Let's begin with a rather stretched analogy. World War I was a terrible conflict that exacted a terrible human toll. Yet this otherwise disastrous war yielded a significant positive benefit for the aviation industry as both sides sought more effective warplanes to master the new arena of aerial combat.
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Robin Fedden, travelling in Syria and Lebanon at the end of the Second World War, offers this advice to thirsty travellers in his travel book Syria and Lebanon: Quite good wine is made in certain parts of the Lebanon, particularly in the Bk'aa [sic] Valley, in the neighbourhood of Chtaura. It is relatively cheap. On the other hand, most of the wine in the out-of-the-way villages is hardly recognisable as such, and is best avoided.'
Read more...The board of Allied has recommended the 7.5 billion takeover offer from Pernod Ricard - although speculation is growing that a counter bidder could be formulating an offer.
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Although Chile's 2005 vintage has so far proved to be good news for winemakers, it is developments in the boardrooms rather than the vineyards that are making the headlines.
Read more...E&J Gallo has announced a number of personnel developments within its European division following the sudden departure of vice president general manager, Europe, Tamara Minick-Scokalo.
Read more...Biodynamic viticulture is more than just a marketing tool, but more hard scientific evidence is required to prove some of its adherents' claims.
Read more...Ludovic Pech - Assistant manager, Chapter One, Farnborough Common, Locksbottom, Kent Interview: Christian Davis
Read more...Michele Zorzi, Matre D', Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Interview: Josie Butchart
Read more...Chris Van Tatenhove, Operations director, Greenwich Inc (including Bar Du Muse). Interview: Josie Butchart
Read more...The aggression of producers in the New World and retailers in the Old is combining with currency fluctuations to threaten Burgundy's export success. Now, with a growing polarisation between the best of the region and the rest, there is a greater need than ever for consolidation. Neil Beckett reports on the shakeout
Read more...Rachel Brooker, Wine supervisor, Quaglino's, London. Interview: Josie Butchart
Read more...Vincent Labeyrie, Wine buyer, Le Cercle, London. Interview: Josie Butchart
Read more...Neleen Strauss, Co-owner, Vivat Bacchus, London. Interview: Josie Butchart
Read more...James Hocking, General manager, The Vineyard Cellars, Interview: Christian Davis
Read more...Though the headline figure for the global surplus looks likely to decline for the third year in succession, the problem of over-supply continues to threaten the existence of wine producers of all kinds all over the world. In his latest update, Neil Beckett assesses the size, colour and increasing quality of the world wine lake
Read more...You've slaved over the vines, sweated in the winery, argued over the label and persuaded your UK agent to take 10,000 cases. All great, but meaningless if the notoriously fickle UK consumer walks on by in the supermarket or off-licence. How do they know that your wine is the one they want to drink with their dinner tonight? Josie Butchart talks to a few experts in the art of advertising
Read more...The drinks industry - where has it been, who are the top performers and where is it going? Matt Guarente and Rob Griffin ask the Square Mile's top equity analysts to crystallise their thoughts
Read more...Uruguay produces wine on a much smaller scale than its larger neighbours in South America. But as Christian Davis discovers, it is fighting bravely to make itself heard
Read more...The Falklands, football, Evita, tango, gauchos... Everyone knows something about Argentina, but how many people know about its wines? Many more soon will, if Wines of Argentina's latest campaign is successful. Christian Davis reports
Read more...Latest industry figures confirm that branded wines are driving major sales growth in the UK off-trade. So, with the Old World preparing to take the New World on at its own game, the branded sector itself looks set for considerable expansion. James Aufenast considers the implications for the market and for the consumer
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