John Wilson: Two great-value Aldi wines to try from one of my favourite regionsWines for the Weekend: This Encruzado white and Touriga Nacional red are both from Dão, in PortugalFri Oct 07 2022 - 08:30
How to Drink Better: Can I give a screw-cap wine as a gift?How to Drink Better: No reason for complaint if given a quality bottle of screw-cap wineSun Oct 02 2022 - 05:00
Bar 1661 leads the way in cocktails with a poitín punchJohn Wilson: Four poitíns to include in your cocktail kit, all available online or from specialist retailersSat Oct 01 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two well-known wines at very keen prices, both from O’BriensWines for the Weekend: A light, fresh Muscadet, from northwestern France, and an unoaked Rioja, from northeastern SpainFri Sept 30 2022 - 08:44
I’m planning a party for a group of 18-year-olds. What’s a good drinks plan?How to Drink Better: Alcohol and partying teenagers - what are the strength guidelines?Sun Sept 25 2022 - 05:00
As the weather turns cooler, it’s time to change what’s in your glassJohn Wilson: Here are some Italian wines that match the season perfectlySat Sept 24 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two very good, well-priced wines from Lidl’s new autumn line-upWines for the Weekend: One of the best dry Rieslings I’ve tried recently, from Germany, and a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva, from ItalyFri Sept 23 2022 - 08:05
John Wilson: Leftover wine? Here’s how to save it for later without deteriorationHow to Drink Better: there are various gadgets to protect against oxygen and prevent loss of flavourSun Sept 18 2022 - 05:00
Four elegant wines perfect for drinking on cool autumn eveningsJohn Wilson: Garnacha can have high levels of alcohol, giving it a sensation of sweetness even though it is drySat Sept 17 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: You really should try these Albert Glas bargains before SuperValu’s wine sale endsWines for the Weekend: This Riesling Trocken and Pinot Noir are classic examples of their variety, and are very keenly priced tooFri Sept 16 2022 - 08:34
How to Drink Better: When to chill a red wine and warm up a whiteHow to Drink Better: Serving your wines at the correct temperature will make them taste betterSun Sept 11 2022 - 05:00
Wines to conjure up memories of summer in a glassJohn Wilson: Pet Nat are great thirst-quenching wines, best served well chilledSat Sept 10 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two great-value vegan wines from O’Briens to try, a white and a red for €9.95 eachWines for the Weekend: Not all bottles are suitable for vegans or even vegetarians. This pair from Alicante, in Spain, fit the billFri Sept 09 2022 - 08:23
A whiskey of the sea, the land and the fruit: ‘It seems strange, but it really works’John Wilson: Currach Single Malt Whiskey Atlantic Seaweed Cask is unique and deliciousWed Sept 07 2022 - 05:00
Four bargain supermarket wines to ease your September bluesJohn Wilson: We should be thankful that the annual round of supermarket wine sales has startedSat Sept 03 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two Laurent Miquel bargains from Dunnes StoresWines for the Weekend: This Viognier and Faugères are both great value for money — the white exceptionally soFri Sept 02 2022 - 05:00
‘I have been tasting our new whiskey during the week. It’s absolutely wonderful already’John Wilson: Recapturing the taste of old, with the help of a whiskey historianWed Aug 31 2022 - 05:00
A lip-smacking wine to drink with meat, cheese, chops and pizzaJohn Wilson: Many growers and winemakers have learned how to bring out the best in Mencía and now produce some thrilling winesSat Aug 27 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: These Centra wines couldn’t be more different but both are great valueWines for the Weekend: A lightweight Sauvignon Blanc and a heavyweight Rasteau for €20 the pairFri Aug 26 2022 - 09:00
St Mel’s Brewery rolls out the barrel-aged beersJohn Wilson: The Longford craft brewer blends in fresh beer to bring barrel-aged beers back to lifeWed Aug 24 2022 - 05:00
Rueda wakening: Four tantalising Spanish white winesJohn Wilson: Rueda is a region with a long and noble wine history that has only recently been rediscoveredSat Aug 20 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two good-value bottles to try — a white and a red, both from TescoWines for the Weekend: A light, zesty South African Chenin Blanc and a fruity Rioja Crianza, from SpainFri Aug 19 2022 - 08:28
Putting a personal touch on whiskeyJohn Wilson: Virtually every distillery has a cask ownership scheme you can become part ofWed Aug 17 2022 - 05:00
