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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

Raise a Glass: What to go for...quality or quantity? Jun 03 2011

The lure of cheap booze seems to have a stranglehold on the British shopper.Read

Raise A Glass: Obama is human – he likes a drink! May 27 2011

THE odd sensible drink or two has obviously not done President Barack Obama any harm.Read

Raise a Glass: Approved by the masters just for you May 20 2011

THE much-awaited results of the world’s biggest wine tasting competition were revealed this week.Read

Raise a Glass: Sun is shining on vineyards...see for yourself May 13 2011

Raise a Glass: Sun is shining on vineyards...see for yourselfRead

Raise A Glass: Your chance to grappa a local bargain May 06 2011

IT’S AN idyllic scene – you’ve just finished a fantastic meal of fish, fresh from the sea at the picture-postcard restaurant by the harbourside and the sun is setting slowly over the lapping Mediterranean sea.Read

Raise A Glass: Palace must plump for an English wine Apr 28 2011

IT WOULD be a mischevious wag who suggested that the royal family should be serving up German wine to celebrate their bash today.Read

Raise a Glass: Fine reds to complement lamb dinner Apr 22 2011

With a sunny bank holiday in store, the whiff of barbecue smoke is sure to be filling the air this weekend.Read

Raise A Glass: Be careful of unscrupulous wine conmen Apr 15 2011

CONMEN trying to pass off a load of wine from India as Australian came a cropper this week when they managed to misspell Australia on the label.Read

Raise a Glass: Mumm's the word to give them a treat Apr 01 2011

Sunday is Mother’s Day and there’s no better excuse to celebrate the most important people in the world.Read

Raise a Glass: Buy in bulk to combat rising price of wine Mar 18 2011

In these recession-hit times it’s useful to find any way possible to save money. Wine prices are edging up every bit as fast as petrol so any way to economise should be a welcome bonus for the finances.Read

Raise a Glass: Indulge in a tipple for St Patrick's Day Mar 11 2011

BIRMINGHAM will be showered in green on Sunday when the annual St Patrick’s Day march celebrates all things Irish.Read

Raise a Glass: Best wines to try with a good pie Mar 03 2011

WE’LL all be pie-eyed next week as the country celebrates its favourite snack. British Pie Week is an ideal time to pop for a pie and a pint – or stay at home and try out some inventive pie fillings, with some tasty wines to go with them.Read

Raise a Glass: Support our boys with best of British Feb 25 2011

PLENTY of English ale will be drunk if England’s rugby players manage to topple their traditional cross-Channel rivals at Twickenham tomorrow in a game which is probably the biggest hurdle to achieving the sought-after Six Nations grand slam.Read

Raise a Glass: An Indian or a Chinese...? Wine, that is Feb 18 2011

FAMILIES flying off to the slopes for the half-term break this weekend will be able to sample some of the less well-known wines available in the mountains.Read