Author Archives: Robin

About Robin

I am a food and drink writer and qualified speech and language therapist with previous careers in insurance and IT. Having also attended food and drink trade fairs for over 15 years, assisting my father with his export business, I am now pursuing a long-held ambition to become more closely involved in the food and drink trade and had my first article published last year (see my article on English rose wine). I have a WSET Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits and am a member of CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale).

Top class food & stunning New Zealand wine!

All photos by Robin Goldsmith, unless otherwise stated. What an evening! Within the welcoming walls of Eurocave, the brand-leading wine storage and accessories company, Liam Steevenson MW of The Far-Flung Wine Co. led a food and wine matching session that … Continue reading

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The 19th Watford Beer Festival: real ale can still remain relevant in a world of craft beer.

Spurred on by the American craft beer revolution, the same drinks category in the UK is on the up. Brewdog’s Punk IPA, for example, is a drink of choice for many younger consumers sick of bland, big-name lagers. However, real … Continue reading

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The truth about food and wine matching: in defence of its supporters

The debate There’s been a good deal of talk recently in social media and newspapers about whether wine critics’ advice is worth its salt and whether food and wine matching makes any sense, has genuine scientific worth or is just … Continue reading

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Taste of London 2013

I had some tasty treats at the recent Taste of London Festival. Many thanks to Scheckter’s Organics Energy Drinks for the complimentary ticket – much appreciated! The venue, in Regents Park, was huge and increasingly busy as the sun showed … Continue reading

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The London Coffee Festival

I know I moan about London from time to time, especially when stuck on the Tube, but surely nowhere is ‘Cool Britannia’ more in evidence than in our capital city. London has been totally transformed since the 1980s and must … Continue reading

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It’s all in the taste, isn’t it?

The question: should we choose natural and organic food over other produce? The answer: maybe yes and maybe no. I’m putting on my fence-sitting hat here, as for me there cannot be a straight answer. Financial, lifestyle or health choices, … Continue reading

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Flat caps and Luddites?

In January’s edition of What’s Brewing, CAMRA’s monthly news magazine, there was a highly insightful article by food and drink market researcher, Peter Jackson. He investigates why more 18-24 year-olds don’t drink real ale when it often tastes better, has … Continue reading

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The Beer Tax Escalator: CAMRA members lobby MPs

According to CAMRA, 3 million fewer UK adults visit the pub on a regular basis as a result of the beer duty escalator, which increases tax on alcohol by 2% above the inflation rate each year. This, in turn, is … Continue reading

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I predict a riot : well almost!

Twenty years ago, I predicted that the England football team should stop playing 4-4-2, as this system was outdated, one-dimensional and would guarantee failure at every major international tournament. Hardly anyone believed me then, but pretty much everybody agrees now. … Continue reading

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Chile and Argentina : wine nations to be taken seriously

I recently attended the Wines of Chile and Wines of Argentina Annual Trade Tastings at Lords Cricket Ground. The two countries offer a rich diversity of wine styles worth discovering, as well as strongly supporting Fairtrade wine production. Before offering … Continue reading

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