Profile: Alvaro Marcos Garcia, of Theo Randall, on being asked for ice cubes in a Bordeaux cru class and Sauvignon Blanc with steak

Award-winning sommelier Alvaro Marcos Garcia thinks wine communicator Olly Smith is from another planet and thinks the customer is always right, even if they do want a Sauvignon Blanc with their steak.

Critics May May 22-24

What the press have to say over the May bank holiday weekend.

Wine journalists under the spotlight at LIWF

The role of the wine journalist and their influence on consumers was the subject of a lively debate at today's LIWF.

New Taste - LIWF special

Claire Hu and Carol Emmas preview the hottest new product releases at the London International Wine Fair and Distil.

LIWF - can you afford to miss it?

There are plenty of tailored events, tastings and seminars at the London International Wine Fair between May 12-14 to help you in your restaurant business.

Carol Emmas - Skalli in Sète

From Châteauneuf-du-Pape we travel to Sète in the Langeudoc, for a tasting of all wines under the Skalli range with winemaker Laurent Sauvage.

All water is not equal, says Noura's Nicolas Angelina

Noura's Nicolas Angelina discovers there's more to water than meets the eye

Ara appoints UK BDM

Winegrowers of Ara, the premium Marlborough producer, has appointed Julie Williams to the newly created position of business development manager for the UK and mainland Europe.

Penfolds releases 2004 Grange

Penfolds has released the 2009 instalment in its ongoing Luxury & Icon Australian fine wine range.

Maison Trimbach joins Enotria

Maison Trimbach, one of Alsace's most famous wine producers has announced it is joining agents Enotria's portfolio from May 1 in a move to up its profile in the UK market.

Jean Trimbach, 12th generation of the founding family, said: "We are not in the habit of changing agents - this is the first change for us in 35 years. But we saw in Enotria the capability to really develop our On Trade presence in the UK. Enotria's reach, as well as their strong wine credentials, make them an ideal partner for us."

Carol Emmas -Roaming around the Rhône

The great thing about a wine trip is how much you can learn from a two or three day visit to a producer or an area - as it doesn't matter how much you read, you can never learn fully from the pages of a book.

Wines in the Press April 19-20

What our national wine critics had to say for the weekend of April 19-20

The second part of Natasha Hughes' marathon tasting round Argentina

Argentina, 14-22 March 2009

Daniel Marzotto on how he ended up at Osteria dell'Angolo in Westminster

Daniel Marzotto, the assistant manager at Claudio Pulze's latest restaurant, Westminster's Osteria dell'Angolo, on the twin challenges of learning English and convincing customers that food and wine matching is still worthwhile in a recession.

Comments - Duncan Watts

It's not enough just to list a good selection of wines in your restaurant, says Duncan Watts, owner and managing director of the Rocket group, you also have to find ways of making that list accessible to your customers

Latour first of the blocks with lower price

Anne Krebiehl: Fourth blog from New Zealand harvest

Red eye: am on the early coach from Nelson en route to Renwick. State Highway 6 winds its way through coniferous forests, crosses the turquoise Pelorus River in a picturesque, narrow valley and continues south to reach the expansive vineyards of Marlborough: Renwick, a sleepy highway village, sits amidst these and it's yet again a case of dropping the rucksack, grabbing bicycle, helmet and map and heading off to hit the cellar doors.

Anne Krebiehl's third wine harvest blog from New Zealand

South Island - what a difference! Anne Krebhiel continues her tour around the wine regions of New Zeland - this week she crosses over into the South Island.

Sparkling wine sales continue to soar

Sparkling wines continue to enjoy success at the expense of Champagne, it has been claimed by a buyer for one of the UK's most popular supermarkets.

Anne Krebiehl, blog March 23, harvest blog from New Zeland

Hello again - this time from Martinborough in the Wairarapa - this must be the most bijou little town ever and seriously makes me think of emigrating....