On the grapevine

Waitrose 25pc off: It is that time of year when Waitrose knocks 25 per cent off all its wines and champagnes, so long as they cost more than £5, and you are prepared to buy a mix of six of bottles. This offer works for in-store customers and online, but the deal ends on Tuesday March 22, so you need to act quickly. I would head for a magnum of Nyetimber English fizz, currently £80 and perhaps a few bottles of Simpson’s Estate Pinot Noir 2020, currently

£15.99. In the hope of sunny weather, it might also be a good idea to stock up with your favourite thirst-quenching Sauvignon Blanc too. Pyramid Valley 2019 is made to biodynamic principles and has layers of vibrant fruit (currently £18.99), but Ara Single Estate Sauvignon consistently offers terrific flavour for money, currently £10.99.

Gaja Dinner:

Leeds restaurant Stuzzi will hold a Gaja tasting and dinner next Wednesday March 23 when a range of wines and grappa from this prestigious producer will be matched to a five-course dinner. Gaja is famous for its wines from Piedmont, but it has recently expanded into Sicily where grapes grown on the side of Mount Etna are made into a wine called IDDA – meaning ‘she’, referencing Etna herself. The wines will be introduced by Gaja

Brand Ambassador, Francesca Cioce. Tickets cost £85, ring Stuzzi on 0113 2455323.

Whisky at Martinez:

There is a choice of venue for the Martinez Annual Whisky tasting on Thursday March 31 at 7.30pm. You can taste in the Martinez bar in Ilkley in the company of Jamie Williamson from Douglas Laing, or you can collect your mini bottles of samples and taste in the comfort of your own home, with Jamie on Zoom, giving you all the same information. Either way, the samples cost £22.50. Email will@Martinez.co.uk to reserve your place.