Q&A: Agustin Trapero, sommelier, Almeida

Fiona Griffiths talks to Agustin Trapero, sommelier at Almeida in Islington, about swapping the restaurant's printed wine list for a 'wine wall' and tasting table

Profile: Frescobaldi - stepping into the unknown

Italy's Frescobaldi family may be world famous for its wines, but can it succeed in the highly competitive restaurant world? Douglas Blyde goes behind the scenes at its first standalone restaurant off London's Regent Street

Richard Siddle: why Tesco's product cull will impact everyone in the trade

Here are a few questions for you? Do you work with any of the major supermarkets? If so do you ever take a close look at what is happening in any other aisle of the store other than wine and spirits?  I mean do you assess how a particular category like confectionery, health and beauty or crisps and snacks is merchandised?  How many suppliers in that fixture that retailer works with? What sort of promotions they are running? If you don't then you need to.

Guy Woodward: Why the UK trade needs to turn its back on overpriced Bordeaux

I saw a headline the other day that grabbed my attention. "Hopes rise for Bordeaux prices in 2015". Ah, I thought, that's good - they're coming down at last.

Tim Heath, senior winemaker of Cloudy Bay, talks about the challenges of making an iconic Sauvignon Blanc

Tim Heath, Cloudy Bay's straight-talking 38-year-old Aussie winemaker, talks about the challenges of producing one of the world's most iconic Sauvignons, his winemaking ethos - and his loathing of accountants.

Anton Moiseenko: Why Russia really needs your support - and your wine

It may be hard to believe, but we Russians are no different from you. Our taste buds are there and actually working.

Tim Atkin MW: What we can all learn from the failure of Vinopolis

Is it really 16 years since Vinopolis opened its doors to the public? I can clearly remember the hoopla and sense of anticipation that accompanied the launch of London's self-styled "premier wine-tasting experience and visitor attraction".

Q&A: Conviviality's Diana Hunter on acquisitions and expanding ranges

The ink has barely dried on Conviviality's latest acquisition deal - to take on 37 stores across Yorkshire and the East Midlands - and chief executive Diana Hunter already has plans in place for further expansion.

Oliver Zhou on the likely impact of Coravin's launch in China

I am sure as an industry professional, you have heard quite a bit about Coravin. Yes, I am talking about that state-of-art, revolutionary device that can draw the wine out of a bottle without pulling out the cork while replacing the missing wine with Argon gas. The Coravin system has been adopted by many top-notch restaurant and celebrity sommeliers around the globe and it has significantly changed many high-end venues' wine by-the-glass offer.

Simon Woods assesses how far Kingsland has gone with its independents and on-trade range

Already one of the largest bottlers of bulk wine in the UK, Manchester-based Kingsland is now looking to reposition itself as a one-stop shop for both the on-and off-trade. Recent tastings in London and Manchester provided a chance to see how the range stacks up.

Stuart Whitwell: How will global trends impact drinks industry in 2015?

That's the question Stuart Whitwell of Intangible Business tries to answer here. Looking at the performance of the big movers and shakers, allied with trends in the main global markets, Whitwell foresees windows of opportunity for innovation.

Peter Shakeshaft: what impact a weaker euro will have on the fine wine investment market

Markets are adjusting to the commencement of a large programme of quantitive easing from the European Central Bank announced on January 22 January, and assimilating the impact of a sweeping left wing victory in Greek elections and the potential for the long discussed "Grexit" from the euro.

Matthew Gaughan assesses how far California has come in adapting Zinfandel for all tastes

Seraphina Elmore stands up for all that is good about alcohol and drinking

We are only all too aware of how much the drinks trade is under attack by the health sector and public lobby, meaning that with all the negativity regarding drinking, the benefits of alcohol have largely been washed away in a sea of bad press.

Restaurant review: Douglas Blyde beats the critics to Berkshire's Oakley Court

Douglas Blyde: from horror to hedonism at Oakley Court

Glynn Davis discovers a New York craft beer scene of all shapes, sizes...and strengths

One of the downsides of drinking in specialist beer bars in the UK is that you'll far too frequently hear the comment 'you can't drink many pints of that' when drinkers are confronted with anything stronger than 5%.

Why legally protecting your business assets and brands is vital to any growth strategy

Olivia Perrott, of law company, Stevens & Bolton LLP, says it is vital wine and spirits businesses protect their brand names and  IP assets if they are to maximise growth 

Justin Keay finds much to discover at London's annual New Zealand tasting

First impressions count for much and so it was this week at the 2015 Annual Wines of New Zealand Trade Tasting. The unremarkable, ever so slightly claustrophobic Lindley Hall - which seems to host almost all generic tastings these days - was absolutely packed; within seconds of grabbing my glass I found myself firmly wedged into a crowd that reminded me of my student days of catching public transport in India.

Former ITN and CNN correspondents in Wine Enthusiast's top 5

David Smith, the former ITN news correspondent turned winemaker, has received a massive vote of confidence for his Argentinian wine, SonVida, that only had its first vintage in 2007, by being named number four in the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Top100 wines of the year.

Q&A: Buckingham Schenk's new MD Craig Durham outlines his plans

Newly-appointed managing director of wine supplier Buckingham Schenk Craig Durham takes up the role on February 1. He is the current sales director at the firm and replaces Jon Pepper MW, who is moving to Enotria. Here he shares his plans, current successes, how to expand on brand ranges, and why he'd love to see Swiss wines in the UK.