Chiefs of the week: Guy Woodward

Let's raise a glass to our new regular columnist Guy Woodward who is now entertaining Harpers readers with his insightful, cutting and controversial views.

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, including tweets the trade submitted regarding what Boris Becker was thinking in a recent photo at a wine event

Herman ze German's cheeky World Cup offer

The CP had thought the days of Stan Boardman and his "ze German" jokes had been confined to history. But that was until we came across the London eaterie, Herman ze German, which has been quick to send out news alerts urging people to head to its outlets this Sunday and enjoy the World Cup final with a bratwurst or two.

Just what is Boris Becker thinking? Send us your photo captions...

With another Wimbledon title to his name (admittedly in his role as a coach to Novak Djokovic) you would think Boris Becker would be nothing but smiles at the moment. The Claret Pimpernel, however, caught him in a more thoughtful mood at a recent Franciacorta special event at the Italian ambassador's residence in London.

Game of Thrones wine-ter is coming! Plus CP's top TV shows paired with wines

Calm down all Game of Thrones' fans out there, but the Claret Pimpernel has heard that wine-ter is coming your way! Game of Thrones, the über successful HBO drama now has a wine produced in its honour - the Wines of Westeros range. The Australian wines will include 12 different styles, each one said to represent a major house or group from the series.

Guy Woodward: no more ivory tower posturing, let's get personal with consumers

Harpers is pleased to announce it has signed up Guy Woodward, former editor of Decanter, as a regular columnist and contributor.This month he tips his cap to the creative minds at Naked Wines and other innovative retail sites that are genuinely communicating to consumers in a way they can understand and says there are so many lessons to be learnt from the old school wine trade still stuck in its ivory tower. 

Harpers Uncorked: Tweets of the Week

The Claret Pimpernel trolls the twitter-sphere looking for news but also some of the best tweets of the week

Claret Pimpernel: Still in the dark...

PR stunt of the week must go to Scotch whisky Highland Park, which sent out a flyer this week with all the details of its new Dark Origins launch hidden on what looked like a black piece of card.

Claret Pimpernel: Too cool for school?

Whether we like it or not, being cool and being in the wine trade, don't necessarily go together.

The Claret Pimpernel: Wrong shaped balls

Now football may be the country's national sport, but that is not always the case in the wine and spirits sector, where the egg-shaped rather than round ball is more popular.

Claret Pimpernel: Doors to manual

The CP got itself stuck in the land of PC this week with the story we ran online at Harpers.co.uk about a British Airways pilot and his wife who are opening a wine merchant in Manchester called Salut Wines, offering as many as 32 wines by the glass courtesy of its Enomatic machines.

Jude Law to star in new short film for Johnnie Walker Blue Label

British film star, Jude Law, is to appear in a special short film to promote Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the blended Scotch whisky, called 'The Gentleman's Wager'.

Are you hounded by PRS and PPL?

Stephen Forward reveals his tedious encounters, wrangles, and squabbles with these two beguiling organisations.

It may not be trending worldwide but Sherry is now trendy.

Sherries uprising

Christine

Cahors Malbec Days 2014 Rocks

Curious about Malbec from Cahors?

Valentino Monticello, sommelier and acclaimed artist, has died

Seven steps to successful sales

I had one of those surreal dreams the other night that wouldn't be out of place in a Douglas Adams novel, where the whole world was inhabited only by a large population of Life Coaches. Everyone was really well organised, at peace with themselves and with each other, and all living a stress free life in sheer bliss.

Isabelle Legeron MW publishes comprehensive guide to natural wine

Isabelle Legeron MW has produced a comprehensive guide to natural wine bringing together not only a detailed examination of what natural wine is, but a country by country, producer by producer guide to the wines and styles that newcomers and enthusiasts should be looking to drink.

Diageo launches special edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin

Diageo has launched limited edition Tanqueray Old Tom gin, drawing on an original recipe from its founder and bridging the gap between malty Dutch genevers and London Dry gins.