Panos Kakaviatos explores the world of Dom Pérignon

Champagne may be great to drink anytime, but it is good to know that one need not spend too much on a fine bottle. During a Paris salon earlier this month, I tasted through some lovely bottles of moderately priced non-vintage Champagnes, including Drappier, Piper Heidsieck and Larmandier-Bernier. These and others provide well balanced aromas and flavours of citrus, brioche and a full bodied character, complemented with fine bubbles and freshness.

British drinks producers back London Collections:Men

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: David Gleave, Liberty Wines

As we welcome in the new year, David Gleave, managing director of Liberty Wines, looks back on his 2 Good, 2 Bad memories of 2013 and looks ahead at his hopes and fears for 2014. 

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: Simon Doyle, Concha y Toro UK

Simon Doyle, general manager of Concha y Toro UK helps see the new year in with his 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 and his 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014.

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: Olivier Bourdet-Pees, Plaimont Producteurs

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: Julian Dyer, Australian Vintage

This time in our festive round up of 2 Good, 2 Bad from 2013 and 2 Hopes and Fears for 2013 we turn to Julian Dyer, general manager for UK and Europe for Australian Vintage. 

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013 - Hopes and Fears for 2014: Andrew Hawes, Mentzendorff

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes Fears for 2014: Julian Dyer, Australian Vintage

This time in our festive round up of 2 Good, 2 Bad from 2013 and 2 Hopes and Fears for 2013 we turn to Julian Dyer, general manager for UK and Europe for Australian Vintage. 

Vino Fresco hopes to capture share of the lighter wine category with new carbonated drink

A new wine based drink, Vino Fresco, hopes to tap in to the drinking trend popular across the Mediterranean of adding carbonated lemon and lime with red wine to make a refreshing style drink.

Geoffrey Dean basks amongst the vines and winemakers of Margaret River

After the desert-like 40-degree heat of Perth for the Test match, it was quite a relief to encounter Margaret River's Mediterranean climate with temperatures in the mid-20s. World-class Chardonnays abound there, of course, but Voyager Estate has raised the bar to new heights with its expressions of the varietal.

2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013: Gavin Quinney, Chateau Bauduc

In the second of our 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 series Bordeaux winemaker, Gavin Quinney of Chateau Bauduc, looks back on a year with more than its share of highs and lows including seeing a large part of his crop destroyed by hail as well as spend part of the year entertaining BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans on a tour of Bordeaux's best chateaux.

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013: Gavin Quinney, owner Chateau Bauduc

In the second of our 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 series Bordeaux winemaker, Gavin Quinney of Chateau Bauduc, looks back on a year with more than its share of highs and lows including seeing a large part of his crop destroyed by hail as well as spend part of the year entertaining BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans on a tour of Bordeaux's best chateaux.

Fine wine market declines for third year says Liv-ex

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Alissa Aron assesses the fall out over the impact of microbes on terroir and winemaking

Microbial Mayhem: How the recent media buzz about microbes and terroir could impact winemaking and communication.

Gusbourne Estate raises £2m funding to help expand vineyards and winery

Gusbourne Estate, the Kent-based English sparkling wine producer, has acquired a £2m loan from Barclays bank to help develop the winery and overall business.

PLB takes on Bosman Family Vineyards to help drive its fine wine business

UK drinks importer PLB, has become distributor of South African premium Fairtrade producer Bosman Family Vineyards, as it continues to drive to reposition itself in the fine wine arena.

Q&A with Wayne Falkenberg, chief winemaker, Lindeman's

We talk to Wayne Falkenberg who has been with Lindeman's for 38 years.

Concha y Toro looks to new recruits to help drive its growth strategy

Concha y Toro UK is going on a recruitment drive to bring key new people in to the company following a strategic review of the business.

Scrapping duty escalator will raise £230m and 6,000 jobs says WSTA's new Call Time on Duty campaign

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is today ramping up the pressure on the governement to scrap the alcohol duty esclator by claiming it would generate £230 million and create 6,000 jobs if it was dropped before the 2014 budget.