Wine Vision's leader view: Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines

"People focus more on enjoying life when they get older. Wine is part of that and if there are more people getting older, more people will be drinking wine"

Wine Vision's leader view: Paul Symington, Symington Family Estates

"Sometimes people ask me: 'Why do you sell to supermarkets?' I'm astounded by the question. If I didn't, we would have to lay off at least 80% of our staff and sack
more than 90% of our growers."

M&S to engage wine customers "emotionally"

12pm

Bath Ales is continuing its expansion

Independent brewer, Bath Ales is continuing its expansion to open a café bar and 40-cover restaurant destination within South West's Colston Hall. 

Wine Vision's leader view: Ted Baseler, ceo Ste Michelle Wine Estates

"I call our approach the 'string of pearls' - we keep each winery separate, with its own manager, its own name and winemaker. Then we have the string through the pearls which is the back-of-house admin"

Wine Vision's leader view: Christophe Salin, Domaines Barons de Rothschild

"I don't like to see amateurs getting into vineyards. They don't realise that it takes a long time for it to be profitable - as the saying goes: "How do you make a small fortune out of a vineyard? Start with a large fortune."

Christmas Cheers

In the second of our major reports on key trends for the Christmas drinks market, we look for festive cheer in the spirits and Champagne categories.

Spirit Supplier Views

Views from: Gillian Gibson, global brand manager, Balblair; Roy Summers, head of category management, First Drinks; Simon van Moppes, commercial director, Pernod Ricard

Consumer reasearch session: Champagne

The 21 attendees were asked to taste seven different Champagnes and then to fill in a questionnaire, which explored their attitudes and knowledge on fizz in more detail.

Glenfiddich £1000 per bottle limited edition 'Spirit of a Nation' released in the UK

Glenfiddich, in partnership and support of the UK team's Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge, will be releasing only 250 bottles of a special limited edition, 29 year-old scotch malt whisky that will retail for rrp £1,000 per bottle.

Christmas Champagne

Nobody loves Champagne quite as much as the British, writes Anne Krebiehl. Françoise Peretti - director of the Champagne Bureau, the UK office of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne - even refers to an "enduring love affair".

Champagne Supplier Views

Views from: Keith Isaac MW, general manager, Champagne de Castelnau Isaac; Andrew Steel, co-founder and director, Connoisseur Estates,

Christmas Spirits

From awkward December dalliances at the company party to toasting Christmas pudding on the big day, spirits play an important role in the 21st-century Christmas. Lucy Britner looks ahead at what tipples will be being tipped this year.

Champagne Retailer Views

Views from: Ben Stephenson, managing director, Hangingditch, Manchester; Tracy Ford, BWS category director, Asda; Laura Jewell MW, Tesco

Spirits Retailer & On-trade Views

Views from: Sukhinder Singh, Whisky Exchange; Simon Van Moppes, Pernod Ricard UK; Mal Evans, Mojo bars in Manchester

How do our Champagne Occasions partners educate the consumer?

Interview with: David Harker, owner, Newcastle wine school

I think the most surprising finding coming out of the workshop was how many respondents weren't fazed by the price of some of the Champagne - even up to £70 a bottle, which was a lot more than most of them said they would originally be prepared to pay...

THE PROGRAMME

ABOUT

OUR PARTNERS

We are working with a small number of partners who are committed to servicing the on-trade and independent retail channels and who will be involved throughout the campaign. These are: Canard-Duchene, Champagne de Castelnau, Gosset and Champagne Jacquart