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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

You’re ready to enjoy a glass of your favourite wine, bottle at the ready. Only one thing stands between you and that first delicious sip. The cork.

Best scenario, you have a corkscrew to hand; you deftly pull the cork from the bottle and you’re good to go. We’ll show you how to pick the perfect corkscrew below. But what do you do if the cork has crumbled, and the corkscrew won’t bite? Worse still, what do you do if you have no corkscrew at all? Rest easy – we have all the answers for you.

Save the date, mark your calendars, and grab your tickets …

 … because our beloved London Wine Festival is back by popular demand – returning on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May. 

Pork is an incredibly versatile meat … there are varying cuts and flavour profiles, which means when it comes to wine, there’s a plethora of pairing possibilities.

From light and delicate to bold and robust, there are many different wine styles to suit the richness or seasoning of your pork dish. So, whether you’re grilling pork chops, enjoying tender roast pork, or indulging in pork belly, we’ve got you covered with a range of wine suggestions that will complement and enhance every bite.

When the occasion calls for bubbles, your first thought may be a bottle of Champagne, but there’s another French sparkler worth considering – Crémant. This French sparkling wine has an excellent and well-deserved reputation thanks to its unique combination of quality and value.

When was the last time you poured yourself a glass of sherry? This Spanish fortified wine has had its fair share of ups and downs with UK drinkers. Its reputation was somewhat tarnished by the cream sherries and cooking sherries that were once ubiquitous in UK drinks cabinets. These overly sweet and often inferior-quality wines bore little resemblance to sherry’s authentic, complex character. This resulted in the widespread perception that sherry was a less-than-sophisticated choice, best resigned to dusty cupboards and left for trifle recipes.

In recent years, the UK has seen a sherry renaissance, with increasingly more wine lovers discovering that sherry is not a single, homogeneous style of wine but encompasses a whole range – from the crisp, bone-dry Manzanilla and Fino sherries, to the intriguingly complex Amontillado, Palo Cortado and Oloroso, and even the wonderfully rich and sweet Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel.

Cabernet Sauvignon ticks every box when you are looking for a rich, full-bodied and satisfying red wine. Known and loved for its robust tannins and deep, dark fruit flavours, it’s often balanced with vanilla and spice from oak ageing. In Cabernet Sauvignon from cooler climates, you might detect a hint of green bell pepper, while wines from warmer regions feature ripe blackcurrant notes. Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious on its own, but it also works beautifully when paired with a wide array of dishes. So, what should you know about this famous wine? Our guide answers all your questions and more.

Barolo, often called the ‘King of Wines’, is one of Italy’s most prestigious and sought-after red wines. It hails from the Barolo appellation in Piedmont, northeastern Italy, and is reknowned for quality. This full-flavoured red wine has a rich history and a terrific reputation, which makes it a significant player in the world of Italian wines.

Barolo is made solely from Nebbiolo, a grape variety that, despite its thin skins, is known for strong tannins, high acidity and profound floral aromas. A standout feature of Barolo is its impressive ageing potential. Even after a mandatory ageing period at the winery (at least 38 months, of which 18 must be in barrel, while for Riservas it’s at least three in oak, two in bottle), top Barolos can continue to evolve for several more decades in the bottle.

Barolo is not only one of the finest wines of Italy, but also one of the most celebrated in the world, with Barolo fans splashing out big bucks for wines from the most revered winemakers and vineyards.

There are 11 communes – subregions – within Barolo, five of which are particularly renowned and highly regarded. Given time, the wines open out to reveal an amazing array of delicate, intriguing flavours, which make Barolo red wine definitely worth trying. The wines are a wonderful reflection of Italy’s modo di vivere, where – when it comes to food and wine – great patience and a slow pace of life is amply rewarded.

A stunningly beautiful region in the deep south of Italy, Puglia is known chiefly for its big, rich fruity reds made from local grape varieties including Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia. These wines were little-known outside of Italy until the 1990s, but they’ve quickly built up a loyal following – loved for their big bold flavours and smoky, spicy character.

Pinot Noir and Merlot … the tale of two classics.

Merlot is often regarded as an uncomplicated, easy-drinking and crowd-pleasing grape. Because of that, it’s the perfect ‘any occasion’ wine. The kind of wine you’d bring to a party or savour midweek alongside dinner.

In contrast, Pinot Noir is regarded as a connoisseurs’ grape. It can be elegant and refined, with so many complexities that you might feel you need a degree in wine to understand it.

Now for the twist.

Not all is as it seems with Merlot. In fact, it’s quite misunderstood … because Merlot can produce sublime reds as well of those easy-drinking bottles.

After all, it’s the grape behind the Right Bank Bordeaux reds of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. Le Pin (a pure Merlot from Pomerol) sells for £2,000 a bottle … yikes!

Let’s dive into the details and compare these two red titans.