Stories
Demystifying the Douro ... the valley and its secrets
As one of the most versatile, historic and not to mention beautiful wine regions in the world, the Douro Valley is also one of the least understood.
The old wines of South Africa - a fascinating historical tasting
There's much talk of the old vines of South Africa, but what about the old wines? Not as numerous or as well-known as their European counterparts, but far more than just curiosities, for sure!
Spotlight on: Vin de Constance - the legendary sweet wine
It's the sweet wine that was cited by Jane Austen as the cure for a broken heart, drunk by Napoleon to soothe his lonely exile on the island of St Helena, and immortalised by 19th century writers and poets including Baudelaire, Dickens and Bronte. Now, what does make Vin de Constance quite so special?
Unusual Grape Varieties: Everyday is a school day for us too!
As Intrepid Wine Explorers, everyday is a school day for us too! Our comfort classics are still vitally important to us all: creamy Chardonnay, steely Riesling, fragrant, peppery Syrah and rounded Malbec. But there's a whole world out there of exciting, rare and indigenous grape varieties to try too. Here's a few of our recent discoveries and some wines where you can try them too!:
Focus on: Modigliana - the Italian terroir you need to know
Modigliana is a place that not many may know outside Italy, and yet we firmly believe this is some of the most incredible terroir yet to be discovered by the cognoscenti.
Exploring ... the terroir of Lake Garda
Lake Garda - a top holiday destination, and still a hidden gem of a wine region....
Caperitif - a South African vermouth with one hell of a history
The Cape thief is back! "This vermouth tastes unlike any other"
Farewell to a Swig stalwart!
After 5 and half years, Swig superstar Hector is spreading his wings for new pastures. Before he moved on, we sat down with him to hear about his constant Swig faves.
Let's talk wine flaws - introducing light strike
Cork taint may be the most common, well-known and easy to recognise wine fault. But how about light strike, one that may be less well-known, but likely the most common flaw of all....
Myth-busting! Finding great pairs for those 'impossible to pair' foods
Turning preconceptions and terrible pairings to great ones!
The weird, wacky and wonderful - a veritable fruit salad of a wine!
One wine, one dream. One that screams Adi Badenhorst and Kalmoesfontein!
