With restaurants shuttered during lockdown, several sommeliers reconsidered their calling. Oliver Christie was already considering leaving the floor of Shoreditch’s Clove Club before Covid entered the lexicon, so he could get closer to the raw components of wine. Six months into his new life in Alba, he talks to Douglas Blyde about his journey so far.

After many people online shared videos of themselves sneaking extra booze into bars and pubs using hand sanitiser bottles, a debate has raged online. 

Rob Maynard, co-founder of Hove’s Wild Flor, billed as ‘a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant serving classic cooking alongside world-class wines’, shares his defining moments with Douglas Blyde.

Chef Harriet Mansell is to open a 40-cover minimum intervention wine bar and tap room called Lilac in Lyme Regis this summer, marking her second venture in Dorset.

Wine List Confidential author, Douglas Blyde, visits Belgravia’s Pantechnicon on the pedestrianised Motcomb Street for beef tartare and a chocolate soy and skyr pudding.

Brave Brits were photographed enjoying a pint or two over the May bank holiday weekend – despite hostile weather conditions including torrential rain and powerful winds on the coldest May Day on record.

Jascots wine merchant is converting the e-commerce operation it launched during lockdown into a new private members club, as restaurants reopen on 17 May.

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas has launched an online Introductory Sommelier Course and exam designed to create more inclusivity in wine education.

Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton is to open Harrods Social within the luxury department store in Knightsbridge when indoor dining begins again on 17 May.

Proving he’s unafraid of taking big risks, chef Daniel Humm is to turn his three-Michelin-starred New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park into a vegan venue.

As well as being the head sommelier of Chiswick’s wine-focused La Trompette, Donald Edwards has launched an engaging online journal that reimagines food and wine pairings from the root up, shining a light on wine matches for seasonal vegetables.

Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr has launched an online cookery course aiming to teach novices the basics of classic French cuisine in a three-part series.