On the grapevine

The usual collection of good intentions has been uttered and promptly put on the back burner, but I shall definitely tackle a few key areas.

Sort through the wine rack and clear out those past their drink-by window, and pull the cork on wines that have been sitting there too long. Not all wines improve with age.

Don't hoard the good stuff. Wednesday is always a good day for opening something good.

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Drink less, but drink better. Last year I started having a wine-free day every week and I feel a lot better for it, even if I will get drummed out of the wine trade for saying so.

Share the joy. A bottle of wine is like a good casserole – it always tastes better when there are more people around the table.

Just tasted

Gyle 479 is a limited edition whisky barrel-aged beer from Leeds Brewery. A dark, strong brew with eight per cent alcohol, deep chocolate and creamy flavours, edged with peat and a definite touch of whisky. The beer has been

aged for two months in casks from the Islay Bruichladdich distillery, then blended with a splash of newly-fermented dark beer before bottling. Unpasteurised because of its strength, this is a serious winter brew. Available in limited

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quantities from Latitude in The Calls, Leeds, (0113 245 3393) priced 7.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Sale time

The Halifax Wine Company starts its sale on Thursday with 20 per cent off selected stock. From the sound of it there will

be all kinds of goodies at reduced prices such as Grand Cru Vaudsir Chablis 2004 (nicely mature, but still with time to go) from Gerard Tremblay, down from 32.95 to 24.95. Check the website www.halifaxwinecompany.com or ring them to get on their emailing list: 01422 256333.

Wine tasting

Harrogate Fine Wine will pull the corks on a range of new vintage Boekenhoutskloof wines sometime in mid-February. On show will be Chocolate Box, Wolftrap and the unobtainable Cabernet Franc. The date, ticket price and exact line-up

are still being decided, but these events sell out almost before the tickets go on sale, so reserve yours now. Ring 01423 522270.

YP MAG 8/1/11

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