Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2025-12-02T15:56:59.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: The best champagne taste tested 2025
items: 12 of the best English sparkling wines to buy, 2025
items: Best non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wine
items: Best port to buy for Christmas and beyond
items: Best Malbec wines taste tested 2025
items: Best single malt whisky
items: The best Irish whiskey to buy 2025, taste tested
items: The best Scotch whisky for Burns Night and beyond
items: The best rye whiskey – an expert taste test

The best champagne taste tested 2025
type: item
date: 2025-11-30T11:09:55.000Z
creator: Henry Jeffreys – Wine expert
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best buys
subject: best champagne
subject: best fizz
subject: best prosecco
subject: best sparkling wine
subject: best wine
subject: budget prosecco
subject: budget wine
subject: Cava
subject: cheap champagne
subject: expensive vs cheap champagne
subject: Henry Jeffreys
subject: posh champagne
subject: Sparkling wine
subject: supermarket champagne
description: Our wine experts put the best champagnes to the test in order to find the best bottles – from supermarket bubbles to some fairly posh plonk, you're sure to find your new favourite fizz.
encoded: It’s the drink of parties and celebrations, of weddings and christenings, the drink that conjures up memories of special occasions and a touch of luxury. Champagne is no everyday drink so, when buying a bottle, it’s worth buying the best – so we’ve rounded up the best champagnes to buy so you can find the ultimate bottles to pop. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to fizz these days: from affordable prosecco and cava to unique English sparkling wines and even non-alcoholic sparkling options, but champagne remains the most decadent option. The strict rules limiting the region of the same name where it can be made in northern France, along with production rules, explain why its price tag is often higher as well as why it retains such a distinct character. Some champagne houses may be familiar names, such as Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot, but we’ve tested a range of lesser known, budget-friendly and even best supermarket champagnes, too, to find a brilliant affordable bottle of bubbly. Our selection varies from £14.99 to £50, for fizz to suit any budget. All champagnes have been tested by wine writers Henry Jeffreys and Jonathan Hatchman. Henry is a drinks and wine writer who writes for Master of Malt and his work has appeared in the The Guardian, The Spectator and The Financial Times. For more, visit our reviews section to find more than 400 practical buyer's guides, including taste tests of gin, vodka, rum and brandy, plus round-ups of the best rhubarb gins, pink gins and citrus gins. For regular wine deliveries direct to your door, discover our Good Food x Laithwaites partnership for discounts on exclusively curated wine cases chosen by experts and the Good Food team. Best champagnes at a glance Best grower champagne: Château de Bligny Grande Réserve, £27.99 Best Blanc de Blancs champagne: Laithwaite Brut Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs, £29 Best richly flavoured champagne: Champagne Gaston Declos 25th Anniversary Blanc de Noirs Brut NV, £39.99 Best fresh tasting cha…

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12 of the best English sparkling wines to buy, 2025
type: item
date: 2025-11-14T14:07:30.000Z
creator: Henry Jeffreys – Wine expert
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best english sparkling wines
subject: English sparkling wine
subject: Henry Jeffreys
description: Discover the best English sparkling wine to buy, a growing genre of drink that can be enjoyed like champagne, prosecco or cava.
encoded: Once considered a curiosity, English sparkling wine has now firmly established itself among the world’s finest fizz. Crafted using similar methods to Champagne, these English wines are typically made from classic grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Thanks to England’s chalky soils and cool climate, they deliver remarkable freshness, delicate bubbles, and a distinctive crisp acidity that rivals their French counterparts. To help you find the very best bottles, our drinks experts taste-tested and rated a selection of the best English sparkling wines, from well-known big producers to up and coming boutique vineyards, ranging from £25 to £45 a bottle. Here, we reveal our top 12 picks — the bottles worth celebrating, whatever the occasion. Best English sparkling wine at a glance Best richly flavoured English sparkling wine: Wyfold Vineyard English Sparkling Brut 2017, £38 Best for food pairing: Harrow & Hope English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2020, £40 Best budget English sparkling wine: Laithwaites English Heritage Sparkling Rosé NV, £28 Best sustainable English sparkling wine: Virgin Wines 25th Anniversary Limited Edition English Sparkling Brut NV, £38.99 Best English Pet Nat: Good Day Pet Nat, £25.55 Best elegant English sparkling wine: Black Chalk Classic Cuvée 2022, £40 Best English sparkling rosé: Exton Park RB|23 Rosé NV, £39 Best own label brut: Candover Brook Brut NV, £38 Best organic English sparkling wine: Davenport Limney Estate 2014, £27 Best non-vintage English sparkling wine: Redfold Vineyard Ambriel Classic Cuvée NV, £33 Best with strawberries: Bolney Cuvée Rosé 2018, £39.95 Best rosé English sparkling wine: Everflyht Rosé de Saignée 2019, £45 Best English sparkling wine to buy 2025 Wyfold Vineyard English Sparkling Brut 2017 Available from Laithwaites (£38) Best richly flavoured English sparkling wine Rating: 4.5/5 ABV: 12% Wyfold is Barbara Laithwaite’s two-hectare Oxfordshire vineyard, high on a south-facing slope of flint…

