Sicily’s rich tapestry of local wine varieties is full of surprisesLots of sun and low incidence of diseases make Sicily perfect for vine growing and the largest organic vineyard in EuropeSat Jan 11 2025 - 05:00
Where to go for an overseas mini-break taking in wine tastings and good foodHow to Drink Better: Prioritise cities with short direct flights from Ireland, and at most a short connecting train journeyFri Jan 10 2025 - 05:00
Two wines to try: An easy-drinking Italian white and a light, juicy red from ArgentinaWines for the Weekend: Marks & Spencer offers a great range of interesting, well-priced winesFri Jan 10 2025 - 00:00
Which wines age best, and what is the oldest you have tried?How to Drink Better: While most wine has a shelf life of just a few years, some wines do have the ability to age for decades and still taste goodSun Jan 05 2025 - 05:00
Natural drinks for dry January with added gut benefitsKombucha is probiotic and rich in antioxidants, with one Galway-based operation going from strength to strengthSat Jan 04 2025 - 05:00
Two alcohol-free beers for the dry January wagonA new Wicklow Wolf and an extra pale ale from Fierce Mild Brewing , both at 0.5% abv, that don’t compromise on flavourFri Jan 03 2025 - 05:00
Revealed: Ireland’s favourite wine and the most popular wine originsHow to Drink Better: The Irish Wine Market Report for 2023 tells us a lot about our drinking tastes, with a few surprises thrown inSun Dec 22 2024 - 05:00
Christmas digestifs: buckle up for the strong stuff once dinner is donePort and dessert wines are always delicious options but don’t miss some of the best drinks from Irish producersSat Dec 21 2024 - 05:00
Two wines to try over Christmas, now on special at SuperValuWines for the Weekend: A medium-bodied Chardonnay that pairs perfectly with salmon or turkey, and a rich Bordeaux that complements roast red meatsFri Dec 20 2024 - 05:00
John Wilson: The ultimate gift guide for the wine-lover in your lifeHow to Drink Better: It is always better to buy one bottle of good wine than three or four average bottlesSun Dec 15 2024 - 06:00
Classic wines to serve with your Christmas dinnerStarting with bubbles invariably puts everyone in the mood, after which these perennial favourites will go down wellSat Dec 14 2024 - 06:00
Three make-ahead cocktails and one mocktail that will add punch to any Christmas partyHow to Drink Better: These ‘fridge door’ cocktails are perfect to make ahead of timeFri Dec 13 2024 - 05:00
Refreshing and dry wines from Italy’s Gavi regionWines for the Weekend: A Chianti and a Gavi from Tesco to enjoy over ChristmasFri Dec 13 2024 - 05:00
Some wine bottles have labels with scores. What do they mean?How to Drink Better: Scores can be a useful aid to buying wine, but remember they are often based on the opinion of one personSun Dec 08 2024 - 04:30
Christmas dinner wines to get the table talkingDare to be different this year with these alternatives to the tried and trusted favourites - you won’t be disappointedSat Dec 07 2024 - 05:00
Some less expensive bottles of wine can lack flavour, but not this oneWines for the Weekend: These two Italian wines from Aldi offer great value for moneyFri Dec 06 2024 - 05:00
Alcohol-free drinks to celebrate and that won’t seem like an afterthoughtHow to Drink Better: While decent alcohol-free sparkling wines are out there, there are great cider and craft beer versions worth trying tooSun Dec 01 2024 - 05:00
Festive fizz for every budget to get the party startedCrémant and Cava – made in a similar manner to Champagne – can offer great valueSat Nov 30 2024 - 05:00
If you like refreshing unoaked whites and quality reds, try theseWines for the Weekend: Both wines this week are new to Lidl and are on special offer - while stocks lastFri Nov 29 2024 - 05:00
Wines for Christmas party season: What should I serve, and are there non-alcoholic options?You should over-order even if it means you have leftovers, writes John WilsonSat Nov 23 2024 - 05:00
Two French wines that could come in handy in the run-up to ChristmasWines for the Weekend: Typically Picpoul is light and refreshing while the Bordeaux can sometimes seem a little austereFri Nov 22 2024 - 05:00
What are the best wines to choose for a table when entertaining guests in a restaurant?How to Drink Better: It’s a challenge ordering for a mixed group of diners, but there are versatile wines that will always work wellSun Nov 17 2024 - 05:00
New Irish whiskeys that would make great Christmas giftsEmbrace the spirit of the season with these new releases across all budgetsSat Nov 16 2024 - 05:00
Two perennial classic wines at the right priceWines for the Weekend: A chenin blanc and an organic Corbieres are two of the best from South AfricaFri Nov 15 2024 - 05:00
What is the difference between organic, biodynamic, vegan and sustainable wines?How to Drink Better: Organic and biodynamic wines cost more to produce and are generally a little more expensiveSun Nov 10 2024 - 05:00
