CAN you trust a wine score or tasting note? One of the more animated discussions at the Ballymaloe Literary Festival was on the subject of wine competitions and point-scoring for wines.

Little Red Gate Cottage is a warm and comfortable retreat with plenty of guest space, writes Rose Martin.

ALONG with spices such as vanilla, coffee is catnip for humans, a sort of mildly psychoactive cup that cheers.

Cue the ominous bass line and close the beaches.