Norton is a true American grape variety because it originated in America rather than being brought from Europe. And, rarely for a native American grape variety, it makes an excellent wine, says Peter F May

Glühwein is a warm spicy traditional German winter drink made from warmed wine. It's easy to make and very welcome if you've been out in the cold, maybe carol singing!

Glass wine bottles are so last century! The wine business wants to move to alternative packaging because its better for the planet and saves them money. And it seems the public are increasingly willing to pour wine from tins, plastic and cardboard. Peter F May investigates.

A recurring story going the rounds holds that blood products are found in wine, worrying for mad-cow disease reasons and distasteful for vegetarians. Peter F May looks at the facts.

Having read in Sunday’s newspaper that the restaurant at Rust en Vrede winery had been judged third best in Africa and first for service at the same time as winning a wine tourism award we decided to head there for lunch and to see for ourselves.

Peter F May had never heard of Waking Up Chardonnay until winemaker tells him that it is one of those ancient practises that modern wineries are rediscovering and adopting.