Diageo's incubator spirits firm doubles number of places for 2015 applicants

Angel investor firm Distill Ventures will double the number of places available in its accelerator programme that helps new and growing spirits entrepreneurs launch and expand their brands and businesses.

Tesco and Morrisons stocks rate of return declines by around 30%

Both Tesco (LSE:TSCO) and Morrisons (LSE: MRW) stocks rate of return have declined by nearly 30% over the past year, further signalling the challenges that middle priced grocery chains are facing in the supermarket price wars.

Constellation Brands to buy Casa Noble Tequila to grow spirits offering

Constellation Brands announced last week its plans to acquire the Casa Noble Holdings tequila brands

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Bowmore and Glenmorangie both raise a dram to increased profits and sales

Morrison Bowmore Distillers, a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, and Glenmorangie Company, part of LVMH, both saw sales and profits grow last year, only further confirming the "hot" streak that whisky is currently having

Renaissance Pubs moves into hospitality

Tom Peake, Mark Reynolds and Nick Fox of Renaissance Pubs have not had much time for lying in bed recently. They have been even busier than usual. They relaunched the iconic Battersea pub, The Latchmere in May and are now renting out six rooms above its Kennington Cross pub The Tommyfield. Harpers caught up with Peake, the "new projects" junkie of the group, to see how its new ventures are working out.

EU and US sanctions unlikely to harm the Russian Vodka industry

Australian wine companies to gain better protection with joint agreement with Woolworths

Australian wine producers are set to gain better protection with the signing of the "Good Wine Buyer and Suppler Principles: A Code of Fairness and Transparency'' with Australia's biggest wine retailer Woolworths Liquor Group (WLG).

William Grant & Sons invests in new global whisky innovation role

William Grant & Sons has promoted Kevin Abrook to become the company's first global whisky specialist for innovation and will start his new role on September 1.

Matriarch and co-founder of Yellow Tail and Casella Family Brands dies

Maria Casella, the co-founder of Casella Family Brands and its flagship brand, Yellow Tail, died on August 10, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.

Discover new wine producing areas at September's Emerging Regions Tasting

The Emerging Regions Tasting, to be held on September 3, 2014 in London, is geared to help raise awareness around emerging region producers and promises to offer buyers the opportunity to unearth some wines that have yet to be discovered in the UK.

Cape Legends is pushing the premium wine boundaries in South Africa

South Africa's wine industry is changing and the premium wine segment is no exception. Harpers.co.uk talks to the leaders who are pushing the boundaries of Distell's premium wine portfolio, Cape Legends.

The Smith Report: Exchange rate is it a friend or foe?

The Smith Report takes a look at the opportunities for wine producers in South Africa, where its currency exchange has proven to be both its best friend and its worst enemy.

Treasury Wine Estates confirms it is in the middle of a bidding war

Treasury Wine Estates issued a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange saying a third global private equity firm has made a proposed bid for the struggling wine conglomerate to buy all outstanding shares for the price of $5.20 cash per share.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

South African wine under the microscope

South Africa may be known for its value-for-money wine, but the country is vying for a spot in more premium territory, as Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith find out

Wine not expected to be affected by Russian sanctions

The rising political tensions between the EU and Russia and the subsequent sanctions against the country may not have an impact on EU wine imports.

Euromonitor finds alcoholic drinks not as price sensitive as trade believes

Euromonitor says the alcoholic drinks industry as a whole is far less price sensitive than the trade has come to believe. 

Humphrey Bogart's Real English Gin set for US launch

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine." Humphery Bogart as Rick Blaine, Casablanca.

Diageo names Charles Joly World's Best Bartender

Diageo's sixth annual global world's best bartender competition came to a close last week with Charles Joly from the US beating 47 other mixologists in a week long series of challenges held across London.