The Art of the Sommelier

Vincent Bouin is head sommelier at The Rubens English Grill in Victoria, London. Having studied catering and hospitality in France he has worked in the wine trade as a sommelier for 15 years at Coq D'Argent, Thyme Restaurant and Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Q&A: Christopher Lecoufle, Les 110 de Taillevent

Andrew Catchpole shares a glass or two with one of London’s youngest rising stars, Christopher Lecoufle, GM and head sommelier at Les 110 de Taillevent, London

Harpers looks at the on-trade trends CGA predicts for 2020

On the brink of the new decade, leading out-of-home food and drink expert CGA looks at the trends it predicts for the year ahead across GB pubs, bars and restaurants

One in three drinkers cutting back on consumption

One-third of UK drinkers are consuming less alcohol than they were 12 months ago, according to new research.

Jascots lists Barbaresco producer Rivetti

London-based on-trade distributor Jascots has added organic Barbaresco and Barolo producer Massimo Rivetti to its list.

Festive sales boost British on-trade

The festive season brought cheer for Brtiain’s on-trade, with like-for-like sales up 2.5% on the same six-week period in 2018, according to data from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Searcys launches no and low somms training initiative

Restaurateur and events caterer Searcys has launched a sommelier training initiative focused on non-alcoholic pairings to match with lunch and dinner menus.

Harpers ‘HOT 50’ on-trade survey open for nominations

Once again we are inviting you to have your say ahead of our Harpers HOT 50 on-trade influencers feature, which recognises and celebrates those at the top of their game.

Jones closing The Harrow to focus on wine

After 21 years at Michelin-starred wine oasis The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, proprietors Roger and Sue Jones have announced they will take final orders on 28 March 2020.

Joe Fattorini on cues and discounts

JOE FATTORINI

Greek winery expands in London on-trade

Greek winery T-Oinos is celebrating new listings at a range of top restaurants in London.

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Q&A: Romain Bourger, The Vineyard

Mangrove appoints on-trade sales director

Mangrove UK has promoted its current South sales manager Chris Pollard to on-trade sales director.

Over 150 companies back female mentoring initiative

Over 150 leading employers across the UK have signed up to a mentoring initiative to help women in senior positions reach board level of companies in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

An ever lengthening festive period bodes well for on-trade

A bumper Christmas could be on the on-trade horizon driven by the festive period now extending across three weeks compared to the ‘historic’ two, according to CGA.

On-trade optimism flies in face of uncertainties

Optimism among leaders in the on-trade has risen to its highest point for 18 months despite political and economic uncertainty. But senior executives remain wary of squeezed spending and rising costs, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA and Fourth.

South Western train strike adds to London hospitality woes

Nik Darlington from importer Graft, which specialises in supplying the London on-trade, says the South Western Railway strike alongside steep business rates and overbearing rents with could tip some hospitality businesses over the edge this Christmas…

Ask A Somm: Maxim Kassir, 108 Brasserie, Marylebone

As well as working as a sommelier at the 108 Brasserie in The Marylebone Hotel, London, Maxim Kassir also oversees wine innovation for the site and its parent group The Doyle Collection. Here he shares his thoughts on low and no alcohol wine and how the on-trade can be more sustainable.

UK pub numbers on the rise again

The number of British pubs has increased for the first time in a decade, analysis from hospitality sector software start-up Stampede has revealed.