Majestic's leading wine buyers set out their strategy and needs from suppliers

In the second of her series of 'Buyer to Buyer' interviews, former Somerfield head wine buyer, Angela Mount, talks to Matt Pym and Chris Hardy of Majestic Wines about their buying strategy and what they are looking for from their suppliers.

Tim Atkin reflects on the star quality of the life of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild

As you'd expect of a former actress, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild liked an audience. When Château Mouton-Rothschild hosted the Fête de la Fleur celebration at Vinexpo in June 2003, after guests had enjoyed liberal quantities of the legendary 1982 she took to the stage to thank the room. She had, she announced, invited a good friend along to sing to us. To the sound of the opening bars of the drinking song from Verdi's La Traviata, a black curtain opened behind her to reveal none other than Placido Domingo. Most people would be upstaged by a world famous opera singer, but Philippine had star quality of her own.

Jason Wilson on why we should not always believe what we read about American whiskey

What makes whiskey "made"? That question has been hotly debated within American whiskey circles this summer. (And yes, over here we include the 'e' when speaking of bourbon and rye; deal with it).

Global leaders head to London for Wine Vision 2014

UK's top French wine experts lined up for October's France Summit

A line up of top speakers from across the UK wine trade, including Master Sommeliers, multiple buyers, restaurateurs and leading independents will all be taking part in the second Harpers France Summit taking place on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Nick Kamen, Levi jeans and those boxer shorts...

News that advertising legend, Sir John Hegarty, is going to be the star turn at this month's Wine & Spirit Trade Association conference is just the excuse we need to show this classic TV ad.

Paying suppliers late now seen as normal business practice says MasterCard study

Paying suppliers late is now seen as part of normal business practice by many international companies, according to a new study.

Anne Krebiehl: why biodynamic wines need to change their communication

Biodynamics has probably been more hindered than helped by its advocates. If it wasn't starry-eyed talk of cosmic forces and stags' bladders that provoked either ridicule, anger or accusations of hocus-pocus, the claim that its methods are scientifically unfounded has been the most enduring and damaging.

Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty to be star turn at WSTA conference

Advertising guru turned wine producer, St John Hegarty, is to give the keynote talk at this month's Wine & Spirit Trade Association annual conference.

Vinexpo strengthens management team ahead of 2015 Bordeaux show

Vinexpo has strengthened its management team ahead of next year's exhibition in Bordeaux with two new directors joining the team.

Australian winemakers to join Negociants on tour of UK independents

Negociants UK will be hitting the road later this month  as part of a nationwide tour of tastings focused on the independent and on-trade. 

Drinks wholesalers face stiff "penalties" for not registering with HMRC

England's largest whisky distillery gives members chance to own personal cask

England's largest whisky distillery, The Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria, is to produce 60 Connoisseurs' Club oak sherry casks, filled with the Lakes single malt and owned exclusively by club members.

Darrel Joseph explores up and coming wines from Macedonia

On August 31, I completed my most recent visit to the Republic of Macedonia, having sniffed and tasted my way through dozens of wines produced by nine of this Balkan country's top quality wineries. Over the course of those six days, my impressions were more vivid and my conclusions more solid than those I had made during any of my previous visits to the country, the last of which was in December 2012.  To sum it up, Macedonia's quality wines not only have gotten, but are getting better and better. The consistency, the expression of aromas and flavours, the freshness, the balance and harmony, the use of wood, the ageing potential - in other words, the absolute quality - are seriously there and keep notching upward.

Brasserie Bar Company to follow British Queen launch with up to 20 more pubs

Brasserie Bar Company has just opened its fourth pub,  The British Queen, in Locksbottom, Orpintgon, Kent.

US cocktail gurus claim any bar only needs 12 bottles in new book

Ever stood in front of a packed back bar and wondered if some spirits never see the light of day? Well a new book from US cocktail gurus claims any bar can get away with just stocking 12 bottles.

Sake Sommelier of the Year competition open for entries

The search to find this year's Sake Sommelier of the Year is now on with entries open to win not only a £5,000 prize but a trip to Japan to delve even deeper in to the world of sake.

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Lourensford Estate on look out for new UK partner after it leaves Hatch Mansfield

Berry Bros & Rudd takes on Sweden's Karlsson's Gold Vodka

The Swedish premium vodka, Karlsson's Gold Vodka, is the latest addition to Berry Bros & Rudd's growing spirtis portfoliio.