THIS is an interesting time in the world of wine.

FINALLY the summer seems to have arrived with a run of warm days. The barbecue has been on standby all week in my house and the heating has been turned off for the first time this year. Now I fully admit that summer drinking is a little more complicated in Ireland given how unpredictable our weather is, but warmer weather does demand a slight change in drinking habits.

Lance Armstrong admitted his return to competitive cycling at the Tour Down Under had so far been “disappointing” but he refused to rule out a late victory surge.