Where's the consumer in all of this?

Harpers features editor Laura Clark blogs from the London International Wine Fair.

LIWF - day one - a quiet one

The first day of the LIWF seemed quieter than previous years.

McKenna blog: the online wine opportunity

Harpers news editor Gemma McKenna blogs on helicopters, share warnings and négociants, from LIWF's online conference ahead of the fair's opening tomorrow.

Stratfords Wine Agencies shows its 2011 portfolio

Peter Csizmadia-Honigh: Harvest diary from Chile

There is nothing like learning by doing. Quite true, I thought to myself when boarding the red-eye on Mayday in Santiago on the way back home after two weeks in Chile.

Simon Green, spokesman for consumer pressure group, Wineoption.org; wine trade you're letting us consumers down

Wineoption.org was a simple idea which I had with a few friends a long time ago. We all liked wine, and drank a fair bit of it but we're not wine buffs. We knew a few basics about wine but not enough to bore a dinner party. What really got us going was the collective feeling that the wine trade takes cynical advantage of us. We know we're not "experts", but we resented being treated like gullible idiots.

Lisa Senior: blog from Femmes et Vins du Monde (Women and Wines of the World) event in Monte Carlo, April 29

Aside from its rising skyline of hotels and apartment blocks that seem to bump into one another, on the verge of tumbling into the Mediterranean, I noticed the sinuous streets of Monte Carlo were also facing stacks of wide black tyres in preparation for the annual Grand Prix that would take place in three weeks time.

Anastasia Edwards: blog from Piedmont and Nebbiolo conference

I am just back from a fascinating Berry Bros and Rudd press trip to Piedmont, during which I met several of the region's best producers. I return with a rather complicated mandate, however: to avoid mentioning any words beginning with B. These include barrique, botte, and, especially, Barolo and Barbaresco.

Isabelle Legeron MW: thoughts on natural wine

The comments by Isabelle Legeron MW follow the analysis "Making a Case for Natural Wines" in Harpers Wine & Spirit on April 8.

David Copp: Travels and insights in to Romanian wine Winegrowers insights of Romania

Romania: four days, seven wineries, 134 wines, 945 kilometres, David Copp reports on the recent Circle of Wine Writers trip to Romania

En primeur blog: J&B's Tom Jenkins

Tom Jenkins, Bordeaux buyer for Justerini & Brooks, blogs from the en primeur tasting

En primeur blog: Nick Stephens

Nick Stephens, of UK fine wine merchant Interest In Wine and the Bordeaux-Undiscovered blog talks to top chateaux and keeps us up to date with the latest at en primeur week

Stephen Williams, The Antique Wine Company's en primeur blog, April 6

After two days tasting on the left bank, various conclusions can already be drawn about the 2010 clarets. One is that this is another great Bordeaux vintage in the Medoc.

Gavin Quinney: day one of en primeur blogs

Gavin Quinney, owner of Chateau Bauduc in Bordeaux, kicks off our en primeur blogs

Douglas Blyde: Kinloch Lodge, Restaurant Review

Kinloch Lodge has received recognition for its wine list from the AA, Scottish Hotel Awards and Michelin. With log fires, plumped cushions and family memorabilia, it feels more of a family home than an hotel. This is unsurprising considering it is the Highland seat of one of the country's most influential cooks and food writers, Claire MacDonald and husband, Godfrey, High Chief of Clan Donald.

Richard Siddle: comment on opportunties for Californian wine in the UK

California is an awfully long way to go to confirm perceptions many wine producers have about the UK wine industry, but it certainly helps appreciate how this key market views these shores.

Claire Hu: are consumers confused about the environmental claims of wine

Just how confused are consumers about wine and the environment, asks Claire Hu. To find out she conducted an online forum with key opinion makers around the world. You can join the debate and have your say at the end. These issues and others will be covered at the World Climate and Wine conference in Marbella between April 13-14.

Richard Siddle, California blog: Chardonnay in Sonoma

Harpers editor Richard Siddle's latest update from California focuses on Sonoma County's cool climate Chardonnay.

Richard Siddle, California blog: Sonoma finds its sense of place

I am sure there has already been a television programme called A Time and a Place, but if there hasn't then it could be created to sum up the possibilities and winemaking philosophy for Sonoma and its winemakers.

Richard Siddle: California blog, Monday February 28

The last time I was in California was as a cash strapped backpacker in 1993 trying to get round the States on less than $20 a day. But whilst I had ventured as far north as San Francisco the wine regions had not been on my frugal radar.