Armit: A new lease of life

Just one month into the role, Armit’s new MD Brett Fleming tells Chris Losh why he’s only looking onwards and upwards from now on

Guy Woodward: The irresistible side of climate change

As we flew into her native California last month, my wife was confused. The captain had announced we would be landing in 20 minutes, but looking out the window, she saw an unfamiliar sight. “That’s weird,” she said. “Looks like we’re only just passing over Utah – there’s the salt flats.” Don’t tell me we’ve been diverted, I thought… No, all was on track, and we touched down safely at LAX 20 minutes later. Turns out the vista that had so disoriented my wife was, in fact, the scorched earth of the Golden State, dry beyond recognition.

Q&A: Hallgarten's Steve Daniel on how to buy wine

In a new series we get under the skin of wine buyers from across the trade, quizzing importers, restaurants, independents and wholesalers about how they got into buying, what informs their day-to-day decisions and what tips they’d offer newcomers.

Joe Fattorini: Self-sabotage to push trading up

JOE FATTORINI

Jerry Lockspeiser: How should the wine trade vote on 12 December?

Running west along London’s Southbank on the section after the London Eye, with the Houses of Parliament to the right across the River Thames and just before Lambeth bridge, I came across a red van selling hot drinks. The side of the van was emblazoned with the words SINGLE ORIGIN HOT CHOCOLATE.

Q&A: Philip Cox, founder, Cramele Recas

An innovative Romanian winery has put the country on the vinous map. Andrew Catchpole talks to the iconoclast at the helm

My Perfect Customer: Sam Howard, HarperWells

Norwich-based independent merchant HarperWells has a bustling shop in the centre of the city and a busy events calendar. Sam Howard looks after the company’s wine fine list and private clients - here he shares his secrets to keeping his customers happy and building a client base outside of East Anglia.

Q&A: Jose Balado, beverage manager, Arros QD

Andrew Catchpole talks wine, paella and Mediterranean fusion at Michelin three-star chef Quique Dacosta’s London outpost

Enotria interview: Portrait of a modern merchant

Enotria & Coe has reinvented itself in recent years, dusting off it’s old-fashioned approach and emerging as a streamlined, technologocially savvy business. By Andrew Catchpole

Tim Atkin MW: Sherry deserves applause

TIM ATKIN MW

Joe Fattorini: Selling scarcity tactics

Head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin

Q&A: Christine Parkinson, buyer, sommelier & consultant

Parting company with Hakkasan after 18 years, one of the stars of the trade tells Andrew Catchpole what she’s learnt along the way

Q&A: Natalie Christensen, Yealands New Zealand

From carbonic winemaking to egg fermenters, Yealands Estate’s new chief winemaker is pushing the boundaries at its coastal Marlborough vineyard and beyond. Jo Gilbert reports

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why would anyone invest in a start up?

I recently received an invitation to invest in the BIB Wine Company. They are crowdfunding on the Seedrs platform, one of the UK’s major players in this market. BIB summarise their pitch as:

Ed Baker, managing director, Kingsland Drinks

A refreshed Kingsland Drinks is investing heavily in new formats and product-bottling lines to turbo-charge its bespoke drinks service. Jo Gilbert catches up with its new managing director

Q&A: Harpers 50 Best Indies Winner BinTwo

Fresh from topping the table at the annual Harpers 50 Best Indies awards we catch up with Mike Boyne from Padstow’s BinTwo to discover the secrets to his success, how he and the team celebrated and what he has up his sleeve next (spoiler alert: plenty).

Q&A: Aldo Mazzocco, chief executive, Bellavita

As this year’s London event moves beyond Italy to embrace the wider Mediterranean, Aldo Mazzocco explains his vision for the show. In association with Bellavita

Guy Woodward: Should the wine trade bow to the cult of celebrity?

Tim Atkin MW: Beyond the cellar door

The pencil was as sharp as a tack. The tasting sheets were beautifully designed, with just the right amount of information: geeky, yet precise, containing useful details about vineyards and vinification techniques, but no vapid tasting notes. The water bottle was freshly cooled, the glasses polished and well chosen, the wines at exactly the right temperature. Every tasting should be like this, I found myself thinking, settling into a comfortable chair.

Joe Fattorini: Price perception

Joe Fattorini, head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin