Going for Broke!

The Hunter Valley, or 'the Hunter' as it is known is a major tourist destination being an easy drive from Sydney and providing world class accommodation and dining experiences as well as its iconic wines. However, visitors all too often take the turn at Hermitage Road rather than continuing the extra fifteen kilometres to the township of Broke.

Athila Roos | Head Sommelier

Calling all writers!

Got a lot to say about the world of wine and spirits? Would you like the opportunity to write and get your thoughts heard?

Editors comment

Richard Siddle: let's give our support to trade colleagues in troubled Lebanon

News of wine crops across France being devastated by hail storms remind us all what a precarious life being a wine producer is. No matter how well your business might be doing, or how many trade listings you have, all that can stand for nothing if your vineyard happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when Mother Nature comes calling.

Richard Siddle: why we should all take notice of what Tesco is up to in Watford

If you wanted to go somewhere to see the future of shopping in the UK then a trip to Watford would not be very high on your list. But ier this week a mini army of analysts, retail consultants and journalists all headed to see what Tesco's so called destination store of the future was all about.

Richard Siddle: at last some genuine packaging innovation

In seven years covering the London International Wine Fair I have not once been stopped in my tracks by a new product on an exhibitor's stand. When you have seen one wine bottle you have seen them all - but not any more.

Richard Siddle: Are you keeping up with the power of the consumer?

So where did you buy your last bottle of wine? With your groceries at the nearest supermarket? From your friendly local wine merchant? Or do you get a case delivered once a month?

Richard Siddle: why we all need to back or risk losing LIWF

The wine trade is normally a very civil place to work. People speak when they are spoken to, have washed behind their ears and generally all sing from the same hymn sheet.

Richard Siddle: why we must all hope Tesco knows what it is doing

It was somewhat ironic that the announcement of Tesco's end of year results on Wednesday should be released on the same day the news bulletins were dominated by the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

Richard Siddle: Why the world of wine is getting smaller by the day

Three years ago a trip to ProWein in Düsseldorf was very much a foreign affair. While there was still a strong British delegation, it was swamped by visitors from around the world - but not any more. For many in the UK wine trade, ProWein has become the most important show of the year.

Blog: Babycham v Cath Kidston - why alcohol companies must protect their brands

The news that Babycham's parent company Western Wine Holdings Ltd & Accolade Wines Ltd has taken matters to the High Court and accused Cath Kidston's Christmas 2012 range of infringing their trademark rights highlights the strict brand policing which companies in the drinks industry practice.

Richard Siddle: why 2013 could be the year that drinks innovation takes off

So what do you think about whilst munching through your morning cornflakes? Well if you are anything like head of Diageo UK, Andrew Cowan, you would be thinking about all the out of the box ideas you might have for new drinks launches.

Anne Krebiehl blogs from the launch of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2002

The suspension of disbelief - willing ourselves to be credulous is sometimes essential when we want to be entertained. When the entertainment is the launch of the 2002 vintage of Dom Pérignon Rosé in one of London's best small museums, we are easily persuaded to forego reality for a while.

Anne Krebiehl blogs from The Wine Barn's annual tasting

We Londoners are lucky. We can see screen legends on our West End stages, hear virtuoso musicians of every genre in our concert venues and look at Holbeins, Raphaels and Monets or the latest installations any day of the week. A steady flow of temporary exhibitions means everyone - yes everyone- can look at Gauguin, van Gogh or Brueghel. No, I am not sponsored by Boris or the Arts Council. I am just reminded how great it is to get to see, taste and experience originals. That's presumably why so many braved the weather for The Wine Barn's Annual Trade Tasting at the German House in Belgravia on Monday.

Simon Woolf on what he discovered at the Flint Wines Burgundy tasting

I fancy myself an old hand at Bordeaux en primeur tastings. I'm used to gums, teeth and elbows feeling decidedly battle-scared after the assault of youthful tannins and overly-enthusiastic attendees chasing the last sip of Cheval Blanc or D'Yquem.

Richard Siddle: memories of a night out with Krug in Highgate Cemetery

The last time I was wondering around Highgate Cemetery was in my more formative years when a trip to see Karl Marx's grave was the sort of thing you did on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Richard Siddle: why UK wine companies need to look to export markets for growth

If there was a documentary covering the main events in the UK wine trade in the last 12 months it might not be as fun to watch as the highlights of London 12 but it would be just as eventful.

Jenny Mackenzie talks to Andrew Baker, Virgin Wines buyer, at its winter tasting

Despite its youthful image, Virgin Wines is owned by wine retail longtimers, Tony and Barbara Laithwaite, as a subsidiary of Direct Wines. Andrew Baker is the head wine buyer. He said that when he started out, he was an "egotistical" buyer, seeking trade approval. Twelve years on, he now focuses on delivering a "spread of styles" striking a balance between safe, customer-friendly lines and more innovative offerings. As a trained winemaker, Baker is always keen to "push new styles, without shocking people".

Jenny Mackenzie blogs from Jascots' Private Client Tasting

When a company is old enough to have seen one recession already, it should know how to weather a second. Jascots geared up for the expected rise in business during the 2012 Olympics by offering 24/7 London delivery as just one example of proactive customer service. The predicted tourist boom during the summer may not have happened for everyone, but Jascots still delivers six days a week, using its own vans, offering the flexibility many small, on-trade customers need.