Where has this year gone? It's as pointless as asking why the sky is up. Much better to ponder what to drink on New Year's Eve. I've got the perfect answer: lots

If you're still feeling the effects of indulgence at New Year I offer you this crumb of comfort: no- and low- alcohol drinks are set to become even more popular in 2020. But what else looms on the horizon?

Sound the booze alarm! I fear the surge in no- and low-alcohol tipples may prove the garlic to my thirsty vampire

My grandparents lived in Falkirk and adored dipping into the deliciousness of Scottish whisky. As we toast Burns Night on Saturday, I reckon these whiskies are worthy of year-round celebration.

Animal products in wine? Do some wines really contain fish bladders or bull's blood?

For some reason, Pinotage has been left in a corner rather like a litter tray that no one wants to admit is still there. This is a mistake

World-class quality is on our doorstep and our home-grown bubbly is setting pulses racing. It's time for your cork to pop!

When the weather is belching invisible icy barnacles into your eyeballs, nothing beats a big fat red to turn up the heat

Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but handled in a different way by the wine-grower. With lower yields and a longer time hanging on the vines, it develops bigger flavours and fuller texture

Spring is round the corner, and it's time to crack open the scented whites. While some grapes have the aromatic impact of a ram raid on the Duty Free perfume counter, others are more subtle

Today is International Women's Day and there are plenty of talented women creating brilliant wine around the world, so let's celebrate them

Not all dark beers are boozy. Boxcar makes a brilliant Dark Mild (3.6%), or for a drop that's as booze-free as a pixie's giggle, try Harviestoun's Wheesht Alcohol Free Dark Ale (0.0%)

Mother's Day is here and what better way to show her you care than with a bottle of something fabulous? Kick off the celebrations by bagging her a bubbly so brilliant she'll order a dozen

British Summer Time kicks off today and there are plenty of wines to cool and crack. Even better, I've found bunches of them that are ludicrously good value

Furmint is a bit of a weirdo. I mean that in a good way, rather like the curious teenager misjudged by eccentricity before blossoming into a full-blown expressive genius.

Rosé days are just around the corner.

The classic reds to pair with lamb are Rioja, southern French reds, Chianti or Bordeaux. With Easter next weekend and roast lamb set to sizzle, rummage beyond the usual suspects.

I've been banging the drum for Austrian wine so loudly for so long that I sometimes worry my enthusiastic zeal for their liquid loveliness turns me into Animal, the drummer from the Muppets.

With many of us experiencing uncertainty and pressure on household bills, this week's column is dedicated to finding you the best bottles on UK shelves for under ten quid.

Guro Reiten opened the scoring with a deflected shot in the 16th minute before Lisa-Marie Utland doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark with just her fifth touch of the game.

Trading Standards bosses are warning tourists about a 'sham' website advertising a Manchester city centre hotel that doesn't actually exist.

Stacey Dooley hit back at a troll who commented on Instagram 'At least this black person is old enough to consent to being in a photo with you'.

The documentary maker, 32, looked stylish in black mom jeans and a white woven tank top as she checked her phone on her way inside the broadcaster's headquarters.

Already-qualified hosts France preserved their perfect record to top Group A with a 1-0 win against 10-woman Nigeria thanks to Wendie Renard's 79th minute penalty.

The British Museum has long faced criticism over how it sourced its most prized possessions from former British colonies and beyond.

Chile were eliminated from the women's World Cup after missing a late penalty that would have sent them through in a 2-0 win over Thailand on Thursday.

Argentina and Lionel Messi's tournament woes have continued at this summer's Copa America after failing to win their opening two matches of the campaign.

Germany booked their place in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals with a confident win over Nigeria. Alexandra Popp, Lea Schuller and Sara Dabritz scored the goals to secure victory.

Naby Keita has been ruled out of Guinea's final AFCON group clash against Burundi with injury, news that will likely infuriate Liverpool. He is struggling with shin and thigh problems.

Ayoola 'AJ' Ajayi, 31, self-published the Forge Identity, which tells the story of a 15-year-old boy originally from Nigeria who witnesses two gruesome murders where both of the victims are burned alive.

Candie and Chipper - of the US Customs and Border Protection's 'Beagle Brigade' - sniffed out the Giant African snails while on duty at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey delivered Ghana into the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations with second half goals as they beat Guinea Bissau in their last group game at the Suez Stadium.

Nigeria produced a second-half comeback to beat Cameroon 3-2 and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles had taken an early lead.

Based on eight matches from last season, they found each match had an average illegal audience of 7.1 million viewers, with more than one million of those from China.

The 25-year-old former Arsenal junior was relegated with Rotherham last season but impressed enough to earn supporters player of the year award.

Footage filmed by a passenger on the aircraft captures the man as he moves around the wing of the plane at the international airport in Lagos on Friday.

The 'Stansted 15' (pictured) cut through a fence at Essex airport in March 2017 in a protest against deportation of 60 people. Of these, 25 were criminals for offences such as murder and child rape.

Caitlin Harvey, from Glasgow, said she had met the unnamed toilet attendant on a night out when the Nigerian woman confided in her that she was lonely after her recent move.

Everton have held discussions with Monaco over the proposed sale of Henry Onyekuru and have stepped up interest in Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina.

PC Khafi Kareem, 29, from the Metropolitan Police (pictured with Commissioner Cressida Dick) was warned not to take part in the show but was granted unpaid leave and entered.

PC Khafi Kareem (pictured) continued to appeal to viewers for support despite her London colleagues expressing concern that she'd tarnished the reputation of the Met.

UK-based Particia Ajayi, 51, from Nigeria, opened up about the long-term impact of surviving FGM. She told the BBC that the psychological aspect 'far outweighs' the physical pain.

Alex Iwobi is determined to make a name for himself after completing a £30m move from Arsenal to Everton on deadline day. The winger became Marco SIlva's seventh signing of the summer.

The visitors went behind in the seventh minute after Wilfried Ndidi dawdled on the ball, allowing Chelsea youngster Mason Mount to nip in, steal it and finish past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Ellias Preko, a Ghanaian national used his 'expertise and veneer of respectability' to flush dirty money out of Nigeria.The money was plundered by former governor James Ibori.

Nigeria have launched an ambitious attempt to convince Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham to snub England and represent the Super Eagles at international level.

Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu has attacked his former club over their decision to sell Alex Iwobi to Everton for £30million on transfer deadline day.

Oluwaleke Yisa told an immigration officer 'I want to leave this f*****g country' during an appointment at the Home Office's Becket House, Bermondsey, on 20 August.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has refused to rule out switching his allegiance to Nigeria.  Abraham is currently the joint-leading scorer in the Premier League this season.

Abraham, who has scored seven goals in his last three games, has already been capped by England at senior level. But, as his one cap came in a friendly he could still switch allegiance to Nigeria.