Wine

Peter Ranscombe gets excited about three organic wines from France imported by Séverine Sloboda, the former sommelier at Glasgow’s The Gannet restaurant. THE closure of bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues has been one of the cruelest results of the coronavirus lockdown – with social distancing making it virtually impossible for many venues to reopen,…

Lebanon’s two oldest wineries teamed up today to take journalists on a visit to the Bekaa Valley – without leaving lockdown. Peter Ranscombe stowed his tray table and ensured his seat was in the upright position for the online trip. FEW winemakers can match Faouzi Issa for sheer enthusiasm. Even as he stood on a…

A new online retailer run by award-winning blogger Mike Turner is demystifying sustainable bottles, writes Peter Ranscombe. THERE’S always an awkward moment when a friend asks me to taste the wines that their business stocks. But, when it comes to the bottles that Mike Turner has chosen for Feel Good Grapes, I needn’t have worried…

Scottish Field wine columnist Peter Ranscombe thinks these five wines will fly with Neil Forbes’ chicken recipes. TUCKED away on North West Thistle Street Lane – now there’s a mouthful – in Edinburgh’s New Town, Neil Forbes’ Cafe St Honore has been the scene of many enjoyable journalists’ lunches for me – and one or…

As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close, Peter Ranscombe toasts Virgin Wines’ ongoing partnership with care charity Growing Well by tasting some of the online retailer’s organic offerings. THIS year’s Mental Health Awareness Week took on extra significance during lockdown. Thousands of people will have become even more acutely aware of the state…

Peter Ranscombe indulges his passion for grenache by looking beyond exciting examples in Australia, France, South Africa and Spain. GRENACHE has helped to put Australia’s McLaren Vale on the map – a grape often seen only in blends in Rioja and the Rhone has become the star of the show and elevated to cult status.…

Online wine tastings are elevated to a whole new level with grand cru wines from Burgundy, says Peter Ranscombe. IT’S hard to think of an activity that hasn’t headed online during lockdown. From family quizzes and cocktails with friends through to work meetings and court hearings, there seems to be no part of everyday life…

Creativity is at the heart of good winemaking – and self-confessed science geek Peter Ranscombe never turns down the chance to lift the lid and look at how blends are made. THERE must be something in the water at Ramón Bilbao. Last year, we explored how winemaker Paula Fandino at the Spanish drinks giant’s Mar…