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I send two emails a week sharing wines I've been tasting, new discoveries from independent growers, and occasional stories from the vineyards.
Lifestyle & Opinion
Read lifestyle contributions and opinion pieces from wine writers and professionals. Thought provoking content from around the world of wine
Chilled Red Wine: Five Red Wines Worth Serving Cool
Lifestyle & Opinion
Chilled red wine has become one of the biggest wine trends of recent years, but there is nothing new about the idea. Across Europe, lighter reds have long...
The Best Independent Markets in the South West
Lifestyle & Opinion
High streets have had a difficult few decades. Familiar names have disappeared, online shopping has changed the way we buy almost everything, and many...
Spring Wine, Evolution, not Revolution
Lifestyle & Opinion
According to the weather station at Exeter Airport, it had rained every day for sixty days at the start of 2026. Which made the first clear Saturday the...
Valentine’s Day Wine: Three Romantic Bottles Worth Opening
Lifestyle & Opinion
Valentine’s Day has a habit of making people panic. Suddenly there’s pressure to book a table, buy flowers that will wilt by Monday, or to open a...
Forget Dry January, drink better instead
Lifestyle & Opinion
Rebecca Pitcairn thinks giving up alcohol at this time of year is a mistake. Dry January feels set up for failure.
6 red wines for winter you need in your glass
Lifestyle & Opinion
I don’t know about you, but now the days are shorter, and the air has taken on a cool crispness, I long for red wines for winter, something rich...
6 Wines to Try for English Wine Week
Lifestyle & Opinion
If you’re a wine enthusiast living in the UK and haven’t tried an English wine by now, where have you been? Our home-grown producers –...
Wine and health, moderation is key
Lifestyle & Opinion
In this article I will consider the link between wine and health. I will share some health facts about wine that devotees of the Neo-Prohibitionists...
The best dessert wines to try this Christmas
Lifestyle & Opinion
What are the best dessert wines to try? Aside from mixing a port with lemonade on Christmas afternoon (please don’t judge me) I’m not sure...
6 early ripening grapes you need to try
Lifestyle & Opinion
Early ripening grapes are particularly important in cool and continental climate regions like the UK and Alsace. If you live in England, you may have...