Drink,Wine for the weekend

Wine for the weekend – Terrazas (de los Andes) Reserva Malbec

Wine for the weekend – Terrazas (de los Andes) Reserva Malbec

The odour of violets conjures thoughts of scented old ladies and dubious sweets rather than a delicious, superbly robust red wine – and yet it is a key characteristic of Argentina’s most successful grape, malbec. This plucky example from Mendoza, not only has a deep violet colour in the glass, but also carries delicate floral notes. The key flavours of red fruit and sour cherries combine with vanilla and caramel to create a well-balanced mouthful. Pronounced tannins and a really full-body mean that this isn’t a wine for the faint hearted. It’s a natural companion to succulent steak. £11 at www.thedrinkshop.com

Food & Drink

Egg-cellent news — Mottra sustainable caviar

Egg-cellent news — Mottra sustainable caviar

It might have taken eye-opening documentaries such as The End Of The Line to bring it to our attention, but the idea of the world without fish is a pretty terrifying place (plaice?). So we were delighted that Mottra  — the world’s only sustainable caviar, launched at Selfridges this week — allows us to return, guilt-free, to salivating over a favourite delicacy.

[Read more...]

Culture,Film

That joker isn’t funny any more

That joker isn’t funny any more

Adam Sandler + Seth Rogen + Jonah Hill + Jason Schwartzman should equal comedy genius. Sadly Funny People, out a week on Friday, doesn’t add up. Instead, a soft script and obscure purpose let the performers down and left us disappointed.

[Read more...]

Drink,Food & Drink

O! What a lovely beer…

O! What a lovely beer…

Desperately trying to over-haul the “real ale” image of real ale, brothers Nick, Charlie and Matthew launched the eponymous Otley Brewery back in 2005. And the sleekly packaged fruits of their labour have just won recognition in the True Taste Awards.   [Read more...]

Culture,Film,Video clips

It’s Jemaine! Again!

Click to playIt’s Jemaine! Again!

Ok, so maybe it’s only been five minutes since we last blogged about a film starring Jemaine Clement of Flight Of The Conchords, but Gentlemen Broncos looks too good not to mention it. [Read more...]

Style,The fashion cupboard

From the fashion cupboard – Tusting EcoShopper tote bag

From the fashion cupboard – Tusting EcoShopper tote bag

Most men struggle carrying a tote bag – something to do with it challenging their Alpha male characteristics – but for forward-thinking types, this “eco tote” from British company Tusting has the right combination of size (not too big), quality (only the best leather hides are used), environmental friendliness (it’s vegetable tanned) and price (it retails at £55). [Read more...]

Sport,Top Fives

The five best Ashes moments at the Oval

The five best Ashes moments at the Oval

As the nation braces itself for a final flurry of leather on willow, and prays that (at the very least) England lasts the distance in the final Ashes Test (Sky Sports 1, from 10am), Esquire remembers some of the most momentous series finales at the Brit Oval. [Read more...]

Design & Technology,Gaming

Fat toy slim

Fat toy slim

Sony announced last night that it has not only slashed the price of the PlayStation 3 (£250 as of today), but is to phase in a significantly more svelte design from September 1. The PS3 Slim is 32 per cent smaller, 36 per cent lighter, and uses 34 per cent less power than its predecessor, as well as boasting a larger, 120GB  hard drive (presumably to make the most of the HD video download service that will go live in November). Good news for your electricity bill, bad news for your BMI.