What Burgundy’s famous red grape has in common with Steve Martin, plus a few bottles worth seeking out. It took me a long time to get into Pinot Noir. Starting out, I just didn’t get what the fuss was about. As far as I could tell, Pinot Noir seemed to represent everything that red wine […]

There’s more than one kind of “Grand Cru” in Bordeaux, and they’re not all created equally. Here, Charlie Geoghegan breaks it down. Pick up a bottle of Bordeaux and find the phrase “Grand Cru” staring back at you, and you might reasonably think you’re in for something special. The cream of the crop. You could […]

A peated dram is the favoured choice for many whisky-lovers. But what is peat, and how does it get into whisky? Barbara Drew MW digs in to find out. In the sometimes gloomy depths of winter, there are treats aplenty. Evenings spent close to the radiator, with a good book. Hot chocolate after a brisk […]

Last autumn, we had the great fortune of visiting Campbeltown – the remote fishing town on the west coast of Scotland, and once the whisky capital of the world. With storm clouds gathering overhead, we sought refuge in the three remaining distilleries, delving deeper into the town’s fascinating history of decline and resurgence. Photo credit: Glengyle […]