Discover Rhone: Meeting Producers & Making Contacts

Though the Chapoutiers had their beginnings in Tain. Michel was quick to recognize the importance of the terroir - and eager to stop selling it to Guigal and put his own name on the label. Even more important, he wanted the wine he made to reflect the terroir, not any "style" of winemaking. So at the age of 24 in 1990 he was able to get a majority share in the family winery and the rest is history, with Michel owning vineyards in many places in France and the world.

The Beaumont: Very Hip New Hotel For Winelovers in London

Like their collection of boutique restaurants, this hotel also has a theme - it is meant to evoke the elegance and personalized hospitality of pre-war Mayfair. Though I wasn't around during that era, the hotel is extremely elegant and also extremely personalized. In some ways, one feels as if one is stepping inside a Merchant Ivory film. The uniforms are very evocative of some past era, and the gorgeously decorated interior is filled with pictures that seem to have captured the "popular" set of that day.

Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

Inter-Rhône's Agnès Heller lives the rock n' roll dream with Skin Côntact

With little more than a week to go before Skin Côntact, the wine trade's first ever rock band, take to the stage at London's Vinopolis to help raise money for Comic Relief we turn to those resonsible for making it happen - the sponsors.

Discovering the region of Castilla-La Mancha

The quality of the wines were all very good, and well balanced. The labels were also interesting to behold, as some reflected the traditional Spanish label, while others were almost new wave, designed to stand out on a supermarket shelf.

Meeting George Spiliadis of Cava Siliadis

We sampled five wines from the Cava Spiliadis Portfolio from the very best producers in Greece, beginning with the Amalia Brut NV sparkler from winemaker Giannis Tselpos, composed of 100% Moschofilero, an increasingly popular Greek Grape from the Peloponnese with vineyards at an altitude of 750 meters with mountainous sand clay soil. The wine was quite crisp and refreshing, with intense minerality and perfect for any occasion. That night they paired excellently with oysters.

Jerry Lockspeiser reviews the "inspiring" An Unlikely Vineyard by Deidre Heekin

Jerry Lockspeiser gives his assessment of the new book by Deidre Heekin: An Unlikely Vineyard.

Burgundy MSC students romp home in "Oenology Challenge" with Plumpton College

MSC students at Burgundy's School of Wine & Spirts came out top last week in an "Oenology Challenge" competition with winemaking students at Plumpton College.

Enjoy the Crowd Funded party, it may be short-lived

I hate February with all my heart. And it's not just because it's that miserable time of year that I have my annual bath. Nor is it solely down to the fact that I have the charisma, predominantly, of an Ogre intent on spoiling a party.

Waitrose's Anne Jones, Skin Contact guest singer, shares her musical delights

If you've missed the exciting news of wine trade supergroup Skin Contact performing next month, then you must have been hiding under a rock. Guest starlet Anne Jones, of Waitrose, reveals her musical delights.

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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".

Tim Atkin takes the Vinopolis stage for Skin Côntact Comic Relief gig

Anyone in the wine trade who has been on the receiving end of a review by wine critic and journalist Tim Atkin MW - good or bad - will get the chance to give him a critique back when he bravely takes the stage as one of the guest singers for the ever growing Skin Côntact band when it plays its one off gig on March 9 to raise money for Comic Relief.

The 11th Commandment - Don't offend wine critics

I found out recently that in the world of journalism it's apparently OK to mock the prophet Mohammad, but offending a Wine Critic is just one step too far.

England rugby's Andy Sheridan offers his wine tips for the Six Nations

Jerry Lockspeiser on why crowdfunding is such an exciting opportunity for business

Why is crowdfunding so inherently exciting? The heady emotional mix of allure, participation, open access, opportunity, creativity and success is hard to resist.

Joe Wadsack shares his musical likes as Skin Contact's Comic Relief gig is selling fast

We've met the band, the backing singers and plugged the concert enough to surely convince you to buy a ticket for wine band Skin Côntact's one-off concert on March 9 at London's Vinopolis to raise money for Comic Relief.

Matt James formerly of Gene and now Skin Côntact reveals his musical likes and dislikes

It's time to bang the drum, literally, for the last member of the Skin Côntact rock band that promises to give us the night of the year when it takes to the stage on March 9 at London's Vinopolis to raise money for Comic Relief.

Tim Atkin called Vinopolis a 'failure', but is he right and is that fair?

Those of the more fortunate readers amongst you who can cough up the annual Harpers Wine mag subscription fee were treated this month to Tim Atkin's take on the imminent closure of London's Vinopolis. But is his critique a fair reflection of the state of affairs at London's premier wine venue?

Chief of the Week: Orson Welles - trying to promote Amercian "Champagne"

Today we remember the late, great Orson Welles famous not only for his pioneering work as a film director, but also for his ability to shift (and drink) so much alcohol during his career. Yes, who can forget his booming voice overs for all those Carlsberg TV commercials and the great "Carlsberg. Probabaly the best lager in the world" punchlline.