Every guide on Ballantynes is written to help readers understand wine with confidence. This policy sets out how we choose what to publish, how we prepare it and how we put mistakes right.
Choosing what to write about
Topics come from the questions readers ask us about wine, tasting and pairing. A guide exists because someone wanted to know the answer. We start with the question, work out what would genuinely settle it, then shape the article around that.
How guides are researched
We draw on public reference works, official bodies and recognised wine organisations. Where a fact matters, we check it against more than one source. Grape varieties, regional classifications and winemaking methods are verified before publication.
Each article ends with a short list of further reading: the books, institutions and public resources we used. This lets readers go deeper and check our work.
How we write
Plain language comes first. We explain terms the first time they appear and avoid jargon where everyday words will do. Guides describe what something tastes like, how a technique works or why a pairing succeeds — never what results a reader should expect from following them. No exaggeration, no ranking claims we cannot source.
Tasting is subjective. Where we describe a flavour or aroma, we say so plainly rather than presenting one person's impression as universal truth.
Independence
No producer, importer or retailer pays for placement in our guides. Nothing on this site is sponsored, and we sell nothing to readers. The editorial team decides what is published, in what order and with what emphasis.
Our role is to inform, not to promote. That independence is the reason the guides exist.
Updates and corrections
Wine regions change their rules, producers release new vintages and techniques evolve. We review guides when something material shifts and update them without altering the original question they set out to answer.
Errors are corrected as soon as we know about them. A reader who spots one should write to [email protected] — we will check the claim, make the correction if it is warranted and reply to confirm what was changed.
Suggesting a topic
The same address takes topic ideas. We cannot promise to write every guide requested, but reader questions shape what we prioritise. One clear question from one person often means dozens of others are asking it quietly.
This site exists for general information only. We do not sell any goods or services.