The future of wine is flatpack and boxed, but will it be drinkable? Packaging and transport accounts for 40% of a winery’s climate emissionsSat Nov 09 2024 - 05:00
Two German wines that are a little bit more expensive, but certainly worth itWines for the Weekend: This Reisling and Pinot Noir are the ones to go for when on promotionFri Nov 08 2024 - 05:00
The Irish wine makers: ‘It is a miracle. Last year we got the same volume as growers in the north of Italy’There are a growing number of vineyards in Ireland, small in scale but big in ambition as global climate change forces the focus away from warmer climesTue Nov 05 2024 - 08:33
Help! I’ve been invited to a wine tasting. What do I do?How to Drink Better: If you’re wary of the spittoon, do pour out any wine you don’t want to finishSun Nov 03 2024 - 05:00
Can I add ice to wine and how can I avoid hangovers? John Wilson answers 50 popular questions about wineIs a screwcap naff? Is orange wine made from oranges? Do decanters make a difference? Our wine critic addresses common concerns of budding oenophilesSat Nov 02 2024 - 05:00
Award-winning wines to try from neighbourhood off-licencesEach of this week’s wines won Gold Stars in the recent National Off-Licence Association awardsSat Nov 02 2024 - 05:00
Two rich, warming Spanish wines at a great priceWines for the Weekend: Toro is a region in northern Spain, known for producing big powerful red winesFri Nov 01 2024 - 05:00
How can you tell if a wine is off when offered a drop to taste in a restaurant?How to Drink Better: I have never found sniffing the cork to be of any use, but others swear by itSun Oct 27 2024 - 05:00
Portuguese wines: a winning combination of value and excitementBeyond the colourful labels of fruity Lisboa wines, Portugal has a lot to offerSat Oct 26 2024 - 05:00
John Wilson: A classic Bordeaux and a lesser-known Loire Valley white Wines for the Weekend: These two French wines are great value for money and good to drinkFri Oct 25 2024 - 05:00
The cooking wine rule: if you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with itHow to Drink Better: It’s best not to use the cheapest bottle of plonkSun Oct 20 2024 - 05:00
The sherry revival: Not just the preserve of dowager auntsThere is a growing array of fantastic choices, with a group of small producers releasing thrilling winesSat Oct 19 2024 - 05:00
John Wilson: Rich and warming wines for colder eveningsWines for the Weekend: These two wines from the south of France are made from the Grenache grape varietyFri Oct 18 2024 - 05:00
Great wines from the world’s largest vineyard for less than €20La Mancha is perhaps better known as the land of Don Quixote, but its limestone soils and arid climate are perfect for growing grapesSat Oct 12 2024 - 05:00
I want to start drinking red wine but have no idea where to startHow to Drink Better: It is a good idea to start with lighter wines that are lower in alcohol and work your way upFri Oct 11 2024 - 06:00
John Wilson: Lidl stocks up on elegant, flavoursome wines from south of the equatorWines for the weekend: Four new Sauvignon Blancs and a couple of tasty MalbecsThu Oct 10 2024 - 05:00
John Wilson: Are half price wines really half price?How to Drink Better: The margins for importers and retailers don’t leave room for great discounts, only the biggest retailers can make the most special offersSun Oct 06 2024 - 05:00
Time to embrace those richer autumnal red winesThe excellent hazelnuts, truffles, porcini and wines of Italy’s Piemonte region epitomise autumn’s rich bountySat Oct 05 2024 - 05:00
Two very different French wines under €15 well worth samplingWines for the Weekend: A crisp and fresh dry sauvignon blanc and a warming, ripe full-bodied redFri Oct 04 2024 - 05:00
Are expensive wines always better than cheap ones?How to Drink Better: Any difference after €30 is likely to be marginalSun Sept 29 2024 - 05:00
Four white wines that work well with hearty autumnal food Served blind, some of these textured white wines could pass as a red if served at room temperatureSat Sept 28 2024 - 05:00
French wine sale offers plenty to choose fromWines for the Weekend: Two whites that are perfectly good to drink on their own but also pair well with lighter dishesFri Sept 27 2024 - 05:00
If wine vintage is so important then why isn’t it always on the label?How to Drink Better: There are very few really bad vintages and far less variation from one year to the nextSun Sept 22 2024 - 05:00
Look beyond Sancerre and Marlborough for quality sauvignon blancIt’s worth trying these atypical sauvignon blancs that still deliver the vibrant and refreshing character that makes it so popularSat Sept 21 2024 - 05:00
Well-priced wines from France and South Africa for bargain huntersWines for the Weekend: Unoaked white and spicy red available in TescoFri Sept 20 2024 - 06:00
