Q&A: Laurent Fresnet Cellar Master, Mumm

In partnership with Champagne Mumm

Tim Atkin MW: The new joy of travel

After 18 months of Zoom calls, Instagram Lives and home tastings, of Coravin capsules, small samples and endless recycling bags, I finally got to visit a wine region two weeks ago. To be strictly accurate, I did go on an inspirational visit to Danbury Ridge in Essex last year, squeezed in between lockdowns, but my trip to Ribera del Duero involved getting on a plane and flying to another country. Spain always lifts my spirits, but this time they soared.

Headline hero: Olivier Richaud, Domaine d’Aussières

Since you started your tenure at d’Aussières in 2020, what key changes have you overseen at the estate?

Producer Q&A: Niël Groenewald and Zinaschke Steyn, Nederburg

Nederburg is the largest exporter of premium wine in South Africa, carrying a torch as a standard bearer for the country worldwide. Jo Gilbert talks bans, lockdown harvests and mental health resets with two of the company’s leading figures, MD Niël Groenewald and red winemaker, Zinaschke Steyn,

Jerry Lockspeiser: Do you mind being lied to?

I have never been to The Sportsman pub in Seasalter near Whitstable on the Kent coast. The loss is all mine. Described as “a grotty rundown pub by the sea” it has held a Michelin star since 2008 thanks to the efforts of chef-patron Stephen Harris. I haven’t met Stephen either, but like others who have eaten at Noble Rot’s restaurant in London’s Bloomsbury, I have benefited from his skills in the kitchen. He became executive chef of NR at the outset, overseeing menus that have satisfied customers since day one.

Charles Beaini, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and Corinthia London

Charles Beaini, wine executive for Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and Corinthia London, talks to Andrew Catchpole about opening up the world of wine and improving approachability across drinks categories in hospitality.

Profile: Andrew Shaw making his mark at M&S

Andrew Shaw has a distinguished pedigree in BWS, which is continuing with his latest tenure. By Lisa Riley

Guy Woodward: A question of mark-ups

Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year 2018

Five minutes with Adolfo Hurtado, Mont Gras

The charismatic winemaker at Chile’s Mont Gras talks to Lisa Riley about how growing up around vineyards influenced his three new wine ranges – Day One, Organic, and Devine Reserva – distributed by North South Wines.

Q&A: Patrick Venning, The Brixton Distillery Company

On the first anniversary of former Pernod Ricard executives Patrick Venning and Laurent Lacassagne’s creation of Market Row Botanical Rum, Andrew Catchpole meets Venning at their Brixton-based distillery to find out how their novel approach to the category is going.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Sean Lock, wine and the value of originality

Comedian Sean Lock passed away on 16 August. Many knew him from TV, radio and his live one man shows. 8 out of 10 cats on Channel 4 was probably his biggest audience. Sean’s sparkling eyes, dead pan delivery and absurdist wit made him a true original.

Q&A: Rollo Gabb, Journey’s End

Having bagged Star of South Africa and a deserved Star Design for his Journey’s End estate’s Identity wines, owner Rollo Gabb talks Andrew Catchpole through the label and liquid behind these Wine Stars Awards winners.

Q&A: Tom Jones, Whalley Wine Shop and Whalley Wine Bar

Deciding to open a wine bar next to Whalley Wine Shop during a pandemic seemed like the obvious move for owner Tom Jones, founder and MD, who fills Andrew Catchpole in on why he’s made this leap of faith.

Soapbox: Zero clarity threatens the future of no and low

In an extended soapbox this month, Vickie Rogerson, MD of specialist food and drink communications agency North PR and former head of food and BWS PR at Asda, makes the case for radically improved no and low alcohol labelling.

Hallgarten comes out of crisis fighting

Hard hit but with optimistic sales results, Hallgarten & Novum is now looking to the trends that will be the bedrock of growth in the coming post-pandemic years. By Lisa Riley

Tim Atkin MW: What makes wine worthy?

Are some Olympic sports more serious than others? To listen to purists, harrumphing about the inclusion of skateboarding, surfing and BMX freestyle in the Tokyo games, you’d conclude that there’s an established hierarchy. Those that take place on the track sit at the top, partly because of Olympic history perhaps, dating back to 776BC and Korobois’ triumph in the 190-metre stadion sprint. These are closely followed by field events, swimming and gymnastics, all of which are deemed to be “proper” disciplines. It’s no coincidence that Aussies love to mock Team GB’s prowess at “sitting down sports”.

Five minutes with Carine Bailleul, Champagne Castelnau

Having recently succeeded Elisabeth Sarcelet as Champagne Castelnau’s chef de caves, Carine Bailleul, who worked alongside Sarcelet since 2003, shares how her wine journey ended in Champagne with Lisa Riley

Q&A: Patricia Tóth, winemaker, Planeta

Presiding over winemaking at the innovative and cosmopolitan Sicilian trailblazer Planeta, Patricia Tóth is one of the island’s biggest champions. Andrew Catchpole asks her about Sicily’s appeal

Jerry Lockspeiser: Seeing the big picture is more essential than ever

Many decades ago, I studied economics at university. The difference between theory and practice bothered me. All too often the first didn’t seem to describe the latter, let alone explain it. The problem was usually people – they simply didn’t behave as the theory said they should.

Q&A: Cassie Gould, AKA ‘The Boss’, Butlers Wine Cellar