Chief of the Week: Martin Perez Cambet, Casarena Winery

Working on this side of the fence you sometimes wander who is actually reading all (or any) of the news and copy that we diligently write every day - and where in the world they are if they do.

Drinks industry is well placed to benefit from new Google and Twitter deal

Drinks retailers, wholesalers and producers who try to hush-up negative comments from customers online are putting their businesses at a major disadvantage, according to a leading social media expert.

How California's pursuit of balance is now producing breakthrough wines

The 21^st century has seen a remarkable upsurge in the plantings of Pinot Noir throughout California, from a crush of 53,050 tons in 2000 to 248,469 in 2012. Concentrated on areas such as Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Napa, and Mendocino, the upturn in the grape's fortunes has been matched by quality. The Sideways effect is much cited, but more important has been the discovery of sites, often near the coast, suited to this difficult grape variety and a different approach from the traditional Californian style of fruity, jammy Pinot.

Mark Fiddes: how Jagermeister might have put an end to cute animals in advertising

Chris Galvin and Fred Sirieix's "dream come true" to have cameo role in new James Bond film

Award winning chef Chris Galvin and his general manager, Fred Sirieix, at London's Galvin at Windows have had a dream come true with a surprise cameo role in the new James Bond film, Spectre.

French winery fits mini cameras to bees to pioneer new viticiulture breakthrough

Douglas Blyde enjoys a trip to Dickensian London and the delights of The Chancery

Referencing the area's law firms, "The Chancery" comes into focus halfway down Cursitor Street. It is a slice of London immortalised in arguably Charles Dickens' greatest work, "Bleak House", featuring: "Sol's Arms Tavern", "Krook's Rag and Bottle Shop", and, perhaps most evocatively, "Coavinses Sponging House" (a temporary debtor's prison).

David Furer discovers much to admire in Ningxia - China's arguably best quality wine region

Dedicated Wines looks to kick back against range cuts with new Les Incroyables wine range

Dedicated Wines is kicking back against wine range cutbacks in the major multiples by launching a new wine range, Les Incroyables, that it hopes will bring genuine interest to consumers and offer something different at a time of new product stagnation.

How Jascot's Alastair Pyatt "persuaded" the Chancellor to freeze wine duty

So here's us all thinking it was the gallant combined efforts of a cross industry high profile campaign that convinced the Chancellor, George Osborne, to freeze the duty on wine in last week's Budget. Well think again.

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Ridgeview to double production of its award winning English wine by 2020

Ridgeview, the award winning English winery, plans to double its production in the next five years as as an ambitious project of planting over 80 hectares of extra vines take effect.

Tom and Ed Martin head to Suffolk to open their first pub outside London

Tom and Ed Martin, who have been building up an impressive range of pubs across London as part of their privately-owned ETM Group, are now set to venture outside the capital and head to Lavenham in Suffolk to open their first rural pub, The Six Bells.

Invivo half way to NZ$2m crowdfunding target after only one day of trading

New Zealand winery, Invivo Wines, raised over half its NZ$2 million target in a matter of hours after its crowdfunding campaign was opened for business yesterday.

Chief of the Week: The Chancellor, George Osborne

It's been another hectic week for the world of wine and spirits. Most of the UK wine trade seemed to have debunked to Dusseldorf for the annual tour of bratwurst stalls at ProWein - without doubt the largest wine fair in the world.

Budget Latest: WSTA's Miles Beale says Chancellor has given drinks industry "perfect result"

Miles Beale, chief executive, of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has described the Chancellor's decision to freeze wine duty and cut spirits by 2% as "just about the perfect result" it could have hoped from its Drop the Duty campaign.

ProWein 2015: Huge potential to build super brands around the world says Concha y Toro

Building strong brands in the key £8 to £10 price sector has become increasingly the key battleground for the truly global wine producers operating in the main markets around the world, according to Thomas Domeyko, Concha y Toro's export director for Europe, USA and Africa.

ProWein 2015: Australia needs to promote its stories and personalities says Laura Jewell

Australia needs to continue to concentrate on promoting the stories behind its wines and the personalities of the winemakers who make them if it is to make the most of its diverse range of wines, according to Laura Jewell MW who has just taken on her role as head of Wine Australia in the UK and Europe.

ProWein 2015: Australia set for most "exciting period" in its history predicts Neil McGuigan

Critics of Australian wine need to "stand back" and prepare themselves for what Neil McGuigan of Australian Vintage believes could be the most "exciting period" in the country's history driven by the best quality wines it has ever produced.

ProWein 2015: Camel Valley looking for strong online partners to drive international growth

Camel Valley hopes its first involvement at ProWein in Dusseldorf will help it build its profile and distribution across Europe, particularly with strong direct and online players.