Oeno Biblio

Is wine a good gift?

In my family, the answer to that deep and meaningful question is always a pretty resounding yes! But buying anyone any kind of booze is fraught with difficulties. There are so many things to take into consideration – do they like red or white? Sweet or dry? New world or old world? And that’s before you’ve even thought about your budget!

Unfortunately, there’s no simple way to fix all these problems. I wish Enigin could create some kind of labour More

The value of a shop display for wine sellers

The other day I was pondering how wine sellers display their wares, and wondered whether there’s much point to doing so. After all, how many wine lovers enter a wine shop not knowing what they want to buy? I hardly think that displaying a particular brand or bottle will make a wine lover change their mind about what it is they plan to purchase for their evening tipple. But obviously there is some purpose behind it, otherwise wine merchants wouldn’t More

I need a break

My best friend is getting married later this year, which means I feel like I’m getting married this year! My whole life revolves around catering companies, bridal fabrics, florists and hen party ideas. If I ever get married, I’m eloping. I can’t go through all this again!

So, I’m employing my usual escape route. The local charity book shop. My heaven of peace and tranquillity in this crazy, crazy world. And you can often buy some pretty good books More

Enthusiasts and the Environment

Should you be a lover of wine or books then it makes sense to appreciate the environmental impact that your passions have on the global climate. While holding a bottle of your favourite wine, think about the process behind it and the impact on the environment. For the general consumer, each person will play a part in reducing the carbon footprint by recycling bottles. For the wine enthusiast, it may be helpful if you pay attention to the entire process More

The Sculpted Beauty of Wine and a Novel

There are two things that I love; wine and books. Of course, these are in no particular order as I adore both in equal measures. There is nothing in this world that equals in the pleasure scale of having a gorgeous glass of red while sitting in your favourite spot and reading a book which makes you lose yourself and reality for a few hours. The hours pass and you take no heed. Turning the pages with relish while sipping More

Shantaram

There are books that a person can find extremely fascinating and wholly perfect no matter what his interests are and whether he is a mortgage broker or a construction worker. These are usually the books that infringe every sphere of life, interfere with every understanding and are based upon events that everyone can find in his own existance. And a book like that is ’Shantaram'by Gregory Roberts - a fascinating work, a mastrpiece of the modern day literature and a More

Book or Film?

I usually don’t like to watch “films of the book” unless I’ve already read the book first. Nine times out of ten I usually prefer the book, so I like to be able to compare the two and review the movie from a position of knowledge!

But there are exceptions where I have enjoyed the movie more than the book. This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy the following books; they were all much more fun than having a More

A Prayer for Owen Meany

The first line of John Irving’s ’A prayer for Owen Meany’is a memorable one. We learn that the narrator, John Wheelwright, is a Christian because of his friend with a ’wrecked’voice, and that this boy was tiny, and caused the death of John’s mother. This, of course, is Owen Meany, and as far as introductions go, this sums him up pretty well!
The eccentricity of Owen’s voice, described by John as ’wreckéd’is portrayed well by Irving, who uses the unusual More

Infertility Book Review

An excellent reference book for anyone experiencing primary or secondary infertility is by Anna Furse. Anna herself has been through the ordeal of infertility and took part in a 1995 BBC documentary whilst she under went DNA Tests and IVF treatments in the UK, which resulted in a much welcomed baby girl.

Anna is not new to writing or teaching. Her career has included being a theatre director, award - winning playwright and Senior lecturer in performing arts at the More

Blossom Hill Signature Blend Red

I am a lover of red wine. Having lived in Italy for a year, I have come to adore a glass of red wine on practically any occasion possible (and am not ashamed to admit that I have started picking online recipes to compliment the wine instead of the other way round). In fact, as Italy taught me, it doesn’t even have to be an occasion as such, a glass shared over gossip and catch ups with friends is most More