Jane MacQuitty indulges in a spot of armchair shopping, Jancis Robinson learns where not to mention the 'S' word and Tim Aktin enjoys "seventy-five centilitres of fun" with some Sauvignon this week. Meanwhile for those with cash to flash, Antony Rose's column makes for inspiring reading...
Read more...Jonathan Ray and Jancis Robinson MW are both out and about, meeting a Canadian conductor and a "chameleon" French wine consultant respectively. Closer to home, Victoria Moore makes a surprising discovery when investigating the impact of the credit crunch on British wine buying habits, whilst Tim Aktin MW battles the ring roads and office blocks of Stevenage to sample some of the Wine Society's finest tipples.
Read more...With the summer behind us, so too this week is talk of suitable wines for the warm weather. Jancis Robinson, back from her summer holiday, has a last word of advice on seasonal tipples, but for the most part the wine writers are turning their attentions to other matters. Jonathan Ray gives us his run down of the UK's top wine schools, Victoria Moore has her patience tried out by a good Bordeaux and Anthony Rose indulges in a spot of Tesco's finest.
Read more...Jane MacQuitty has been getting busy with her cocktail shaker, Victoria Moore has been indulging in a spot of wine blogging, and Jonathan Ray has been on a trip to one of Chile's most exciting prospects, the Limarí region. Meanwhile, for those of us still holding out for some late summer sun, Joanna Simon has dug out some perfect picnic picks, whilst Tim Atkin raves about Riesling.
Read more...Tim Atkin has been firing up the barbeque, Jamie Goode has been getting stuck into biodynamic wines and Andrew Jefford has been seeking out some hidden gems in Romania. Meanwhile, the Nicholas chain of wine stores take a battering from Jane MacQuitty and Anthony Rose investigates the "vineyard virus" of South Africa.
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Magners Irish Cider is launching the UK's first ever mid strength cider product, containing half the alcohol content of Magners Original.
Read more...Summer is in full swing this week, with Tim Atkin MW getting into the holiday spirit, Jane MacQuitty going on the hunt for the perfect summer red and Jamie Goode giving his run down of the best wines to enjoy in the warm weather.
Read more...Jane MacQuitty sings the praises of fino and manzanilla, Joanna Simon discusses her spittoon technique, Anthony Rose visits Cahors and Tim Atkins gets busy with his wand.
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Coors Light have put ice-cold, Rocky Mountain refreshment at the forefront of their latest advertising campaign with the launch of new look 'cold activated' packaging.
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InBev UK is helping independent retailers generate incremental beer business - with the launch of price-marked promotional packs on key brands including Stella Artois, Beck's and Tennent's Lager.
Read more...Tim Atkin MW weighs up the recent head-to-head between Broadbent and Parker, Anthony Rose says Chile has a lot to smile about and Jamie Goode admits he is partial to a sweet wine or two.
Read more...Anthony Rose is on Chile this week and how the ready supply of mountain water gives it the edge over Australia. His choices include the consumer friendly 2007 Viognier Cono Sur (£4.99, Somerfield) with its "peachy aromas and fresh finish" and the biodynamic 2005 Chardonnay Corralillo (£9.99, M&S), which is "rich in vanilla fudge aromas and fruit flavours". When it comes to Shiraz, Chile also has one over its New World rivals and is "capable of a more amenable and refreshing alternative".
Read more...Jancis Robinson MW is addressing the stigma associated with German wines this week.
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Cobra Beer has been awarded a GRAMIA for its new packaging design on its Cobra 5% Premium beer at the Grocery Advertising & Marketing Industry Awards 2008.
Read more..."Rosé, once the poor relation of the wine world, has become the toast of it in less time than it takes to mature a fine red," says Joanna Simon. The drink's image overhaul has seen it move from "naff, tasteless and effeminate" to "classless, ageless and sexless," she adds. And if you're thinking pink you should consider buying the 2007 Crow's Landing Cabernet Shiraz Rosé (£4.25, Co-op) with "bouncy, ripe briary fruit".
Read more...Jamie Goode has a sweet tooth this week to partner some classic summer puddings. The Moscato Freisa (£6.99, M&S) is the "perfect" accompaniment to strawberries and lunch parties. The man from the Sunday Express also recommends the "delicious" 2004 Chateau Haur Bergeron Sauternes (£9 half bottle, Asda) with "flavours of herbs, dried fruit, apricot, citrus peel and spice".
Read more...Victoria Moore is on Soave and how in the past, the varietal became a "synonym for neutral and insipid". However, this is no longer the case, she adds, with the grape doing much "rowing back" from its reputation of old. The pick of her four choices with 4.5 stars out of five is the 2006 Soave Classico Inama Vin (£9.99, Majestic), which is rich without being a "blunderbuss".
Read more...August's most pressing question is where to find the best Sauvignon Blanc, says Susy Atkins. Her top tip is that "only those from 2007 (very sparkly and bright) or 2006 (a little softer, more mellow) should make it into your fridge this August". Recommendations include the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Montana (£6.49, Tesco) and the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Leyda (£8.25, Great Western Wine), which is spot on with "soft goat's cheese and ripe tomatoes".
Read more...Tim Atkin MW is weighing up the recent heavyweight tasting bout between the "quintessential pinstriped Englishman" Michael Broadbent and the "slightly vulgar American" Robert Parker. Bordeaux provided the battle ground with Broadbent favouring "reds with higher acidity, subtle oak and more tannin" while Parker prefers "big, plush, ripely textured numbers with lots of new wood". What did Atkins ultimately feel of Parker and Broadbent's tasting notes? "Much to my surprise, I found myself agreeing with the former far more often than the latter."
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Brand Independence Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Tiger Beer UK as exclusive UK distributors for their premium Baltic beer 'Viru'.
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