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Picture the scene…

In the smartest boardroom in the capital, in St James, the traditional heart of London’s clubland, the candles flicker expectantly. There’s a hush as the Duke of Wellington raises his glass. The liquid inside glints pink amber. It is smoky, tarry … and still very sweet …

Here is the continuation of my customer chats in their new, secret location on the website. I don’t mean it to be secret but I think the new young bosses do. Spread the word, would you?

I really enjoy our Pontfract rosés. It’s not only because the vines are old, but because the man who owns the estate is positively ancient.

We like to say, ‘we stop at nothing’. Our producers certainly don’t stop easily either.

You’ve probably seen one of our fine wine lists, or heard people talk about fine wine. But what exactly does it mean? What makes a wine fine? How does a fine wine differ from any other wine? What’s the best way to buy fine wine? And once you’ve bought it, how do you store fine wine?

Ah, Burgundy! The classic French wine region that makes connoisseurs go all starry eyed and has wine writers reaching for their most fanciful metaphors. But don’t be put off by the mystique. Burgundy sets the benchmark for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, two of the world’s best-loved grapes. It’s a region well worth taking the time to explore. And if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Find out all you need to know in our Burgundy guide.

The excitement of opening a delicious bottle of wine can quickly be crushed if you discover your wine is ‘corked’ at the first sip. This is why your restaurant waiter will pour a small amount of wine for you to try before pouring a full glass – and why some wine enthusiasts will sniff the cork of a newly opened bottle. The winemaking process isn’t simple and involves great skill and creativity to produce delicious, premium wines. But as always, some things, including corked wine, are outside a winemaker’s control. So what is corked wine, how can you tell you have a corked wine and – most importantly – should you drink it?

Once associated mainly with warm evenings, leisurely brunches, and summers on the French Riviera, rosé wine has burst out of its seasonal stereotype to become a year-round favourite among wine enthusiasts. And with so many to choose from – from pale, elegant Provence to fruity, vibrant modern pinks – there’s a rosé for every occasion.

Here’s a handy guide into the different types of popular rosé wines, as well as a quick look at some lesser-known rosé varieties that might just tickle your fancy.

Forget National BBQ Month or National BBQ Day… merely the promise of sun is enough for us Brits to get out the grill and fill the air with the fragrance of burning bangers.

It was just such a break in the clouds that led to my first BBQ of the year. It was actually billed as a ‘braai’ – the South African version – and we had all been asked to bring something to cook and share.

True to tradition, I took a string of herby pork sausages from my local butcher. My neighbour contributed some fruity kebabs. As well as steaks and burgers, there was spicy pulled pork and minty, marinaded lamb. Some brave culinary soul even brought sous vided (boiled in a bag!) chicken - which then just needed a few seconds sizzling over the charcoal to finish off…

And, of course, there were all manner of salads from potato and coleslaw to green bean and tomato, complete with tangy dressings and balsamic vinaigrettes. A marvellous feast. But, with all those various big and contrasting flavours competing… it begs the vital question: WHAT TO DRINK?

Many people enjoy a glass of sweet wine. The appeal of sweet wines lies in their richness and complexity of flavours. Sweet wines can offer a balance of acidity and sweetness, making them incredibly versatile in food pairing, particularly with spicy dishes or desserts. Sweet wines come in various styles, from easy-drinking, fruity wines perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon to rich dessert wines to pair with any after-dinner treat, from cheesecakes to cheeseboards. But what makes a wine sweet? And why are some sweeter than others? Our expert guide can help you understand which wines are sweet, why they’re sweet and which ones you need to try at least once.

Looking to learn more about wine? With such an exciting selection of wines available from different corners of the globe, there’s no end to the types of red, white and rosé wines to discover and enjoy. You may be familiar with names such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Prosecco, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. These grape varieties make some of the world’s most popular types of wine. Each has its own characteristics and flavour, so getting to grips with the most widely used grape varieties will provide a solid foundation of knowledge for any wine enthusiast. Read on to learn more about some of the best types of wine in the world and why you must try them.

In the height of summer, when you’re soaking up the sun (after it’s finally made an appearance of course), there’s nothing quite like a cool, refreshing beverage to take the edge off.

Of course, a glass of wine is always a great tipple on its own. But sometimes hot days require something different … perhaps something lighter. So, when you fancy mixing things up a bit, wine also makes the perfect base for flavourful, thirst-quenching cocktails.

And I don’t know about you, but for me, cocktails are an essential go-to for easy sunshine sipping.

With that in mind, we’ve pulled together the recipes for four easy-to-make wine cocktails that we’ll be savouring all summer long.