Just a few days left before Christmas and if you are stuck for present ideas don’t forget that a decent bottle of wine or gin is always a welcome gift.

A profile of a great wine house this week. FE Trimbach in Alsace dates from 1626 and has passed fairly seamlessly through the generations, despite that region’s tumultuous history ping-ponging between France and Germany. Jean Trimbach from the 13th generation visited recently — the 14th generation is already in the business and the 15th is on the way.

The grapevine species vitis vinifera (of which all wine grapes of quality are a member), can in theory be grown anywhere on earth between 30 degrees and 50 degrees Latitude.