Chief of the Week: Skin Côntact's Richard Hemming

Drum roll please for our Chief of the Week who is the man behind the wine industry's very own rock band, Skin Côntact, that has been brought together to not only bring some much needed entertainment for the drinks trade but to help raise money for Comic Relief.

Skin Côntact's Ben Smith shares his music likes and loves

The countdown is on until the biggest (well OK only) live gig of the year takes place when the wine trade's very own band, Skin Côntact, take to the stage at Vinopolis on March 9 to help raise money for Comic Relief.

Competitive advantage through customer experience

News emerged this week that A&E waiting times in the UK have reached record levels. This is bad news on several fronts but, if my family are anything to go by, the A&E crisis may be partially attributable to the nation's deteriorating cooking skills.

Stressed and wanting a drink? You aren't alone

It is that time of year when the gym is packed, the shops are out of ready made salads, there seem to be far less smokers and people are on their best behaviour.  The New Year's resolutions are still front of mind and people are attempting to stick to them.

So what were those snowmen talking about? Winning cartoon caption revealed

In the December issue of Hapers we set you a challenge to come up with a witty caption for this cartoon by our resident cartoonist, Rob Murray.  Well many of you were brave enough to give it a go and we recieved plenty of entries over the festive period to choose a winner from.

A real glass act

Show me a real man that doesn't like a bit of willie and I'll show you a squirrel that doesn't like nuts!

Get on down with The Boss - James Brown

There has been much debate online about the music that accompanies the new Gordon's Gin television campaign, featuring Gordon the Boar.

Why Bordeaux producers should resist calls to 'reduce' their 2014 prices

Wine investors have been bitching about Bordeaux release prices for the last few years. According to investors, for the 2014 release, "The pressure will be on the producers to get their prices right". But what is the 'right price' and in whose interest is this 'right price'?

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Jerry Lockspeiser, Off Piste Wines

Jerry Lockspeiser, chairman of Off Piste Wines and serial wine industry entrepreneur as well as Harpers columnist, gives his thoughts on why 2015 may be a "crossroads year" for the retail trade, and how we are still "failing to inspire" wine drinkers.

Chance to win modern day Treasure Island new childrens' book from Harpers columnist Mark Fiddes

Still looking for last minute Christmas presents? Well here's one for the family from Harpers.co.uk columnist and advertising executive Mark Fiddes who has turned his writing talents to becoming a children's book author.

Chief of the Week: Joe Wadsack, the BBC's Mr Booze

Hold on to your Santa hats, lock up your drinks cabinet and gird your loins for our Chief of the Week: Mr Joe Wadsack.

Felix Solis inadvertently shows it is a "class" act at British Comedy Awards

Not sure if our friends at Felix Solis saw the comic element to the picture they sent through this week to mark their sponsorship of the British Comedy Awards.

Chiefs of the Week: Plucky members of Skin Côntact - live March 9, Vinopolis, London

Wine trade supergroup bands together for Comic Relief

A plethora of talented wine trade musicians is set to thrill the industry with a one-off barnstormer of a gig in aid of Comic Relief.

Think of a winning caption for this cartoon and the original could be yours...

Here's the chance to win a very special Christmas present that you have helped create. Yes, simply think up a funny caption to go along with this cartoon and the winner will receive the original cartoon, with your caption.

Champagne wishes: House of Lords fear sub-par fizz

While Pulp's Jarvis Cocker penned the famous refrain 'I wanna live like common people', it's plain that those in the House of Lords do not. They flatly turned down a deal to share catering with the lowly House of Commons for fear the Champagne would not be up to scratch. So says Sir Malcolm Jack, clerk of the House of Commons between 2006 and 2011.

Take a trip down memory lane with Harper's Quizmas Quiz

It has been a long and emotional 2014. Can you recall the rollercoaster ride of drinks trade happenings?

Will the real Brigitte Bardot/Bordeaux please stand up?

Kent wine merchant Taurus has sexed up its image with the arrival of a new (actually it is an antique) Citroen HY van as a key member of its delivery fleet.

You'll need loadsamoney to enjoy St Pancras's £60 a glass Cinnamoney mulled wine

Hands up who likes mulled wine? Go on, you know you do. Throw in a  few carols, a bit of recently laid snow and there's nothing quite like those touches of spice and cinnamon on a cold winter's day.

Vinoteca counts down to Christmas with Wine-vent Calendar

After the frenzy of Black Friday you might think Christmas is almost upon us, but there are actually still 24 shopping days left.