Chief of the Week: Michael Saunders

There really can only be one stand out personality in the wine and spirits world this week. Yes, Michael Saunders the new chief of the combined Bibendum PLB group following the former's takeover of the latter earlier this week.

Chief of the Week: Anne Burchett, managing director, Sopexa UK

As we have put such a focus on French wines this week with the France Summit it is only fitting that our Chief of the Week is none other than Anne Burchett, managing director of Sopexa UK, who won the Harpers Special Achievement Award at our French Wine Awards.

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?

Who lives in a house like this?

Never mind the old woman who lived in a shoe, now you can be the family who lived in a cork.

Chief of the week: Angela Mount

This week's Chief of the Week is former Somerfield head wine buyer Angela Mount for having the guts to stand up, stick her head about the parapet and tell the world what it is really like to be at the sharp end as a supermarket buyer when the s**t hits the fan.

Dan Jago proves that customers really do come first

For all those skeptics out there who don't think retailers engage with their customers, we've got heartening news. They do. Pat on the back goes to Tesco drinks supremo Dan Jago for the following Twitter exchange.

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.

What do the Village People, Tom & Jerry and sausages have to do with wine?

If you're not into worthy tomes on wine but do want to know what the Village People, Tom & Jerry and sausages have to do with wine, there's a new book for you.

The Chief of the Week: THE Chief, Richard Siddle

This week, unbeknownst to him, we are raising a glass to editor of Harpers Wine and Spirit, Richard Siddle. The chief, as he is known to many, is a finalist for the 2014 Editor of the Year Business Magazine award by the British Society of Magazine Editors.

No 3 Gin cocktail winner turns to Beatrix Potter's Mr Tod for inspiration

Let's be honest the average top bartender is not the kind of person who would admit turning to Beatrix Potter for inspiration. Let alone the kind of bartender who would be allowed to play along the back bar of the uber cool City Social in Old Broad Street in London.

Guess who?

Can you work out who these famous wine trade faces are?

Chief of the week: Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty

lThe words "guru" and "legend" are bandied around by us journalists far too often to try and bring attention to what someone who is far from being either of those two things has just told us.

The Harpers Gang...here to entertain you!

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Chief of the week: The Dude

This week the Claret Pimpernel raises a White Russian to Jeff Bridges, whose new short film called the "The White Russian" was released this week by Kahlúa Productions, as a tribute to the drink he made famous in the cult film, The Big Lebowski. 

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.

Ardbeg celebrates return from space with release of SUPERNOVA 2014

Ardbeg is celebrating its upcoming return from space on September 12 by releasing its third edition of Supernova 2014.

Craft beers direct to your office thanks to Deskbeers service

The saying going there is no such thing as a new original business idea, which is probably why there is an equally popular phrase - the greatest form of flattery is imitation. Well here's a business idea that could very easily be adapted to the wine and spirits world. Deskbeers.

Vodquila, a vodka tequila blend: Genius or insanity?

A new spirit hitting the shelves across the pond is Vodquila, a hybrid of vodka and tequila, which has been created by a father-daughter team from Birmingham, Alabama.

TV comic Kevin Bishop to star in one man warts and all new restaurant show

Fed up reading about all those great comics, plays and turns at this year's Edinburgh Festival when you live miles away and have no chance of seeing them?