What’s written in the Michelin stars?
How relevant are Michelin stars today and how does a restaurant’s wine list factor? James Bayley reports.
Drinks
The Comfort of Another Round
The Comfort of Another Round
Thomas Vinterberg’s tale of midlife crisis, Another Round, begins with a booze-fuelled lakeside run that features beautiful teenagers sprinting and drinking in total abandonment.
Like it or not, alcohol brings people together – it is a facilitator for love and friendship. According to Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud, it also unlocks man’s potential. He suggests that humans are born with a blood alcohol level that is 0.05% too low (the equivalent of 1-2 glasse
Thomas Vinterberg’s tale of midlife crisis, Another Round, begins with a booze-fuelled lakeside run that features beautiful teenagers sprinting and drinking in total abandonment.
Like it or not, alcohol brings people together – it is a facilitator for love and friendship. According to Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud, it also unlocks man’s potential. He suggests that humans are born with a blood alcohol level that is 0.05% too low (the equivalent of 1-2 glasse
Industry “absolutely shocked” by proposed Scottish alcohol advertising ban - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News
Headed up by MSP Maree Todd, the proposals considered include a ban on billboard adverts and sports and music festival sponsorships.
The consultation also suggests the possibility of in-store restrictions such as storing alcohol behind the counter, or in a cordoned-off area where products would not be visible up to a minimum height of 1.5 metres, as they do now in Ireland following a law change in 2020.
Of course, these restrictions are not without precedent. In 2020, the alcohol-specific dea...
The consultation also suggests the possibility of in-store restrictions such as storing alcohol behind the counter, or in a cordoned-off area where products would not be visible up to a minimum height of 1.5 metres, as they do now in Ireland following a law change in 2020.
Of course, these restrictions are not without precedent. In 2020, the alcohol-specific dea...
Wet stones and other WSET befuddlements - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News
I was hired, I think, because of my skills as a journalist rather than my knowledge of wine.
Since then, I have put my experience in news reporting to much use, and there has been no shortage of headlines in the world of wine, from the government’s VAT increase to New Zealand’s chronic Sauvignon Blanc shortage.
When I heard I was going on a wine crash course to bring my knowledge up to speed, I was filled with the same dread my teenage self felt month after month arriving at the driving theor...
Since then, I have put my experience in news reporting to much use, and there has been no shortage of headlines in the world of wine, from the government’s VAT increase to New Zealand’s chronic Sauvignon Blanc shortage.
When I heard I was going on a wine crash course to bring my knowledge up to speed, I was filled with the same dread my teenage self felt month after month arriving at the driving theor...
Government consumes 1,400 bottles of wines and spirits between 2020-22
Government consumes 1,400 bottles of wines and spirits between 2020-22
The cellar, which is stored in the basement of Lancaster House in central London, provides guests of the government, from home and overseas, with wines of, “appropriate quality at a reasonable cost”.
As expected, usage of the cellar fell significantly in 2020 to 2021 (by 96%) to 130 bottles of wine. This figure increased to 1,303 bottles of wines and spirits in 2021 to 2022, but still 60% less on pre-pandemic levels.
Accor
The cellar, which is stored in the basement of Lancaster House in central London, provides guests of the government, from home and overseas, with wines of, “appropriate quality at a reasonable cost”.
As expected, usage of the cellar fell significantly in 2020 to 2021 (by 96%) to 130 bottles of wine. This figure increased to 1,303 bottles of wines and spirits in 2021 to 2022, but still 60% less on pre-pandemic levels.
Accor
English Wine Week: Sparkling still on top - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News
It was just one of several events to take place to celebrate English Wine Week, an initiative that has infiltrated mainstream media thanks to the likes of Chapel Down going incognito in Champagne, or Lyme Bay offering £2.67 vineyard tours via retail partner Aldi.
The first English Wine Week was launched in 2006 when Laura Rhys MS was a sommelier struggling to convince consumers of the merits of English sparkling, “it was like I was a dentist”, she said, noting how far the English scene had com...