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Best non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wine
type: item
date: 2025-11-14T14:03:22.000Z
creator: Jonathan Hatchman
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Henry Jeffreys
subject: low alcohol
subject: non-alcoholic wine
description: Discover the best non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wines for booze-free drinks options that are sophisticated and full of flavour, ideal for entertaining or special occasions
encoded: Drinking less and non-alcoholic options are on the rise, so we've delved into the world of booze-free wine to see what's worth trying. A word of warning: these wines are sweet, much sweeter than conventional wines. A normal off-dry white will have around 4-7 grams of residual sugar per litre, and many of these have the same amount per 100ml – not a great option if you’re trying to lose weight. They're too sweet to cook with, too. Low or alcohol-free wines are made by creating a normal wine, removing the alcohol by using a spinning cone, and sweetening the resulting liquid with sugar or grape juice to give it some body. Many have a small amount of added flavouring in them, too. This was definitely the least satisfying category. The two that worked best were the prosecco and German riesling, perhaps because both are based on originals that are sweet and low-alcohol. All the bottles below have been taste tested by wine writer Henry Jeffreys and food and drinks writer Miriam Nice. For more non-alcoholic advice, check out our review of the best non-alcoholic spirits or the best non-alcoholic champagnes and sparkling wines. Best non-alcoholic and low-alcohol wines at a glance Best non-alcoholic wine for prosecco lovers: Mille Bolle Alcohol Free Sparkling, £5.99 Best non-alcoholic wine for cava lovers: ¡H! Barcelona Hola Alcohol Free Sparkling, £4.99 Best eye-catching non-alcoholic wine: Von Buhl Zero Secco Alcohol-Free, £8.99 Best non-alcoholic sweet wine: De Bortoli The Very Cautious One gewurtz riesling, £5.50 Best full-bodied non-alcoholic red: De Bortoli The Very Cautious One shiraz, £5.50 Best non-alcoholic vegan red wine: Eisberg cabernet sauvignon, £19.50 (case of 6) Best non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc: Eisberg sauvignon blanc, £21 (case of 6) Best alcohol-free merlot: Eisberg alcohol-free merlot, £19.50 (case of 6) Best for making alcohol-free mulled wine: M&S alcohol-free merlot, £4 Best non-alcoholic German wine: Leitz Eins Zwei Zero riesling, £9.95 Best non-alco…

