Food%20and%20drink%20news%2E%20Read%20news%20and%20reviews%20on%20restaurants%20in%20Birmingham%2C%20bars%20and%20eateries%20across%20the%20West%20Midlands%20area%2E%20Wine%20reviews%20and%20lots%20more%2E

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

Raise a Glass: Champagne or Cava for the big day? Feb 10 2011

If you need to impress your loved one on Monday then it will probably have to be Champagne. He loves me... it’s Champagne, he loves me not... it’s Cava!Read

Raise a Glass: Hop along to new year celebrations Feb 03 2011

BIRMINGHAM will be filled with colour on Sunday as the Chinese New Year is welcomed in with dragon dances, kung fu and firecrackers at the Arcadian Centre.Read

Raise a Glass: Prince doing his bit for British beer Jan 20 2011

PRINCE Charles may well be serving up foaming draughts of his home brew at the royal wedding in April.Read

Raise a Glass: Sending beer to Bombay Jan 13 2011

IT SOUNDS like a pretty crazy idea to pack wooden barrels of beer into a hot and damp boat for six months and ship it half way across the world – and expect it to be drinkable at the other end.Read

Raise a Glass: Drink less, drink better in New Year Jan 06 2011

If the New Year resolution has not failed yet, the prospect of a January without alcohol will be made easier to bear by this week’s VAT increase which slapped an extra 10p on a £5 bottle of wine and made the £3 pint of beer the norm rather than the exception.Read

Raise a Glass: Don't leave booze for queues Nov 25 2010

WITH so many things to think about it’s not surprising that the festive drinks often get left until the last minute – meaning a desperate dash through a crowded supermarket, queuing up with a trolley-load of bottles and hauling them to the car on a typically cold and wet Christmas Eve.Read