iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

David Kermode reflects on three editions of the IWSC Global Judging in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG to assess how its sparkling wines have evolved by talking to fellow judges & head judge Sarah Abbott MW about where its wines go next https//www.the-buy...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

David Cartwright' new consultancy business - Cartwright.Wine - wants to help producers, suppliers & buyers do business with each other. He sets out the key services he can offer gleaned from 40 years in senior sales and development roles across top wine importers www.the-buyer.net/people/suppl...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

If you are going to a dinner party this weekend what is the ultimate wine to take with you that your hosts and fellow guests are going to enjoy? Is a South African Chardonnay a safer bet than an Argentinian Malbec? Corkable's Tom Planer has the answer. www.the-buyer.net/opinion/tom-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Amanda Barnes MW is launching a Top 10 initiative where she picks out the best wines from South American countries. She's starting with a Top 10 Uruguay Wines report that she's launching at a tasting & masterclass in London on September 3. Here's what to expect www.the-buyer.net/people/amand...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Being able to buy alcohol through major AI channels remains limited but that's likely to change. Jordan Brannon, co-founder of Coalition Technologies, sets out the steps companies should be taking to safeguard against how AI-driven e-commerce is managed & protected. www.the-buyer.net/opinion/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

The London Wine Competition 2027 has revealed its line up of judges for what will be the 10th anniversary of the awards with a panel of top wine professional judges that reflects the esteem the event is now held. We reveal the judges taking part on The Buyer. www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

After awards in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Thailand, the UK & US the @StarWineList of the Year 2025/26 2026 global finals were held in Sweden this week. Here we can reveal what the 10 best wine lists and restaurants in the world are www.the-buyer.net/awards/top-1...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

The @VSPTWineGroup has big ambitions to expand its European sales by moving into Ireland & has appointed Kirsten McCann as its new country manager. Here she highlights the biggest opportunities it has for its South American power wine brands in Ireland www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

It was great fun hosting The Buyer Restaurant Tour with Consorzio Gavi with a top group of local wine buyers, merchants, importers & educators.Thanks to @ArtSchoolLpool #Maray & #ChamberThirtySix for pairing great dishes with Gavi wines.1st of 2 reports www.the-buyer.net/insight/buye...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Dedication, consistency & sacrifice. "They are the keys to success,” says Shiva Chaurasiya on training to be a Master #Sommelier. Here he sets out his journey from a suburb in Mumbai to working at one of Singapore’s flagship wine destinations #67PallMall. www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

#WineParis should rebrand itself as Drinks Paris such was the huge diversity of wine & spirits based drinks at the show. The Buyer analyses why drinks industry is in a new era of 'anything goes' driven by likes of @kylieminogue.bsky.social attracting new consumers www.the-buyer.net/insight/wine...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Challenges come thick & fast for UK wine buyers as @LanchesterWines' Lesley Cook explains as she looks back on highs & lows of 2025 with new duty & EPR packaging laws & ahead to a positive 2026 starting with a switch to #WineParis as @mrvinosaurus reports www.the-buyer.net/people/suppl...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

November 30 is deadline for drinks producers, importers and retailers to take advantage of early bird pricing to enter London Competitions for wines and spirits. We take a look at what makes these events a true test of how successful a drinks brands might be www.the-buyer.net/awards/final...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

“I love the challenge of making great wine with as little intervention as possible...to showcase purity and quality in the glass." That's Julien Howsepian winemaking philosphy at California's Kosta Browne Winery famous for its elegant Chardonnays & Pinot Noirs as he explains on The Buyer

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

In @thebuyer11.bsky.social Part 2 analysis of #CapeWine2025 we analyse the quality steps winemakers are implementing to take their wines to the next level, including exploring new regions & terroirs & how & why producers are looking to sell more wine across Africa www.the-buyer.net/insight/cape...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

The expertise that @robertjoseph.bsky.social joseph has built up with his consultancy work in Eastern Europe has consulted in #Kavsihri his Georgian wine made with Vladimer Kublashvili. He explains why he thinks it's a unique blended wine using 11 local varieties www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

