Latest Drinks Blogs

The worst kind of bad news usually comes like a lightning bolt from the blue. A shock to the system that takes some time to get your head around. 

That certainly seems to be the mood within the drinks industry this week. Where were you when you heard the Chancellor was planning on stinging another 8% in duty on alcohol – from next Monday - in his pre-Budget statement?

Ironically I found out directly from the horse’s mouth as it were as I jumped on a train and bumped into Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association who was still trying to digest the news from the Treasury.What makes this increase so hard to stomach is that it came with no dressed-up warning from the powers that be.

The changes in VAT that this duty hike, along with similar hits on tobacco and petrol, is supposed to part pay for may get the great British shopper spendi...

Mary Lawson's lecture was both inspirational and sobering. Inspirational because she is as brilliant a public speaker as she is a writer and sobering because despite her obvious talent, it took her twelve years to get "Crow Lake", her first novel, published.

Her second novel, "The Other Side of the Bridge", was long listed for the Booker prize and selected by Richard and Judy. Which had the most impact on sales? Richard and Judy, by far.

A majority of consumers are as confused by the thousands of books on offer in the average Waterstones as they are by the infamous "wall of wine" often quoted in surveys.

Richard and Judy's recommendations have given them confidence to try new authors. One novel on their list is allegedly enough to keep a publisher afloat for six months to a year.

Wine competitions, like literary prizes, help consumers pick the best of the bunch. Like ...

Since last week, we have held two tastings and the topic of conversation at both has been what impact will the current economic climate have on the wine industry.

Well, when I started writing these blogs, my intention was to distract myself from any thought on the subject of the economy and try to enjoy our new and gradually expanding business. But I guess there comes a moment for us all when the economy slowly catches up, jogs along side for a while and then overtakes, waving as it passes...and then all you have left is its backside in your face for the rest of the undefined journey.

So the big debate...what will happen in January? Will shops add new lines or won't they? Will the wine industry feel the full impact of the economic challenges or not? What on earth, is going to happen?

Now I am one of these people who tries to avoid the impact of these debates on my own person circ...