Sangiovese – Tuscan star

Michèle Shah charts the fortunes of grape variety reaching new heights, despite the challenge of climate change.

Vodka: Back to basics

With the on-trade revving its engine post-lockdown, Aleesha Hansel delves into the bar world to find out where this enduringly popular spirit is heading next

Hospitality under pressure

In a piece written before the government warned of a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting, Jacopo Mazzeo takes the temperature of the UK on-trade as staff shortages and restrictions continue to eat into venues’ ability to turn a profit.

Into the unknown with Ross Carter, The Drinks Trust

Lisa Riley meets with Ross Carter, whose short tenure as CEO of The Drinks Trust so far has taken him through a turbulent and unprecedented time.

California: Challenging French supremacy

The smartly boxed and sleekly designed sample bottles distributed ahead of the recent California Wine Institute’s Essential California at Home series of tastings were eye-catching in other ways too.

Perfect match for Jascots

When the pandemic overwhelmed long-standing merchant Jascots, Freixenet Copestick spotted an opportunity to create the ideal symbiotic relationship. Lisa Riley reports.

Ethical winemaking in South America: A new world

James Lawrence looks at the South American wineries championing biodiversity and giving back to the vineyards.

Vineyard tour with Argento's Juan Pablo Murgia

Cork’s march to ascendancy

Having removed much of the taint of TCA to cork’s reputation, the classic stopper continues to establish itself as a benchmark of quality, as James Lawrence reports.

Lockdown heroes: Top Cuvée

Top Cuvée’s story is like many others in 2020. A restaurant forced to close, hard decisions to be made, while leaning into other parts of the business in order to bump through furlough and intermittent lockdowns. However, like so many, there’s another story beneath. For Top Cuvée, 2020 has been an exercise in pure agility, with its co-founders having to pedal – quite literally, in some instances – from one new venture to the next in a bid to keep the lights on.

South Africa looks to higher ground

Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole

Mentzendorff makes strategic adjustments to a new norm

Andrew Catchpole talks to Mentzendorff boss Andrew Hawes pre and post-lockdown

Kate Nicholls, CEO, UK Hospitality

With hospitality one of the hardest hit sectors in the wake of the pandemic, the head of the leading trade organisation has no end of crucial issues to deal with. Kate Nicholls talks strategy to Lisa Riley

Talking team QB

Insight and innovation are threaded through Quintessential Brands’ DNA. Andrew Catchpole catches up with James Lousada and Neil Anderson to find out more

Brave new cocktail world?

As consumers attempt to recreate a simplified on-trade experience in the home, which new trends and habits will remain post-lockdown? Lisa Riley reports.

How low can we all go?

As lockdown continues and consumers settle into new ways of life, will the nolo category get more of a look in? Lisa Riley reports

Innovation Report: Delivering against the odds

When the health crisis forced the on-trade to shut down overnight, drinks suppliers had to think on their feet to keep their businesses going. Jaq Bayles reports

Profile: Lift off for Buckingham Schenk

With help from the Schenk Group mothership, Buckingham Schenk is evolving from a predominantly retail-led own-label proposition to becoming a multichannel player with a stall of agency and exclusive brands. Last month, Jo Gilbert spoke to MD Craig Durham about the company's latest reinvention 

The Wine Society's new groove

With a new chief executive at the helm, Andrew Catchpole visits The Wine Society to discover what’s up at this venerable members’ merchant

Santa Rita says $25m investment in sustainability will pay long-term dividends

South American producer Santa Rita Estates (SRE) says it doesn’t regret ploughing $25 million USD into sustainability initiatives over the past five years, despite sustainable and organic cues having less sway with consumers.