The first English Wine Week was launched in 2006 when Laura Rhys MS was a sommelier struggling to convince consumers of the merits of English sparkling, “it was like I was a dentist”, she said, noting how far the English scene had com...
The cost of wildfires to winegrowers
Climate change has contributed to a terrifying number of wildfires worldwide. James Bayley looks at the human, economic and environmental cost of the devastation.
Tech: Sentinel’s technological revolution in vineyards worldwide
An innovative tool is helping wineries to capture detailed vine-level data and manage their crops more effectively. James Bayley reports.
Insights: Cork’s sustainable revival
James Bayley explains how cork has recovered from its tainted reputation to prevail as a sustainable contender in the closures world.
'Detecting Fine Wine Forgeries' - Harpers August 2022 Issue
With counterfeit wine big business, the top merchants are going all out
to combat the fraudsters.
to combat the fraudsters.
Blind Ambition Review – rags-to-riches story is important lesson for wine industry
After fleeing their homeland following the Zimbabwe crisis of 2008, the four men – Joseph Dhafana, Marlvin Gwese, Tinashe Nyamudoka, and Pardon Taguzu – find themselves working up the South African culinary ladder, at first as gardeners or waiters before emerging as top sommeliers in the country’s finest restaurants.
This in itself would be a rags-to-riches story worthy of Hollywood adaptation – but the film soon enters into Cool Runnings territory as the quartet join forces to form Zimbabwe’s
This in itself would be a rags-to-riches story worthy of Hollywood adaptation – but the film soon enters into Cool Runnings territory as the quartet join forces to form Zimbabwe’s
Sales and temperatures rise in tandem for UK wine industry
Sales and temperatures rise in tandem for UK wine industry
According to WineGB figures, there are now 3,758 hectares under vine in England and Wales, with 879 vineyards and 197 wineries (195 in England, two in Wales).
In addition, hectarage has more than doubled in just eight years and quadrupled since the turn of the millennium.
This increase in plantings has coincided with the UK’s ten warmest years on record, which have all occurred since 2002.
Heatwaves like those experienced in 2018 hav
According to WineGB figures, there are now 3,758 hectares under vine in England and Wales, with 879 vineyards and 197 wineries (195 in England, two in Wales).
In addition, hectarage has more than doubled in just eight years and quadrupled since the turn of the millennium.
This increase in plantings has coincided with the UK’s ten warmest years on record, which have all occurred since 2002.
Heatwaves like those experienced in 2018 hav
Italy Report: Sicilian wine ups its game
James Bayley reports back from Sicilia en Primeur on the strength and resilience of the Sicilian wine industry.
Gorgona prison project celebrates 12th vintage milestone - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News
During a visit to the island in the Tuscan Archipelago, Harpers toured the 2.3ha vineyard and tasted the latest vintage of the Gorgona Bianco, a wine from Vermentino and Ansonica grapes, yielding approximately 9,000 bottles.
40km off the coast of Livorno, Gorgona is a small, serene island, with pastel-coloured houses and an eerie silence. If it wasn’t for the sight of Jeeps labelled ‘Polizia Penitenziaria’, one could easily mistake the island for a tropical oasis.
Gorgona is Italy’s last remai...
40km off the coast of Livorno, Gorgona is a small, serene island, with pastel-coloured houses and an eerie silence. If it wasn’t for the sight of Jeeps labelled ‘Polizia Penitenziaria’, one could easily mistake the island for a tropical oasis.
Gorgona is Italy’s last remai...
Climate Change could make UK leading red wine producer
This warming has underpinned the rapid expansion of the UK viticulture sector and its current focus on sparkling wine production. However, according to research conducted by the International Viticulture and Enology Society (IVES), climate change may create opportunities for more varieties and wine styles in the UK over the next two decades, particularly Pinot Noir.
The UK’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002, and heatwaves like those experienced in 2018 contributed to rec
The UK’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002, and heatwaves like those experienced in 2018 contributed to rec
