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Got post-Olympic blues? I prescribe a strong, fruity Syrah

12:53pm Monday 1st October 2012

Summer is most definitely over. The autumnal equinox flew by us this past weekend. The Olympics, Paralympics and Victory Parade are a distant memory and the Jubilee- a shadow.

• Lam Syrah from SH Jones
• Vagabond Wines, Quinta-do-Seival castas portugesas
• The Big Bang!

The moose eyed the Syrah that stood up to the beef

10:32am Monday 24th September 2012

I feel like I’m being watched. I look over my right shoulder and there, eyeing up my vino, is head of a moose. The giant mammal is part of the charm of the Oxford Blue and it will have to put up with a lot of people scratching its nose as the autumn changes to this local pub come in full swing. Thursdays Chris Murray and his talented Chef Mark Bradbury are launching a steak night, Tuesdays they will start a live performance and a new seasonal menu are all part of the exciting plans, but what I really wanted to find out about was the wine. The thing about Chris is he is passionate about his wine and local beers. Before we even sat down he was showing me the Oxfordshire Ales and chatting excitedly about his new finds. 

• The Oxford Blue
• Cat Weazle Club

Keeping it local . . . . with Champagne?

3:34pm Friday 14th September 2012

Last Thursday I began the day with a glass of Champagne in the sun. This uncommon occurrence was a preview to the wines on offer at “Keeping It Local” at the Oxford Castle Quarter this weekend, and one of the stars is the Champagne.

• Tour of France at S H Jones Wines
• Keeping it Local
• First Class Products
• Laithwaites Wines

Reds need chilling as room temperature rises

10:35am Thursday 30th August 2012

This weekend’s foodie festival wasn’t all about food.  There were plenty of libations to keep even the thirstiest satisfied.  Besides the drinks master classes and without even mentioning the Casillero del Diablo wine stand I counted, three separate coffee stands, as well as milkshake, smoothies, juices of varying ingredients from fruit and vegetable to herbal, organic milk products, spiced hot chocolate, a range of teas, cider, water, beers, Oxfordshire Ales, sangria, rum, three further wine stands, a bubbly import stand, ginseng spirit and gin. By the time I got to men serving Mojitos I had lost count and decided maybe I should just stick with the master classes.

• Pictures from the Foodies Festival

• Have your say

Plenty left to toast as summer draws to close

11:28am Friday 24th August 2012

The final summer bank holiday is upon us.  With the Jubilee celebrations a distant memory and the Olympic flame doused, you might wonder what there is left to toast? Well, if you live in Oxford, then there is plenty.

Spirited offerings deliver tastes of summer

10:09am Saturday 16th June 2012

Impressed by Christopher Gray’s description of the Gavi di Gavi Cru Maddalena he drank while at the Garsington Opera, I decided to revisit this often-overlooked white wine. The Gavi is a small region in Italy Southwest of Milan and offers a zesty alternative to Pinot Grigios. I popped by the Oxford Wine Company, to pick up a bottle of Comprosso Gavid di Gavi, for £11.99. It is a wonderful example of the wine, pale straw in colour, with light aroma of apples. It’s full bodied, with high acidity and minerality giving it crispness. It has a long finish and at only 12.5% ABV, it isn’t too heavy for summer.

• Oxford Wine Company
• Bepi Tosolini, the parent company of Fragola.
• Mandarine Napoleon

Gin makes a revival as a Jubilee tipple

12:45am Saturday 2nd June 2012

For years, the “it” drink has been Vodka.

Jericho's Jubilee is the place to be

10:05am Friday 25th May 2012

I don’t drink beer. I can taste it. I can sip it. I can even appreciate the flavours and how it’s made, but I don’t drink it. Even when beer is the only alternative, I will happily drink water.

• The Harcourt Arms
• The Rickety Press.

The complex code of natural wine

5:34pm Thursday 17th May 2012

May is the month to celebrate organic, biodynamic and natural wines.

