Brut
You’re standing in the supermarket looking at a wall of sparkling wine. One bottle says Brut. Another says Extra Dry. Another says Demi-Sec. And for some reason the one called Extra Dry is actually sweeter than the Brut. At this point, it feels like the wine industry is deliberately trying to wind you up. The […]
Aroma
If you’ve ever watched someone swirl a glass of wine, stick their nose in it and then proudly announce, “I’m getting blackberries, vanilla and a hint of forest floor,” you’ve probably wondered whether they’re genuinely smelling all of that or whether they’re just making it up. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. “Aroma” is one of […]
Early Retirement Wine Tasting at Home in Guildford, Surrey
Jerry wanted his early retirement celebration at home in Guildford, Surrey, to feel like the start of something, so he brought close friends and family together for a relaxed Wine Night In tasting.
Christmas Wine Tasting at Home in Dorking, Surrey
Jenny wanted to do something different with their annual Christmas get-together at home in Dorking, Surrey, so twelve friends swapped the usual quiz for a relaxed Wine Night In tasting.
40th Birthday Wine Tasting at Home in Chelmsford, Essex
Joyce wanted Kevin’s 40th birthday at home in Chelmsford, Essex, to feel different from another dinner out, so she booked a relaxed Wine Night In tasting for ten close friends.
Engagement Wine Tasting at Home in Windsor, Berkshire
Liz and Mike wanted their engagement celebration at home in Windsor, Berkshire, to feel more special than simply opening a few bottles of fizz, so they invited six close friends for a private Wine Night In tasting.
Christmas Team Wine Tasting at Home in Ipswich, Suffolk
Jeremy wanted his veterinary team to have one Christmas night where work stayed at work, so he invited everyone to his home in Ipswich, Suffolk, for a relaxed Wine Night In tasting.
Is Bread and Butter Chardonnay Worth the Hype?
I finally tried Bread and Butter Chardonnay after hearing about it for ages, and I can see why it has such a following. If you like richer, oaked Chardonnay with plenty of flavour, this £15 bottle is definitely worth a look.
I Bought the Cheapest Bottle of Wine I Could Find
I bought the cheapest bottle of wine I could find for £4.50 to see whether it could possibly be any good. I’m normally the last person to tell you what you should or shouldn’t drink, but Silver Bay Point seriously tested that rule.
Friends Weekend Away Wine Tasting in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
A relaxed weekend away wine tasting in Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire, hosted at an Airbnb cottage after a long day on the Cotswolds trails. Wine Night In brought three reds, three whites and a private tasting that turned a simple night in with friends into the part of the weekend everyone remembered.
75th Birthday Wine Tasting at Home in Brentwood, Essex
We headed to Brentwood for a really relaxed night with a brilliant group, plenty of laughs and just enough friendly competition to keep everyone on their toes.
Why Is Everyone Talking About Chicken Wine?
La Vieille Ferme Rosé has become one of the UK’s most recognisable bottles, although most people simply call it chicken wine. Jonny explains why it became so popular, what it tastes like and whether it really deserves the hype.
Is Whispering Angel Worth the Money?
Jonny finally puts Whispering Angel to the test, explaining why it became so famous, what it tastes like and whether he thinks it’s worth paying for.
The Chocolate Block Review. Is It Really Worth The Hype?
Jonny finally tries The Chocolate Block to find out whether South Africa’s famous red wine is genuinely worth buying.
What Wine Goes With BBQ Food?
BBQ food and wine are a brilliant combination when you know what works. Jonny shares his favourite wines for burgers, ribs, steak, chicken, seafood and spicy BBQ dishes, with simple advice anyone can use.
Mother’s Day Wine Tasting at Home in Colchester, Essex
Bev wanted to do something properly special for her mum, Sandra, on Mother’s Day. Not another bunch of flowers. Not another lunch out somewhere busy. Something the whole family could enjoy together at home, without Sandra having to organise a single thing. The plan was simple, but lovely. Sandra thought her four adult children were just […]
Cuvée
Cuvée is one of those wine words that sounds instantly fancy, and because it sounds fancy, people often assume it must mean the best wine in the room. Sometimes it does point to something special. But not always. At its most basic, cuvée just means a particular batch, blend or selection of wine. That is the […]
Corked
Corked is one of those wine terms that gets thrown around quite a lot, but people often use it to mean any bottle that tastes a bit off. Strictly speaking, corked means something more specific. It does not mean there are bits of cork floating in your glass. It does not mean the cork broke when you […]
Book Club Wine Tasting Night in Twickenham
Rachel’s book club had been meeting once a month for three years, usually at someone’s house with a few bottles of wine, some food and a very serious intention to talk about the book. In reality, as most book clubs know, the book often gets about twenty minutes before the conversation goes somewhere completely different. This […]
Bouquet
Bouquet is one of those wine words that can sound a bit old-fashioned, like something someone says while holding the glass up to the light and making everyone else feel uncomfortable. But the idea behind it is actually quite useful. Bouquet is basically the smell a wine develops as it gets older. Not the simple, […]
Guildford Girls Night In Wine Tasting at Home
This Girls Night In wine tasting in Guildford, Surrey, was one of those evenings that probably should have happened about two years earlier if we’re being honest. Eight mums round Alison’s house, a mix of school gate friendships and people who’d known each other much longer, and the general mood at the start was basically […]
Engagement Celebration Wine Tasting in Chelmsford at Home
Anna and Isabel’s engagement wine tasting in Chelmsford, Essex, had a really good atmosphere from the second people arrived. Ten close friends, loads of noise in the room straight away and sparkling wine all evening, which, to be fair, was a very good decision from them. When they booked it, they said they wanted the […]
30th Birthday Wine Tasting in Twickenham
Twickenham in South West London, and this one was a 30th birthday at Ollie and Ellen’s place with two other couples joining them. Small group, close friends, everyone comfortable enough with each other that nobody was pretending to be sophisticated all evening, which honestly suited the night perfectly. When Ellen booked it, she gave me […]
Acidity
Acidity is one of those things that sounds technical, but once you get it, it’s actually really simple and you’ll start noticing it in pretty much every glass you have. Think about it like this. You take a sip of wine and your mouth starts watering a bit, that little reaction where your cheeks tighten […]
Birthday Wine Tasting in Guildford, Surrey
Guildford, Surrey and this one was a 23rd birthday in an apartment. Eleven people, mix of close friends and a few meeting for the first time, so you’ve got that slightly unknown dynamic at the start. Marcus had organised it for his partner, Laura. He’d been to one before for Tom’s graduation, so he knew […]
Father’s Day Wine Tasting in Twickenham with a Sparkling Wine Focus
Twickenham, South West London was the setting for this one and this was a proper Father’s Day afternoon. Small group, family round the table, nothing over the top, just six people who all actually wanted to be there. Darren and Melissa, then daughter Jenny, her two brothers, and Grandma. Nice and tight, which always works […]