James Wine & Spirits
Wine to Dine: November 2022 – Sarah Rankin
Wine columnist James Robertson picks five bottles to pair with Sarah Rankin’s dishes in the November issue of Scottish Field magazine. Dopff Au Moulin Cremant d’Alsace NV (£13.95, The Wine Society) There’s nothing low key about Sarah Rankin’s version of bubble and squeak – including the name rumbledethumps – and, with a poached egg to…
Read MoreREVIEW: Adnams – Sea Fog IPA and Ease Up IPA
Drinks blogger James Robertson reviews two new beers from Suffolk brewer Adnams. I WAS lucky enough to taste a couple of new beers from Adnams a couple of days ago. The earliest record of beer being brewed at Southwold in Suffolk is in 1345 – Adnams is celebrating its 150th birthday in the same place.…
Read MoreREVIEW: House of the Dragon wine
Drinks blogger James Robertson reviews the House of the Dragon wine from Wolf Blass. I AM a self-confessed Game of Thrones addict and had read all the books way before the series came to our screens. Therefore, I have to admit I was a touch sceptical about the launch of a red wine to coincide…
Read MoreThree wines to toast International Prosecco Day
Drinks blogger James Robertson selects three sparklers to celebrate tomorrow’s International Prosecco Day. IN LIGHT of the fact that 13 August is International Prosecco Day, here are three excellent examples of this delightful sparkling wine from Northern Italy. Prosecco – so often ridiculed – should be taken far more seriously. Named after the village of…
Read MoreWine to Dine – September 2022 – Ballintaggart
In his final Wine to Dine column, drinks writer Peter Ranscombe recommends five bally good bottles for Ballintaggart. “THERE’S been a murder!” – oh no, wait, wrong Taggart. Rather than the crusty Glasgae cop, we’re talking about the recipes from Ballintaggart, which featured in the food feature in the September issue of Scottish Field magazine.…
Read MoreReview: House of Hazelwood releases
Drinks blogger James Robertson reviews the first releases from new whisky firm House of Hazelwood. RECENTLY, a new business arm of the renowned distilling family the Gordons launched its first collection of rare and aged whiskies. Named after the family’s home in Dufftown, Speyside, House of Hazelwood will provide whisky enthusiasts and collectors with a…
Read MoreEnglish sparkling wine for the Lionesses
Drinks blogger James Robertson picks two English sparkling wines to toast “the auld enemy’s” victory in the fitba. TIMING, they say, is everything and – along with 17 million other viewers – I watched the England women win the European Cup. The question therefore is what to drink to celebrate the win? Well here are…
Read MoreREVIEW: Kerr’s Navy Strength Gin
Drinks blogger James Robertson samples Kerr’s Navy Strength Gin from The Borders Distillery. IF YOU have not tried the original Kerr’s Gin then you should, however this is a limited edition run of 2,022 bottles of a navy strength version distilled at 57.1% alcohol by volume (ABV). Made by John Fordyce and the team at…
Read MoreFlavourly’s small batch originals
Drinks blogger James Robertson reviews the latest batch of craft beers from Flavourly. ONLINE Edinburgh-based specialist Flavourly has launched a range of high-end small-batch craft beer created exclusively by some of the UK’s top breweries. The “Small Batch Originals” comprise six 440ml beers from Wiper & True, Brew By Numbers, Siren Craft Brewery, Tempest Brewing,…
Read MoreWine in a paper bottle – whatever next!
Drinks blogger James Robertson reviews Laithwaites’ Bacchus wine in a paper bottle. WINE retailer Laithwaites has recently launched the Redbrook Estate Bacchus 2021 in a wonderfully eye-catching paper bottle. As many drinks producers have found out this year, glass is at a premium but, for winemaker Neil Walker, the self-penned “chief troublemaker and wine revolutionist”,…
Read More