Category: Miscellaneous

Battle of the sommeliers

The sip-slurping masters of our wine lists do much more than just pour wine. We sent Sophie Thorpe to watch Britain’s finest sommeliers pitched against one another and to find out just what it takes to become the best

Island life: tracking indigenous varieties in Crete

Katherine Dart and Lenka Sedlackova – two intrepid MWs from our Buying team – have just returned from Crete, where they walked and talked amongst the vines at Domaine Lyrarakis – a producer determined to protect the island’s indigenous grapes Crete – with its secluded beaches, archaeological wonders and delicious food – is in many […]

Sir Lunchalot: keeping it cool

In the fourth instalment of our advice column, our in-house Agony Uncle advises on how to keep one’s cool in the heatwave – with tips on chilling bottles to perfection Dear Sir, It is unquestionably, unbearably, un-English-ly hot. I know we shouldn’t complain, but London transport is seething with very damp bodies; the fridge is […]

Under the spotlight: Californian Chardonnay

We put two greats of Californian wine – David Ramey and Jim Clendenen – together to talk all things Chardonnay. Here Sophie McLean shares a little of their conversation On the 24th May 1976, Steven Spurrier revealed to an awe-struck “Parisian” panel, that California – a region traditionally considered as one full of bright, ripe fruit, […]