Fizz Feast hits new heights

Missed this month’s Fizz Feast in Edinburgh? Peter Ranscombe selects six sensational sparklers from the festival. ONE of the most exciting aspects of Fizz Feast, the celebration of sparkling wine and artisan food, is the sheer variety of bubbles on show. Organiser Diana Thompson, who has been running the fair for the past four years,…

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Calmel & Joseph: Finding the perfect blend

Peter Ranscombe returns to the Languedoc region in the south of France to learn how one négociant is taking the art of blending to the next level. AFTER spreading the gingham cloth over the trestle table, winemaker Laurent Calmel quickly began setting up his array of bottles and measuring cylinders. As the warm autumn sun…

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Dine like royalty to mark Britannia’s 21 years in Edinburgh

To mark the Royal Yacht Britannia’s 21 years in Edinburgh, a spectacular celebratory evening event is taking place on Saturday 19 October. Imagine being piped aboard the majestic Royal Yacht for an unforgettable evening of decadence, dining and ‘behind the ropes’ access, marking 21 years since Britannia arrived in Edinburgh. This is a rare opportunity…

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WINE TO DINE – OCTOBER 2019 – TRUFFLE

Scottish Field wine columnist and drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe hunts for five luxurious Italian bottles to match truffles. MENTION the word “truffle” and I start conjuring with images of the forests of Italy in the autumn – once my mind has gone off on a tangent to think about cocoa powder-dusted chocolate ganache. Truffles of…

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Spread your wings and enjoy a butterfly afternoon tea

I’d like to personally thank Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford for creating the wonderful concept that is: the afternoon tea. Way back in 1840, Anna – like most of us – realised that by 4pm she was hungry. Rather than languishing in a state of deep hanger until dinner time, she decided that a…

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All aboard to savour Moët & Chandon

Savour a celebratory evening on-board Fingal, Scotland’s first floating hotel, permanently berthed in the historic Port of Leith, with Moët & Chandon. Discover the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection, paired with a specially created four-course dinner on Saturday 27 July. Set in the elegant ballroom in the former hold of Fingal, the exclusive evening…

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Free prosecco for Edinburgh’s graduates at Dine

With Edinburgh’s graduation season soon upon us, multi-award winning brasserie Dine will be toasting the Class of 2019 by offering complimentary bubbles to every graduate. Throughout the city’s graduation season, which runs from 17th June until 10th July, Edinburgh’s college and university graduates will receive a complimentary glass of prosecco* from Dine when booking a…

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Six of the best English still wines

There’s more to English wine than its award-winning sparklers, as Peter Ranscombe reports. IT’S hard to argue with the prowess of English sparkling wines, with the “Auld Enemy’s” bubbles scooping prizes at competitions ranging from the Sommelier Wine Awards through to consumer group Which?’s annual taste test. Along the way, the industry has chalked up…

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Just 12 bottles have been given a whisky finish

An ultra-premium rum, Dictador Glenfarclas 1972, is now on sale at Harrods for £1,300. As its name suggests, the rum has a Scots connection through the Glenfarclas Distillery. Dictador 2 Masters is a limited-edition collaboration rum, there are just 12 bottles of each expression on sale at Harrods and online at Harrods.com. Dictador Glenfarclas 1972…

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Winter garden bar launches at The Botanics

The Gateway Restaurant at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is transforming its outdoor area in to a winter wonderland, with a new bar opening in time for the festive season. The Winter Garden Bar at The Botanics offers a cosy spot for guests to enjoy a Christmas drink during December. Coinciding with the start of…

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