Ask Tim
Tim Atkin answers your wine questions
Q: I'm looking to buy my girlfriend a bottle of medium-bodied red for her 25th birthday (she's French, so something French would be good), and don't have a fortune to spend, but could you recommend something? She likes Beaujolais, Merlot, Valpolicella and Pinot Noir. Alwyn Harrison
A: You don't say what you mean by a fortune, but my guess is that you want something under £15. It's not red Burgundy, but the 2006 Tesco Finest Yarra Valley Pinot Noir (£12.99, Tesco) is much better value than comparable Pinot Noirs from France.
Q: My partner has offered to buy me a wine course for my birthday. Could you please recommend one that would cover all the main grape varieties, but is not biased towards a particular wine merchant? We have a limited budget, so UK-based courses would be best - ideally within the London area. Thank you. Alison Hatcher, St Albans
A: Contact the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (wset.co.uk), whose nine-evening intermediate course costs £335. These are held all over the country, as well as in London. I'd also recommend WineWise in Islington, run by the excellent Michael Schuster (020 7254 9734), whose courses start at £195. Or you could come along to one of the courses I teach at Vinoteca (vinoteca.co.uk).
A: You don't say what you mean by a fortune, but my guess is that you want something under £15. It's not red Burgundy, but the 2006 Tesco Finest Yarra Valley Pinot Noir (£12.99, Tesco) is much better value than comparable Pinot Noirs from France.
Q: My partner has offered to buy me a wine course for my birthday. Could you please recommend one that would cover all the main grape varieties, but is not biased towards a particular wine merchant? We have a limited budget, so UK-based courses would be best - ideally within the London area. Thank you. Alison Hatcher, St Albans
A: Contact the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (wset.co.uk), whose nine-evening intermediate course costs £335. These are held all over the country, as well as in London. I'd also recommend WineWise in Islington, run by the excellent Michael Schuster (020 7254 9734), whose courses start at £195. Or you could come along to one of the courses I teach at Vinoteca (vinoteca.co.uk).
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