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Comfort Food and Wine Pairings: Five Cosy Dishes Worth Pouring a Glass For
There are few things better than a proper comfort-food dinner. A bubbling pie straight from the oven, a generous helping of lasagne or beans on toast made just that little bit more special. And while these dishes are perfectly happy in their own company, the right bottle of wine can make them even better. The trick is finding a wine that works with the flavours on your plate. Sometimes that means choosing something with enough acidity to cut through rich, buttery pastry. Othe

James Ward
6 hours ago5 min read


Best Wines For Christmas - A Guide To Christmas Day Sipping
Christmas day is always a day when we let ourselves indulge. Dessert for breakfast? Ok! A sneaky tipple before midday? Don’t mind if I do. However, there’s indulging for the sake of it and there’s actually being strategic. Welcome to our guide to Christmas day sipping. 7am: Wake up, prep the turkey and enjoy a buck’s fizz. There’s nothing like an early morning sharpener and buck’s fizz is such a decadent classic. If you’re one of those bougie lot then we permit you to make a

James Ward
Nov 23 min read


Wine & Spicy Food: No-Go or Can It Work?
There’s a bit of a myth that spicy food and wine simply don’t mix. And, to be fair, if you’ve ever paired a fiery curry with a big, boozy red and wondered why your mouth suddenly feels like it’s on fire, you’re not imagining it. But the problem isn’t wine. It’s choosing the wrong wine. The trick with spicy food is to think about alcohol, sweetness and freshness. Chilli contains capsaicin, which creates that familiar burning sensation, and alcohol can make that sensation feel

James Ward
Oct 142 min read


Wine Pairings That Work: Why Pork Belly and Riesling Changed My Life
There are some food and wine pairings that just make sense. You take a bite, have a sip, and suddenly wonder why you haven't been doing it your whole life. Pork belly and Riesling is one of those pairings. At first it might not seem like the obvious combination. Pork belly is rich, fatty and full of flavour, and Riesling has got a bad reputation for always being sweet and nasty (which is simply untrue). So, why does pork belly work so well with Riesling? The golden rule here

James Ward
Aug 122 min read


The Best Wines to Pair With Fish: Five Classic Matches That Always Work
People often say "white wine with fish" and leave it at that. But that's a bit like saying "red wine with meat" it's not exactly wrong, but it misses out on some of the finer details. The truth is that different fish have completely different textures and flavours. An oily fillet of salmon needs something entirely different to a delicate sea bass, while a perfectly battered fish and chips deserves a pairing that's a little more celebratory for your Friday takeaway. Whether yo

James Ward
Jul 34 min read


Move Over Whispering Angel, There's a New Rosé In Town! Chateau Sainte Roseline Cuvee Prestige
So, I don't know about you but I am so sick and tired of hearing the words 'Whispering Angel'. Do not get me wrong, Chateau d'Esclans is a great winery and their portfolio extends way beyond this one particular wine but... fucking hell, can we stop shagging this wine? It's not that good. Apologies for my tone, but I'm fed up of influencer culture perpetuating this wine to be anything other than what it actually is... average. That's not to say I dislike (WA) Whispering Angel.
james761069
Jun 93 min read


Advantages of Supporting Local Wine Merchants UK
When we think about buying wine, many of us automatically turn to big supermarkets or online giants. But there’s something truly special about choosing to support local wine merchants UK. These independent shops offer more than just bottles on shelves. They bring us closer to the heart of wine culture, help small producers thrive, and make our wine experiences richer and more personal. Let’s explore why shopping with local wine merchants UK is a fantastic choice for anyone wh
james761069
Jun 85 min read


Which Wines Pair Best With Minted Lamb Shank?
When I got my first restaurant job back in 2005, I couldn't help but salivate when I brought lamb shank to people's tables. It looked and smelled delicious. Since then, it's always been a favourite of mine and I recently joined my friend Marco at his restaurant 'Piccolo' in Gatley, Manchester. As soon as I saw the lamb shank on the menu, I knew I was having that. Minted lamb shank is one of those dishes that feels both rustic and regal — slow‑braised, deeply savoury, and lif
james761069
Jan 62 min read


Get Ahead Of The Game This Christmas!
Tis The Season For Wine Tastings! Pre-Order Our Best Festive Box Yet! Our festive luxury boxes are now available to pre-order now. They’re genuinely our best yet as they incorporate wines from some of our favourite producers, with whom we have fantastic personal relationships with. We were literally at Maison Brotte last week! See below for more info on our festive packs and other great Christmas gifts, including info on our upcoming tastings!*Festive items will be available
james761069
Oct 28, 20252 min read


Officina del Sole: The Hidden Gem of Le Marche
Discover Officina del Sole Leïe Passeina Sauvignon, a vibrant white from Italy’s Marche region. This expressive blend combines crisp citrus, tropical fruit, and elegant minerality. Perfect for pairing with seafood or light pasta, it’s an inviting wine that captures summer in a glass. Read on to explore tasting notes, food matches, and the craftsmanship behind this unique bottling.

James Ward
Sep 8, 20254 min read


Spotlight On: Domaine Rois Mages Rully Les Cailloux
Discover the story behind Domaine Rois Mages, a family-run estate in Burgundy’s Rully region. Led by winemaker Félix, the domaine crafts elegant Pinot Noir that captures the soul of its “Les Cailloux” vineyard — a plot named for its pebble-rich limestone soils. Silky, juicy, and complex, this exquisite wine reflects both heritage and the unique Rully terroir.

James Ward
Feb 14, 20253 min read


Carbonara & Catarratto | The Ultimate Wine And Pasta Pairing
Creamy, peppery carbonara deserves a wine that lifts rather than overwhelms. Enter Catarratto, Sicily’s crisp and zesty white, here blended with Pinot Grigio for freshness and balance. Its citrus notes cut through the richness of pancetta, cheese, and egg, creating a pairing that turns a comforting classic into something truly special.

James Ward
May 3, 20213 min read
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