In part 1 of 2 in-depth reports on #CapeWine2025 @thebuyer11.bsky.social analyses the opportunites South Africa has to take its wines to another level & challenges it still faces to get buyers to pay the more premium prices it expects & wants for its wines www.the-buyer.net/insight/cape...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Thanks to their careers in high finance Ferovinum founders Mitch Fowler & Dan Gibney have access to funding the drinks industry has not seen before.They explain how its $550m securisation fund offers unique opportunites for drinks businesses & producers www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

“#RaisingtheGlass is more than an initiative. It’s becoming a movement.” A new networking platform to bring female drinks entrepreneurs together through a series of events & mentorship & its new Mixer event Nov 6 as founder Rebecca Oliver-Mooney explains www.the-buyer.net/people/how-r...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Wines by-the-glass are now vital for any on-trade operator & done right can bring great margins. @thebuyer11.bsky.social & #Coravin hosted a debate of top somms, on-trade buyers & suppliers to see how they are making the most of the wine by-the-glass opportunity www.the-buyer.net/debates/deba...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Growing organic grapes in one of Spain’s highest vineyards on the 'edge of what is possible' is a challenge that Rosalina Molina has taken on making wine at Altolandon in Mancheula in central Spain as she explains to Helen Arnold www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

On the cusp of harvest @thebuyer11.bsky.social dispatched a team of merchants, importers & somms to explore #CustozaDOC in #LakeGarda & assess the potential of its easy drinking, good value, crisp, fresh white wines for premium UK on & off-trade reports Paul Caputo www.the-buyer.net/insight/top-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

“Positive thinking and discipline are the key." In the first of a new series on The Buyer profiling new Master Sommeliers Agnieszka Swiecka reflects on the life changing steps she has taken on her way to becoming a Master Sommelier & what it takes to pass www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

“Fundamentally it's a different business."That's how Jamie Avenell Bibendum's wine buying director explains the changes that have taken place over 18 months in interview alongside on-trade sales manager Andrew Ingham & what it means for customers www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Long-time sherry lover Kate Hawkings talks to chefs and top restaurant wine teams to see how they are increasingly using sherry in food pairings & on menus with many planning special food and wine events to celebrate Sherry Week in November 3-9 www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

@thebuyer11.bsky.social talks to @hnwines.bsky.social MD Andrew Bewes & commercial director Will Oatley on impact #CoterieHoldings deal has had on the company & how its propelled its offer both for customers & its producer partners & its ability to win new business www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Here’s how Adam Wood set up a bespoke e-commerce platform #Marzipan for drinks brands, wineries & wine merchants to manage subscriptions & wine clubs & worked with Domaine Jones & Domaine of The Bee Justin Howard-Sneyd to get it right for their needs www.the-buyer.net/people/suppl....

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Here AbbieBennington analyses the premium and fine wine opportunities for ProseccoCV and the steps being taken, through consumer experiential events like #FizzyFest in July, to broaden its appeal and make it the premium sparkling wine of choice. www.the-buyer.net/insight/fine...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

In the latest in The Buyer series profiling top female sommeliers Joanna Nerntzi explains what it takes to get to the top, particularly as a woman, what she loves & gets frustrated by about her role & how wine suppliers can can make sommeliers' lives easier. www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

With a new central London venue & 80+ producers signed up Nicola Bates ceo WineGB describes next week’s portfolio tasting as being “pivotal” in its on-going commitment to stand up for and promote the needs of the entire English and Welsh wine industry. www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Here's how #Milliemilliken wants to appeal to both tequila experts & everyday drinkers in her book Tequila: A Tasting Course which analyses what makes tequila such a fascinating spirit in a way that's appealing and engaging for everyday drinkers. www.the-buyer.net/people/milli....

