South of France to open new somm school

The Roussillon region is to host what is described as a “unique training centre” for sommeliers, planned to open in September 2022.

Rueda campaign to underpin export growth

Spain’s leading white wine export has continued its upward trajectory, with DO Rueda reporting a 15% upswing in 2020.

The post-pandemic somm

Staff shortages and supply problems are only some of the challenges sommeliers are facing today, as Jacopo Mazzeo reports.

Champagne Gosset Matchmakers 2021 open for entries

Champagne Gosset is once again reaching out to chefs and sommeliers to take part in its annual Matchmakers competition and be in with a chance of winning an all expenses paid trip to its estate.

Tesco launches charitable somms service

Tesco has launched a charitable wine service that gives shoppers access to tailored tips from sommeliers.

Grüner goes global

Austria’s star player continues to advance its international appeal, as David Kermode discovers.

Armit becomes first merchant to support The Court of Master Sommeliers

Armit Wines has been named as the first wine merchant to support The Court of Master Sommeliers.

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2020 award winners to be announced in November

Winners of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier 2020 competitions will be announced at an awards dinner on 20 November. 

Post-pandemic staffing

With a shortage of qualified on-trade staff an industry issue pre Covid-19, what will be the outcome for those that weather lockdown? Chris Losh reports.

Thursday read: Living with lockdown - an agency view

Will Oatley, MD at Louis Latour Agencies, gives Andrew Catchpole a glimpse of the realities of life as a merchant adjusting to lockdown

One year of Trade, with Xavier Rousset

As the Soho hospitality hub hits its first birthday, Andrew Catchpole catches up with Trade’s leading light Xavier Rousset

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?