Rémy Martin have released a brand new Coeur de Cognac Summer Fruits Limited Edition gift set. Last night was the launch where there was a chance to sample the sophiscticated tipple.

I don’t subscribe to the view that Champagne is a wine only for special occasions, although it is the natural choice for them, the French for example drink it regularly as an aperitif and with dessert, so why shouldn’t we? I am certainly sold on this one.

Tall, blonde, and under his John Deere baseball cap, beaming, Dirk Würtz does wine in a former water mill in the now tranquil village of Gau-Odernheim, Rheinland-Pfalz…

This is a very good wine that would work well with a variety of dishes and would be a great candidate to take along when invited to lunch, dinner or indeed, a barbecue.

The quintessentially British tipple Pimms has teamed up with designer Jan Constantine to create limited edition jug sets that are perfect for serving your Pimms from.

Cuvee Royale, Crémant de Limoux comes from the Languedoc region of France, which is steeped in wine making history dating back to the 5 th century BC. This fresh, clean tasting Crémant would make a great aperitif. It is also an excellent choice for drinking well chilled on a hot summer’s day while relaxing in the garden or having a picnic in the park.

Mont Tauch is the largest co-operative in Fitou, southern France and their Cellar Reserve Terroir d’Altitude Vieilles Vignes is made from grapes grown at high altitudes on old vines. The Mont Tauch Fitou is available Morrison’s at £7.99 which is good price for this lovely wine, it is versatile and worth putting on your shopping list this summer.

Intrepid dipsomaniac, Douglas Blyde headed to Clerkenwell’s Coach and Horses pub for a tasting of ‘Marc Fine Wines’…

Under Greek sunshine, Douglas Blyde tasted three renditions of one of Scotland’s finest whiskies in glamorous company…

On, reportedly, the hottest day of the year, when the temperature in London had been predicted to rise to a sweltering 32 degrees I attended the New Wave Spain wine tasting at The Worx in Heathmans Road, Parson’s Green. The wines were lined up on long trestle tables set up end to end, a little like the set up for a jumble sale or a bazaar.