Whisky guru Charlie MacLean on his dream drams and why all roads lead to Scotch Brian Elliott January 6, 2017 Drink, Whisky With the weaker pound helping exports and industry insiders better versed than many on international trade deals, some consider the next few years could be good for our whisky trade. What better time, then,...
Brian Elliott: Trust the professionals to find inspirational wines Brian Elliott September 17, 2016 Drink, Wine Wine producers from all over often tell me how impressed they are by the knowledgeable drinking public in Scotland and by our accomplished wine trade professionals. So, to underline the second point, here...
Brian Elliott: Vinho Verde and the secret of eternal youth Brian Elliott August 31, 2016 Drink, Wine When it comes to re-inventing oneself, few can rival Vinho Verde. Without compromising its wines’ traditional lightness and freshness, the complexity and acidity has been increased while levels of residual...
Brian Elliott: Four wines that are worth paying a little extra for Brian Elliott August 2, 2016 Drink, Wine Even during the lazy days of summer, there are still special occasions which demand that little extra edge of luxury. Here, then are four wines that do mean digging just a little deeper but, in my view, more...
Brian Elliott: High praise for 100 top tipples from Australia Brian Elliott July 26, 2016 Drink, Wine Although his UK newspaper columns give him a pretty high profile here, Matthew Jukes (pictured) enjoys almost “wine god” status in Australia. Consequently, his annual 100 Best Australian Wines (£16...
Brian Elliott: Paler rosés are all the rage for their dry refinement Brian Elliott July 19, 2016 Drink, Wine Sales of Provence rosé exploded last year as consumers became enthused by the mouth-watering – and versatile – liaisons its drier versions strike up with food. Encouragingly, consumers also appear...
Brian Elliott: Taste the highlights of a successful Scottish partnership Brian Elliott July 14, 2016 Drink, Wine It was an agreeable lunch for two Scots that provided the genesis of From Vineyards Direct. Esme Johnstone was co-founder of Majestic Wines and once top man at Château de Sours. David Campbell was a...
Brian Elliott: It’s been a good year for those in the medals Brian Elliott June 30, 2016 Drink, Wine Many folk feel that wine competitions hand out far too many medals but – as a sometime judge at two major UK contests – I have no qualms about the quality of those awarded the very highest...
Brian Elliott: Love is all around for Lidl’s one-stop supper Brian Elliott June 21, 2016 Drink, Wine A while back, I featured a “one-stop” supper (where all the food ingredients and wine came from one retailer - M&S that time). The launch of their Summer Wine Collection a few days ago, prompted me...
Brian Elliott: The Outsiders understand terroir as well as the French Brian Elliott June 14, 2016 Drink, Wine Surprisingly, Languedoc growers – often considered anything but French winemaking “insiders” – have a sub-group that calls itself “The Outsiders”. With members from eight countries as distant as...