Argentina's government has played a key role in its UK success says ambassador

The Argentinian government has played a key role in the success of Argentine wine in the UK, according to its UK ambassador, Alicia Castro.

TescoGate will see end to "dodgy practices" and a reformed grocery sector, predict analysts

The grocery retail sector will never be the same again in the wake of the TescoGate accounting scandal now the lid has been lifted over supermarket and supplier relations.

Chief of the week: Ian Burrell - the world's rum ambassador

As job titles go global rum ambassador is one to brag about with your mates down the pub. Really? Your job is to go around the world talking about and tasing and drinking rum?

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Christian Holthausen: why wineries must take "digital" and social media seriously

Fostering legitimate cultural understanding between the world's wineries and the world's digital wine community is now more important than ever - and both sides have a responsibility to bring this to fruition, writes Christian Holthausen of the DWCC (Digital Wine Communications Conference)which takes place in Montreux, Switzlerand between October 31 and November 2.

Lock Stock's Guy Ritchie links up with David Beckham to make Haig whisky TV advert

Guy Ritchie, the UK film director behind Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director and the recent Sherlock Holmes film series, has linked up with David Beckham to make the first TV advert for his new Haig Club whisky.

Carlsberg ramps ups executive team with on and off-trade sales directors

Carlsberg UK has ramped up its executive team with the appointment of two new sales director roles to manage the brewery's on-trade and off-trade operations, freeing up James Lousada to concentrate fully on his role as chief executive.

Leading suppliers take the initiative to promote Best Practice Guidelines

RumFest attracts industry's biggest names to London's two day event

Bordeaux to launch first global marketing campaign to address falling sales

The Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) is launching its first global marketing campaign to help counter falls in sales by both volume and value. Its seven priority markets - China, USA, UK, Japan, Germany,  Belgium and France - will soon be flooded with new atmospheric images drawn up by leading British advertising agency, Isobel.

Xavier Gramona: why he is committed to Cava and putting quality first

Established in 1921 at the heart of Cava's homeland in Sant Sadurni D'Anoia, Gramona has long held the status of the region's finest sparkling winemaker. Driven by the belief that top class Cava - both in price and quality - can compete with world class Champagne, Gramona practices extended lees ageing for its wines, in contrast to the industry norms. The house also now closely observes the Champagneois culture of late disgorgement, having released a Bollinger-esq R.D 14 year old Cava at €125 a bottle this year.

Avril Tooley on the advertising challenges and opportunities for dark spirits brands

From its invention in the 17^th century gin has always had a murky reputation. Poor quality grain and low prices led to a virtual epidemic of extreme drunkenness. In fact, the impact was so great that the nickname "Mother's ruin" remains with us today.

Former Gaucho boss, Martin Williams, promises London's best steaks at new "M" restaurant

The competition to have the best steaks in London will go up a notch next month when Martin Williams, formerly and famously of the Gaucho Group, opens his own highly ambitious steak themed restaurant in Threadneedle Street.

Steve Manktelow on the fun, excitement and mystery of the GOAT in Chelsea

Douglas Blyde speaks to Steve Manktelow on a career in bars and cocktails that has seen him work with legends like Dick Bradsell to running his own operation at the GOAT in Chelsea.

Matthew Gaughan's personal tribute to California's wines of Paso Robles

Paso Robles is a wild area between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but largely disconnected from the rest of California. Traditional outlaw territory, it still feels like a great place to hide from the pressures of the world. It's hot, sleepy, and still, disturbed only by breezes blowing from the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Media expert Richard Shotton on the power subtle advertising can have on consumer behaviour

Every year nearly £200m is spent on alcohol advertising. One of the main assumptions behind that spend is that we need to change the way people think about a brand to have an impact on sales.

Ataraxia's Kevin Grant on why terroir is now central to South African winemaking

"It's been a long time coming, and if fear were the basis on which decisions were made, then Ataraxia would never have been born," says South African winemaker, Kevin Grant of his latest, patiently-maturing winemaking venture.

Peter Borg-Neal on developing a regional chain with Oakman Inns

Fiona Griffiths talks to entrepreneur Peter Borg-Neal about his 10-strong (and growing) Hertfordshire-based group of pubs and restaurants, Oakman Inns.

Wine Australia to host a celebration to mark the life of Yvonne May

Wine Australia is to hold a special event to celebrate the life of Yvonne May who headed up the UK office before she lost her battle with cancer this summer.

Here's a right corking video for you...

Here's a video after our own heart here at Harpers Uncorked. As part of last month's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting you might have seen a special "cork" wall which doubled up as an actual live art installation.