Devil's Advocate: A Plea for Friendlier, More Empathetic Wine Lists and Service

Many sommeliers today seem to set on creating wine lists full of unfamiliar wines that express their own tastes, and rely on customers asking them for help and explanations. Robert Joseph, who grew up in a family-owned restaurant, finds this annoying.

Reading time: 4m 30s

Devil's Advocate: Sampling – The Trick Wine Could Learn From the Perfume Industry

Robert Joseph questions the wine industry's expectation for customers to buy potentially very pricy wine without having the chance to try it first.

Reading time: 3m

Devil's Advocate: Wine – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

In his keynote to the Meininger's Wine Conference, Robert Joseph offered a brief SWOT analysis of the wine industry. This is a fuller version.

Reading time: 4m 15s

Devil's Advocate: a Few Thoughts on Wine Snobbery

Robert Joseph addresses the thorny subject of the wine snob. Does he exist? And, if so, how can we get rid of him?

Reading time: 1m 30s

Devil's Advocate: Constellation Brands to Exit Wine?

The men-in-suits at Constellation Brands appear to have decided to switch their attention to beer and spirits.

Reading time: 2m 15s

Devil's Advocate: What is a 'Cake'? What is 'Wine?'

Robert Joseph draws parallels between a famous UK legal action between the UK government and a big maker of biscuits and cakes, and the way AF beverages and RTDs are described today.

Reading time: 3m 30s

Devil’s Advocate: Are You a Lion or a Panda?

Wine people often sympathise with small producers who don't enjoy marketing and selling.

Reading time: 1m 45s

Is Organic Viticulture Sustainable?

Dr Tom Croghan, co-owner of The Vineyards at Dodon in Maryland, questions the organic orthodoxy.

Reading time: 5m 45s

Devil’s Advocate: Life is Not Too Short to Drink Not Bad Wine

Robert Joseph thinks it's time to accept that, for most people, wine simply needs to be 'fit for purpose'.

Reading time: 2m 45s