Today I’m looking at a wine sale in Tesco, but I have to begin with a reminder that can’t be repeated often enough.

Wine tastings are always interesting, but the organisers of a one-off event devoted to the riesling grape next month have outdone themselves.

WHETHER you’ve a late change of plan or unexpected extra guests, you can still put together a cracking wine list for Christmas dinner if you get moving early today.

SOMETIMES you do have to suppress a giggle at the flowery language used to describe wine — the cherries, roses and truffles, let alone the rubber, farmyards and even cat’s pee — which are fairly commonly used to describe wines.

THE public wine tastings featured here last week — and the suggestion that wine fans shouldn’t miss the opportunity — all still rings true.

THE sémillon grape isn’t used to the glare of publicity, but it suddenly popped up last week when a French restaurateur paid a record €85,000 for a bottle of Chateau d’Yquem 1811 — the most expensive bottle of white wine ever sold.

It was almost like old times at Rugby League headquarters with Maurice Lindsay back in the hot-seat.