Matthew Clark's annual tasting draws a record number of attendees

Matthew Clark's annual portfolio tasting held this week at London's Tobacco Dock drew a crowd and saw visitors numbers soar 40% over last year's attendance numbers.

Sicily takes control of its destiny

"Historically, the UK took Sicilian wine from northern bottlers in huge quantities," says Nick Bielak, director of Vinexus, whose agencies include the big Marsala-based co-op, Cantina Europa

How Italy's complexity can be its greatest draw

When it comes to supplying the off-trade with entry-level wines, Italy certainly punches above its weight

Morrisons rings the changes

Morrisons' wine team is bucking the trend, with a revitalised range, rising sales and a collaborative approach to suppliers delivering awards and customer spend

Q&A: In Pursuit of Balance

Five years on from co-founding In Pursuit of Balance, Jasmine Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards and Rajat Parr of Domaine de la Côte and Sandhi talk about their vision for west coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Why indies need to use the web wisely

With online wine sales booming, independents stand to lose out to bigger players unless they use the web wisely to promote their USPs

Go West 2016 tasting preview

The Go West tasting offers an unrivalled insight into the wines of California, Oregon and Washington

What the Living Wage means for the trade

We all need to earn enough to survive. But the Chancellor's introduction of a Living Wage, announced last year and to be introduced this April, has proved controversial

Q&A: Jay Wright, chief executive, Virgin Wines

Virgin Wines cashed in on the recent Christmas trading period and saw sales soar by 12%, attracting 30,000 new online customers in the process. The man at the helm talks to Erin Smith about what it takes to be a success online

The Smith Report: Has China fully recovered?

China, which once was the promised land for iconic wines, hit a tough patch, but with a growing middle class and an ever-growing appreciation for wine, could now be the time to start importing there?

Grain versus grape: the rise of craft beer

"Stick a cork in it. Wine is done," declared the New York Daily News back in 2013. "Fancy beers in oversize bottles are the hottest items on drink lists at swank restaurants and bars across the city." 

Taking a break from the mainstream

It's often said that Champagne sales are a pretty accurate economic barometer, their fluctuations closely matching the financial health of the nation, fast charting out the highs and lows of boom and bust.

Profile: Denis O'Flynn, Pernod Ricard

intDenis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard, brings with him a clear strategy, an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the industry - what could be better?

The problem with mark-up madness in the on-trade

I love Riesling. I'll always buy it in the supermarket, I will always look out for it in restaurants and I'll always seek it out wherever I go.

Guy Woodward: keep wine writing simple, stupid

"Condensation and distillation." No, not the method for a new hipster gin being made in a Shoreditch loft - rather Hugh Johnson's description of his own writing style. 

Spain: a winemaking revolution is brewing

In January 2016, respected winemaker Telmo Rodríguez unveiled a controversial document that caused a surge of excitement across Spain's viticultural landscape

Tim Atkin MW: wising up to en primeur

You might not have noticed, but the annual Bordeaux en primeur campaign is almost upon us.

Think Gin Awards: the winners

There was understandably tough competition for this year's Think Gin Awards, but the following category champions were singled out by our judges for their spirited and imaginative work with the gin category.

Think Gin 2016 hailed a success

Oversubscribed and packed with members of the on-trade, independent merchants, multiple and wholesale buyers, the second annual Think Gin event at London's Hospital Club was a buzzing event. 

Openings: The Wilderness