Chiefs of the week: South African winemakers who surf

Every  year they come to take the challenge. No not the South African wine awards, but the Vintners Surf Classic where some of the country's best and most respected winemakers come together to ride the waves and pit their wits against each other to see who has the smartest surf board skiills.

COPY: CP's Tweets of the week

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

"Where am I?" Well Nyetimber, of course!

Guy Smith was particuarly well placed to win our recent "Where Am I?" picture caption competion which asked you to name where this very pretty back garden happened to be.

Have we gone too far? Wine ice cream is the sherry on top.

The Claret Pimpernel recently spotted wine ice cream on the shelves of a local shop and so sparked an idea to investigate further this concept - how prolific is the world of ice cream and booze?

Would you want to share a pint with Tom Jones?

"Don't spill your wine, Del Boy!"

As we today publish our new exclusive report in to the UK on-trade, we thought it was also a good excuse to brighten up your Friday afternoon with this trip down memory lane and that comedy goal moment when Del Boy has that rather embarrassing moment when he disappears behind the bar.

Chief of the week: Bob Rishworth

Where am I?

The Claret Pimpernel is lucky enough to visit some pretty darn smart places around the world, but few can match this place!

Your chance to see Jude Law put on his dancing shoes for new Johnnie Walker Blue film

Last month we gave you a sneak preview of British heart throb Jude Law's new new short film promoting Johnnie Walker Blue Label and now here is the real thing in all its glory.

Breast (and bottle) is best at Brasserie Blanc

We all know how madly competitive the restaurant world can be with seemingly every trick in the book being deployed to entice customers in through the door.

My Choice: Steven Gerrard,Barwell & Jones, on drinking with Bill Clinton and his LFC namesake

Steven Gerrard is the first to kick start our My Choice series where we ask leading figures in the trade for their favourite drinks, and where and when they would like to drink them. If you would like to join in and send yours then email your answers to the list below to richard.siddle@wrbm.com.

Harpers Chiefs of the Week: Albion Racing Club Captains

Albion Racing Club Captains: Making beverages cool or bust!

Oxford Wine Company signs deal to be exclusive UK importer of Downton Abbey wines

Ted Sandbach of the Oxford Wine Company has become the exclusive UK importer for a special Downton Abbey range of wines, created by French producer, Les Grands Chais de France.

Meet Downton Abbey's new cast

Move over Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey has a new cast.

Memories of red thongs and "Semillons" inspire Andrew Shaw to join Team Cox

Andrew Shaw, head of buying at Bibendum Wine, is the latest wine industry stalwart to sign up to take part in the upcoming Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux to help raise money in memory of Michael Cox, the former UK head of Wines of Chile.

HARPERS CHOICE and how to make the perfect Gin &Tonic

These were some of our top spirits to try this week. Sipsmith Sipping Vodka, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Chairman's Reserve Finest St Lucia Rum

CP's Tweets of the week

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

Forget octopus and camels, wine is the best way to predict the winners of the World Cup

In 2010 we had Paul the Octopus that was "asked" to predict the outcome of World Cup games; then for the Brazil World Cup it was the turn of Shaheen the camel who became the Paddy Power of football predictions.

Will there be any wine left? asks Atherton on Botham's Hardys' role

Anyone familiar with the dressing room feel of the Sky TV cricket commentary team would not be surprised to hear last night's Hardys' cricket legends dinner, to commemorate Lord's bicentenary , also included a fair bit of banter amongst the cricketing heroes.

Other than drinking wine from - what's the Open's Claret Jug all about?

On the eve of this year's tournament the CP's heard it through the fairways that golf legend and winner of last year's Open, Phil Mickelson, confessed he has had fun with the Claret Jug this past year including drinking a $40,000 bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti out the tournament's trophy.