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.

Reka Haros, Sfriso Winery: five key steps to take when selling direct to consumers

Reka Haros, who runs the Sfriso family winery in Italy, offers more advice on how wineries, producers and wine businesses can successfully go direct to their customers.

Australia needs a strategy that speaks for all its wine industry says Wine Business Solutions

The quickest way for the Australian wine industry to achieve the effective and lasting changes it seeks is to implement a strategy that does not just speak for the big corporations, but works for all levels, according to leading research body Wine Business Solutions.

Coravin takes on Nespresso boss as new chief executive to lead expansion

Coravin, the pioneering wine access system which allows you to pour wine from a bottle without removing the cork, has appointed former Nespresso boss Frédéric Levy as its new chief executive to lead its ambitious expansion plans in to new markets.

How video will be the norm in wine marketing within three years says Matthew Dickinson

Following last week's web video masterclass and seminar hosted by Google and YouTube for members of the UK wine trade and students from Burgundy's School of Wine Business, wine consultant Matthew Dickinson gives his personal summary and looks at how video is going to change the way the wine industry communicates.

Roger Jones sees England win on home soil in Battle of Bubbles with New Zealand

After a draw in New Zealand 12 hours earlier, a challenge yesterday afternoon to see whether English sparkling wine would win against New Zealand on home ground resounded in a clear victory for the home team, although technically as it was held at New Zealand House, it was not quite home soil.

Dominic Roskrow on the wonderful world of weird and wacky whiskies

New whisky distilleries are popping up all over the world and they're all competing to make a name for themselves. But some, says Dominic Roskrow, are turning to increasingly bizarre production methods in an attempt to be different

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.

Justin Keay: Appreciating the new Austria

Justin Keay gets to grips with the growing diversity of Austrian wines at the country's recent London wine tasting.

Crowdfunding: A saviour or white whale for the wine sector?

South Africa: early harvests, upcoming regions and footballers

Geoffrey Dean's latest trip to South Africa lets him witness first-hand the early harvest, while visiting upcoming regions and observing the footballing influence on winemaking.

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".

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

World expert John Gauntner introduces us to sake

John Gauntner is renowned as being one of the English-speaking world's foremost experts on sake. Here he explains how he got into sake, and what's happening in the industry now.

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.

James Connolly on how independents can differentiate and diversify

James Connolly, consultant at Broderson & Co, says that when merchants are faced with tough trading conditions, they should be open to discussions on consolidation. Differentiating, diversifying, innovating and communicating can also help reinvigorate a business. 

Are you breaking the law by serving draught Prosecco?

David Wilkinson, partner and head of IP and Katrina Walter of legal firm Stevens & Bolton LLP analyse the legal implications of on-trade outlets that sell Prosecco on draught.

Q&A: BiBoViNo's Frantz Roesch on why BIB wine is going upmarket

Frantz Roesch, founder of French bag-in-box retail concept BiBoViNo, reveals his plans for UK expansion, high profile backers and why it will focus on old world wines only.

Why a cut in duty is fair to consumers and business says SWA's David Frost

In my time as a diplomat, I spent a lot of time promoting Scotch whisky overseas. When I first got to know the industry,  I found it very surprising to learn Scotch Whisky was Britain's biggest food and drink sector and indeed represented nearly a quarter of all Britain's food and drink exports.

Hal Wilson, Cambridge Wine Merchants: why I lobbied my MP for a duty cut

As Harpers calls on independent wine merchants to play their part in the industry wide campaign to convince the Chancellor to issue a duty cut on wine and spirits in his March Budget, leading independent Hal Wilson,  of Cambridge Wine Merchants,  today explains why he has personally lobbied his local MP, the Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert, and invited him to his business so that he could explain the issues in person - and urges other merchants to do the same.