Some Italian producers face ruin

Vineyards in some of Italy's most famous regions could face ruin due to a collapse in the price of grapes, the Italian Farmers Confederation has warned.

Trade looks to push low-alcohol wines

Trade and consumer interest in low alcohol wine is soaring, the organisers of a major forum on the rapidly emerging category claimed this week.

Ronan Sayburn - The Greenhouse, Mayfair

After a quiet August most of London was on holiday so it was a bit scary, but as soon as we hit September we were back on form, that has carried on strongly into October.

Delving into the Wine Seller

One effect the recession has had in the restaurant trade is to force businesses to be leaner but also more dynamic in a bid to survive the tough times and hold their own in an increasingly competitive industry.

Phil Crozier reviews Argentina at Lord's

The cricket ground is a good venue for the tasting, with plenty of natural light. And it's nice for the Argentinians to see a bit of cricket - although they probably know as much about it as we do about polo!

Romain Henry winner of the inaugural Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year

The last month has been very busy with the preparation of the Sud de France Sommelier of the year. I have also been building the Languedoc Roussillon wine list up for the Maze Grill which was timed quite well as it gave me a great opportunity to taste all the wines from the region.

South Africa - Growth Spurt

With the WOSA Mega-Tasting days away Andrew Catchpole asks if South Africa can keep its enviable recession-beating momentum going.

Maidment takes on Forbes' role

Focusing on Malbec and Torrentés are the main objectives for Andrew Maidment as he replaces James Forbes at the end of October as the UK presence at Wines of Argentina.

High hopes for 2009 vintage across Europe

Early reports that 2009 could turn out to be a star vintage in many regions across Europe are providing a much-needed boost for the beleagured wine trade.

Briccarello moves to Galvin

Galvin Restaurants has appointed sommelier of the year Andrea Briccarello in time for its new restaurant launch this autumn.

New investors see Beaujolais potential

Plans to create Beaujolais's first premier cru classification have been unveiled by a major family company which is producing its first vintage from the area.

New Taste

New from the south of France is a super-premium French "brand" called Chêne Blue. The range, imported by Winelife Ltd, is the result of a decade's hard graft to transform the vineyards of Domaine de la Verrière in Provence, which were bought by Nicole and Xavier Rolet, president of the London Stock Exchange.

Don't miss - Be a Saké Sommelier

Become a Saké Sommelier

The Saké Sommelier Association is holding the Certified Sake Sommelier Course on February 1-2, 2010, at the WSET tasting rooms in The International Wine and Spirit Centre.

Liberty Wines scoop top award

Liberty Wines has won best on-trade supplier at this year's International Wine Challenge awards held at London's Grosvenor House.

Murano voted London's best new restaurant

Murano - the Gordon Ramsey group restaurant has been voted London's best new restaurant according to a new survey carried out in association with Rémy Martin.

Don't miss - Sherry Tasting & Boutique Wineries Tasting

Join the Sherry Institute of Spain in a new initiative exclusively developed for top on-trade professionals, press and buyers, giving you the opportunity to taste a range of top Sherries on 21 and 28 September.

A month in the life of Gaucho head sommelier Jessica Closs

My life's a little different as at Gaucho we don't have traditional sommeliers as our waiters don't just take food orders, they are all trained in advising about wine.

Australian Wines

Looking for a new wine to plug a regional or stylistic gap on your shelves? Taste aims to help, by featuring medal winners from the International Wine Challenge's Discovery Tasting.

Artisan- Lewes' restaurant with an arty slant

Artisan is a café and restaurant that caters towards the arty people of Lewes, of which there are a fair few in the quaintly alternative town that nestles on the South Downs.

Champagne in turmoil over new harvest

The Champagne trade is wrestling with a vital decision about fixing the maximum permitted yield for the 2009 harvest against a background of collapsing export sales in the first half of the year, mounting stocks and falling prices.