Why do we use oak barrels to age wine?
Oak has unique qualities, including being watertight while remaining slightly porous
How to Drink Better
Vinegary and funky or lively and pure? Natural wine is rightly having a moment
How to Drink Better: Some natural wines are great and some are substantially less so, but they definitely have a future
How does irrigating vineyards work and will global warming affect this?
How to Drink Better: Traditionally, most French vineyards didn’t need to be irrigated but this might not last forever
John Wilson’s guide to buying and drinking Marsala wine
How to Drink Better: Produced in Sicily, Marsala was first popularised in the 18th century
What is the best way to drink Madeira wine and will it last after I open it?
How to Drink Better: You should check which grape went into your Madeira, a wine that deserves greater popularity
I want to buy wine for my new godchild to enjoy in adulthood. Where should I start?
How to Drink Better: Investing in good wine now for your godchild to enjoy or sell later can be a great idea
Climate change and wine: The red wines we will be drinking in the future
How to Drink Better: As temperatures rise, some regions in Europe are allowing growers to plant new varieties, although it’s not always straightforward
Grapes of weather wrath: the new white wine varieties emerging due to climate change
How to Drink Better: Grapes better suited to hot and dry climates are sure to appear on more wine labels
Why are some wines from the most famous regions so disappointing?
How to Drink Better: It’s worth forming a relationship with your local wine shop staff so they can advise you on the smartest options
Why can’t I rely on my favourite wine always being on the shelves of the local supermarket?
How to Drink Better: The price keeps changing too – why is this?
Which wines go best with vegetarian or vegan food?
How to Drink Better: The main thing to get right is matching the weight or power of the dish with that of the wine
How much should you pay for a bottle of wine?
How to Drink Better: John Wilson has done all the important research so you don’t have to
John Wilson’s January wine quiz: how much do you know about what’s in your glass?
How to Drink Better: We all know a ‘wine buff’ who deserves to be tested
How to combine your summer holidays with a winery visit
How to Drink Better: Remember to bring a dedicated driver to your tasting
Have you tried the world’s most popular grape variety?
How to Drink Better: Not all grapes planted around the world are used to make wine, but plenty are
Why not try a glass of something sweet this Christmas?
How to Drink Better: Dessert wines vary in style, so it’s good to work out what you enjoy
Which wines work best with vegetarian Christmas food?
How to Drink Better: Depending on the dishes you plan to serve, one of the wines below should sit perfectly on your festive table
Christmas: Should I drink red or white wine with turkey?
How to Drink Better: Decisions on which wine to drink when and with which foods are personal and should be respected
How does Irish wine consumption compare to other countries?
How to Drink Better: The biggest consumer of wine per capita in the world is Portugal
Why are Americans drinking less wine and will the same thing happen here?
How to Drink Better: A recent Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans did not drink any wine in 2025
Party time: five simple but delicious cocktails to make with sparkling wine
How to Drink Better: There’s no need to use expensive Champagne in most sparkling cocktails
How much wine will one vine produce?
How to Drink Better: There are a lot of factors at play but it’s accepted that some grapes have a much greater yield than others
What is Port and why is it so popular in winter?
How to Drink Better: This Portuguese fortified wine is warming, cosy and sweet. And it matches with lots of foods
John Wilson’s guide to German wines: did you know that most of them are now dry?
How to Drink Better: The days of cheap and very sweet German wines dominating the Irish market are long gone
Just a small one: Is it time to give sherry another try?
How to Drink Better: It’s best to forget the drink served to our parents and grandparents in the 1960s and 1970s
What are wine pairings in restaurants and are they a good idea?
How to Drink Better: When done well, pairing wines with food can really enhance the experience
Don’t worry if your wine is acidic – it’s a good thing
How to Drink Better: Wines that are low in acidity can taste a bit dull and flabby
Which wine would you drink if you were US president?
How to Drink Better: Wine-drinking habits have varied through the political ages, with Donald Trump on the abstemious end of the spectrum
Where can I find the oldest vineyards around the world?
How to Drink Better: You need to look back many thousands of years for an answer - even then, it might be disputed
Wine in the movies: ‘If anyone orders merlot, I’m leaving’
How to Drink Better: Featuring a wine in a film can have consequences flowing well beyond the screen
Why is wine so expensive in Ireland?
How to Drink Better: No one factor is fully to blame, but taxes are a key factor in higher prices
Why does wine taste better on holiday?
How to Drink Better: It’s a myth that some producers save their best wines for their local market
Is it a good idea to mix together leftover wines at home?
How to Drink Better: You could come up with a new master blend, or perhaps not
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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