My wine of the month, El Primero Graciano-Garnacha, from Navarra, Spain is also in my opinion the best value for money red in the range. Graciano and Garnacha are grapes used with Tempranillo to make Rioja but here they take centre stage to produce a juicy fruit-bomb.

Sauvignon Blanc - that razor-sharp, refreshing white wine with its lively aromatics and uplifting acidity is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world. From the cooler spots in South Africa and the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, to the slopes of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley,

"Come quickly, I'm drinking the stars!" - Dom Pérignon may have never actually uttered those immortal words, but every sip of Champagne is as mystical and wonderful from the first glass to the last, and that quote sums up the experience poetically. In fact Dom Pérignon, contrary to popular belief, did not invent, create or stumble across Champagne. 

Wine has been a passion of mine for a long time, I enjoy talking about it, but It is still a daunting subject, even for me.  After all, any recommendation will always be based on my tastes and what I enjoy drinking, and knowing that my recommendation could be the difference between the perfect anniversary meal or spoilt evening, I feel the pressure!

This is a beautiful wine. Made in the Appassimento method whereby the Corvina and Merlot grapes are air-dried for a length of time before fermenting, in exactly the same

New Year, new you? Most people think that old publishing cliché should be stomped like a late harvest gewürztraminer! I am a big Frasier fan and I've always wanted to use that quote! Seriously though€¦ New Year, new you? What makes you think the old you will let that happen?

After a delightful lunch alongside super wine with Stefano at Ca dei Frati we headed off for a three hour journey from Lugana to Barbaresco in Piedmont.

After La Giuva we had an hour's drive leaving the wine region of Veneto behind and crossing the border into Lombardia and the province of Lugana, bordering Lake Garda.

Tuesday morning involved a little drive from our hotel just on the outskirts of Verona to a small winery called La Giuva, which lies on top of a hill, 400m up in the Squaranto valley.