Inter-Rhône's Agnès Heller lives the rock n' roll dream with Skin Côntact

With little more than a week to go before Skin Côntact, the wine trade's first ever rock band, take to the stage at London's Vinopolis to help raise money for Comic Relief we turn to those resonsible for making it happen - the sponsors.

Discovering the region of Castilla-La Mancha

The quality of the wines were all very good, and well balanced. The labels were also interesting to behold, as some reflected the traditional Spanish label, while others were almost new wave, designed to stand out on a supermarket shelf.

Meeting George Spiliadis of Cava Siliadis

We sampled five wines from the Cava Spiliadis Portfolio from the very best producers in Greece, beginning with the Amalia Brut NV sparkler from winemaker Giannis Tselpos, composed of 100% Moschofilero, an increasingly popular Greek Grape from the Peloponnese with vineyards at an altitude of 750 meters with mountainous sand clay soil. The wine was quite crisp and refreshing, with intense minerality and perfect for any occasion. That night they paired excellently with oysters.

Jerry Lockspeiser reviews the "inspiring" An Unlikely Vineyard by Deidre Heekin

Jerry Lockspeiser gives his assessment of the new book by Deidre Heekin: An Unlikely Vineyard.

Burgundy MSC students romp home in "Oenology Challenge" with Plumpton College

MSC students at Burgundy's School of Wine & Spirts came out top last week in an "Oenology Challenge" competition with winemaking students at Plumpton College.

Enjoy the Crowd Funded party, it may be short-lived

I hate February with all my heart. And it's not just because it's that miserable time of year that I have my annual bath. Nor is it solely down to the fact that I have the charisma, predominantly, of an Ogre intent on spoiling a party.

Waitrose's Anne Jones, Skin Contact guest singer, shares her musical delights

If you've missed the exciting news of wine trade supergroup Skin Contact performing next month, then you must have been hiding under a rock. Guest starlet Anne Jones, of Waitrose, reveals her musical delights.

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What we can all learn from the failure of Vinopolis

Is it really 16 years since Vinopolis opened its doors to the public? I can clearly remember the hoopla and sense of anticipation that accompanied the launch of London's self-styled "premier wine-tasting experience and visitor attraction".

Tim Atkin takes the Vinopolis stage for Skin Côntact Comic Relief gig

Anyone in the wine trade who has been on the receiving end of a review by wine critic and journalist Tim Atkin MW - good or bad - will get the chance to give him a critique back when he bravely takes the stage as one of the guest singers for the ever growing Skin Côntact band when it plays its one off gig on March 9 to raise money for Comic Relief.

The 11th Commandment - Don't offend wine critics

I found out recently that in the world of journalism it's apparently OK to mock the prophet Mohammad, but offending a Wine Critic is just one step too far.

England rugby's Andy Sheridan offers his wine tips for the Six Nations

Jerry Lockspeiser on why crowdfunding is such an exciting opportunity for business

Why is crowdfunding so inherently exciting? The heady emotional mix of allure, participation, open access, opportunity, creativity and success is hard to resist.

Joe Wadsack shares his musical likes as Skin Contact's Comic Relief gig is selling fast

We've met the band, the backing singers and plugged the concert enough to surely convince you to buy a ticket for wine band Skin Côntact's one-off concert on March 9 at London's Vinopolis to raise money for Comic Relief.

Matt James formerly of Gene and now Skin Côntact reveals his musical likes and dislikes

It's time to bang the drum, literally, for the last member of the Skin Côntact rock band that promises to give us the night of the year when it takes to the stage on March 9 at London's Vinopolis to raise money for Comic Relief.

Tim Atkin called Vinopolis a 'failure', but is he right and is that fair?

Those of the more fortunate readers amongst you who can cough up the annual Harpers Wine mag subscription fee were treated this month to Tim Atkin's take on the imminent closure of London's Vinopolis. But is his critique a fair reflection of the state of affairs at London's premier wine venue?

Chief of the Week: Orson Welles - trying to promote Amercian "Champagne"

Today we remember the late, great Orson Welles famous not only for his pioneering work as a film director, but also for his ability to shift (and drink) so much alcohol during his career. Yes, who can forget his booming voice overs for all those Carlsberg TV commercials and the great "Carlsberg. Probabaly the best lager in the world" punchlline.

Stop taking the pessina, Boots

It doesn't matter how much you try, you can't polish a turd. At least that was the lesson this week for the poor old sods that work at Boots as they embarked on damage limitation following an almighty foul-up at the High Street pharmacy chain.

More singers announced and Skin Côntact's Alex Hunt reveals all he knows - and likes - about music

If the thought of wine legends Joe Wadsack and Charles Metcalfe singing along to the sounds of the wine trade's very own rock band Skin Côntact, was not enough to get you to their one off gig on March 9 at London's Vinopolis, then four more singers have just been added to the line up. 

Australians get their hands dirty in ad campaigns - but can we spot the difference?

What is it about Australian wine videos with all their references to mother nature, the dirty soils, the sweaty growers and the super production values?