Spanish and Argentinian reds are the perfect match for a late summer barbecueJohn Wilson: If I am cooking beef or lamb, I hanker for a full-bodied red wineSat Aug 13 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Move over, prosecco! Here are two bottles perfect for a mini celebration or summer barbecueWines for the Weekend: A fairly posh sparkler and and an elegant glass of fizzFri Aug 12 2022 - 07:00
Dead Centre brewing up a storm this year with release of 13 limited-edition beers so farAnother Round: Athlone brewery is working on a stout – ‘like a pink pint of Guinness’ – and German-style beers for upcoming eventsWed Aug 10 2022 - 06:00
Rosés in full bloom for hot weather drinkingHere are 10 very different rosés to serve on every conceivable occasion this summerWed Aug 10 2022 - 05:00
Sunshine wine: Four Loire bottles for perfect summer drinkingJohn Wilson: The white wines share refreshing acidity and fruitiness, while the reds are elegant and lightSat Aug 06 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two summer rosés from Aldi to add some sparkle to the holiday season Wines for the Weekend: The first bottle is an organic prosecco, the second a Ventoux, from northern ProvenceFri Aug 05 2022 - 11:00
12 Acres Brewing: The four brothers crafting beer in Co LaoisAnother Round: The McDonald family had been growing barley for generations, so brewing beer seemed like a natural moveWed Aug 03 2022 - 05:00
Four Portuguese red wines to try this summerJohn Wilson: The quality and range have increased massively over the last decade, with some truly innovative producersSat Jul 30 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: These two wines are full of flavour but not too high in alcoholWines for the Weekend: An Argentinian Chardonnay and a New Zealand Pinot Noir, both from LidlFri Jul 29 2022 - 11:00
Light and refreshing cocktails for the long weekendTraditional sangria is made with red wine but these days people also make it with white, rosé or sparkling wineThu Jul 28 2022 - 05:00
Hagstravaganza: 100 new beers to try at this Sligo festivalAnother Round: Breweries from around the world with food and live musicWed Jul 27 2022 - 06:00
John Wilson: Two good-value Argentinian wines to try, including a Malbec — but it’s not a red Wines for the Weekend: Both of these bottles — a white and a rosé — are from Tesco, with reductions if you have a ClubcardFri Jul 22 2022 - 05:00
Micro-distillery has a taste of Tipperary in its bottlesJohn Wilson: Each whiskey has a QR code, with details of the barley field, weather, distillation and maturation of each barrelWed Jul 20 2022 - 06:00
Is this the most perfect summer wine of all? John Wilson: Sitting out on a warm sunny evening, I can think of no other drink I would rather have in front of meTue Jul 19 2022 - 13:15
Red wines of summer: Four light, bright and breezy bottles John Wilson: Planning a staycation? Include some summer reds alongside your rosés and white winesSat Jul 16 2022 - 06:00
John Wilson: Two light, summery bottles from Dunnes Stores, each with 20% offWines for the Weekend: A rosé from the reinventor of this style, plus a well-made but inexpensive Pinot NoirFri Jul 15 2022 - 11:08
Alcohol-free craft beer from the Quiet Noise breweryJohn Wilson: This brewery is one of a kind in Ireland, producing an alcohol-free pilsner, lager and pale aleWed Jul 13 2022 - 06:00
A seasonal taste of Venice and Milan John Wilson: Time for a spritzer or spritz? An Italian and great warm-weather drinkSat Jul 09 2022 - 06:00
Full-flavoured Donegal whiskeys that ‘challenge without scaring you’The Midnight Silkie won two gold awards at the San Francisco World Spirits CompetitionWed Jul 06 2022 - 06:00
Wine on the 4th of July: Four great American bottles for Independence DayInexpensive Californian wine is still very popular here, but there are very high-quality wines available tooSat Jul 02 2022 - 06:00
Light white wines that are great for summerAs a fresh crisp dry wine, Pinot Blanc is an ideal partner for all kinds of fish and salad dishesSat Jun 25 2022 - 06:00
Go for gold: Blended whiskey with a complex nose and a rich, smooth palateLimited to 3,000 cases, this whiskey celebrates the 135th anniversary of a collaboration between Mitchell & Son and JamesonSat Jun 25 2022 - 06:00
John Wilson: New Zealand wine bargains for under a tenner at LidlWines for the Weekend: These contents of these two bottles are very different members of the Pinot familyFri Jun 24 2022 - 11:10
Kinnegar makes waves at World Beer Cup in MinneapolisIrish-made Black Bucket rye IPA takes one of 103 gold awards from 10,542 entriesWed Jun 22 2022 - 06:00
Rieslings for when there is no R in the monthJohn Wilson: Look beyond Germany for excellent examples of this versatile wine that ages wellSat Jun 18 2022 - 06:00
