As we approach World Carménère Day, wine writer Amanda Barnes regales the grape’s remarkable history, detailing its path from near extinction to rapidly becoming Chile’s signature grape There’s more than one grape variety that has played hide and seek under the folds of time, but perhaps none has done it quite as spectacularly as Carménère. Although […]

Ahead of Guy Fawkes Night with its flurry of bonfires and fireworks displays, Buying Assistant Oliver Barton introduces a suitably warming selection of wood-smoke-friendly wines It’s time to get out the thick coats, gloves and scarves, to keep ourselves warm on cold evenings and – on the night of the 5th of November – to […]

Confirmed Italophile Chris Pollington looks back on his vinous journey, from first taste of Tuscany to a quest for the new and unusual, singing the praises of his current grape of choice: Aglianico, the South’s answer to Nebbiolo. It’s now over 30 years since I took my first wine exam and almost 20 years since […]

The prestigious house of Lustau has long been making exceptional Sherries but is best known for pioneering “almacenistas”. Here, Felipe Carvallo reports on his trip to Lustau’s bodega in Jerez, and on to two of their almacenistas. There aren’t a great number of activities that make a 4am trip to Stansted airport seem like an […]