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Best port to buy for Christmas and beyond
type: item
date: 2025-11-14T14:00:30.000Z
creator: Henry Jeffreys – Wine expert
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best ports
subject: Henry Jeffreys
subject: Port
subject: ruby port
subject: vintage port
subject: white port
subject: wines
description: Discover the best ports to buy. From ruby and tawny to vintage, there's a port to suit your taste and budget. See how our wine expert, Henry Jeffreys, rated them during our taste test
encoded: Port is made by taking very ripe grapes grown in the Douro Valley, crushing them to extract as much colour and flavour as possible, and leaving them to ferment. While there is still lots of sugar, brandy is added to kill the yeasts and stop fermentation, leaving a wine of about 20% alcohol that’s intensely sweet, fruity and bold. The cheapest ruby ports spend a couple of years in wood before being bottled. At the top of the tree sit vintage ports, which are only made in the best years. Ideally they need around 15-20 years minimum in bottle before being ready to drink. There are also single quinta ports, which come from a particular year but mature quicker, and late bottled vintage (LBV), matured in large wooden vats for six years before bottling ready to drink. There are also tawny ports, which aged in barrels with oxygen contact like sherry, until they lose their colour and take on a nutty quality. They can be superb, and sold ready to drink with no need to decant. Finally, you can buy white ports that make great aperitifs, especially when mixed with sherry. Keep an eye out for offers around Christmas time – sometimes you can pick up some bargains from larger retailers. Some say port should just be drunk in December, but it can be enjoyed year-round. Tawnies, in particular, are surprisingly versatile and pair well with any season. Read on to find which ports are best. For more, visit our review section and find over 400 buyers' guides, including taste tests of gin, whisky, vodka, rum, brandy and more. Best port to buy at a glance Best budget port: António José Da Silva Tawny Port, £14.99 Best ruby port: Andresen Fine Ruby Port NV, £15.99 Best port for beginners: Taylor’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port, £20 Best complex port: Alta No. 10 Tawny Port, £23 Best port for a light, nutty finish: Waitrose No.1 Reserve Tawny Port, £16 Best port for cocktails: Graham’s Blend No 5 White Port, £26.95 Best value port: Tesco Finest 10-year-old tawny port, £14.50 Best tawny port: Sandema…

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Best Malbec wines taste tested 2025
type: item
date: 2025-10-27T10:21:47.000Z
creator: Henry Jeffreys – Wine expert
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best malbec wine
subject: best malbec wine from Argentina
subject: Henry Jeffreys
subject: Malbec
description: Drinks experts Henry Jeffreys and Jonathan Hatchman share their best Malbec to buy, from Argentina and beyond. We've got wines for any budget, with blowout bottles and plenty under £10
encoded: A wine merchant once let me into a secret about ordering from an unfamiliar wine list: go for the Rioja or the Malbec, and you can’t go wrong. Malbec is one of the very few grape varieties, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, that has become a brand name familiar to non-wine buffs. What’s all the more remarkable is that 25 years ago the word ‘Malbec’ was almost unknown. In its home in south west France where it went into an often rather tough wine called Cahors, it was called Cot. In Bordeaux, however, it was known as Malbec but there was very little of it. Once an important variety, it had largely been superseded by Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, and Merlot. But there were acres and acres of the stuff in Argentina, where it was brought by French immigrants in the 19th century. In the 1990s Argentinian producers managed to harness all that sunshine to transform this often awkward grape into something that people loved, full-bodied but with smooth tannins, lushly fruity and perfumed with violets. A new wine style was born, Argentinian Malbec. It’s become such a success that in south west France, they now call the grape Malbec instead of Cot, and it is generally made in a fruitier, more friendly style than in the past. Most Malbec on the shelves comes from Argentina or France, but we have included a couple from other countries too. Read on to discover the pick of the best Malbec wines, ranging from under £10 to £30 a bottle. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides and taste tests, visit our review section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best English wine and prosecco to rosé. To learn more about wine, explore our complete wine varieties guide and discover all you need to know about Chenin Blanc, Garganega, Vermentino and much more. For regular wine deliveries direct to your door, discover our Good Food x Laithwaites partnership for discounts on exclusively curated wine cases chosen by experts and the Good Food team. Best Malbec at a glance Best overall Ma…

