A cool, relaxed eaterie which is perfect for foodies

Darren Murray, head chef of Norn, which previously occupied this nook of Henderson Street in Leith, has reopened the space as Borough, a contemporary neighbourhood eatery with European flair. The small and larger dishes, priced roughly between the £5 and £14 mark, are elegant yet laid-back and perfect for sharing. Combining a rainbow of textures…

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Six of the best from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde

Peter Ranscombe selects six of the best wines from the Hemel-en-Aarde ridge in South Africa, which is renowned for its chardonnay and pinot noir. SUPERLATIVES don’t do Hemel-en-Aarde justice: beautiful, stunning, picturesque – none seem to capture the greenness of the trees, the blueness of the skies or the majesty of the surrounding hills. It’s…

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‘The Italian Job’ becomes the ‘South African Job’

Peter Ranscombe examines how producers in South Africa are using Italian grape varieties to craft wines that have identities all of their own. WITH its stone archways and wooden beams, the building that houses Idiom’s wine tasting rooms and restaurant could pass as a modern Italian villa – if it wasn’t in South Africa. The…

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Last spread for ice cream parlour’s peanut butter tap

A Scottish ice cream parlour has decided to call it a day on the UK’s first ever peanut butter tap – despite it proving a viral video sensation. Following its March launch at Mackie’s of Scotland’s 19.2 parlour, fans had been going nutty for the ever-flowing tap, consuming more than 5kg in the first week.…

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Sparkling wine special part one: ‘It’s not Champagne’

In the first of three articles focusing on fizzy wine, Peter Ranscombe meets a French winemaker who’s creating sensational sparklers in England. “I AM French, but I’m here to express the terroir of England,” declared Exton Park winemaker Corinne Seely as she introduced her latest wine to the press in London this morning. “It’s not…

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Nursery pot is a tasty new addition to the menu at the Ivy

Sweet treats have been added to the menu at a prestigious Edinburgh venue. As a celebration of the summer season, The Ivy on the Square has added additional delicious delights to its already scrumptious afternoon tea offerings. Available from Sunday, 1 July until Friday, 31 August, The Ivy Nursery Pot features an indulgent chocolate topping,…

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There are wines from California to suit all budgets

As the Golden State trade tasting rolls into Edinburgh, Peter Ranscombe takes a sneak peak at some of California’s premium wines. CALIFORNIA has a reputation for making expensive wines – but scratch beneath the surface and you can find a range of bottles to suit most budgets. As I’ve pointed out before, wines from California…

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These pizza and wine pairings will tantalise your taste buds

Peter Ranscombe ropes in his Scottish Field colleagues to solve a pizza and wine matching mystery. THINK pizza, think beer: whether it’s through cheesy American sitcoms or recommendations from Italians, beer and pizza are inextricably linked in many enthusiasts’ minds. But what about wine? Which wines pair best with a doughy base or a crispy…

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Not so ordinary claret

There’s nothing ‘ordinary’ about Berry Bros’ claret or many of the other affordable bottles of Bordeaux on the market, as Peter Ranscombe discovers. FEW drinks have such a strong association with Britain as claret, the nickname for red wines produced in Bordeaux. Once used to describe thin and light wines, the term now denotes any…

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Franciacorta: where passion blends with precision

Peter Ranscombe travels to Italy to learn why Franciacorta isn’t a Champagne copycat or a posh version of Prosecco.   WATCHING Alberto Volpini at work in the kitchen at the Mosnel winery in Northern Italy’s Franciacorta region, it’s clear that making pasta is all about precision. Mixing the right amount of each ingredient, passing the…

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