, so with Valentine’s Day coming up on February 14 (next Tuesday), Times Drinks Editor James Viner has rounded up six enchanting wines and a luxurious creamy liqueur that are certain to put you in the mood for romance… Whether you’re planning to treat your loved one by celebrating at […]
It’s whisky a go-go for Burns Night…
This week, Times Drinks Editor James Viner recommends a fine selection of Scotch whiskies that are perfect for a traditional Burns Night celebration which falls on the evening of Wednesday January 25… Falling on Robert Burns’ birthday in 1759, Burns Night is when lovers of Scotland’s most famous poet and son, congregate to celebrate […]
Toast this month’s Veganuary with these vegan approved drinks
Raising a glass to 2023 and this month’s ‘Veganuary’ movement, Times Drinks Editor, James Viner discovers four flavourful vegan-friendly tipples… Reflecting the growing popularity of plant-based eating, vegan drinks are now increasingly in demand. There are many wines that are suitable for vegans since they are made without the use of animal-derived products which […]
Seasonal tipples to toast Christmas and the New Year ahead…
Having sipped through hundreds of bottles at the capital’s myriad autumnal tastings – and ever keen to spot a bargain – our Drinks Editor James Viner is dreaming of an appetising red wine Christmas. Here are six of his top seasonal picks that won’t break the bank – and a fab fizz to see in […]
Top of the pops
Sparkling wine has that magical quality of turning any moment into something really special, so it’s worth keeping a bottle or two on standby at this time of year. But instead of immediately reaching for French, Italian or Spanish varieties, how about enjoying a flute of fizz from one of our many brilliant local wineries? […]
Uncork one of these classic whites for Christmas…
It’s official, the big day is less than three weeks away but if you’re uncertain which festive wines to stock on for the Christmas period then let Times Drinks Editor James Viner be your guide… From a great-value Spanish buy to a splash-out Austrian magnum, your industrious, spittoon-serving Times wine correspondent has diligently sifted […]
It’s only Rioja and roll… but I like it!
This week, Times Drinks Editor James Viner uncorks a trio of flavourful wines from the famous Rioja, Spain’s leading fine wine region… Located in northern Spain, Rioja DOC is Spain’s most famous wine region and runs for 100km of vinous diversity in a north-west to a south-east direction along the path of the River […]
Say ‘salud’ to this trio of sparkling Cava wines from Catalonia
Ahead of ‘Cava Discovery Week’, which runs from November 25 to December 4, Times Drinks Editor James Viner raises a glass to celebrate Spain’s most extraordinary sparkling wine… In 1972 Cava became enshrined in Spanish law as a protected appellation for fizzy wines made by the method where the secondary fermentation (which creates the […]
Pass the port – the perfect winter warmer that’s not just for Christmas
With the onset of winter – and the festive season fast approaching – Times Drinks Editor James Viner says it’s time to pass the port. Here are six of his favourite fortified wines from Portugal’s sun-baked north-eastern Douro region… All port is fortified to an alcoholic strength between 19–22% abv. The vast majority of […]
Oh, sherry amour! Let’s raise a toast to National Sherry Week
This week Times Drinks Editor James Viner toasts the ninth International Sherry Week (November 7-13) – the annual fiesta that brings together the lively global community of ardent sherry lovers – with a selection of four sherries that won’t drain your wallet… Possibly Spain’s most individual wine, food-friendly sherry is made in the region […]
