Simon Hoggart 
May Mini-bar
The prices of the top Bordeaux reds are down this year, though you can still pay hundreds of pounds a bottle for the most famous labels. What puzzles me is… Read more
April Wine Club
I have been enjoying Growing Up in Restaurants by James Pembroke (Quartet), which is largely autobiographical, but also covers the history of eating out in this country, including the darkest days… Read more
April Mini-bar
These are some of the most luscious wines I’ve ever offered to readers. They are all Spanish, from The Haciendas Company, and if you don’t quite believe me, and if… Read more
March Wine Bar
The other day I had one of those awkward moments. We were guests at dinner. ‘You’re a wine writer!’ said our host. ‘I’d like your opinion on these two!’ You’re… Read more
March Mini-bar
Adam Brett-Smith of Corney & Barrow says this offer contains two of the least expensive fine wines in the world. He’s probably right. We are offering both, plus a couple… Read more
March Wine Club
An excellent selection of European wines this week from Private Cellar, the first-rate East Anglian merchants who sell loads of fine, established wines but always keep an eye open for… Read more
February Mini-bar
The annual offer of Château Musar is here, and The Wine Company of Colchester has again given us some very generous discounts. I never recommend wine as an investment, partly… Read more
February Mini-bar
Around twice a year, I visit the Swig world HQ (an office in Chiswick, west London) and taste some of the most delicious wines known to humanity. Next day I… Read more
February Wine Club
Our new offer comes — this always sounds like a misprint — from FromVineyardsDirect, the terrifically popular wine merchants which sells vast quantities of wine to Spectator readers. And no… Read more
January Mini-bar
Some people think that Southwold, that tranquil seaside town in Suffolk, is hopelessly middle class. So what? I love it. I like staying in the Swan hotel, with its great… Read more
January Wine Club
I’ve always been baffled by the French attitude to wine. Either they drink too much or too little. When I was a student, a long time ago, I spent some… Read more
December Wine Club
A question I’m often asked is -whether a particular wine is ‘worth it’. The answer, generally, is ‘no’ if the wine costs £3.99 and resembles alcoholic dishwater; ‘yes’ if it… Read more
November Mini-bar
Father Christmas this year comes disguised as Mark Cronshaw of The Wine Company in Colchester. He has offered some huge savings on fine wines for yuletide glugging, and so while… Read more
November Wine Club
Last year a similar offer by FromVineyardsDirect was the biggest seller in Spectator history. I wasn’t surprised. These Bordeaux wines are astonishing value, all coming from some of the most… Read more
October Mini-bar
Four delicious wines from the estimable Private Cellar. Three are from France, and one from Italy. A mixed case would, I think, cover all your drinking needs for quite a… Read more
October Wine Club
My colleague and friend the late Alan Watkins was for a spell wine writer on the Observer. Though I had not yet taken up the Spectator job, we disagreed on… Read more
September Mini-bar
This is a splendid offer made by FromVineyardsDirect, always a favourite with Spectator readers. It’s a little more expensive than some recent offers, but each wine is such tremendous value… Read more
September Wine Club
An offer from Corney & Barrow, with their amazing range of wines and wonderfully efficient service, is always welcome. Corney & Barrow specialise in some of the finest wines available… Read more
August Wine Club
August is a slow month for wine sales, which no doubt is why Mark Cronshaw of The Wine Company in Colchester has slashed so many prices in this offer. These… Read more
July Wine Club
Earlier this month we held a wine fair at The Spectator, using the tents that next day sheltered the magazine’s summer party. It was great fun, and our six principal… Read more
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