Andrew Catchpole: What is in the bottle is not the only thing that counts

Editor Andrew Catchpole argues that while wine quality is certaintly important it is not the only way customers buy, particularly when it comes to trying a new wine.

Andrew Catchpole: Are you in or out?

To Brexit or not to Brexit? To further labour a Shakespeare reference, that is the question facing the British public as they head for the voting booths for the referendum on remaining or renouncing membership of the European Union on June 23.

Anne Serres, a winner of the 'Sing With Skin Côntact' competition, talks rock legends before her big break

Anne Serres is a Paris-born wine journalist and educator with a penchant for all things rock, who lists Dave Grohl, Linda Ronstadt, Freddie Mercury and Florence Welch among her musical heroes.

Harpers' columnist Guy Woodward set to take the stage at this year's Skin Côntact concert

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage next month in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Saturday Kitchen's Olly Smith, who's to perform at Skin Côntact, names his musical heroes

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage next month in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Erin Smith: Change offers us hope for the future

Erin Smith looks back at 2015 and reflects on how change can offer opportunities in 2016

Book Review: Money, Taste and Wine: It's Complicated! by Mike Veseth

Mike Veseth appears to be on a mission. Money, Taste and Wine: It's Complicated! follows his Wine Wars and Extreme Wine (reviewed here in May 2014) in discussing aspects of the wine world in a language ordinary mortals can understand.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The question every wine veteran gets asked- what is the BEST wine?

It happened again last week. I was on a flight from Mallorca to London City airport. It was one of those small planes with just two seats either side of the gangway. She was in an aisle seat and I was bolted in next to the window. I was trapped and I wanted to lie.

Harpers Choice

Some of this month's sampled goods!

Samba sensation hits London Fair

Harpers choice, May 2015

Brighton Gin; Calusari Pinot Grigio; VII Hills

Chief of the Week: Raul Diaz of WineTraining Limited

When we think of passion, patience and a man on a mission of spreading the love and appreciation for wine, Raul Diaz definitely comes to mind.

Chief of the Week: English Wine

It may be a bit of a departure from our more traditional celebration of people in the wine and spirits industry that we choose to recognise English wines as this week's Chief of the Week. But with the enormous success of English Wine over the past year it is a great opportunity to raise a glass of British sparkling fizz to the growing number of producers and their success stories.

Chief of the Week: Ian Harris and the WSET

We raise a glass to The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and chief executive Ian Harris today for all the work that they have been doing over the decades to educate both those in the trade and consumers about wine.

Chief of the Week: Rowan Gormley, new ceo of Majestic Wines

Today we raise a glass to Rowan Gormley one of the key players behind the £70 million acquisition of Naked Wines by Majestic and the new chief executive of the larger Majestic Wines group.

Harpers choice: April 2015

Domaine Gagey Monthéalie 2010; Griset Sauvignon Gris Rosé 2014; Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin

Chief of the Week: Martin Perez Cambet, Casarena Winery

Working on this side of the fence you sometimes wander who is actually reading all (or any) of the news and copy that we diligently write every day - and where in the world they are if they do.

Independent wine shop owner runs Marathan de Sables for charity

An independent wine shop owner is hoping to raise money for charity by completing the notorious Marathon des Sables.

Chris Galvin and Fred Sirieix's "dream come true" to have cameo role in new James Bond film

Award winning chef Chris Galvin and his general manager, Fred Sirieix, at London's Galvin at Windows have had a dream come true with a surprise cameo role in the new James Bond film, Spectre.

How Jascot's Alastair Pyatt "persuaded" the Chancellor to freeze wine duty

So here's us all thinking it was the gallant combined efforts of a cross industry high profile campaign that convinced the Chancellor, George Osborne, to freeze the duty on wine in last week's Budget. Well think again.