As my time in Edinburgh comes to an end, so does my wine column. I’ve had a blast writing it, sharing bottles with friends and sharing what knowledge I’ve been able to acquire through endless reading, pestering professionals and researching. I can’t thank the Lifestyle Editors enough for letting me waffle on about wine this past year. For my parting shot, I thought I’d compile my favourite bits of tried and tested advice:
- Don’t over chill white wine, it doesn’t need to be in the fridge for as long as you think and Edinburgh student flats are already cold enough.
- If you want to get better insta photos, hold your wine glass by the stem. Don’t grab it like a goblet (greasy fingerprints on the glass aren’t attractive and if you’re being really fancy, you don’t want to warm up the wine with your hands too much).
- Just because it’s a screw cap doesn’t mean it’s not a good wine.
- But if it has a cork, don’t keep it standing upright on your kitchen surface for the whole semester or the cork will dry out.
- Lidl wines aren’t all bad, you just need to be picky and look for specific grapes, not mysterious red or white blends.
- Bigger upmarket shops, like the M&S on Princes Street, have a bigger variety for the same price as the Newington Tescos (I will die on this hill).
- If you’re pairing with food, think about where the wine is from and the “vibes” of that place. Match the boldness, match the vibe.
- And finally, if someone tells you to bring a bottle of wine for dinner, whatever you do, don’t bring Lambrini.
Illustration by Rosie Warwood, @rosiewarwoodart on Instagram