Martin Moran MW, Author at The Buyer

By Richard Siddle on June 1, 2023

John Stimpfig on taking customised wine producer books to another level

Visit any major wine producer and as well as the chance to buy their flagship wines there is usually a hefty tome all about its history sitting proudly in reception. Some of which, it is fair to say, are better than others. So when, in late 2019, John Stimpfig left his role as the content director of Decanter, he looked to start a fledgling business producing bespoke books that potentially take the quality of producer books to a whole new level. First Press Editions was created the following year, in 2020, with his business partner Ian Mitchell. Here Richard Siddle catches up with Stimpfig to see how it all works and how things are going.

Posted In: first press editions, John stimpfig, slider, wine, wine books, wine publications

Tasting: Spirit

By Geoffrey Dean on June 1, 2023

Discovering Antigua: a 19 yo English Harbour Rum and small batch gins

A limited edition 19 year-old English Harbour rum and boutique gin distiller are two major discoveries when Geoffrey Dean visits the Caribbean island of Antigua. The rum is to mark the 90th anniversary of Antigua Distillery, whose Calbert Francis gives the back story to this very special spirit. By contrast Dean also visits the much smaller distiller on the island, Antilles Stillhouse, where David Murphy is producing two gins using local, unique botanicals, a ‘fevergrass’ spirit as well as an Antiguan pastis.

Posted In: Antigua, Antigua Distillery, Antilles Stillhouse, Calbert Francis, English Harbour Rum, Geoffrey Dean, rum, slider

Tasting: Wine

By Roger Jones on May 31, 2023

Roger Jones: new Babylonstoren wines at the Chelsea Flower Show

Babylonstoren’s famous garden at its estate tells the story of the people of South Africa’s winelands, their Cape Dutch heritage and the sheer joy of gardening, so what better way to celebrate all three than to showcase not only their historic beautiful farm but also their wines at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Our retired Michelin star chef, South African wine explorer and amateur gardener, Roger Jones, spends the day with the team at the show ground.

Posted In: Babylonstoren, roger jones, slider, south africa

People People: Supplier

By Richard Siddle on May 31, 2023

Andrew Chudley on Davy’s portfolio tasting & partnership trade strategy

“We believe that building long term relationships between our producers and customers is the key to success and place a big focus on spending time in market with our producers.” That’s how Andrew Chudley, Davy’s Wine Merchants’ managing director and head wine buyer, describes the company’s strategy that has served the business well for over the last 150 years. He also marks your card on what to expect at its portfolio tasting in London on June 6.

Posted In: davys wine merchant, slider, wine, wine distributor, wine merchant

Opinion

By Lulie Halstead on May 30, 2023

Young girl with bottle and glass of red wine looking grumpy because of bad taste

Lulie Halstead on why wine businesses fail at marketing

“Marketing is often not top of mind in many wine organisations and typically is the last cab out off the rank when it comes to budgets and mental resources.” That’s the view of Lulie Halstead, founder of Wine Intelligence, who sets out why she thinks the wine industry needs to take marketing more seriously, or risk falling further behind other drinks categories that do prioritise and invest in marketing themselves to target consumers in ways they want to be spoken to.

Posted In: lulie Halstead, wine, wine businesses, wine companies, wine intelligence, wine marketing

Conference

By Lisse Garnett on May 30, 2023

Old Vine Conference 2023: Old vines hold the key to our future

The unique properties of old vine wines, how vines manage to survive for over 150 years and what they can tell us about the future of viticulture in the face of climate change, were just some of the topics discussed at the Old Vine Conference 2023 held in Campania. Hosted by Feudi di San Gregorio, leaders in the Italian movement to protect, preserve and make wines from old vines, this second Old Vine Conference brought together leaders in the realm of ancient Italian vineyards to discuss and examine best practices for growing, protecting and promoting old vines and their wines. The Buyer’s Lisse Garnett was there to hear from Professor Attilio Scienza, vine master pruner Pierpaolo Sirch, Feudi di San Gregorio chairman Antonio Capaldo, Sarah Abbott MW and Basilisco winemaker Viviana Malafarina. Garnett also tastes and evaluates 12 old vine wines from across the globe to evaluate their unique properties.

Posted In: Campania, Lisse Garnett, Old Vine Conference 2023

People People: Producer

By Richard Siddle on May 26, 2023

What to expect at the first UK Rioja Residency tasting event

Rioja Wine UK invites the UK trade and press to the first Rioja Residency – an immersive, educational journey around Rioja without leaving London. It all takes place on June 21 at London’s five-star boutique hotel, The Ned, which will be Rioja’s home for the day where guests can enjoy the region’s rich culture and heritage including the chance to taste wines from 20 visiting winemakers. The day will also include masterclasses from Spanish wine experts and masters of wine. Here’s what is in store.

Posted In: Rioja, rioja residency, wine

Tasting: Wine

By Victor Smart on May 26, 2023

Pairing wines of Château Haut Gléon with 3-star Michelin cuisine

In order to prove the food-matching potential of its wines, Languedoc estate Château Haut Gléon took the brave decision to set up a wine-pairing dinner of its range with 3-Michelin starred food. The cuisine of Gilles Goujon at Auberge du Vieux Puits is notoriously complex with one dish involving an oversize oyster that’s sealed in a smoke-filled bubble that you can only reach with a hammer. How was the meal and how did the wines match up? The Buyer’s Victor Smart needed no encouragement to jump on a plane to Languedoc to find out

Posted In: Auberge du Vieux Puits, Château Haut Gléon, Victor Smart, Vignobles Foncalieu

Opinion

By Dan Hooper on May 26, 2023

Daniel Hooper: Does wine have an old people problem?

The older we get the more likely it is we are going to turn to a corkscrew and a bottle of wine to enjoy at the end of a day. Or at least that is what the current and previous generations have done. But what about the next generations? Are millennials and Gen Xs and Zs going to follow their parents into the wine category? The jury is well and truly out on that warns Daniel Hooper, co-founder and chief creative officer at YesMore Creative, the specialist drinks marketing agency.

Posted In: b corp, dan hooper, Kendall Jenner, older wine drinkers, spirits, wine, wine drinkers, yesmore, yesmore creative

Insight

By Mike Turner on May 25, 2023

Rioja’s terroir revolution and 100 kms of diversity: Inside Rioja #1

For many consumers, and even for many within the wine industry, 2017’s introduction of geographically specific categories within Rioja’s production laws might have gone under the radar. Fresh from his trip to participate in the Rioja Academy’s new educator programme, The Buyer’s Mike Turner explains why the laws allowing wines to be promoted as coming from a specific zone, village, or even single vineyard, could be one of the biggest revolutions to hit this wine region and has the possibility of catapulting Rioja’s already famed wines and winemakers to even more impressive heights. Part 1 of a 4-part series.

Posted In: Mike Turner, Rioja

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