Five minutes with James Hocking, James Hocking Wines

Andrew Catchpole catches up with the specialist importer after the launch of The California List to discover what is driving interest in the Golden State’s wines.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why words matter in business

Polonius: What do you read, my lord?

Producer Q&A: Talking flora and fauna

Quinta da Boeira’s Helena Teixeira talks to Barnaby Eales about microbiology, minimum intervention and shaking up Port classifications.

Profile: Fells – driven to succeed

Having emerged from the pandemic in good shape, Fells has ambitions for the future. Andrew Catchpole catches up with MD Steve Moody to find out more.

Tim Atkin MW: Rising from the ashes

Five minutes with Alex Hurley, London Cru

Jo Gilbert talks to the English wine innovator about how the past two years have helped to super-charge the category via London Cru, the Roberson Wines-owned urban winery.

Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin, Spearhead Spirits

Having launched their all-African Bayab gin range and Vusa vodka – and with more to come – Spearhead Spirits founders and friends Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin talk Andrew Catchpole through their mission to put African spirits at the top table

Jerry Lockspeiser: Resetting business values in the wake of P&O

Business morals and behaviour are never far from the headlines. Nor should they be. Business in its various forms is arguably the motor of our world. From the urban corner store and rural small holding to the multinational finance business and corporate drinks giant, business is central to the lives of virtually everyone on the planet today. From working in the private sector to sourcing medicines for a hospital or shopping in a supermarket, the web of business surrounds us all.

Soapbox: Rum colonisation has to stop

Ian Burrell, the co-founder of African and Caribbean rum brand Equiano, makes the case for protecting Caribbean rum as a local and authentically made protect

Bibendum then and now

Bibendum’s 40th anniversary celebrations taking place this month prompted Jo Gilbert to catch up with Michael Saunders, head of partnerships at C&C Group, on the evolution from Primrose Hill retail store to trade institution

Profile: Neville Abraham, Liberty Wines

On the eve of a reshuffle at Liberty Wines, Andrew Catchpole catches up with outgoing chair and serial restaurateur Neville Abraham for his views on the trade

Guy Woodward: The influence of ambience

Guy Woodward

Five minutes with Paul Scarratt, BlackFish Brands

The purveyor of bar-quality pouches of popular cocktails talks to Andrew Catchpole about the explosive growth in ready-to-drink.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Good leaders needed – everyone can apply

A winemaker once told me that he judged the ability of his peers by the circumstances they worked in. He said it was fairly easy to make good wine when the grapes had ripened well, the picking conditions were ideal, and the cellar was well equipped. But only the best of his craft were able to make good wine when the opposite conditions prevailed. 

The comfort of Another Round

From the second you taste that first sip of alcohol, whether it be a frothy pint during freshers week or a glass of wine at a family dinner, a lifelong balancing act has begun.

Q&A: Thomas Lancray, Roche Mazet

As France’s leading wine brand launches into the UK, winemaker Thomas Lancray gives Andrew Catchpole the lowdown on this Gallic success story.

Hybrid on a roll

As the pandemic lifts, seminal wine bar group Vinoteca is spreading its wings once more. Andrew Catchpole reports

Soapbox: Why sustainability makes perfect business sense

Mariella Menato, strategy director at drinks design specialist Denomination, talks about the rise of sustainability as a key consumer requirement, and why today, more than ever, it is vital for business success, as well as safeguarding our planet.

Vida's European union

Mining the “forgotten Old World” for terroir-driven wines, Vida’s launch to the UK on-trade and indies is championing alternative flavours and grapes. Andrew Catchpole gets a taste from frontman Olivier Freymuth

Tim Atkin MW: Is demystification all good?

In the early days of What Wine? magazine, the editor considered it a novel idea to invite actual consumers along to our tastings.