Champagne wishes: House of Lords fear sub-par fizz

While Pulp's Jarvis Cocker penned the famous refrain 'I wanna live like common people', it's plain that those in the House of Lords do not. They flatly turned down a deal to share catering with the lowly House of Commons for fear the Champagne would not be up to scratch. So says Sir Malcolm Jack, clerk of the House of Commons between 2006 and 2011.

Take a trip down memory lane with Harper's Quizmas Quiz

It has been a long and emotional 2014. Can you recall the rollercoaster ride of drinks trade happenings?

Will the real Brigitte Bardot/Bordeaux please stand up?

Kent wine merchant Taurus has sexed up its image with the arrival of a new (actually it is an antique) Citroen HY van as a key member of its delivery fleet.

You'll need loadsamoney to enjoy St Pancras's £60 a glass Cinnamoney mulled wine

Hands up who likes mulled wine? Go on, you know you do. Throw in a  few carols, a bit of recently laid snow and there's nothing quite like those touches of spice and cinnamon on a cold winter's day.

Vinoteca counts down to Christmas with Wine-vent Calendar

After the frenzy of Black Friday you might think Christmas is almost upon us, but there are actually still 24 shopping days left.

Wine Country Resort Review: 5 Star Il Boscareto Resort

Lovers of both the modern and traditional style of Barolo will definitely be attracted to the very modern, five star Il Boscareto Resort, located in Serralunga d'Alba, which appeals to all the senses in its gorgeously designed rooms and suites, state of the art spa, very well appointed exercise room, and of course its two restaurants. The fine dining restaurant has an excellent selection of vintage wines from the region's producers, and it's where the top producers often gather for celebratory dinners.

Chief of the Week: Laura Jewell - soon to be UK "chief" of Wine Australia

Interview with Ze'ev Dunie of Seahorse Winery

Interview with Ze'ev Dunie of Seahorse Winery, Judea Hills

#LidlSurprises and #AldiFestiveFeast host pop up restaurants in London

It seems the German discounters are not content at ripping up the UK grocery retail sector, they are now having a go at the on-trade too with news that they are moving into the ever popular world of pop-up restaurants.

Chief of the Week: Tyler Balliet and Wine Riot

Now fast talking young American dudes are not totally original when it comes to breaking through in the wine trade. Anyone who has come within half a mile of Gary Vaynerchuk could vouch for that.

Is this the best mini bar in the world?

As mini bars go they don't get much more impressive than this.

The Vineyard in Dorking has an offer it wants its supppliers to refuse

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but not always.

Big Brother on whisky watch

There are some mysterious goings on in the world of whisky this week. Jura distillery has been inviting everyone to a seriously hush-hush event about a new whisky. But it doesn't say what that whisky is.

To boldly go where no wine tasting has gone before

Wine conferences around the world will soon have an excuse to tap up William Shatner as their guest speaker.

It's all about the bubbles: from one rapper to another

Bubbles have long been beloved by the rich and famous. And that love in turn helps to spread the love more widely and boom! you've got a stellar success, says the Claret Pimpernel.

Chiefs of the week: Harpers Rising Stars for Wine Vision

We don't just have one Chief of the Week for you this time round, but eight. Yes the eight stand out winners who we have selected to receive the Harpers Rising Stars Grant to attend this month's Wine Vision conference in London.

Stephen Forward: drinks industry under attack!

If you thought fox hunting had been banned, think again. It appears the concept has just mutated. Some people still get a thrill from the chase, so while it may be illegal to hunt and kill bushy tailed carnivorous mammals using horns, dogs and horses, a new form of hunting has now evolved.

Guy Woodward: even Champagne has a lot to learn about consumers

Comedian and writer David Mitchell is among the more perceptive columnists for the once great Observer, so it was with interest that I read his piece on how the taste of Champagne doesn't matter. When it comes to serving sparkling wine, he claimed, so long as it has bubbles, and says Champagne and not Cava on the label, any further qualities are immaterial.

Quick thinking Google chief hopes to seduce Jancis Robinson with a phone upgrade

Those Google folk don't miss a trick - I guess they would not be working there if they did.

The Bibendum PLB "supergroup" is all set to make beautiful music together

Supergroup. That's the word on the street this week. There's a new one in the wine trade this week. Haven't you heard? Bibendum PLB.