'Among wine lovers the goal should be simply appreciation'

So Decanter is 50. Early summer 1975, west London: the first issue of Decanter is taking shape, all scissors and the smell of Cow gum. The concept is new; a colourful consumer magazine for people serious about their wine but not claiming to be experts. I'm drafting an article (sadly I've lost it) intended to entertain first and enlighten second. And just down the road more scissors and Cow gum are putting together another new magazine: The Garden.

- HUGH JOHNSON

As well as being a confirmed toper I have a bit of a name as a tiller of the soil. Also as a magazine man. I started my career on Vogue and for two heady years succeeded the notorious Jocelyn Stevens as editor of Queen. At the time the financial world was in poor shape: 1974 was Oil Crisis year. The RHS was feeling shaky; I was given the responsibility of transforming its (frankly boring) Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, then in its 100th annual volume, into a magazine for all gardeners - or at least all aspiring and literate ones.