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

Talking up organic

Argentina is well placed to lead the charge in organic wines, with Malbec as an ever-popular ‘in’. Harpers talks to a couple of pioneers who are determined to make this happen

Soapbox: Bordeaux’s cold war

Château Bauduc owner Gavin Quinney ponders an intractable issue for frost-impacted producers up against the strictures of Bordeaux

Profile: Caroline Thompson-Hill, Accolade Wines Europe

Caroline Thompson-Hill, MD for Europe at Accolade Wines, is determined to lead from the front in terms of creating a sustainable and diverse business which keeps a keen eye on consumer-driven trends. By Jo Gilbert

Guy Woodward: Content conundrum

A new TV channel was launched last month. And I’m not talking about the ‘anti-woke’ news channel GB News. No, prepare yourself instead for something far more worthy and cerebral; 67pallmall.tv made its debut (admittedly on the members’ club’s own website, rather than a satellite TV network) with 18 hours of wine-related content every day.

Five minutes with Lee Evans, founder, Condor Wines

Lee Evans set up South America specialist importer Condor Wines with just four Argentine wineries on board in June 2011. On its 10th anniversary he recounts to Andrew Catchpole how it all started and how he’s celebrating.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Lessons from the BrewDog affair

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” Warren Buffett

Q&A: Alberto Buratto & Gabriele Stringa, Ferro 13

With quirkily designed labels such as The Hipster, The Gentleman and The Nerd reflecting the personalities behind Ferro 13, this iconoclastic producer also makes wine in a novel way to reveal an engaging benchmark for each region. Andrew Catchpole catches up with two of the co-founders, Alberto Buratto and Gabriele Stringa

Q&A: Jgor Marini, regional manager, Banfi

How would you describe Banfi’s philosophy and how important is sustainability within that?

Soapbox: WSTA's David Richardson on the battle for the high seas

David Richardson, regulatory & commercial affairs director at the WSTA, speaks to Jo Gilbert about a ticking timebomb of worldwide container shortages and haulier delays which threaten to put the kibosh on wine’s global recovery from the pandemic

LWC branches out

Since acquiring HC White & Co, LWC Drinks is so much more than a wholesaler. Lisa Riley hears how the drinks merchant is trying to get its message across

Tim Atkin MW: Rioja's power struggle

Imagine being a voter in Liverpool Walton or South Holland and The Deepings. In the first of these constituencies, the Labour Party received 86% of the ballot in the last general election; in the second, the Conservatives got 75%. Under our first-past-the-post system, the results are as predictable as the lunar cycle. Supporting any other party is a waste of graphite.

Five minutes with Kit Ellen, Exton Park

Kit Ellen, MD at Hampshire’s Exton Park, distributed in the UK by Bancroft Wines, talks to Jo Gilbert about the winery’s intriguing shift in focus to ‘reserve blends’, a new standard-bearer for the wines based on its 10-year library of reserves.

Q&A: Randall Grahm, Popelouchum

The original freewheeling California innovator talks to Andrew Catchpole about his new venture and an endless quest for terroir