Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

Guy Woodward: Why low and no wine has a problem

Guy Woodward

Tim Atkin MW: Why wines from Tenerife are special

“You’re joking,” said María Hontoria, the oenologist from the governing Cabildo de Tenerife. “I thought everyone from the UK had been here.” Her surprise was justified. Nearly six million tourists visit each year and more than a third are Brits. Tenerife is package-tour central, served by dozens of airlines bringing holidaymakers to resorts such as Playa de los Américas, but it’s also much more: a beautiful island with an intriguing history, stunning landscapes and some of Spain’s most exciting wines.

Joe Fattorini: on mythological punt’rs

Taking a punt on heuristic pleasure, Joe Fattorini, head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin, calls for wine shortcuts rather than rules

Berkmann Q&A: building on solid ground

Andrew Catchpole meets the Berkmann team to talk values, vision and evolution in the trade

Jerry Lockspeiser: Your wine probably does not exist

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Q&A: Robert Maynard and James Thomson, Wild Flor

New Hove eatery Wild Flor combines quality comfort dining with a distinct wine focus. Andrew Catchpole reports

Five minutes with: Seb Heeley

Seb Heeley, co-founder and master distiller, Manchester Gin

Q&A: Chris Foss, Plumpton Wine Division

Chris Foss, founder and curriculum manager at Plumpton College Wine Division

Guy Woodward: On good breeding in wine

From the moment visitors touch down at Lexington’s Blue Grass airport, they are confronted with stylised images of two of Kentucky’s most prominent industries. The local tourist board seems keener, funnily enough, to promote the state’s whiskies and horses than its other famous export. Compliant stooge that I am, I took in both pursuits over the course of a whistle-stop tour last month.

Tim Atkin MW: The dangers of karaoke journalism

The two emails arrived on the same morning. The first was from Mark A, offering me an “exclusive invite” to join Biginfluencers.com and “connect with some of the biggest brands”; the second was a release about the launch of a Standardised Wine Rating System called iS Winescale. In their different ways, they both cut to the core of what it means to be a wine writer today. Are we still relevant? And if so, how and to whom?

Q&A: Sara Rossi, head sommelier, Trinity

Sara Rossi’s career so far spans Fera at Claridges, Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road and the Dorchester Collection, where she was mentored by Vanessa Cinti. She talks Andrew Catchpole through her vision at a Clapham neighbourhood favourite

Q&A: Xavier Gramona, co-president, Corpinnat

Joint-president of the new breakaway group Corpinnat, Xavier Gramona, is fighting to rid Spanish sparkling wine of the 'bargain-basement' image. James Lawrence analyses his prospects

Joe Fattorini: The pratfall effect

Head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin

Q&A: Alvaro Palacios

Álvaro Palacios has done more than most to show the world what Spanish terroir has to offer. Andrew Catchpole speaks to the winemaker Alvaro Palacios, Descendientes De J Palacios and Bodegas Palacios Remondo about what drives his passion

Jerry Lockspieser: Is it time to change the rules about wine?

Many years ago after visiting Vignoble de La Jasse, one of our excellent organic suppliers in the Rhone Valley, the owner Daniel Combe and I went for a coffee in his favourite roadside café. As we sat sipping our drinks, first one then a second large wine transporter went roaring past.

Guy Woodward: I'm not trying to do sommeliers out of a job, but...

Hallgarten’s Andrew Bewes and Steve Daniel on selling style

Premium sales, progressive lists, and off-piste portfolio additions are Hallgarten’s calling cards, as Andrew Catchpole discovers

Tim Atkin MW: What Rowan Gormley could learn from Tony Laithwaite

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

Interview: Danny Lucchesi, Delicato Family

Viticulturalist Danny Lucchesi talks to Chris Wilson about special old vines, Zin and Gnarley Head