Devil's Advocate: Is Zero-Alcohol Wine, 'Wine'? And Why Does it Matter?

There are moves to bring dealcoholised wine into the same legislation as conventional wine, and big brand owners are introducing zero-alc versions of their existing ones. Robert Joseph wonders if this is wise for the wine sector in general.

Reading time: 2m 45s

Devil's Advocate: Heavy Bottles and Wine Tourism - and their Carbon Footprint

Responding to some of the feedback to his recent piece on the challenges facing wine producers looking to reduce the weight of their bottles, Robert Joseph wonders whether the focus on the carbon footprint of heavy packaging is not, in any case, distracting the wine industry's attention from some of its other environmentally-unfriendly activities.

Reading time: 2m 45s

Devil's Advocate - Amphoras are in Fashion, but not as Simple as they Seem

Robert Joseph reports from a fascinating conference session in Milan on amphora.

Reading time: 5m

Devil's Advocate - Was the 1970s the Greatest Decade in the History of Wine?

Fifty years ago, as the world approached the end of 1972, and headlines focused on an ongoing bloody conflict in Asia rather than Eastern Europe, the wine industry bore little resemblance to the one we take for granted today. Reviewing that decade, Robert Joseph argues that it marked the flowering of modern wine.

Reading time: 5m 15s

Devil's Advocate - It Isn't Easy Being Green

Switch to lighter glass, say the wine media. Give us commercially appealing packaging say the customers. Robert Joseph considers the challenges facing 21st century producers.

Reading time: 2m 30s

Devil's Advocate - Value or Price?

Robert Joseph considers the question of what any bottle of wine is actually worth? 

Reading time: 2m 15s

Devil's Advocate - Tough(er) Times Ahead

The wine industry is only just recovering from the pandemic. Now Robert Joseph, playing Cassandra rather than his usual Devil's Advocate, suggests that the wine industry is facing tough financial headwinds. The only hope is of China coming to the rescue, but that's far from certain.

Reading time: 4m

Devil's Advocate - Sex and Wine: the (not so) Sweet Smell of Covid

Wine tasters rely on the reliability and accuracy of their sense of smell. How many, Robert Joseph wonders, have been impaired by the pandemic.

Reading time: 4m 15s

Devil's Advocate - Different Strokes for Different Folks

Robert Joseph admits that, when it comes to wine, sharing your opinion of what's right and wrong may sometimes have limited value.

Reading time: 2m 45s