Grape&Grain
Never dismiss the land between the rivers
In the second of three articles about Bordeaux, Peter Ranscombe praises a selection of organic white wines from one of its overlooked areas. OPEN a wine textbook at the page marked “Entre-Deux-Mers” and chances are the words will relay the story that the region between Bordeaux’s Garonne and Dordogne rivers is flat and dull and…
Read MoreIt’s Bordeaux, but like you’ve never seen it before
Before the lockdown, Peter Ranscombe travelled to Bordeaux to visit winemakers who are caring for the environment as well as their vines. JEAN-BAPTISTE Cordonnier knew he was doing something right when the baby grass snakes started coming back into his kitchen. His father, Pierre, had farmed the family’s vineyards near Moulis in Bordeaux organically “without…
Read MoreSmall Beer could make a big difference during lockdown
Looking for a lighter lockdown libation? Peter Ranscombe may just have found the solution, courtesy of Small Beer. IT’S the holy grail for craft brewers – making a beer that’s packed full of flavour but without blowing the drinker’s head off. Brewing a strong beer that’s flavoursome is relatively simple, which is why many pints…
Read MoreSix of the best from the new Wine Line Glasgow website
Making the Covid-19 switch from wholesale into retail gives consumers access to Alexander Wines’ exciting selection, says Peter Ranscombe. AS A business journalist as well as a wine writer, one of the most encouraging sights during the coronavirus lockdown has come from the drinks companies that have adapted to the changing landscape. Diana Thompson at…
Read MoreHow one wine firm helps hospitality heroes in the lockdown
Peter Ranscombe reviews six bottles from Berkmann, a wine wholesaler that’s donating cash to help the hospitality trade. THEY’RE the unsung heroes who make our nights out really special – the waitresses, the waiters, the barmen, the barwomen, and all the other members of the hospitality trade. They were also some of the first casualties…
Read MoreLockdown lamb: Five online ideas for wine pairings
As Holy Week continues, Peter Ranscombe picks five bottles to go with your Easter feast. IF YOU’VE managed to find yourself some lockdown lamb to celebrate Easter on Sunday then wine merchants from across Scotland and further afield are on hand with some perfect pairings. My go-to matches for lamb tend to centre around the…
Read MoreHow does an online wine tasting work?
Peter Ranscombe joins Diana Thompson for her first Wine Events Scotland online tasting to learn how the format works – and tastes some great-value Chilean bottles along the way. I WISH I’d bought shares in Zoom. The video-conferencing app has become almost as ubiquitous during the covid19 lockdown as Jason Leitch, the Scottish Government’s national…
Read MoreWINE TO DINE – MAY 2020 – WHITE FISH
Scottish Field wine columnist and drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe catches five bottles to go swimmingly with white fish. WHITE fish was the star ingredient in May’s issue of Scottish Field magazine and this selection of wines should ride a delicious wave alongside the main attraction. Lago Cerqueira Alvarinho 2019 Aldi £6.49 Cross the Spanish border…
Read MoreSocial distancing? Brush up on your whisky knowledge
Peter Ranscombe goes back to school to put the online ‘focus on flavour’ module from Edinburgh Whisky Academy through its paces. REGULAR readers will know that my geekiness knows few bounds when it comes to wines and whiskies. I even put myself through the diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the equivalent…
Read MoreConquering covid-19: these Scottish bottle shops still deliver
In a special article that he’ll update, Peter Ranscombe reports on which independent Scottish wine merchants can still deliver despite the coronavirus outbreak. LIFE in Scotland changed dramatically last week, with thousands of people told to isolate themselves and millions more instructed to keep their distance from everyone else in order to save lives and…
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