The Douro Valley
by Tim Atkin
If you’re fond of trains, the 110 mile trip from Oporto to Pocinho, close to the Spanish border, is one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world. For...
Pinot Gris
by Tim Atkin
As a kid, I was a great fan of a cartoon show called Secret Squirrel. (Yes, I am that old.) The furtive rodent was a master of disguise. I don’t...
Cabernet Sauvignon
by Tim Atkin
If grape varieties were football teams – bear with me for a second if you’d rather eat iron filings than hear about our beleaguered national sport – then Cabernet Sauvignon...
Tempranillo
by Tim Atkin
Cenicero is one of the nicest towns in Rioja, with a picturesque central square, narrow streets of white-walled houses and an elevated walkway full of old-timers in black berets philosophically...
Top UK Restaurant Wine Lists
The best restaurants understand that what you drink and how it’s served will make a big difference to how much you enjoy your visit. It doesn’t matter how good the...
Top UK Wine Bars
by Matt Walls
Over the past ten years, a new wave of modern wine bars has risen in London and since spread around the UK. Whether you’re a seasoned drinker or just starting...
Sauvignon Blanc
by Tim Atkin
My local wine merchant was in conspiratorial mood. ‘I have a couple of bottles under the counter. I can let you have them but, for goodness’ sake, don’t tell anyone...
Gewürztraminer
by Tim Atkin
On my first visit to Istanbul, I spent a fascinating, if expensive, afternoon amid the colourful madness of the Grand Bazaar. There were slick performances from salesmen offering ‘big cheapness’...