When I first moved to London, I kept a list of restaurants and bars that I wanted to try. In the decade that followed I eventually gave up because the rate at which new places opened and old ones closed made the list more effort than it was worth.  That’s how the last year has felt in terms of managing wine pricing. We’ve…

The planned changes to alcohol duty will see sweeping changes from August 1 this year, which will have a seismic impact on the way wine is bought, sold and made. Sparkling wine will arguably feel the most change, with a reduction overall reduction and products being taxed differently according to their abv. The August change takes most sparkling products, that sit between 11.5% and 14.5%…

ELUSIVE BREWING JUXTAPOSE, 6%  Juxtapose is a clever name for a black IPA because that’s what a brewery sets out to achieve in this style, albeit in a harmonious way. On one side of the flavour profile you have punchy, fruity New World hops and on the other the smoky, grainy notes of roasted malt. Getting the balance of these right…

At a recent in-store tasting, I showed a fashionable wine from a much talked-about producer in an up-and-coming area. Almost everyone hated it; some merely disliked it.  The bottle was presented to an audience of 16 people who buy and drink wine regularly, mostly in the £15-60 range, across a range of demographics. Some had barely been to a wine tasting before, others…

While the debate in Scottish parliament continues regarding the contentious deposit return scheme, and whether to grant small business an additional year to comply or not, the result for Scottish customers will remain the same in the end, believes Richard Davis from Bristol’s DBM Wines.  The Scottish Deposit Return Scheme is set to create a barrier that will exclude wine buyers north of the border…

Connecting with other local businesses is a good way to expand your reach, establish your place in the community, and attract new customers. Whether a partnership involves a simple recommendation or a full-on collaborative tasting event, there are many ways to get involved with other businesses to generate buzz – and sales – for both parties.  1. Partner with shops close to your…

Jeff Evans back with the first beer review of 2023 JIDDLER’S TIPPLE/ BY THE HORNS PANETTONE IMPERIAL PASTRY STOUT, 11.5%  For Christmas, these two London breweries worked together to release a Panettone Stout, laced with vanilla, raisins, orange, rum and brandy. They also produced this stronger, longermatured version which extends the flavours of the festive season well into the New Year.  Usually, when I…