How the wrong business partner can seriously damage your wealth?

A few years ago I entered into a legally binding agreement with a new business partner, although it seems I wasn't really paying too much attention at the time.

Craft beers direct to your office thanks to Deskbeers service

The saying going there is no such thing as a new original business idea, which is probably why there is an equally popular phrase - the greatest form of flattery is imitation. Well here's a business idea that could very easily be adapted to the wine and spirits world. Deskbeers.

There's more to wine and music pairing than I first thought

In a previous blog I was mocking the idea of music and wine pairing by suggesting that to do so is bordering on the moronic. How wrong I was!

Vodquila, a vodka tequila blend: Genius or insanity?

A new spirit hitting the shelves across the pond is Vodquila, a hybrid of vodka and tequila, which has been created by a father-daughter team from Birmingham, Alabama.

TV comic Kevin Bishop to star in one man warts and all new restaurant show

Fed up reading about all those great comics, plays and turns at this year's Edinburgh Festival when you live miles away and have no chance of seeing them?

Chiefs of the week: South African winemakers who surf

Every  year they come to take the challenge. No not the South African wine awards, but the Vintners Surf Classic where some of the country's best and most respected winemakers come together to ride the waves and pit their wits against each other to see who has the smartest surf board skiills.

Scotland votes, but why should anyone care about the result?

There was yet another story on OLN this week banging on about the devastating effects that an independent Scotland would have on the drinks industry both sides of the border. Countless articles have appeared in Harpers over recent weeks too, not to mention the main street press. Why should anyone care?

HARPERS CHOICE

HARPERS CHOICE

Oaked Sauvignons from around the World

A blind tasting of oaked Sauvignons from around the world on the 3rd July at London Cru, organised by Jean-Christophe Mau and Richard Bampfield MW was a welcome opportunity to revisit West London's 'flavour of the month' venue, as well, of course, to taste an interesting and perhaps overlooked category. Richard's invitation proposed that: " as Sauvignon Blanc is so ubiquitous and producers will need to work harder to add value and create their points of difference in future, the use of oak will become more widespread". The tasting was very well attended; all the luminaries of the world of wine journalism were there (including me), so there must be something to Richard's assertion. I think we have become submerged in the overpoweringly citrus and fruit-some (Marlborough, mainly, but not exclusively) unoaked version, to the exclusion of the more traditional, complex perhaps, version.

Entries for Harpers Global Design Awards extended to August 22

The deadline to enter this  year's Harpers Global Design Awards has been extended by a week and now closes on August 22.

COPY: CP's Tweets of the week

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

Twenty-five years of Australian Sauvignon Blanc with Shaw + Smith

Following this year's win of three trophies including Best Australian Red at the International Wine Challenge for Shaw + Smith 2012 Shiraz, the team are celebrating their 25th Sauvignon Blanc vintage release.

Gilbert Winfield AIWS, BSc

My Choice: Mike Beavan of Coe Vintners on drinking Riesling with Aerosmith

 Mike Beavan, sales director at Coe Vintners, steps up to the plate to give his run down of faovurite wines and spirits and where he likes to drink them.

"Where am I?" Well Nyetimber, of course!

Guy Smith was particuarly well placed to win our recent "Where Am I?" picture caption competion which asked you to name where this very pretty back garden happened to be.

Have we gone too far? Wine ice cream is the sherry on top.

The Claret Pimpernel recently spotted wine ice cream on the shelves of a local shop and so sparked an idea to investigate further this concept - how prolific is the world of ice cream and booze?

Would you want to share a pint with Tom Jones?

"Don't spill your wine, Del Boy!"

As we today publish our new exclusive report in to the UK on-trade, we thought it was also a good excuse to brighten up your Friday afternoon with this trip down memory lane and that comedy goal moment when Del Boy has that rather embarrassing moment when he disappears behind the bar.

Spitoon

Humphrey Bogart's Real English Gin set for US launch

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." Humphery Bogart as Rick Blaine, Casablanca.