John Wilson’s 12 favourite wines of the yearA selection of wines costing from €7.99 to €35 that stood out as offering something specialSat Dec 17 2022 - 05:00
Hollow Leg: At last, alcohol-free wine that tastes really good – and is from an Irish label Wines for the Weekend: This new range of red, white and sparkling wine could be a gamechangerFri Dec 16 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: The right glasses will actually make your wine taste betterHow to Drink Better: It may be worth investing in some new wine glasses, and there is something for everyone at all price pointsSun Dec 11 2022 - 05:00
Bottles under €20 for budget-friendly Christmas cheerJohn Wilson: Richer and more powerful styles of wine can stand up to the demands of turkey and trimmingsSat Dec 10 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two tawnies to enjoy during the cold spellWines for the Weekend: What better time to enjoy an evening glass of warming port or other fortified wine?Fri Dec 09 2022 - 05:00
Is champagne worth the hefty expenditure?How to Drink Better: Good Champagne is a luxury product that is heavily taxed in IrelandSun Dec 04 2022 - 05:00
Decent party wine for €10? Try these good value whites, a red and a proseccoJohn Wilson: Serve your wine in half-filled large tulip-shaped glasses for the best tasteSat Dec 03 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two good-value wines from Lidl that would go down a treat this ChristmasWines for the Weekend: Both are French. The white is a nicely rounded Alsace Riesling, the red a full-bodied but smooth Plan de DieuFri Dec 02 2022 - 10:24
Should we drink red wine with red meat, or is it down to personal preference?How to Drink Better: `I have a good friend who dislikes red wine and drinks Chardonnay with everything’Sun Nov 27 2022 - 06:00
Vanilla, spice and all things nice: Four Riojas to tryJohn Wilson: Most of us still prefer the traditional style of Rioja, usually a Reserva when we can afford it, especially with our Christmas turkeySat Nov 26 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two wines with particularly ancient lineages to try, both from Aldi Wines for the Weekend: The white, a Greco di Tufo, is from the volcanic mountains overlooking Naples. The red is from Bakaa Valley, in LebanonFri Nov 25 2022 - 09:16
John Wilson: It does not need to be all white on the night if you are having fish for dinnerHow to Drink Better: In general, white wines pair best with fish but in some cases a red that’s light in tannins can be a great matchSun Nov 20 2022 - 05:00
Four must-try Portuguese red and white winesJohn Wilson: At a tasting recently, I came across an old favourite of mine, Pegos Claros Reserva – it’s great value for money and widely availableSat Nov 19 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two star wines from Dunnes Stores that you won’t regret raiding the piggy bank forWines for the Weekend: Markus Huber is one of Austria’s most talented winemakers. His Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Noir are outstanding – and great valueFri Nov 18 2022 - 10:57
Should I always drink red wine with meat and white wine with fish?How to Drink Better: If you don’t know a lot about wine, but would like to know more, this new series will help you get to grips with itSun Nov 13 2022 - 05:00
New Irish whiskeys that would make great Christmas presentsJohn Wilson: Offerings from Dingle Distillery, Wayward Irish Spirits, Lakeview and TeelingsSat Nov 12 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two good-value French wines from SuperValu that go down a treat on winter eveningsWines for the Weekend: A rich, ripe Viognier from Languedoc, and a classic Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon BordeauxFri Nov 11 2022 - 08:33
John Wilson: Here is how to make your cheap wine taste betterHow to Drink Better: Mix good and less good wines together, serve it with food, and use your best glasses even if it’s an inexpensive bottleSun Nov 06 2022 - 05:00
Amarone: a rich red wine that pairs perfectly with winter dishesExpect to pay about €50 for a bottle of good amarone from the Veneto region of ItalySat Nov 05 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two bottles to try from O’Briens’ Christmas 2022 line-up Wines for the Weekend: A Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley, in Chile, and a red Bordeaux, from FranceFri Nov 04 2022 - 11:16
John Wilson: Does the word ‘reserva’ on the label mean my wine will taste better?How to Drink BetterSun Oct 30 2022 - 05:00
Time to start thinking about Christmas winesJohn Wilson: A keenly priced Bordeaux that will have you reaching for that second glass, and two natural wines to trySat Oct 29 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two star wines to try from your local independent off-licenceWines for the Weekend: A light, refreshing white from Veneto, in northern Italy, and a smooth, rounded Rioja, from northern SpainFri Oct 28 2022 - 11:54
John Wilson: Will wine taste better if I wait a couple of years before drinking it?How to Drink Better: Not all wines benefit from cellar ageing, but some do, even for a year or twoSun Oct 23 2022 - 13:39
