Alan's Wine of theWeek
Laura | 3 Sep 2015
Bogle Phantom 2011 Three distinctive varietals that combine lush berry and fierce spice into this wine. Deeply luscious and succulent blackberries, aromas of anise and sweet fig are embraced by touch...
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Laura | 26 Aug 2015
J.Lohr, Wildflower, Valdigue 2014 This wine is vibrant and red-purple in color with bright aromas of boysenberry, Bing cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. The fruit complexion on the palate is equally...
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Laura | 19 Aug 2015
Antu Ninquén Syrah 2013 Deep, brooding, inky purple in colour with a developed, aromatic nose dominated by ripe black fruits and smoky oak. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, dripping with s...
Read moreAn evening with Howard Park at Allium Restaurant
Laura | 18 Aug 2015
Great Western Wine and Allium Restaurant run some pretty good wine dinners, and I’ve been lucky enough to attend most of them. However, the prospect of a combination of Chris Staines’ magic culinary t...
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Laura | 12 Aug 2015
Heartland Stickleback Red, South Austrailia 2012 Fragrant, spicy, juicy and full bodied. A rich violet / purple colour. Chocolate spice and black fruit characters of cherry and plum on the pal...
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Laura | 6 Aug 2015
Eidosela Albariño Rias Baixas 2014 Full of evocative summery flavours: apricots, honeysuckle and juicy white peaches. Wonderful sense of lightness; fresh and refreshing, yet with no shortage of inten...
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Laura | 29 Jul 2015
Carrick Sauvignon Blanc, Central Otago 2012 Aromas of fresh peas and fenugreek leaves mix with a brilliant sense of minerality. Drinking deliciously right now: over recent months, it's acquired a sil...
Read moreIt's barbecue season - so what are the right wines?
Laura | 23 Jul 2015
Barbecue season is well and truly upon us, and we Brits are stalwarts – once that Webber is out in the garden neither rain, nor wind will stop us enjoying our summer barbies - even huddled under umbre...
Read moreAlan's Wine of the Week: Dry Riesling, Chateau Ste Michelle 2013
Laura | 22 Jul 2015
Dry Riesling, Chateau Ste Michelle 2013 Produced by Chateau Ste. Michelle, the founding winery of Washington State, this cool climate Riesling is made in a crisp, dry, refreshing style with mouth-wa...
Read moreHoliday wine made easy...
Laura | 16 Jul 2015
According to consumer research by a number of travel companies, over 45% of us are planning a holiday in the UK this summer, with the South-West of England sharing the top popularity spot with Scotlan...
Read moreAlan's Wine of the Week - Braucol, Domaine Vigné-Lourac
Laura | 15 Jul 2015
Braucol, Domaine Vigné-Lourac Sumptuous plummy perfume. Ripe, almost squishy, blackberries in the mouth. Forward and easy to like; velevety tannin. Good, simple, honest enjoyment. Regular price: £8.9...
Read moreUnderstanding wine jargon - hot, cold, new, old - what does it all mean?
Laura | 14 Jul 2015
Wine tastings, wine notes, wine columns and winemaker speeches are continuously peppered with phrases such as “New World’, ‘Old World’, ‘cool climate’, ‘altitude’, ‘hot climate’, and such like. But w...
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