Top tipples for Christmas
In his monthly column, Alex Greig from Fuggles bars and the Bottle Shop in Camden Road reveals his top festive drinks… We’ve been lucky enough to try some wonderful drinks this year – and Christmas is a perfect time to treat yourself (or a friend) to something a bit special. From dark and rich […]
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 […]
Pop one of these corks on Champagne Day this Friday…
This coming Friday, October 28, is Global Champagne Day. What better excuse do you need to say ‘cheers’ with some first-class fizz? asks Times drinks editor James Viner. France’s iconic fizz is pricey but dizzyingly celebratory. Peter the Great seemingly took four bottles of the stuff to bed every night, and rapper Jay-Z adored […]
Why Chardonnay wines have such grape expectations…
This week Times Wine Editor James Viner discovers four tasty and refreshing bottles of the massively popular Chardonnay, one of the world’s most widely-cultivated white wine grapes… Unlike Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay has relatively subtle aromas and flavours – dry white grape, growing and ripening without a struggle in a range of climates. High-quality (but […]
Some of London’s finest craft beer brewers available to discover right on your doorstep
In his monthly specialist beer column, Alex Greig from the Fuggles bar and bottle shop on Camden Road profiles the Pressure Drop Brewing Company… Founded nine years ago in a Hackney garden shed, Pressure Drop have firmly established themselves as one of London’s finest craft breweries. Over the years we’ve journeyed with them as […]
Going Out Guide September 28-October 4
HALLOWEEN draws an enormous spiderweb over stately homes, farms and country parks alike, this October half term. There’s a special service on the Spa Valley Railway on October 29-30, with Dr Frankenslime journeying into insanity aboard the steam-hauled Trick or Treat Express service. He is trying to build himself a bride, but if you somehow […]
