Blog

This week I continue my journey through the beautiful countryside of Mezzogiorno - Southern Italy... Travelling west, and slightly north of Basilicata, we reach Campania, home of Italy’s capital of th...

I’ve dug out of the cellar six vintages of one of my favourite Bordeaux estates – Château Picque Caillou – which presents a probably never-to-be-repeated opportunity for a vertical tasting.  For less...

With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, it’s the ideal time to explore the world of Italian fizz. The quality and diversity of Italian bubbles makes it easy to discover a whole n...

Ruggeri, Prosecco Brut Quartese DOCG NV   A bubbly to toast the last week of our Italian promotion, and just in time for the tasting Saturday this weekend too! Take a look at the press reviews b...

Lamb – you don’t get much more ‘Easter’ than that, do you? But rather than serve with the traditional Sunday roast accompaniments, I find that an old fashioned ratatouille is the perfect match at thi...

The March issue of Italia! magazine included two Great Western Wine reds from southern Italy’s Puglia region. Their “Discovery of the month” was Papale Oro Primitivo di Manduria, Varvaglione 2012: “W...

Can wine go with chocolate? Can two indulgent, much-loved products marry? Or is this the marriage made in hell? Chocolate and wine – probably two of the items hitting the top of the list of indulgent...

The Marche is a region of central Italy that was previously ignored in favour of neighbouring Abruzzo. The red Montepulciano of the aforementioned Abruzzo has long been the staple house wine of many a...

Planeta Alastro 2013, Italy   The Planeta family’s winemaking adventure began in the mid 1980s through the ambition of Francesca, Santi and Alessio Planeta. This 95% Grecanico, 5% Fiano blend is...

If you're looking for the perfect Monday night recipe, or perhaps a St.Patrick's Day treat - this tried and tested seafood chowder is definitely one to try.  Relatively quick, and easily put together,...

Olly Smith’s column this weekend featured three wines that are available through Great Western Wine – a fizz, a rosé and a red – what a hat trick! Olly was on board P&O Cruises’ new ship Britann...

There’s a land of hazy sun, heat and azure skies that shimmers south of Rome – it’s known as Mezzogiorno (meaning the half day), because of the heat of the midday sun. It’s one of my favourite parts o...