How to Drink Better

Are all wines vegetarian or vegan?

How to Drink Better: Some producers say their wines have offending substances removed, but as minuscule amounts may remain, strict vegans and vegetarians disagree

Award-winning wines: Points scores, medal wins and what they mean

How to Drink Better: A competition win can mean soaring success for a wine, but not all present themselves for judgement

John Wilson: This is what you need to know to pick a red wine you will enjoy

How to Drink Better: Find the grape variety you like the most and experiment with varieties grown in different countries

John Wilson: This is what you need to know to pick a white wine you will enjoy

How to Drink Better: These are the most popular white wine grape varieties and the styles of wine they produce

Which wine? How to read information on back of bottle

How to Drink Better: Wine labels can be impossible to understand but they can provide useful details

John Wilson: Why is alcohol so expensive to buy in Ireland?

How to Drink Better: When you spend €8 on a bottle of wine in Ireland, €4.69 of that will go to the government

Keeping up the craic: Tips to moderate your drinking while still enjoying it

How to Drink Better: Dry January is a good idea, but changing your long-term drinking habits is better

What is a good present to buy for a wine lover?

How to Drink Better: Go for quality rather than quantity, and seek advice from a good wine shop

John Wilson: The right glasses will actually make your wine taste better

How to Drink Better: It may be worth investing in some new wine glasses, and there is something for everyone at all price points

Is champagne worth the hefty expenditure?

How to Drink Better: Good Champagne is a luxury product that is heavily taxed in Ireland

Should we drink red wine with red meat, or is it down to personal preference?

How to Drink Better: `I have a good friend who dislikes red wine and drinks Chardonnay with everything’

John Wilson: It does not need to be all white on the night if you are having fish for dinner

How to Drink Better: In general, white wines pair best with fish but in some cases a red that’s light in tannins can be a great match

Should I always drink red wine with meat and white wine with fish?

How to Drink Better: If you don’t know a lot about wine, but would like to know more, this new series will help you get to grips with it

John Wilson: Here is how to make your cheap wine taste better

How to Drink Better: Mix good and less good wines together, serve it with food, and use your best glasses even if it’s an inexpensive bottle

John Wilson: Does the word ‘reserva’ on the label mean my wine will taste better?

How to Drink Better

John Wilson: Will wine taste better if I wait a couple of years before drinking it?

How to Drink Better: Not all wines benefit from cellar ageing, but some do, even for a year or two

If you find ever-stronger wines hard to handle, choose bottles from cooler climates

German and Australian Riesling and Italian Pinot Grigio are usually lower in alcohol

How to Drink Better: Why does drinking some wines give me a sore head?

How to Drink Better: Sulphites are often blamed, but they are unlikely to be the true culprit

How to Drink Better: Can I give a screw-cap wine as a gift?

How to Drink Better: No reason for complaint if given a quality bottle of screw-cap wine

I’m planning a party for a group of 18-year-olds. What’s a good drinks plan?

How to Drink Better: Alcohol and partying teenagers - what are the strength guidelines?

John Wilson: Leftover wine? Here’s how to save it for later without deterioration

How to Drink Better: there are various gadgets to protect against oxygen and prevent loss of flavour

How to Drink Better: When to chill a red wine and warm up a white

How to Drink Better: Serving your wines at the correct temperature will make them taste better

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