From the notebook
Wine guides
Plain-English buying guides, food pairings and the odd strong opinion. Written for people who like wine, not wine bores.
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How is oak used in winemaking? Why barrels change the taste of wine
Vanilla, toast, spice and smoothness. How oak barrels shape the flavour of wine, French vs American oak, and wines to…
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What are tannins in wine? Why some reds dry your mouth
What tannins are, where they come from, how they affect taste and food pairing, and which wines are high or…
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What are sulphites in wine? The facts behind “contains sulphites”
Why wine contains sulphites, how much is in it, whether they cause headaches, and what low-sulphite and organic wines really…
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Corked wine: what it is, how to spot it and what to do
Corked wine has nothing to do with bits of cork. Here’s what causes it, how to tell if a wine…
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How many bottles in a magnum? A guide to wine bottle sizes
A magnum holds two bottles, but what’s a Jeroboam or a Nebuchadnezzar? A simple guide to wine bottle sizes and…
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What is a sommelier? What they do and how to get the most from one
What a sommelier does, how they train, and how to ask for wine advice in a restaurant without feeling awkward.
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How to become a wine expert: 10 practical ways to learn about wine
You don’t need a special palate to know your wine. Ten practical, enjoyable ways to build your wine knowledge, from…
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Which wine goes best with meals? Pairings for British favourites
Spag bol, cottage pie, sausages, curry and more. Simple wine pairings for the meals we actually cook at home.
