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Raise a Glass: Wine experts are giving oak both barrels Feb 03 2012

“I don’t like it,” said Bruno Schenk as we sniffed and smelled the red wine that had just come out of an oak barrel in his dark and silent cellar.Read

Raise A Glass: Blow winter blues away Jan 13 2012

There’s a sense of smugness around at the moment – it’s all those people who’ve decided to give up alcohol for January. Well, it’s not a bad idea, after the excesses of the festive season, but it does make what is already a bleak month even more of a grind.Read

Christmas wine ideas - and how to save money now Nov 11 2011

The German Market opens in Birmingham on Thursday – and that means goodbye to any hopes of blocking out Christmas until it actually arrives.Read

Raise a Glass: Toast the winners of the World Cup final Oct 21 2011

BIRMINGHAM’S wonderful Electric Cinema had a great idea this week – screening Sideways, the hit film about wine, while cracking a few bottles to get viewers in the right mood.Read

Raise a Glass: Greece is the word for wines with character Oct 14 2011

Anyone who’s struggled to be positive about a bottle of Retsina on a Greek holiday – even if the sun is shining and the waves are lapping gently at the restaurant’s harbour wall – might be surprised that Greece actually makes lots of wines that are well worth seeking out.Read

Raise a Glass: Time to bring beers to the dining table Oct 07 2011

BELGIANS may not be well known for very much, apart from chocolate and Poirot... oh yes, and beer.Read

Raise a Glass: The sun's shining on Midlands winemakers Sep 30 2011

It could be the Mediterranean: shirtsleeved grape pickers at work in the vineyards as the sun blazes down on a vintage harvest.Read

Why Chinese wine will soon be as popular as tipples from Bordeaux and California Sep 16 2011

CHINA is not exactly the first place you might look to find quality wine... or any wine at all for that matter.Read

Raise A Glass: Plump for a rosé before the weather turns Sep 09 2011

WITH summer well and truly on the run, it’s time to say goodbye to the rosé.Read

Raise A Glass: Cheap British not real deal Sep 02 2011

Cheap wines that look as if they are made in England are not necessarily the best of British.Read

Raise a Glass: Avoiding rip-offs with BYOB Aug 26 2011

Ordering wine in restaurants can be an ordeal, especially when the mark-up on prices brings a lump to the throat.Read

Raise a Glass: Future for British cider is looking even rosier Aug 19 2011

THE future’s looking rosy for cider. The harvest is already under way – a record early start – and cider-makers are hoping for another bumper year.Read

Raise a Glass: Small breweries enjoy a moment in the sun Aug 05 2011

There are around 57,000 pubs in the UK but with something like 100 going out of business every month that number will soon be a lot smaller.Read

Raise a Glass: Age old argument exploded Jul 29 2011

The latest Harry Potter adventure is ample proof that people still have a hankering for fairy stories. But there can’t be many people left who still believe that corks are the best way to seal a bottle of wine.Read

Raise a Glass: Prices cut for Riesling Week Jul 22 2011

With the wine shelves awash with Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon it’s tempting to search out a taste of something different. Thankfully, the Riesling revival seems to be continuing apace and its versatility and food-friendly nature make it well worth hunting down.Read

Raise a Glass: Refreshing drink to go with holiday tapas Jul 15 2011

ANYONE jetting off to ‘real’ Spain for a holiday may be surprised to find that the drink the locals choose to go with their tapas is not sangria but sherry.Read

Raise a Glass: Develop a taste for foreign travel Jul 08 2011

SOME of the most memorable wine tasting experiences happen on holidays. That amazing bottle of rosé at the beachside restaurant, for instance; or that wonderful red in the shady piazza after a morning touring the ancient ruins.Read

Raise a Glass: Anyone for Pimm's in Wimbledon fortnight? Jun 24 2011

THE longest day has been and gone, Wimbledon is in full swing... it must be summer!Read

Raise a Glass: Can animal skulls make wine better? Jun 17 2011

THE sight of a winemaker burying animal skulls in his vineyard to help the vines grow might well raise a few eyebrows. And the fact that he runs his business according to the movements of the planets could suggest he is just barking at the moon.Read

Raise a Glass: Make it a real vintage year for dad Jun 10 2011

FATHER’S Day may be a blatant attempt by the greeting cards manufacturers to cash in, but dads do deserve some recognition and there’s plenty of time before next Sunday to think about a gift that will make his day.Read