Claret Pimpernel: Still in the dark...

PR stunt of the week must go to Scotch whisky Highland Park, which sent out a flyer this week with all the details of its new Dark Origins launch hidden on what looked like a black piece of card.

Claret Pimpernel: Too cool for school?

Whether we like it or not, being cool and being in the wine trade, don't necessarily go together.

The Claret Pimpernel: Wrong shaped balls

Now football may be the country's national sport, but that is not always the case in the wine and spirits sector, where the egg-shaped rather than round ball is more popular.

Claret Pimpernel: Doors to manual

The CP got itself stuck in the land of PC this week with the story we ran online at Harpers.co.uk about a British Airways pilot and his wife who are opening a wine merchant in Manchester called Salut Wines, offering as many as 32 wines by the glass courtesy of its Enomatic machines.

Jude Law to star in new short film for Johnnie Walker Blue Label

British film star, Jude Law, is to appear in a special short film to promote Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the blended Scotch whisky, called 'The Gentleman's Wager'.

Are you hounded by PRS and PPL?

Stephen Forward reveals his tedious encounters, wrangles, and squabbles with these two beguiling organisations.

It may not be trending worldwide but Sherry is now trendy.

Sherries uprising

Christine

Cahors Malbec Days 2014 Rocks

Curious about Malbec from Cahors?

Valentino Monticello, sommelier and acclaimed artist, has died

Seven steps to successful sales

I had one of those surreal dreams the other night that wouldn't be out of place in a Douglas Adams novel, where the whole world was inhabited only by a large population of Life Coaches. Everyone was really well organised, at peace with themselves and with each other, and all living a stress free life in sheer bliss.

Isabelle Legeron MW publishes comprehensive guide to natural wine

Isabelle Legeron MW has produced a comprehensive guide to natural wine bringing together not only a detailed examination of what natural wine is, but a country by country, producer by producer guide to the wines and styles that newcomers and enthusiasts should be looking to drink.

Diageo launches special edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin

Diageo has launched limited edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin, drawing on an original recipe from its founder and bridging the gap between malty Dutch genevers and London Dry gins.

Four key factors that impact retail sales

I've tried many different sales techniques over the years. In fact I've tried almost everything from dressing up as an oversized pink flamingo, to standing outside the shop with a large machete in a sadistic pose threatening passersby to "buy my friggin wine or else!" Plus a whole host of other methods in between.

Is being a Wine Critic the most pointless profession in the world?

The answer is NO, of course it isn't, and to suggest so is frankly preposterous, outrageous, and totally insulting...

Off to Cahors for Malbec days

The traditional basic style was ... well, black! And tannic. I am curious to see what, if anything, is being done to soften the tannins apart from cellaring the top quality wines.

HALL raises over $180,000 for Napa Valley Charity at #ANV14

Bulgari jewelry and dinner with Craig and Kathryn Hall make for exciting biding.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellar Raises Over $60,000 For Napa Valley Charaties

It's such a small world -- just a few weeks ago at the Master of Wine Symposium in Florence I was invited for this fabulous dinner at the new 26,000 square meter winery in the heart of the Antinori empire, which contains a cellar for five million bottles, the new offices, a wine shop, a museum, a conference hall, and a restaurant. There, Albiera Antinori and Marco Casamonti, the winery's architect, spoke about the creative and practical journey that culminated in the opening of this incredible building in October 2012.

RAYMOND VINEYARDS' LIVE LOT AT 2014 AUCTION NAPA VALLEY RAISES $840,000 FOR THE NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY

Add a summaryHollywood Glamour, including a private, VIP table at the Weinstein Company's Oscars weekend parties, private jet transportation, a red carpet premiere of new Weinstein Company film, evening gown and tuxedo appropriate for the festivities, and a collection of rare Raymond wines, including a 9L bottle of Raymond Generations signed by the cast of a Weinstein Company film.

Wine and tapas anyone?

This weekend I'm off to Rioja Tapas Fantasticas in London, an annual event to promote Rioja wine and food. I seldom get the chance to go out these days, but I have been granted rite of passage by my dear wife as long as I am on my best behaviour and as long as she gets a ticket too.