Port, sherry, whisky – Christmas drinks are all about the wood

When alcohol is aged in oak barrels, magic happens. And the nights between Christmas and New Year are the best time to sit and sip

The 50 best wines for Christmas 2021

Observer Food Monthly’s expert guide to the best bottles to suit any budget

An Italian red-wine syrup that will add oomph to your life – and your ragu

While some of the region’s wines are astronomically expensive, you can still find great drinks to suit more modest budgets

Wine lists shouldn’t be terrifying but too often they make me feel like a second-class citizen

For celebrating or just lunching outdoors, here are great whites, reds, rosés and fizz to suit the season – and every budget

There’s a reason winemakers are hunting for abandoned vineyards from Spain to California

There are great books and online classes – and here’s a few bottles you could order to help you on your way

Drinks to suit every budget, including supermarket best buys, chosen by Observer Food Monthly’s wine expert

A childhood Russian salad, honey-glazed duck and ricotta cake: seasonal family dishes filled with memories

The key to a successful wine investment, it appears, is not to drink it

It’s a fussy, temperamental grape and it used to cost a fortune. Now it’s being grown from California to Tasmania – and it’s more affordable

Budget fizz, elegant rosés, the best whites and reds … perfect for sipping in the sun

Home drinking is up, but overall sales are plummeting. Meanwhile, some enterprising producers are turning to webinar tastings to keep customers happy

It’s best to drink moderately right now – so choose a wine that soothes