Wine

How to Drink Better: The flesh of most red grapes is almost colourless. It’s the skin that brings the redness

Garnacha — or grenache in France — blended with other grapes is a great cold-weather wine

Wines for the Weekend: O’Briens post-Christmas sale has plenty to choose from

I would not have considered myself a big drinker and, like so many Irish people, I was lying to myself

Lots of sun and low incidence of diseases make Sicily perfect for vine growing and the largest organic vineyard in Europe

Wines for the Weekend: Marks & Spencer offers a great range of interesting, well-priced wines

How to Drink Better: While most wine has a shelf life of just a few years, some wines do have the ability to age for decades and still taste good

Kombucha is probiotic and rich in antioxidants, with one Galway-based operation going from strength to strength

Domestic consumption falls as consumers switch to beer, spirits and alcohol-free options

A new Wicklow Wolf and an extra pale ale from Fierce Mild Brewing , both at 0.5% abv, that don’t compromise on flavour

Warming climate and hybrid grapes make country better known for whiskey an unlikely source of award-winning wines

Port and dessert wines are always delicious options but don’t miss some of the best drinks from Irish producers

Wines for the Weekend: A medium-bodied Chardonnay that pairs perfectly with salmon or turkey, and a rich Bordeaux that complements roast red meats

Christmas is just days away. If you are among those still looking for presents, help is at hand with our gift guides

How to Drink Better: It is always better to buy one bottle of good wine than three or four average bottles

Starting with bubbles invariably puts everyone in the mood, after which these perennial favourites will go down well

Wines for the Weekend: A Chianti and a Gavi from Tesco to enjoy over Christmas

Sauvignon Blanc is Irish drinkers’ favourite for most of the year, but things change over the festive season

Sommeliers and hospitality experts give their say on drinks perfect for those cosy winter nights

How to Drink Better: Scores can be a useful aid to buying wine, but remember they are often based on the opinion of one person

Dare to be different this year with these alternatives to the tried and trusted favourites - you won’t be disappointed

Wines for the Weekend: These two Italian wines from Aldi offer great value for money

Five finalists from more than 800 entrants competed at K Club event for a wine package that includes a trip to Bordeaux and exclusive visit to Château Magnol

Crémant and Cava – made in a similar manner to Champagne – can offer great value

Wines for the Weekend: Both wines this week are new to Lidl and are on special offer - while stocks last

We’ve picked out 16 wine bars worth a visit when you’re not quite in the full restaurant mood

Following a post-holiday dream, Irish-born Niall O’Toole and his family now run a wine and holiday business in Tuscany

You should over-order even if it means you have leftovers, writes John Wilson

Wines for the Weekend: Typically Picpoul is light and refreshing while the Bordeaux can sometimes seem a little austere

Embrace the spirit of the season with these new releases across all budgets

Wines for the Weekend: A chenin blanc and an organic Corbieres are two of the best from South Africa

Packaging and transport accounts for 40% of a winery’s climate emissions

Plus: In which country might you enjoy a casserole called tavë kosi?

Wines for the Weekend: This Reisling and Pinot Noir are the ones to go for when on promotion

There are a growing number of vineyards in Ireland, small in scale but big in ambition as global climate change forces the focus away from warmer climes

An influx of young chefs is putting the edgy Mediterranean city on the culinary map with smart restaurants and trendy wine bars

How to Drink Better: If you’re wary of the spittoon, do pour out any wine you don’t want to finish

Each of this week’s wines won Gold Stars in the recent National Off-Licence Association awards

Is a screwcap naff? Is orange wine made from oranges? Do decanters make a difference? Our wine critic addresses common concerns of budding oenophiles

Wines for the Weekend: Toro is a region in northern Spain, known for producing big powerful red wines