As the debate starts in northern France over how to divide up the newly increased demarcated area of Champagne, it is worth considering who might be the best guardian of this re-zoned land . Should it be placed in the hands of the small grower, professional farmers, or the brand owners who create demand ? It is an issue that affects many wine regions, especially…

The other day I was asked by an organisation called Alcohol in Moderation (AIM) to speak at an industry forum where AIM posed this question to speakers: "Can you develop product innovation, market creatively and increase sales in a responsible manner?" An interesting topic and, given the number of column inches in the media these days about the significant effects of alcohol misuse, a…

We’ve come a long way since the days when a few bow-tied anoraks prattled on about the wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Germany, and the new recruits to the elitist world of wine cut their teeth on Hirondelle and Liebfraumilch. Our shelves are now groaning with wines from around the world as their tags improve our geography no end, by listing vineyards from New…