James Wine & Spirits
How well does Rioja age?
Rioja is a wine that can be enjoyed in different ways at different stages of its evolution, writes Peter Ranscombe. ONE wine comes up in conversations with Scottish Field readers more often than perhaps any other – Rioja. Don’t get me wrong, readers still enjoy asking me questions about many of the other classics too,…
Read MoreNotebook – October 2021
A Speyside whisky from The Wine Society is among the bottles reviewed by drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe. THERE’S a distinct “Speyside” theme to the latest in this occasional series of articles, during which I delve into my tasting notebook to share some recent discoveries. In a move you might not expect, there’s also a “smoky”…
Read MoreCharles Heidsieck: Launching pinot noir at Monachyle Mhor
Champagne house Charles Heidsieck chose Monachlye Mhor at Balquidder for the launch of its still red wine, with Peter Ranscombe tagging along for some foraging. TRAMPLING through the woods near Balquhidder with Tom Lewis and Nick Nairn, it’s easy to see why the two chefs love this part of Scotland so much. From mushrooms and…
Read MoreCloudy Bay: first taste of the 2021 sauvignon blanc
Peter Ranscombe gets a first look at the 2021 Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc and explores how New Zealand’s most famous wine ages. FEW wines are more closely linked with a region and a country than Cloudy Bay and Marlborough in New Zealand. David Hohnen was one of the first five winemakers to arrive in Marlborough…
Read MoreLe Clarence: Two-star food to match grand cru wine
Le Clarence restaurant in Paris combines two-star Michelin food with wines from Haut Brion, one of Bordeaux’s five most famous chateaux, writes Peter Ranscombe. “THERE’S more that unites us than divides us”. Those words were echoing through my mind as the Eurostar train hurtled through Northern France. Looking out at the farms and fields, I…
Read MoreChile: Where quality needn’t cost the earth
Chile once again demonstrates that it can produce high-quality wines at affordable prices, as Peter Ranscombe samples bottles from stablemates Santa Rita and Carmen. GAZE along the bottom shelf of most supermarket wine aisles and two countries’ bottles will jump out at you – Chile and South Africa. Both nations are renowned for producing cheap…
Read MoreMoet marks summer with Fairmont St Andrews terraces
Moet & Chandon has unveiled a pair of terraces at the Fairmont St Andrews hotel, complete with afternoon tea and picnics, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. SCOTLAND has long dreamed of a café culture to rival our fellow European capitals. Sitting outside on a terrace in the sun, sipping a cocktail or a beer or a…
Read MoreGlenmorangie cocktails toast Edinburgh Zoo giraffes
Glenmorangie has created cocktails to mark its sponsorship of the new giraffes at Edinburgh Zoo, writes Peter Ranscombe. EACH distillery has its very own claim to fame. Edradour is the smallest – or at least was until micro-distilleries came along. Glenturret is the oldest – or at least the oldest working distillery. And Glenmorangie has…
Read MoreNotebook – August 2021
Torabhaig whisky from Skye is among the new spirits reviewed by Peter Ranscombe. IT’S time once again to dip into my notebook and share some reviews from recent tastings. Ahead of its release on Thursday, the second malt whisky from Torabhaig distillery on Skye is among the spirits I explore in the latest in this…
Read MoreBorja Perez: Putting Tenerife’s wines on the map
Winemaker Borja Perez demonstrates there’s more to Tenerife’s wines than forgetable holiday whites, writes Peter Ranscombe. ANYONE who dismisses palomino as a “boring” white grape needs to taste the wines made by Borja Perez. Famous for being the variety that’s turned into sherry in Spain’s Jerez region, palomino is known in the Canary Islands as…
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