• The Real Wine Fair
• Artisan Wine Fair
• Vintage Roots

Tricky vegetable demands precise match

9:12am Friday 11th May 2012

Organisers cancelled the Asparagus Festival in Evesham because of rain and flooding. Now we are told British asparagus is in crisis. Luckily, Medley Farm in Binsey continues to supply local shops, restaurants and the public. Millets farm shop in Abingdon sells their asparagus daily. They are growing a portion of their crop under poly tunnels meaning even the cold May start can’t stop the crop. As the rest of the country suffers with imports from Peru, Oxonians will be eating the fresh British veg.

• Matching food and wine with Fiona Beckett
• Raymond Blanc Cookery School
• Camel Valley Bacchus Dry 2011

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day

5:17pm Monday 7th May 2012

Weather experts claim we are in the “wettest drought on record.” Does this mean we should bring a brolly and wear wellies while we use the watering can? Despite the wacky weather, Oxfordshire vineyards are using it to their advantage.

• Brightwell Vineyard
• Bothy Vineyard
• The Oxford Blue

Taste of South Africa comes to Banbury

1:07am Friday 27th April 2012

Friday I found myself on a train heading out of Oxford to visit one of the oldest wine merchants in the country.

• SH Jones Wines
• Domain Road Pinot Noir
• Lammershoek Vineyard

Rich aroma rises from a Bajaian Beauty

12:29am Friday 27th April 2012

We are starting to hear the whisper of summer. Black clothes and boots are being banned to the back of the closets. Emerging in their place are bright colours and skimpier skirts. Of course being Oxford, we will still need a sturdy over coat when we venture outside. That doesn’t stop us from longingly looking at the picnic blankets and wishing for those crispy whites of summer.

Take simple steps to create a great brew

11:00am Thursday 12th April 2012

Climbing the 16th century stairway up to “The Great Hall” at Christ Church I wasn’t sure what to expect. I could sense the years of knowledge, intelligence and culture leaching out of the walls.

• Andy and Dave Hamilton's website about becoming self sufficient.
• Hops and Vines a wonderful homebrew store in Witney
• Headington Homewares, a family run business that is perfect for self starting kits.

Prepare your pick-me-ups for busy break

4:37pm Friday 6th April 2012

Easter dominates Sunday, while one of the countries most historic sporting events, the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race, entertains hundreds of thousands on Saturday. What will you be drinking?

• Bollinger and the Boat Race.
• Oxford Wine Company
• Stevens Garnier

£3 for every bottle of wine sent to Treasury

6:21pm Thursday 29th March 2012

There was a lot of talk on Friday about the announcement of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy. This included a minimum unit price (mup) of 40p a unit of alcohol. This means that those of us that regularly spend £6-£10 on a bottle of wine probably won’t see a price difference due to the mup. However, those that partake in Aldi’s £2.99 a bottle or three bottles under £9, will now be paying more unless those bottles are under 9.97% Alcohol By Volume (ABV) which is doubtful.

Raising a glass to tales of tasty tipples

12:35pm Thursday 22nd March 2012

Starting Saturday the city of Oxford will be taken over by authors and authorities on prose, plays, poetry and similar such bumf. Christ Church will be the core of all things culture (if it is not all ready).

• Hendrick's Gin
• Andy Hamilton at the Oxford Literary Festival
• Oxford Literary Festival

County vineyard's high hopes for top crops

12:19pm Thursday 22nd March 2012

Just nine miles from Oxford city centre is Bothy Vineyard, one of the oldest vineyards in Oxfordshire. Originally it was a glorified garden building on the outside of Oakley Park. More than 30 years ago it was turned into a vineyard. In 2002 Sian and Richard Liwicki bought it and have created an eco friendly vineyard, winery and lifestyle.

• Bothy Vineyard

Top tips for venturing into buying wine online

11:47am Monday 5th March 2012

Buying wine online from Oxford Wine Company to Virgin Wines, it's easier than you thought.