Drinks list expansions sound note of cautious optimism post-Covid

Encouraging new data has shown that menus are re-expanding again following a period of contraction and rationalisation during the worst months of Covid.

Friday read: Not a match – why is sherry failing to find its groove?

November and December is the time when fortifieds come out to play. At least, they do in the press. Probably 90% of port and sherry’s column inches occur in the month before Christmas.

Pascor

PASCOR

Nightjar gears up for a second round with Soho launch

Nightjar, the landmark speakeasy on Old Street is preparing to open its doors to a second site in Soho.

Trade celebrates achievements while tackling bias via International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is shining a spotlight on the top female talent working in the industry today, with initiatives like Whisky Investment Partners’ Break The Bias campaign also raising awareness of the continuing battle for many to achieve gender parity in the workplace.

Caia heads to Portobello

Caia

Common Counter pays homage to LGBTQ+ pioneers

Common Counter

Long Read: A virtual Christmas will pave the course for 2021

While big parties and large gatherings may be off the menu, premium drinks sales are still expected to grow this Christmas thanks to the rise and rise of online channels.

Bank House comes to Chislehurst

11 High Street

Vinoteca heads to Birmingham

VINOTECA

Teetotal for a year: why waking up to low and no is the trade's biggest challenge

The driest month of the year is almost over. But as the trend for drinking less but better – or not at all – continues into 2019, many consumers will be planning to moderate well into February and beyond. Changing drinking habits is something we can no longer ignore, says Hugh Jones, former prestige sale manager at Mentzendorff and now head of sales at Lucky Saint, which produces a 0.5% beer. Reporting for Harpers, Jones explains why he has vowed to go teetotal for a year with the aim of exploring what trade needs to do to stay relevant – while also making the most of the opportunities in the ever-evolving drinks industry.

Joe Fattorini: The three days we all become millionaires

JOE FATTORINI IS HEAD OF LONDON SALES AT FIELDS, MORRIS & VERDIN

Guy Woodward: The road to Damascus

I drank my first glass of Syrian wine the other night. Bargylus, a Cabernet/Syrah blend. I’d read about it, but never actually seen it on the shelf or a list. Until, that is, it was offered to me as part of the rather fine tasting menu at Alyn Williams’ restaurant in The Westbury.

Borough Wines teams up with Burmese resturant Lahpet