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Best single malt whisky
type: item
date: 2025-06-04T10:54:28.000Z
creator: Jonathan Hatchman
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: american whisky
subject: drinks review
subject: single malt whisky
subject: Whisky
description: From classic scotch to innovative bottles from Taiwan, Australia and India, discover the best single malt whisky to buy
encoded: When single malt whisky is mentioned, most people think of Scotland, which is widely recognised as its historic and spiritual home. However, distilleries around the world are now getting involved in the production of truly outstanding single malts. Not governed by the same strict criteria as Scotland, prominent distilleries in Japan, India, Taiwan, Ireland, the US and beyond are now producing world-class single malt whisky and earning global acclaim, even among whisky purists. To put it simply, single malt whisky must be made from 100 per cent malted barley and distilled at one single distillery. Single malt whiskies can differ significantly from region to region, even if produced in the same country. Scotch single malt is a typical example of this, with widely varying flavours across different regions, from peaty and powerful, to light and floral. Many Indian single malt whiskies have bold, tropical flavours thanks to the fast-aging climate, while Japan is renowned for elegance and precision, producing whiskies that are often light and oaky. Distilleries in the US and wider Europe tend to produce innovative takes on the style that are inspired by Scotch single malt icons. Some single malt whiskies work well in cocktails, but the general consensus is that they are best enjoyed either neat or with a splash of high-quality spring water to open up the flavours, especially in higher-ABV expressions. Here, drinks expert Jonathan Hatchman has selected the best single malt whisky to buy, covering a range of styles and prices, from under £35-70+. Read on for our in-depth reviews, and for over 400 buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find taste tests of gin, vodka, tequila, rum and much more. Jump to: What is a single malt whisky? How to choose a single malt whisky Best single malt whisky to buy 2025 How we tested single malt whisky Best single malt whisky to buy at a glance Best ‘new world’ single malt whisky: Copperworks Release 046 single malt whiskey, £68.95 Best…

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The best Irish whiskey to buy 2025, taste tested
type: item
date: 2025-05-28T14:40:14.000Z
creator: Jonathan Hatchman
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Ireland
subject: Irish
subject: Richard Davie
subject: single malt
subject: St Patrick's day
subject: Whiskey
subject: whiskey review
subject: Whisky
description: Read our expert review of the best Irish whiskey to buy. Find grain, single malt and single pot still varieties in our list of top buys.
encoded: There are currently a huge swathe of Irish whiskies out there reinventing, challenging, subverting, defying or simply exceeding the stereotype of the spirit only being suitable as a shot or chaser. Irish whiskey has had a turbulent history of highs and lows, but today the Irish whiskey industry is undoubtedly exciting. From big Irish whiskey brands such as Bushmills to small new distilleries, drinks expert Richard Davies has taste tested and reviewed the best Irish whiskies on the market in-depth in order to find the best whiskies to buy for you. The classic flavours and qualities associated with Irish whiskey are of a light, smooth spirit that still retains complexity and depth. You will often find fruit, especially apple, banana and pear. Vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg all pop up amongst the spicy edges. The sweetness can vary from very light to rich and dark. Quite often the whiskey will have a mouth-coating oiliness far greater than the spirit’s heft might suggest. The one thing you will very rarely find in Irish whiskey is smoke or peat. Connemara is a notable exception, and other distilleries have put out peated whiskies, but it is not a common feature. Our drinks expert Richard Davies is a writer, barman and brewer with roots in home-brewing. With Miriam Nice, he co-wrote The Art of Drinking Sober. When he's not making his own beer and cocktails, he works at award-winning micro pub The Beer Shop. The perfect bottle of Irish whiskey is excellent sipped neat, but we’ve got plenty of whiskey recipes to help you use it up too. Try a classic old fashioned or Irish coffee, stir up decadent homemade Irish cream with plenty of dulce de leche or shake a quirky Brown Derby with grapefruit juice and honey. For more, visit our reviews section to find more than 400 practical buyer's guides, including taste tests of the best gin, vodka, rum and brandy, plus round-ups of the best whiskies from around the world including best English whiskies, best Japanese whisk…