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

You might know @robertjoseph.bsky.social for being 1 of the world's top wine industry commentators & writers but he's also co-founder of 4m bottles a year French wine brand Le Grand Noir now in 60+ countries. Here he explains how to build a global wine brand www.the-buyer.net/insight/robe...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Praisy Dlamini, general manager & head winemaker at #AmandlaWines has helped build an all female black leadership team in charge of a near 5m ltr a year wine business with a mission to promote women, and greater diversity in South Africa & around the world www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Here's how four old university mates have come together 20 years later to create #Zacal an authentic, artisan #mezcal brand from Mexico’s high altitude, volcanic Michoacán region that is already picking up gold medals & winning space on top back bars www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

A band of 50+ members of the drinks industry will walk 22km along the Thames on September 12 to raise money for the Drinks Trust. All thanks to the idea of regular Thames walker Ali Mann - she explains how you can help them raise £10k by doing so www.the-buyer.net/people/how-t...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

As wine buyers look for fresher, lower in alcohol wines the opportunities open up for crisp red & white wines from Beaujolais says Inter Beaujolais' Olivier Badoureaux as he explains how it hopes to capitalise on this rise in demand the-buyer.net/people/produ... www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Having the letters MS after your name are the equivalent to an Olympic gold medal for a sommelier. Ronan Sayburn MS ceo of Court of Master Sommeliers on the dedication it takes to become an MS & how it's now recognised all over the world with courses in 20 countries www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

“Wine is a product that is exactly what the emerging consumer is seeking, they just don’t know it.”In this fascinating analysis of the US wine market RobMcMillan of #Siliconvalleybank sets out why consumer demand is down & how the industry can attract new drinkers www.the-buyer.net/opinion/rob-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

It's nearly a year since Chris Ashton not only returned to the International Wine Challenge but took full ownership of it. Here he explains why he's brought back Tranche 1 (open now) & Tranche 2 entries as part of a number of changes for the #IWC26 awards www.the-buyer.net/awards/iwc-b...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

He might be making wines in Napa & Sonoma but it is the Mediterranean that is DanPetroski's biggest influence in the white wines he is making at #Massicanwinery with the bright, fresh, citrus styles he hopes his Italian family would be happy to drink www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

“Inclusion starts with awareness, conversation and willingness to ask, 'What do you need to succeed?'" As an A&I consultant Emma Hodges sees what businesses should be doing to make their workplace as welcoming and inclusive for all people to work in. www.the-buyer.net/insight/emma...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

The pressure was on Clément Robinet when he became Burgundy's #DomaineFerret's 1st male head winemaker at the age of 26 two years ago. Helen Arnold finds out how he's tackling climate change to make his mark on this Mâconnais Pouilly-Fuisse producer www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Find out how Ferovinum has the finance & Silicon Valley software talent to create an automated supply chain tech platform that can transform the way the drinks industry works and help fund companies of all sizes to make those changes in their businesses. www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Find out how #Ferovinum has the finance & Silicon Valley software talent to create an automated supply chain tech platform that can transform the way the drinks industry works and help fund companies of all sizes to make those changes in their businesses. www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

“We like to think outside the bottle and put 1st what young consumers actually care about. Wine can feel overwhelming. Wine is fun.” That’s how #YoungPoets hopes to connect with Gen Z drinkers in same way top youth brands do. Eliah Werner explains how www.the-buyer.net/people/produ...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

In 2nd part of @TheBuyer11 interview with @Jeroboams ceo Matt Tipping explains why it's 'restless' to do more & grasp growth opportunities in the on-trade, retailing and with private clients & why its people are the driving force behind its success www.the-buyer.net/insight/what...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Find out why leading UK trade figures think Turkish wines are ready to compete on the global stage as Sunny Hodge of Diognes The Dog in London reports back on the recent IWSC panel judging in Istanbul www.the-buyer.net/awards/iwsc-...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

In the latest in @thebuyer11.bsky.social series interviewing top female sommeliers we talk to Beth Bond, co-owner of Lake District's #Michelin-starred Cottage_in_Wood about why being 'business savvy' & understanding good food is key to being a top sommelier www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

It was quite a feat to find a group of UK wine buyers who'd never been to #NewYorkState & go & see it for themselves. Chris Wilson examines what the buyers see as the big opportunities for producers to maximise their potential in the UK on @thebuyer11.bsky.social www.the-buyer.net/insight/uk-b...

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Richard Siddle @richardsidddle.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

“Leadership is seeing how things should be, not how they are.” That’s the leadership style that's seen @flintwines Katy Keating become one of the most important leaders in the wine industry. She explains why leadership is helping teams “see in the dark”. www.the-buyer.net/opinion/flin...

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