Christine Austin

Basel, England, London

Freelance Writer at The Yorkshire Post

Write about wine for The Yorkshire Post and iNews. Love good food, good wine and sunshine.

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Articles

The best wines from M&S, Co-op and Waitrose that you've probably never heard of

2 weeks ago | yorkshirepost.co.uk | Christine Austin

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. What would have happened if Matthew Bramley had moved into his new home in 1846 and cut down the apple tree in his garden? The tree, planted from pips planted several decades before by a young girl called Mary Ann Brailsford became the source for all the cuttings and the DNA of the Bramley apple variety that we now know and love.
The expert's guide to easy wine and food pairing

2 months ago | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

“White wine with fish and red wine with red meat.” Those used to be the “rules” of wine and food pairing – but that was a long time ago. These days you can drink anything with whatever you are having for dinner, and if you like it, that’s fine. But there are occasions when you want to make the most of the flavours on your plate and partner them with the right choice of wine. That is when you start the magical process of food and wine matching.
The 20 best bottles of fizz for New Year's Eve, from £5.75

Dec 27, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Nothing brings in the new year quite like popping a bottle of bubbly. However, standing in the supermarket in front of the shelves of fizz trying to choose which bottle to go for isn’t always an easy task – particularly given that it skews expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. Whether you enjoy zesty Prosecco or prefer dry pink Champagne, there are some excellent value deals on the shelves this year.
The 20 best red wines for Christmas, from £4.25

Dec 6, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

’Tis the season to be merry. And for those of us who are partial to a red wine, there is no greater pleasure than pouring a nice glass preferably to be enjoyed beside a fire, or paired with the perfect canapé. Nowadays, there is a whole host of delicious reds available in supermarkets for very decent prices, but how do you identify them while avoiding the duds? Christine Austin, a wine writer with a vast amount of experience testing bottles, surveyed this year’s offerings to find out.
The 20 best white wines for Christmas, from £4.95

Dec 5, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Whether you are looking for a nice bottle to take to a festive gathering or the best wine to pair with the turkey, gone are the days where it was simply a case of deciding between a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc. The sheer amount of choice is great if you know what you’re doing, but a little overwhelming for those of us who don’t.
The best no and low-alcohol wines that taste as good as the real thing

Sep 27, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Jaymi McCann |Christine Austin

£3.25, TescoA fresh, zesty sauvignon blanc alcohol-free wine, with just a splash of pinot noir adding light flavours of strawberry and redcurrant. £4, Marks & SpencerPassionfruit and grapefruit freshness in this de-alcoholised sauvignon-based wine with enough texture to partner a plate of prawns or salmon. £4, Marks and SpencerA merlot-based wine that has all the alcohol taken away, leaving just the soft rounded red berry fruit and a hint of damsons.
The best wines for bank holiday, from just £4.99

Aug 22, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Naturally lower in alcohol at only 9 per cent, this is zesty and refreshing with passionfruit aromas and crisp pink grapefruit flavours. Team with grilled prawns. Read NextWorldRead MoreA new fresh-tasting grape with light, perfumed aromas, ripe citrus flavour with hints of passionfruit and melon. Try it as an aperitif or with salads. From ace wine-maker Adi Badenhorst, this terrific blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier gives balanced peach and citrus flavours. Great with herby fish dishes.
The best English wines to drink this summer, from £5.95

Jun 13, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Surrey, £9.99, WaitroseA blend of three grape varieties gives this bottle light floral aromas, with a distinct lime and lemon thread, adding zing. A great aperitif. £15, Marks & SpencerBacchus grapes do well in England, producing zesty flavours with herby, tropical fruit notes, a whiff of pea-shoots and a citrus finish. Surrey, £9.59 until 2 July, then £11.99, WaitrosePinot noir and rondo grapes give lively summer fruit flavours with just an edge of sweetness to partner salads and spicy foods.
Love Whispering Angel but not the price? 20 of the best rosés from £5.99

May 10, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Aldi, £5.99The name translates as “mad bull”, but you’re the one who would be mad to miss this bargain bottle. Deeper pink than most rosés from its dark-skinned nobal grape, with bags of bright raspberry fruit. Co-op, £7Pale in colour but bold in flavour with creamy cherry fruit and just a hint of spice. Team with grilled fish or chicken. Asda, £7On the beach or at home, this is a great choice. Chilled-down cherry and strawberry pinot noir flavours work perfectly with food or on their own.
How to buy a good bottle of wine on a budget

Apr 25, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Christine Austin

Walk into the wine aisle in a supermarket and there are dozens of offers. It might be £2 off a bottle, or 25 per cent off when you buy six bottles, or maybe you only get the deal when you have the right supermarket membership card. When there are so many discounts, multi-buys and price cuts on wine, how do you know when you are getting a good deal? The person who always gets a good deal on wine is the chancellor of the exchequer.