Douglas Blyde experiences Kabuki Raw - Spain's gastronomic tribute to Japan

A meal, as a life, needs a structure. Like fleeting youth, lingering middle age and then the inevitable gradual decline into fluffy grey forgetfulness, a meal in three courses (or acts) must appetise, sate, and then comfortably conclude, diner high on ferment, with sweet reward...

Menopausal women are the target for new US wine brand - Hot Flash Wines

A new wine business targeting menopausal women has been set up in the United States called Hot Flash Wines.

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Harpers Awards announces its finalists for 2014

Restaurants, bars, sommeliers, multiple grocers, drinks websites, independent wine merchants, suppliers and brand owners will all come together on June 2 in the hope of winning a trophy at the Harpers Awards 2014.

BrewDog's co-founder James Watt attacks Portman Group and dismisses its rulings

BrewDog guilty of breaking Portman Group marketing rules for Dead Pony pale ale

BrewDog, the maverick has fallen foul of the Portman Group's alcohol marketing rules for its Dead Pony Club pale ale brand which was found to encourage "both anti-social behaviour and rapid drinking".

Katherine Canfield on a new US wine business targeting menoposaul women

The important role women play in the future of wine - and the drinks industry as a whole - is undeniable; however, this critical demographic continues to be elusive for many in the trade. Wine businesses have attempted to fill this gap in their customer base with new marketing strategies, such as the calorie-focused marketing for wines and cocktails employed by US alcohol brand Skinnygirl Cocktails

Mark Fiddes on why he is struggling with the beer brand smarm offensive

You may recognise the symptoms. It's more debilitating than hay fever; the snarling of the lip, the nausea, an ennui so enervating that zapping from Dave TV to a living human channel is almost impossible.

BBC's Graham Norton make his own wine to raise money for Elton John Aids Foundation

When you settle down tonight to watch the Graham Norton show on BBC1 you might like to know the wine he and his guests drink will soon be helping to raise money to combat Aids as part of the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Aviation gin founder, Thomas Mooney, on rise of craft spirits

Douglas Blyde talks to Thomas Mooney, first  president of the American Craft Distillers Association and co-owner and chief executive of American craft distillery, House Spirits - makers of Aviation gin.

Retail industry boosted by strong spring and Easter sales

Overall retail sales continue to grow strongly and will pick up further in May, according to the CBI's latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey.

BrewDog to open craft beer shop

BrewDog, the maverick Scottish independent brewer, is looking to bring its definitive edgy style to the high street with the opening of its a retail store, BottleDog, which will specialise in craft beers at its first site in London.  

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Brazilian nightclub to open in Battersea in time for the World Cup

Cocobananas is a new Brazilian nightclub that is set to open in Battersea, south London in time for people to celebrate the World Cup.

Wine growing in the UK guide to be published

The first practical guide on growing wine grapes in England and across the UK has been written by acclaimed English wine expert, Stephen Skelton MW.

Tesco offers online shoppers hundreds of pounds a year in savings

Tesco has ramped up the stakes in grocery online retailing by offering potentially hundreds of pounds a year in savings to customers looking to get their shopping delivered to their homes.

Douglas Blyde unleashes his senses on José Sanfins' wines at London's Clos Maggiore

According to research recently published in journal, "Science", the average human is equipped to differentiate some one trillion odours (999,999,990,000 more than previously thought). Buoyed by these findings, I was keen to apply my apparently amazing snout to the finery at Clos Maggiore's wine club. Tonight's instalment was hosted by Matt Thomas. Formerly a store manager at Majestic Wines, Thomas joined Hallgarten Druitt, as account development manager six months ago. Despite Clos Maggiore's Covent Garden location, Thomas's territory, work-wise and residentially is Dalston where he secured accounts, White Rabbit and Jones & Son, which he highly recommends are worth a visit

Future of global rum category up for debate

Two of the leading personalities within the spirits industry will openly debate the future of the global rum category in London next month for the latest annual Distillers Debate organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

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James Lawrence travels to Chablis, Domaine Laroche and experiences Les Grands Jours De Bourgogne

I still remember my first sip of Chablis. It was not a very auspicious occasion. Years ago, when I knew absolutely sod all about wine, I thought I'd show off and order a Chablis from my local restaurant's wine list. "Chablis is world famous," I told my friend, "so it's bound to be good." The bottle duly arrived (I forget the grower) and it tasted, well, like nothing basically. Thin, weedy and tart, the wine was a crushing disappointment and did Chablis a great disservice -  like buying an expensive holiday to the Bahamas and ending up at Mrs' Jones guesthouse in Rhyl.