Alice Lascelles says the real pleasure of being a lone barfly is just taking in the room. And that requires courage – especially when looking busy is what we’re primed to do

With the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Bars, Joel Harrison considers the formula for a perfect watering hole

For David Kermode, Chenin Blanc is massively underrated. Here, he ponders if old vine wines from South Africa might offer the grape variety its best chance of achieving the kind of international fame it deserves

Nina Caplan reflects on recent travels in the Armagnac region - and how, when enjoyed in the colder months, the spirit that hails from this part of France can conjure a vivid image of a summer well spent

The current thinking is that to belong to the upper echelons of grape royalty, a variety must be site- and vintage-expressive but unmistakably itself. So what about Chardonnay, asks Sarah Heller MW

Joel Harrison considers what goes into making a great Negroni, and celebrates the fun process of finding the right formula for the classic cocktail

The resurrection of the home drinks trolley gives us a chance to pass judgment on what is on offer and to ask what it says of the curator, says Joel Harrison

Pale-pink Provençal rosé might be flying off the shelves, but Nina Caplan fondly reflects on travels to Tavel and Lirac, and wine discoveries beyond, where a darker style of rosé reigns supreme

Some interesting discussions have opened up around the way we write about wine. David Kermode considers how to strike the best balance when penning tasting notes that capture a flavour – and, more often than not, a feeling

Nothing beats drinking on holiday, and that’s especially true now that capital cities are upping their cocktail game. But that doesn't mean you should overlook bars in some of the traditional tourist traps or places more off the beaten track, says Joel Harrison