Food and wine pairings with oysters dishes

Tongue firmly in cheek, I sometimes define ‘wine consultant’ as ‘someone lacking employment who will work for whoever pays them’. Although meant in jest, the implied question is valid: just what does a wine consultant do? More importantly, in this age, when every assistant in a retail shop styles him- or herself a sales consultant, who would hire one? The short answer is this: a wine consultant is someone who advises wine lovers about their passion. He or she advises buyers on what to buy (and a ...

Pairing & Serving wine: a beginners guide offers an introduction to the basics of food and wine pairing, giving readers the tools to build the foundations for the perfect dining experience.  ‘Decanter has always had a very keen interest in helping enthusiasts learn more about all aspects of wine,’ said editor-in-chief Chris Maillard. ‘This course is an excellent resource for those who want to improve their knowledge of one of the most important and interesting parts of enjo ...

There’s a reason why heavily-applied perfume ranks highly on most wine lovers’ list of pet peeves. It overpowers your senses, conceals aromas and distorts your perception of a wine. In professional tastings and wine exams the wearing of perfume is banned, if not thoroughly frowned upon. You just don’t do it. What then, if we applied the same logic to music, controlling the sounds we hear, or don’t hear, while tasting wine? There’s no doubt that a chaotic environment can clog your synapses, makin ...