Friday Read: Merlot

Can one film realistically change consumer attitudes to two grape varieties?

NZ Winegrowers sommelier scholarship applications open

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has today opened applications for the 2019 Sommit Scholarship for sommeliers from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Moët UK's Sommelier Of The Year opens for entries

Moët & Chandon's Sommelier of the Year competition has returned for another year, once again looking to bestow the accolade on a shining star of the UK on-trade.

Change of subsidiary ownership consolidates Hallgarten's B2B wine focus

Hallgarten (HDN) wines has announced a structural change of ownership with the company now owned directly by the Pieroth family of Burg Layen in Germany. The wine wholesaler based in Luton, was until December, a subsidiary of the Pieroth's family's holding company WIV Wein International.

Guy Woodward: Seven things I hate about the wine trade

Martin Willams' M Restaurants raises £900,000 of crowdfunding target in four hours

London restaurant chain M Restaurant has raised over half of its crowdfunding campaign target in under four hours, bringing the total up to £900,000.

Martin Willams' M Restaurants to crowdfund group expansion

M Restaurant group is looking to add a third site called M SOCIAL as well as expand the use of the some of the current space at the M Threadneedle site and plans to finance the expansion by raising £1.5m on the Seedrs crowd-funding platform.

Sherry is celebrated in UK on-trade at the annual Great Sherry Tasting

At yesterday's annual Great Sherry Tasting, the category seems to be making head way, particularly in the UK on-trade as sommeliers and Michelin starred chefs sampled nearly 200 Sherries being poured.

Insights: The importance of a well-honed drinks list

With new openings driving fierce competition, hitting the ground running with a well-honed drinks list is key. But how is it done?

WineTutor TV reaches 90% of the world's MW students

An innovative video learning platform for MW hopefuls has reached a global audience since being launched by Tim Wildman MW.

First sommelier wine app preparing inaugural launch in London

The "world's first" wine app which sets out to put a "sommelier in your pocket" is launching in partnership with its first restaurant this week.

Wines of Portugal Wine Quest winner talks Encruzado and Alvarinho

Lukasz Walkowiak, sommelier at Oxo Tower, has been named the Wines of Portugal Wine Quest winner 2016.

Insights: Somms are in high demand during casual dining boom

The role of sommelier has fast evolved in our ever more competitive and casual dining era and are in high demand across the UK.

New Zealand Winegrowers extends Sommelier Scholarship to the UK and Ireland

New Zealand Winegrowers is offering three sommeliers from the UK and Ireland the chance to take part in an invite-only sommelier scholarship event in New Zealand.

London sommelier wins Moët UK Sommelier Of The Year 2016

Terry Kandylis from London's 67 Pall Mall has been awarded the 2016 Moët UK Sommelier of the Year title.

A sommelier on Spain: Quality wines at value prices

Spain has become the country of choice for one Canadian sommelier working in the UK.

Semi-finalists to go head-to-head in Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2016

The twelve semi-finalists who have made it through to the penultimate round of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year competition have been announced.

Competition aims to boost sales of South African wines in the on-trade

Wines of South Africa's triennial Sommelier Cup competition is now accepting entries as the organisation strives to boost on-trade sales.

Insight: The psychology of drinks selection in the on-trade

New research into the psychology of drink selection in the on-trade puts the focus firmly on customer needs

Champagne Ruinart unveils 2016 sommelier Challenge

Champagne Ruinart has announced the details of its Ruinart Challenge 2016, aimed at identifying the most talented young sommeliers from around the world.