Richard Siddle

"I think people imagine AI is this magical thing that can do everything. It's not. You need to be super specific around the problem you are asking it to solve. And there are some problems that are more suited to it than not.” But how do you know which problem is suitable for AI to fix and how do you go about asking AI to solve it? Those are the sort of questions that Laura Rosenberger hopes the new AI business consultancy, Artanis , can help give companies the answers they are looking for when stepping into the little known world of AI. As former co-founder of Laylo , the premium boxed wine company, Rosenberger also believes there are huge opportunities for drinks businesses of all sizes to use AI to fast track services, processes and help them operate more effectively and efficiently. Here she sets out what AI for business is really all about.

Frustrated by a lack of a genuine alternative to wine when enjoying a meal at a fine restaurant lead Natalie Chiu to create what has gone on to become Saicho , one of a number of new premium sparkling tea brands, that are catching the attention of top sommeliers and Michelin star restaurants. Here she shares her story about how she turned that frustration into a brand that is now helping to re-shape what we can now see being poured in white table cloth restaurants.

“Our goal is to bring together quality-driven producers who are actively looking for new markets, and give buyers the chance to uncover exciting new opportunities, all in one place.” That is how Judy Kendrick, co-founder of Wines Unearthed that is celebrating its 10th anniversary at next week’s London Wine Fair , explains how it hopes to provide an effective trading platform for buyers and producers, looking to distribute in the UK for the first time, to do business. Here’s what Kendrick and her co-founder, Ana Sofia Oliveira, have planned for this year’s Wines Unearthed.

The best things in life don't come around too often and if you are a lover of South African wine then three years is the time you have to wait for the next Cape Wine to come along. The event has become the showcase of the best of South Africa not only in terms of the producers that take part in the show, but the welcome and hospitality they give to all those who attend. Here Maryna Calow, communications manager at Wines of South Africa , explains what is in store at this year's show and urges those thinking of attending to act now to reserve the best flights and accommodation.

The inaugural National Wine Careers Week is set to take place next week between May 12-18 in a bid to raise national interest and awareness of a potential career in an industry that currently employs over 400,000 people and is worth over £10 billion in on and off-trade sales and is yet is largely overlooked when it comes to the best and most attractive new career opportunities. The initiative is being led and co-ordinated by Plumpton College’s wine education department with the support of the WSET , WineGB , Drinks United and founding partner Nyetimber . Together they hope to use a mixture of trade, social media and consumer media support and are calling on individuals and businesses across the wine industry to get behind it. Here Julia Trustram Eve, campaign co-ordinator, sets out what the initiative hopes to achieve and how to get involved.

The backbiting and family feuds played out in the TV series Succession might be exaggerated for dramatic effect, but it does demonstrate just how difficult and traumatic the passing of the torch can be between old and new generations in any family business. It is a scenario that families across the world of wine and spirits are faced with all the time. Like the highly respected Symington family , one of the most important and influential Port producers in the Douro Valley. But the way it has seamlessly passed the business between the hands of the old and next generation is an example for all wine family producers to look up to. Richard Siddle talks to Rob Symington, who has taken on the co-chief executive role, alongside Charles Symington, about the plans they have as fifth and fourth generation members respectively, to help manage and grow the family business.

“Imagine if you had a bottle of wine from the first barrel ever produced in France? Or Italy? Or the United States?” Or Bhutan. Yes, you read that right. For the first time in its history the Kingdom of Bhutan is making wine thanks to the vision and ambition of two Americans who actually went to the country to run a marathon and came back with the idea of starting up a wine business. To mark the kingdom's first ever wine vintage some of the wines are being put up for auction this month by Bonhams . Co-founders and co-visionaries of the Bhutan Wine Company , Ann Cross and Mike Juergens, take us on a journey of discovery on how they turned their idea into reality.

Sir Ridley Scott had just made and released Thelma & Louise when he first signed the papers that saw him take ownership, in 1992, of the land that has eventually become Le Mas des Infermières situated in the heart of the Luberon. A property close to the beautiful villages of Lacoste and Bonnieux that provided the backdrop to the fictional chateau in his part biographical film, A Good Year, that followed in 2006. By then he had started to transform the estate, and its vines, from simply selling its grapes, to creating his own range of premium wines. Now Le Mas des Infermières is one of the leading quality producers in the region. So much so that Scott was required to do his bit and take a break from making epics such as Gladiator 2 and help man the stand at Wine Paris in February. Particularly now that demand from importers and distributors are picking up around the world. Having visited the property last summer as part of a buyers’ trip to the region , Richard Siddle was invited to sit down with Scott

From the half full flight to Düsseldorf, the small line for taxis, to the handful of people queuing for a bratwurst, wherever you looked there were a lot less people at ProWein last week than at any time in the last few years. Now whilst that might not be good news for the show organisers, exhibitors, taxi drivers, or fast food traders, it was good news for the buyers who did go to this year’s show. For there was more time and space to do business. Which after all is what attending an international trade fair is all about. Getting to see as many potential suppliers as you can. Quite, though, where it leaves the long term future of ProWein was the big question being asked by exhibitors and visitors at the show last week. With Wine Paris ready and waiting to take on as many producers willing to make the move and swap Düsseldorf in March for Paris in February. But for many it is not as simple a decision as that. For even a more slimline ProWein is clearly still a crucial and important time for producers

If you did a random poll of sommeliers working in some of the UK’s top restaurants which importers they most liked working with then time and again Top Selection would come up high on their list. It’s a reputation it has earned through the long term partnerships it has built up with some of the top restaurant teams in the country rather than through any high profile media campaigns. Relationships forged on the quality and consistency of its wines and spirits, based on the producers it has hand picked over the last 25 years to work with. Richard Siddle sits down with founder Ákos Forczek, sales director, Alastair Moss and marketing manager, Matt Ellis to get them to reveal just what makes it the ‘Top Selection’ of so many of its customers.