Devil's Advocate - Need to Know

For many members of the industry, future success depends on ‘educating the public about wine’. But is that broad ambition really the answer? Robert Joseph wonders if, instead of focusing on what we want, we should be thinking more about giving consumers information they might actually find helpful.

Reading time: 3m 40s

Devil's Advocate - When Not to Keep Quiet

When you are served a faulty bottle of wine at a professional event, should you say something? Or remain politely silent? Robert Joseph shares his experience of making the wrong decision.

Reading time: 4m

Devil's Advocate - The Cleverness of the QR Code

QR Codes have been used by a limited number of wine producers for a while - to little effect. Robert Joseph suggests their time may have come at last. 

Reading time: 3m 30s

Devil's Advocate: Vinitaly 2023 - less Bella Figura?

After decades of attending Vinitaly, Robert Joseph wonders if next year will bring some changes.

Reading time: 2m 30s

Devil's Advocate: No Way Back

As the war in Ukraine continues, and Covid refuses to disappear, many wine professionals are wondering when life is going to return to normal. Robert Joseph suggests that this may not be the right question.

Reading time: 2m 30s

Devil's Advocate: Imagine

Robert Joseph suggests that now is not the time to believe that anything is impossible.

Reading time: 2m

Purpose, Prestige, Profit... What Lies behind a Wine? And Does it Matter?

In wine, as in art, there is a growing movement to take into account the motivation of the people who produced it. Robert Joseph grapples with the question of how much it matters?

Reading time: 4m 20s

Margin Call: a Few Thoughts on Pricing and Profit

Robert Joseph questions the way wine is priced, and some lessons the industry might learn from Starbucks.

Reading time: 4m 30s

Why a profitable wine industry needs 'Red Teamers' and Devils Advocates

Robert Joseph explains why he often finds himself taking a different position to many other members of the industry.