The All American Greats – Californian wines to toast the fall of Trump November 11, 2020 History was made in Paris in 1976 when a now-infamous blind tasting pitched California’s top Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays against the First Growths of Bordeaux and the finest white Burgundies. In each case the Californian wines came out on top, awarding them instant cult status and global recognition. The US is now the fourth largest [...]
Why Congham Hall in Norfolk should be your next staycation November 9, 2020 We all need something to look forward to right now, and with foreign travel likely to be a risky business for the foreseeable future, staycations should be at the forefront of your plans. Here’s a perfect country retreat just a couple of hours from London. The weekend If you’re looking for a getaway just outside [...]
Winners and losers: Stocks soaring AND plummeting as Pfizer reports Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough November 9, 2020 US pharma giant Pfizer reporting today that early studies of its Covid-19 vaccine are 90 per cent effective has sent markets into a frenzy, with travel and hospitality stocks shooting up while food delivery services and video conferencing software providers plummeted. Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce saw the biggest change on the FTSE 100, surging 43 [...]
Nestlé snaps up majority stake in UK’s Mindful Chef November 9, 2020 Nestlé has agreed to acquire a majority stake in the healthy recipe box and prepared frozen meals company Mindful Chef, bolstering its food and direct-to-consumer offerings in the UK and Ireland. Financial details and terms of the deal, which is expected to close before the end of the year, were not disclosed but school friends Giles Humphries, [...]
The Morning Wire weekend: How to have fun during lockdown November 7, 2020 This is not the weekend we wanted, but it’s the weekend we have to make do with. As we enter another period of lockdown, there are no galleries, cinemas, restaurants or places to have fun of any kind. So here’s the weekly Morning Wire culture and entertainment round-up, lockdown edition. Over the next few weeks [...]
The best home delivery kits, from prepare-at-home gourmet meals to chocolates and whisky tasting November 6, 2020 The prospect of another month without restaurants is frankly too much to bear, especially with the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping. The hospitality sector was already on its knees and now it needs our help more than ever. Thankfully you can kill two birds with one stone – supporting your favourite chefs and [...]
London tops list of The World’s 50 Best Bars… But who won? November 6, 2020 Today of all days, as the UK enters its second lockdown, seems like a strange time to celebrate the world’s finest bars. But Londoners were today given a reminder of exactly what we’re missing, with the capital being crowned the undisputed champion of the drinking world in the new list of the 50 best bars [...]
Bakery giant Hovis sold to private equity firm Endless November 6, 2020 Bakery brand Hovis has been acquired by Endless, a UK based mid-market private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The company confirmed this morning that the terms of the agreement have been approved by both the Gores Group and Premier Foods, Hovis’ current owners. The acquisition enables Hovis to focus on further tapping into growing [...]
Take the edge off the US election with a bourbon cocktail November 5, 2020 With the Presidential election still dragging on, you could be forgiven for having somewhat frayed nerves right now. Will it be resolved with decisive-enough wins in the outstanding states? Will it end up in the courts? Will it lead to the death of democracy and civil conflict? As if 2020 was already stressful enough, without [...]
Four Italian wines to help get you through lockdown November 3, 2020 On the day we ordinarily congregate to celebrate the foiling of Guy Fawkes’ infamous gunpowder plot, we will instead be locked inside wondering how our government has Fawked things up so much. Referring to himself by Italian version of his name, Guido, Fawkes was inspired by his tour of the continent and indeed Italy. How [...]