Wine to go with truck food

May 8, 2016By Georges MeekersGastronomy, Wine

The democratisation of wine? We’re not quite there yet – wine is still more difficult to buy, and consume than it needs to be. My nose gets rubbed in it each time I take out lunch from one of the trendy mobile food trucks that park along the Ta’ Xbiex seafront.

Cairanne called cru

April 22, 2016By Georges MeekersGrapes

Wines from the Southern Rhône village of Cairanne will soon be able to tout the coveted designation ‘cru’ on their labels. The French body that oversees wine appellations, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO), officially approved Cairanne as an appellation communale after an eight-year procedure. Publication of the official decree is imminent. Cairanne first … Read More

Around your palate – wine tannins

March 19, 2016By Georges MeekersGastronomy, Wine

Wine lovers are often heard sonneting about mouth-filling sensations. Some crude and harsh, aggressive even, others soft, as smooth as silk, velvety, furry or fleshy. These are all wine speak adjectives to describe the effect of tannins in red wine.

Orange wine, a throwback.

March 5, 2016By Georges MeekersGastronomy, Wine

Whereas not too long ago, any serious wine lover would give a wide berth to russet-coloured, amber wines (especially those suspects drawn straight out of demijohns and carboys), tinged wines made from white wine grapes strangely enough have recently found a cult following.