2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Ayo Akintola, Oddbins

Ayo Akintola, the managing director of Oddbins saw 2015 as a challenging, but satisfactory year.  The 'manic' response of retailers to threat of discounters moving into the UK has been a challenge in 2015.  But Akintola is looking forward to 2016 as he sees the opportunity to work with interesting suppliers as a 'once in a generation' opportunity.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Hal Wilson, Cambridge Wine Merchants

Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants has had an 'awesome' and 'dynamic' 2015. He has embraced the popularity of spirits, which has helped boost his offering to over 900 SKUs.  The two biggest challenges in 2016 Wilson's thinks will be to keep wine 'sexy' and combating supermarket discounting.

Insights: The state of the sake market today

Looking at the recent history of the sake trade - the boom in sake, and sudden falling out of fashion in Japan which has resulted in the closure of 100s of sake breweries. Which types of sake Brewery survived? How have sake producers changed to meet different market conditions? Anna Greenhaus reports

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Jo Wehring, Wines of South Africa

Jo Wehring of Wines of South Africa looks back at a successful Cape Wine in 2015, but sees Majestic as the retailer to watch heading into 2016. She is looking foward to a new tasting in 2016 that will be hosted by WOSA called Intrepid South Africa in the autumn next year- so watch this space.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: David Cox, The Benevolent

David Cox, the chief executive of The Benevolent, the drinks charity in the UK, is proud that in 2015 the charity was able to assist 570 beneficiaries.  For the trade, he saw 2015 as a challenging year where businesses need to work harder than ever to protect margins.  In 2016 he most looking forward to continuing to grow the number of companies that are engaged with charity.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Julia Trustram Eve, English Wine Producers

In the first of our annual reviews of the year, we asked Julia Trustram Eve, the marketing director for English Wine Producers, what were some highlights of 2015 and what she thinks lies ahead for the industry. For Trustman Eve, 2015 was a busy year where English wines became increasingly more mainstream.  Looking ahead she see the Budget as one of the industries biggest challenges in 2016, but a lot of opportunity as well with the International Cool Climate Symposium being hosted in the UK.

Analysis: Is BYOB set to rise in the UK on-trade?

With consumers increasingly expectant of value for money while dining out, it begs the important question of whether the market for BYOB is poised to grow in 2016?

Geoffrey Dean: Cyprus' quality-focused wines and developed tourism is winning a combination

Wine drinkers who love nothing better than unearthing a hidden gem should look no further than Cyprus.

Insight: Frédéric Panaïotis, chef de caves at Champagne Ruinart, explores the technical side of Ruinart's famous style

Frédéric Panaïotis, chef de caves at Champagne Ruinart, explores the history of how Champagne Ruinart's famous house style came to be and the decades it took to develop it.

Q&A: George Sandeman, Sandeman Port

As the iconic Port producer celebrates its 225th anniversary, seventh-generation family member George Sandeman presented a limited release of the 2000 Vintage Port in London. Anne Krebiehl MW met him to talk through the changing fortunes of Port

Insight: Coffee shop by day and wine bar by night outlets are hot

Coffee operators are turning their focus from daytime-only trade to the evening opportunity, including alcohol sales. Jo Bruce looks at the trend for serving skinny lattes alongside Sauvignon Blanc.

Analysis: Independent merchants trends for 2016

With the growing popularity of hybrid wine shops, the independent retailers are finding strength in offering their customers something that the 'big boys' are not able to. So what does 2016 hold for the sector? James Lawrence investigates

Q&A: Nik Darlington, founder, Red Squirrel Wine

Insights: What will blaze the way for on-trade trends in 2016?

From sipping tequila to shorter wine lists, Douglas Blyde asked leading figures in the on-trade what trends they predict will lead the way in 2016

Analysis: The impacts of where to bottle and how to transport wines

Deciding where to bottle and how to transport their wines are big decisions for producers that can have a major impact on the rest of the supply chain, as Simon Jack reports

Q&A: Tim Heath, head winemaker, Cloudy Bay

Tim Heath, who has been with Cloudy Bay for 10 years, talks about continuing the legacy of one of New Zealand's most iconic brands as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Erin Smith: Change offers us hope for the future

Erin Smith looks back at 2015 and reflects on how change can offer opportunities in 2016

WSTA Analysis

Insight: Consumer wine style trends into 2016

 Will Malbec and Prosecco continue to attract consumers at a break-neck pace or is that so last year? Angela Mount reports

The Smith Report: A year of change for the trade

Looking back, 2015 has been a year of change and consolidation, but those business adapting are more prepared to pounce on the opportunities in 2016