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The best Scotch whisky for Burns Night and beyond
type: item
date: 2025-04-10T15:18:03.000Z
creator: Jonathan Hatchman
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: best whiskey
subject: Burns night
subject: Richard Davie
subject: Scottish
subject: single malt whisky
subject: Whiskey
subject: Whisky
description: Read our expert guide to the best whisky Scotland has to offer for every occasion, from Burns Night to first footing. Whether it’s supermarket bargains or the best of independent distilleries, our Scotch taste tests include single malts and more
encoded: The world of Scotch whisky is varied and occasionally intimidating, ranging from the light and heathery to the smoky and medicinal, with a huge gamut in-between. While a lot of distilleries were closed down or mothballed in the 1980s and 1990s, there has been a recent Scotch whisky revival. Some exciting new entrants are rubbing shoulders with distilleries centuries old to produce this illustrious spirit drink, rivalled only by fine wine for depth. Here is an introductory stroll through our choice of the best Scottish whisky – perfect for drinking with your haggis, neeps and tatties on Burns Night. We’ve included a range of price points from £30-80 a bottle, as well as styles, so whether you’re new to the world of Scotch or know exactly what you like, we’ve got a regional spirit for everybody. All the Scotch whiskies below have been chosen and tested by our drinks expert Richard Davie. Richard is a writer, barman and brewer with roots in home-brewing. He co-wrote The Art of Drinking Sober with Miriam Nice. When he’s not making his own beer and cocktails, Richard works at award-winning micro pub The Beer Shop. He has previously written round-ups of the best Irish whiskey and best Japanese whisky for Good Food. For more drinks product reviews, see our buyer’s guides to craft whisky, classic whisky, bourbon and much more in our dedicated reviews section with over 400 expert reviews. Jump to: What is Scotch whisky? What is the difference between Irish and Scotch whisky? Best Scotch whisky to buy 2025 Best Scotch whisky to buy at a glance Best gentle Scotch: Glenkinchie 12 year old, £45.75 Best sherry cask aged Scotch: The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select, £79.99 Best young Scotch: Wolfburn Northland, £46.90 Best peat Scotch: Highland Park 12 year old, £45.61 Best classic Scotch: Benromach 10 year old, £41.95 Best smoky whisky: Ardbeg 10 year old, £48 Best long aged whisky: Lagavulin 16 year old, £83.50 Best independent whisky: Gordon & MacPhail Discovery Miltonduf…

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The best rye whiskey – an expert taste test
type: item
date: 2025-04-09T14:42:42.000Z
creator: Brendan Hodrien
subject: Drinks
subject: Review
subject: Brendan Hodrien
subject: how to make a whisky cocktail
subject: rye whisky cocktail
subject: Whisky
subject: whisky cocktail
description: Have you tried rye whiskey? This American spirit is well worth exploring. Read our expert buyer's guide to find some of our best bottles of rye whiskey and serving suggestions
encoded: Rye whiskey is an American staple, although they aren’t the only ones whipping up the spicy tipple. The history of rye whiskey in North America dates back to the 18th century – by 1808, farmers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania were distilling so much rye that they were selling half a barrel for each head in the country. So, what makes a rye whiskey? Quite simply, it has to be mostly made of rye – the mashbill (the recipe) must contain no less than 51 per cent rye grain – making it a close cousin of bourbon which must contain no less than 51 per cent corn. Although, rye is a much spicier style of whiskey than bourbon. It is best described as a beautiful ball of peppery fruit that melts away into oaky caramel. If you fancy a tipple with a bit more of a kick, this is the style of whiskey for you. Read on for our best rye whiskey to buy. For over 400 buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section and find taste tests of gin, vodka, tequila, rum, whisky and much more. The best rye whisky at a glance Best unorthodox rye whiskey: FEW Immortal rye whiskey, £60.95 Best high-strength rye whiskey: Pikesville six-year-old 110 proof straight rye, £78.49 Best traditional rye whiskey: Colonel E.H. Taylor small batch straight rye, £81.95 Best affordable rye whiskey: Bulleit 95 rye, £38.50 Best for cocktails: Sazerac, £35.75 Best gentle rye whiskey: Knob Creek straight rye whiskey, £48.53 Best cult favourite: Michter’s US*1 straight rye, £60.25 Best rye whiskey from beyond America: Kyrö rye whiskey, £49.95 Best after dinner whiskey: Rittenhouse straight rye 100 proof, £42.25 Best complex rye whiskey: WhistlePig 10-year-old small batch rye, £89.99 Best well-known rye whiskey: Jack Daniel's single barrel rye, £63.75 What is rye whiskey? While bourbon is the United States’ most popular whiskey style, it looks as though rye whiskey slowly catching up, having gained far more popularity in recent years. Two main styles of rye whiskey are available today, American and Canadian, but to be label…

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