FINE & EVERYDAY WINE
Moke’s Notes:
Raise your wine game with tips, advice and spotlight articles
Homemade or Higgidy; Real or Pukka; Humble or Posh, there’s something truly comforting about a Pie! In celebration of these delicious one pan-dishes, here are some of our favourite savoury pies and brilliant wines to elevate your enjoyment. Read more →
What began as a shocking antifreeze scandal became the catalyst for Austria’s transformation into one of the world’s most respected wine producers. Read more →
When it comes to pairing wine with fish, most of us instinctively reach for a crisp white or a refreshing rosé. But here’s a little-known truth: red wine can be a wonderful partner for fish — when chosen carefully. Read more →
The union of vineyards and wine in Ribera del Duero is inextricably linked to its landscape, the personality of its people, and its cultural heritage, cementing its reputation as a symbol of exceptional winemaking. Read more →
Our ‘5 Flippin’ Super Savory Pancake Fillings’ recipes, perfect for mid-week suppers. Why limit yourself to Shrove Tuesday when there’s a world of variation to enjoy?! As ever, we’ve selected a couple of our favourite wines to pair. Read more →
2025 marks the Year of the Snake. In the Chinese culture, the Snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation. It offers opportunities for growth and change. This is the perfect year for trying to different grape varieties and exploring new regions. Read more →
In the heart of the Marne Valley in Champagne, amidst the celebrated vineyards of Chigny-les-Roses, there resides a maverick; a man whose passion for winemaking transcends tradition, propelling him towards innovation. Arnaud Gounel-Lassalle, billed as the ‘Wine-Rider’ is a visionary whose journey traces back to the roots of his family’s history. Read more →
Nothing beats internal heating in these chilly months like breaking out the chilli!! While many will be reaching for a beer at this point, we find that its carbonation exaggerates the heat and spice and as such, our hands are reaching out for still wines. Here are some of our favourites to temper the heat. Read more →
Château de Coulaine, located in the heart of France’s Loire Valley, is a historic estate with over 500 years of winemaking tradition. Known for its organic farming practices, the Château is renowned for producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Chinon appellation. Read more →
We’ve covered recommendations for white and now we turn our appetite to red. The perennial charred pork sausage, fiery ribs, juicy steaks – these BBQ favourites are pitching hard for something to match. Read more →
With sizzling fare on the BBQ and a decent glass of wine in your hand, what could be more blissful? There are some heavenly matches worth exploring to enhance your BBQ, so turn on, tune in and chill out. Read more →
We’ve had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of Winemakers/Proprietors over the years. Ardent views are expected, most are cordial and insightful but on occasion, some people stand out as giants amongst men: Anthony Hamilton Russell is one such being (and it’s not just to do with his stature!) Read more →
Lying at the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean, the fertile, terracotta soils of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon are bordered by snow-capped mountains, making the vines look almost lime green in the vineyards. Here, the history and culture of the country and its people is every bit as important as the grape variety which, when weaved together, show the rich tapestry of this land. Read more →
With many now adopting a vegan diet, and with a greater awareness and call for the transparency of ingredients and processes, we are often asked about wines with credentials to match. Surely all wines are vegan? It’s reasonable to assume that but the answer is rather more complicated. Read more →
In celebration of National Curry Week, we are highlighting some brilliant wines to try with your favourite curry dishes: from cool, smooth coconut dishes to full flavoured fiery fare, read more about some incredible pairings on our latest blog, Second to Naan. Read more →
Each year, on the second Thursday in November, we celebrate Tempranillo Day. Tempranillo is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano, meaning “early”. Read more →
With the Game season underway, so fleeting is the time we have to enjoy these seasonal delicacies, that pairing the wines is worth the effort. The complexity of the aromas and flavours are unique to the meat and the length of time it’s been hung for has significant impact on the taste. Read more →
Heralding from Verona, home to Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Montresor Bio’s potions are the antithesis of deadly. Each wine shows enormous personality, demonstrating brilliant varietal character or the beauty of the blend. Read more →
A whirlwind tour around the main wine producing countries. Whether you steer toward old or new world, we hope we can tempt you further afield to explore unventured lands. Read more →
Rosé is the darling of the bunch and its popularity continues to soar. Long gone are the days of the Mateus Rosé monopoly (thankfully!) and over the last two decades, the UK has demanded higher quality rosé. Here, we share some of Moke’s favourites. Read more →
We think you’ll agree that, along with Meatless Monday and Fish Friday, Taco Tuesday is on the money! Aside from the satisfying ding of alliteration, it makes great sense to meal prep and plan ahead, and where better to start than the wine rack? Here, we recommend a super collection of wines to pair with Mexican food, from the sultry to the zingy. Read more →
When it comes to wine pairing, balance is the key, with neither the wine nor sushi should overpower the other. Typically, the best wines to pair are light to medium-bodied wines with medium to high acid and lower alcohol. However, the fillings, ingredients and sauces play their role and should be factored in when thinking about what wine to pair. Read more →
In Victorian times, it was traditional to cellar a “pipe of Port” (approx 61 cases) for your children when they were born with a view to them starting to drink it 21 years later when both the children and the Port had matured. Read more →
Want the inside knowledge to help improve your joy of wine? We know that wine can feel intimidating for some, so let’s start this Top Wine Tips series with our five best tips to help you draw the most benefit from choosing, drinking and storing your wine. Read more →