John Wilson

John Wilson

Contributor

John Wilson, a contributor to The Irish Times, is a wine critic.

I’m hosting a drinks party – how much wine should I buy?

How to Drink Better: A lot depends on the kind of friends you have and if there are any non-drinkers in the group

Uncork a Chianti, one of the great food wines

John Wilson: These four bottles will go perfectly with most red meats, pork and Mediterranean veggie dishes

Two Italian wines to try: a white that’s good on its own and a red with a smooth finish

Wines for the Weekend: John Wilson on two wines from Tuscany

John Wilson: Is that bottle of wine worth €100?

How to Drink Better: Supply and demand dictates what wine makers can achieve for their product

Here’s to the house red: four fine examples of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Italian restaurants know what they’re doing: these easy-drinking, lightly fruity wines go with a wide variety of dishes

Refreshing wines to enjoy by the pool or with summery salads

Wines for the Weekend: Both wines are available at a discounted price this weekend

Choosing the right drinks for your summer barbecue

John Wilson: The same rules apply to barbecued food as to other dishes – match the body and richness of your wine with that of your food

Two weird and wonderful wines to try from Aldi

A Greek Assyrtiko and a French rosé made from seven different grape varieties

Tannins can make wine slightly bitter, producing a drying sensation in the mouth

How to Drink Better: Some people develop headaches from tannins and cannot drink red wine

Soave wines are so much better than their reputation of old

John Wilson: As it became fashionable here in the 1970s and 1980s, quality plummeted. That’s no longer the case

Two summer wines to try: A crisp unoaked French Chardonnay and a Malbec from Spain

Wines for the Weekend: Lighter more refreshing wines that will go nicely with all kinds of summer foods

The best way to learn about wine is to visit the vineyard where it is produced

How to Drink Better: A road trip calling to several producers can be a wonderful way to spend a day of your holiday

Irish whiskey galore: how to keep up with the constant flow of new offerings

John Wilson: Whiskey Live Dublin is a great chance to get to grips with the bamboozling breadth of choice

Everything is coming up rosé for Graham Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker in SuperValu

Wines for the Weekend: Check out these summery celebrity wines

Wine experts like to talk about great vintages, but does the year really matter?

How to Drink Better: As with every agricultural crop, some years are better than others for growing grapes