Chile steps up with wines for all palates and pocketsJohn Wilson: Cabernet sauvignon-based wines from the South American country fall in style between leaner Bordeaux and the opulent ripeness of Napa ValleySat Oct 22 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: These two wines are very good value at Tesco — as long as you have a ClubcardWines for the Weekend: This French white and Spanish red are both light enough to serve by themselves this party seasonFri Oct 21 2022 - 10:30
If you find ever-stronger wines hard to handle, choose bottles from cooler climatesGerman and Australian Riesling and Italian Pinot Grigio are usually lower in alcoholSun Oct 16 2022 - 05:00
Avoid big names and fancy labels, spend at least €12: John Wilson on how to find Ireland’s best-value winesPay €8 for a bottle of wine and very little of that money will reach the producer. Increase your budget to find the sweet spot between price and qualitySat Oct 15 2022 - 04:00
John Wilson: Two good-value wines to try from Lidl’s seasonal rangeWines for the Weekend: This red Bordeaux is particularly good value. But don’t pass by the white Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi eitherFri Oct 14 2022 - 10:30
Pinot Noir is perfect for both autumn and winterJohn Wilson: If you enjoy smoother, more elegant red wines, this grape variety is the best choiceSun Oct 09 2022 - 05:00
How to Drink Better: Why does drinking some wines give me a sore head?How to Drink Better: Sulphites are often blamed, but they are unlikely to be the true culpritSun Oct 09 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two great-value Aldi wines to try from one of my favourite regionsWines for the Weekend: This Encruzado white and Touriga Nacional red are both from Dão, in PortugalFri Oct 07 2022 - 08:30
How to Drink Better: Can I give a screw-cap wine as a gift?How to Drink Better: No reason for complaint if given a quality bottle of screw-cap wineSun Oct 02 2022 - 05:00
Bar 1661 leads the way in cocktails with a poitín punchJohn Wilson: Four poitíns to include in your cocktail kit, all available online or from specialist retailersSat Oct 01 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two well-known wines at very keen prices, both from O’BriensWines for the Weekend: A light, fresh Muscadet, from northwestern France, and an unoaked Rioja, from northeastern SpainFri Sept 30 2022 - 08:44
I’m planning a party for a group of 18-year-olds. What’s a good drinks plan?How to Drink Better: Alcohol and partying teenagers - what are the strength guidelines?Sun Sept 25 2022 - 05:00
As the weather turns cooler, it’s time to change what’s in your glassJohn Wilson: Here are some Italian wines that match the season perfectlySat Sept 24 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two very good, well-priced wines from Lidl’s new autumn line-upWines for the Weekend: One of the best dry Rieslings I’ve tried recently, from Germany, and a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva, from ItalyFri Sept 23 2022 - 08:05
John Wilson: Leftover wine? Here’s how to save it for later without deteriorationHow to Drink Better: there are various gadgets to protect against oxygen and prevent loss of flavourSun Sept 18 2022 - 05:00
Four elegant wines perfect for drinking on cool autumn eveningsJohn Wilson: Garnacha can have high levels of alcohol, giving it a sensation of sweetness even though it is drySat Sept 17 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: You really should try these Albert Glas bargains before SuperValu’s wine sale endsWines for the Weekend: This Riesling Trocken and Pinot Noir are classic examples of their variety, and are very keenly priced tooFri Sept 16 2022 - 08:34
How to Drink Better: When to chill a red wine and warm up a whiteHow to Drink Better: Serving your wines at the correct temperature will make them taste betterSun Sept 11 2022 - 05:00
Wines to conjure up memories of summer in a glassJohn Wilson: Pet Nat are great thirst-quenching wines, best served well chilledSat Sept 10 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two great-value vegan wines from O’Briens to try, a white and a red for €9.95 eachWines for the Weekend: Not all bottles are suitable for vegans or even vegetarians. This pair from Alicante, in Spain, fit the billFri Sept 09 2022 - 08:23
A whiskey of the sea, the land and the fruit: ‘It seems strange, but it really works’John Wilson: Currach Single Malt Whiskey Atlantic Seaweed Cask is unique and deliciousWed Sept 07 2022 - 05:00
Four bargain supermarket wines to ease your September bluesJohn Wilson: We should be thankful that the annual round of supermarket wine sales has startedSat Sept 03 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: Two Laurent Miquel bargains from Dunnes StoresWines for the Weekend: This Viognier and Faugères are both great value for money — the white exceptionally soFri Sept 02 2022 - 05:00
‘I have been tasting our new whiskey during the week. It’s absolutely wonderful already’John Wilson: Recapturing the taste of old, with the help of a whiskey historianWed Aug 31 2022 - 05:00
A lip-smacking wine to drink with meat, cheese, chops and pizzaJohn Wilson: Many growers and winemakers have learned how to bring out the best in Mencía and now produce some thrilling winesSat Aug 27 2022 - 05:00
John Wilson: These Centra wines couldn’t be more different but both are great valueWines for the Weekend: A lightweight Sauvignon Blanc and a heavyweight Rasteau for €20 the pairFri Aug 26 2022 - 09:00
