Guy Woodward: Lobbing grenades at Majestic

Guy Woodward, former editor of Decanter

Guy Woodward: My 10 New Year’s resolutions

1. DRINK WHEN I WANT

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Guy Woodward: Why the wine trade should be targeting the young

Twenty years ago it may have been, but I can safely say that my membership of Manchester University Wine Society was a successful one. Not in terms of laying the foundations for a career as editor of a well-respected consumer wine magazine, a notion that would have been laughable to both me and my fellow members at the time. No, its main, possibly only, benefit was in meeting girls – and accumulating the brazen gall to actually speak to them.

Why this isn't the time for the trade to seek a cut in duty

Being a passive observer, rather than an active member, of the wine trade can bring into focus how slow it is to change

Guy Woodward: Why is the wine trade still slow to deliver fulfilment?

As a middle-aged, middle-class man, my weekly highlight is Saturday morning, illuminated by a warm croissant (180ºC for eight minutes, served with passion fruit curd), a Nespresso coffee (medium froth, Ristretto pod) plus the weekend papers - and here's the most indulgent part - delivered to the door. 

Guy Woodward: Why are we so down on English fizz?

There was a degree of sniping when environment secretary Andrea Leadsom claimed recently that England was taking its place "among the world's most renowned wine producers".

Guy Woodward: Shouldn't Rioja just keep things simple?

It's the impossible question. And also, of course, the one that members of the trade are most frequently asked. "What's your favourite wine?" In the past, I always used to trot out the standard answer: "It depends" - on the occasion, the weather, the company, the mood and, of course, who's paying.

Guy Woodward: Why is the wine world so snotty about luxury?

My former colleague Adam Lechmere came out with a great line the other day.

Guy Woodward: Seven things I hate about the wine trade

Guy Woodward: Would you order a wine selected by an algorithm?

I'm in the market for a new car. Such a substantial purchase demands extensive research. Doubtless petrolheads would be in heaven at the prospect of debating fuel economy stats with like-minded car bores. For me, though, with my pitiful automotive knowledge, it is my worst nightmare.

Guy Woodward: British chefs love telling us to think local- until it comes to wine

Guy Woodward challenges- is it too much to expect that leading British restaurants carry an English wine by the glass?

Guy Woodward: Why wine is failing the hipster test

If there are two things that Brexit has taught us about the mindset of the consumer right now, it's that the prevailing mood is anti-establishment, and that, partly as a consequence, when it comes to communicating a message the detail is not as integral as the tone.

Guy Woodward: Why are women still under-represented in the wine trade?

Guy Woodward this month asks why women still under-represented in the wine trade when haveing women in all aspects of the business is so benefical. 

Guy Woodward: Reflecting on those we lost in the wine trade this year

For David Bowie, Terry Wogan and Ronnie Corbett, read Louis Latour, Paul Pontallier and Etienne Hugel. Maybe not in that order. But either way, 2016 has been as cruel a year in the wine community as it has in the wider world.

Guy Woodward: We need to ditch wine's elitist reputation

Guy Woodward reflects on how any wine "advice" may be viewed through the prism of wine being the preserve of patronising snobs.

Guy Woodward: keep wine writing simple, stupid

"Condensation and distillation." No, not the method for a new hipster gin being made in a Shoreditch loft - rather Hugh Johnson's description of his own writing style. 

Guy Woodward: Shifting focus to alcohol's social issues

I spent a few days in Qatar last month. Not a place that I expected to inform this column, but then travel is full of surprises.

Guy Woodward: The many reasons to be thankful for our wine press

When my name first started appearing at the top of this page each month, I promised myself there was one topic that I would strenuously avoid. Eighteen months in, I'm about to break that promise... 

Guy Woodward: Why aren't restaurants offering more wines by the glass?

Along, it seemed, with half the UK's wine press, I was at the launch of Les 110 de Taillevent in London's Cavendish Square last week. My verdict? Go - and be sure to order the crab ravioli. What was most notable about the night, though, was not the guest list or the menu, but that here was a major restaurant being launched off the back of its wine offering.