For some people, the idea of wine in a can is offensive. The same is true for the casual use of profane language. Robert Joseph happily defends their recent coming together.

Nobody thinks it strange to see or buy caviar in a wide range of sizes. Robert Joseph wonders why, in an age of wine-in-moderation and $200 bottles of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Napa red, half bottles and single-serves are still the underclass of the wine world.

Since the turn of the century, Germany’s Henkell group has changed and grown dramatically. Following the acquisition of the Mionetto Prosecco brand, the UK-developed global i heart brand, and the purchase of 50.7% of Freixenet in Spain, turnover has broken through the €1bn barrier.

Dr Hermann Pilz, editor in chief of Weinwirtschaft and Robert Joseph, editor at large of Meininger’s Wine Business International spoke to Dr Andreas Brokemper, CEO since 2013 of the company now known as Henkell-Freixenet.

This week, the well-respected English winemaker Charles Palmer posted a video and a brief description of his experience of machine harvesting. Inevitably, not all of the reaction was positive. Robert Joseph was prompted to offer a few thoughts of his own.

As world leaders – or most of them – gather in Glasgow for COP26, the wine industry is being encouraged to sign a petition against weighty wine bottles. While welcoming the initiative, Robert Joseph wonders if this the best way to save the planet.

Alcohol limits vary greatly by country and by gender. David Morrison takes a fascinating look at the data.

For the first time in 140 years, the British government is changing the way it taxes alcohol. This could have an impact beyond the shores of the United Kingdom. Robert Joseph reports.

The owner of one St Emilion chateau has to pay a fine, while another does not. Robert Joseph considers this latest storm-in-a-wineglass.

Shares of Russian alcohol companies rose on news of the introduction of a lockdown from 28 October. What other factors could be behind the volatility in the Russian market? Meininger investigates.

Robert Joseph discovers a trio of wines at Vinitaly Special Edition that make him rethink his position.

No other country now imports more wine than Germany. In this market overview, using data from the World Bulk Wine Fair’s Bulk Wine Club we analyse where most of that wine comes from – and the broad range of prices between producing countries.

In Italy, where so much buying and selling of grapes and bulk wine takes place every year, the 25 leading wine brokers have a unique insight into production and market trends. Veronika Crecelius of Weinwirtschaft magazine talks to Andrea Verlicchi president of Med.&A, the association that brings together these businesses to discover the impact the 2021 vintage is likely to have on the availability and prices of some of the most popular styles of wine.

Robert Joseph visits Vinitaly 'Special Edition' and discovers a very different atmosphere to the Vinitaly events he is used to.

The beautiful poor relation of the red Crus Classés of Bordeaux, Sauternes is desperately in need of imagination and inspiration. The owners of Châteaux Lafite and Rieussec are facing up to the challenge. Robert Joseph wonders whether others will follow their example.

Worldwide, the costs of wine production increase. In Germany, too, the producer complaints are getting louder and louder. We analysed Germany's wine production cost structure.