Lidl consultants look ahead to the retailer's Autumn Wine Tour

Lidl has introduced its Autumn Wine Tour selection, with the focus firmly on France. The ‘Wine Tour’ comprises 25 wines, all French, which will be available for two months in all of Lidl’s 710 stores, from September 28. In addition to their core range of 100 wines, the group bring in six ‘wine tours’ per year, each comprising 25 wines.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Are commercial bribes acceptable in the wine business?

A question to test the mettle of any commercial wine buyer: What are the criteria you use to select your wine range?

Meet the buyers: Ted Sandbach, the Oxford Wine Company

This month our meet the buyers series refreshes with a trio of local champions working in the regional independent sector. We round things up with Ted Sandbach, managing director of the Oxford Wine Company.

Meet the buyers: Mark Crawford, Exel Wines

This month our meet the buyers series refreshes with a trio of local champions working in the regional independent sector. Next up is Mark Crawford, business development at Exel Wines in Perth.

Q&A: Sir Ian Botham

Cricket legend turned winemaker ‘Beefy’ Botham talks to Harpers about his new wine range

Looking ahead: Richard Cochrane, Félix Solís UK

Dan Jago, chief executive, Berry Bros. & Rudd; chairman, WSTA

From beginnings to Brexit, the UK wine trade stalwart talks Andrew Catchpole through his career so far and looks at what lies ahead

Meet the buyers: Jon Moore, Mumbles Fine Wines

This month our meet the buyers series refreshes with a trio of local champions working in the regional independent sector. First up is Jon Moore, general manager/buyer at Mumbles Fine Wines in Swansea.

Guy Woodward: Fake wine "good for consumers". Are you kidding?

The Times, in its increasingly sensationalist manner, splashed another of those fatuous wine stories on page three the other day. “Cloned Frankenwines fool even experts”, was the loaded, somewhat clumsy headline.

Tim Atkin MW: The cost of the dream

Is marriage a matter of the head or the heart? Driving back from my godson’s wedding in Nottingham recently, I heard an interview with Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain’s leading divorce lawyer, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, about this very conundrum.

Meet the buyers: Gregory Andrews, D Vine Cellars

Hybrids that mix it up with wine and food spill the beans on how to juggle retail and in-house hospitality.

Meet the buyers: Arancha Lopez Perez, Ten Green Bottles

Hybrids that mix it up with wine and food spill the beans on how to juggle retail and in-house hospitality.

Why the wine industry must embrace its older drinkers

New research reveals the younger drinker continues to say no to wine while the over 45’s can’t get enough. This is a big opportunity, argues Neil Anderson of Kingsland Drinks.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Are wine drinkers being duped?

So, it’s au revoir to Monsieur Paillard, for 20 years the President of the Commission for the Protection of Champagne. He has thrown his toys out of the pram at the news that Champagne Palmer has signed an exclusive distribution deal in the US with Constellation Brand’s fine wine division.

Q&A: Laure Patry, Pollen Street Social Group

Brexit may be a big headache, but London is still one of the best places in the world to be a sommelier, group head sommelier Laure Patry tells Harpers

Meet the buyers: Matthew Harris, owner/director at Planet Of The Grapes

Hybrids that mix it up with wine and food spill the beans on how to juggle retail and in-house hospitality.

Guy Woodward: The debate dividing Napa Valley vintners

Driving down the bucolic Highway 29 last month, on my way into Napa Valley, I was confronted by a series of roadside placards. As the vineyards became more prevalent, so did the signs. “No on C” most of them read. “Yes on C” read a few. But what the hell was C?

Tim Atkin MW: Sorry Mr Parker, but the world has moved on

Robert Parker is one of the most talked about and divisive individuals in the world of wine. Now into his seventies and the twilight of his career, he still has the power to ignite heated discussions – even if his sway over the wineries, domaines and châteaux that once trembled before his judgments has largely vanished.

Jerry Lockspieser: Selling equity in your business - great for growth or dancing with the devil?

Much is being written these days about consumers wanting authenticity, honesty and transparency in the products they buy, and the companies they buy them from. The news from across the drinks aisle that craft brewer Beavertown has sold an undisclosed minority stake to corporate giant Heineken for £40m raises interesting questions in this arena.

Michael Saunders, chief executive, Bibendum PLB

As Michael Saunders returns to his former role at Bibendum post Conviviality, Andrew Catchpole
asks what is to come