Now or never call by WSTA's Miles Beale for trade to back Drop the Duty campaign

With less than three weeks to go before the Budget, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, has made an empassioned appeal to the industry to act now and get fully behind its campaign to persuade the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty by 2% in his March Budget.

Major trade figures urge whole industry to act now and back the Drop the Duty campaign

Senior trade figures are rallying around the Drop the Duty campaign and urging everyone in the sector to play their part and lobby their MP to call on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty rates by 2% in the March Budget.

Champagne Jayne supporters launch fundraising effort to pay legal fees

Online and c-store shopping will drive global wine sales says ProWein and Wine Intelligence

Online and convenience shopping will be the two key channels that wine companies and prducers will have to target in the future in the major global wine markets, according to new research from ProWein and Wine Intelligence. 

Jerry Lockspeiser reviews the "inspiring" An Unlikely Vineyard by Deidre Heekin

Jerry Lockspeiser gives his assessment of the new book by Deidre Heekin: An Unlikely Vineyard.

Ex-Tesco director David Potts named as new Morrisons chief executive

Morrisons has named former Tesco director, David Potts, as its new chief executive following weeks of speculation of who would succeed Dalton Phillips who announced he was stepping down in January.

Restaurant and bar owners confident about future says news CGA Peach study

Up to 90% of pub, bar and restaurant owners are optimistic about their businesses in the year ahead despite ongoing concerns about staff costs and finding a niche in the market, according to latest research from CGA Peach.

March for Indies: 10 ways to boost sales and business through Twitter

Twittter is no longer just a way to communicate, keep in touch and build your audience, it can also really help to drive sales and bring new and existing customers to your business.

Reka Haros, Sfriso Winery: five key steps to take when selling direct to consumers

Reka Haros, who runs the Sfriso family winery in Italy, offers more advice on how wineries, producers and wine businesses can successfully go direct to their customers.

Australia needs a strategy that speaks for all its wine industry says Wine Business Solutions

The quickest way for the Australian wine industry to achieve the effective and lasting changes it seeks is to implement a strategy that does not just speak for the big corporations, but works for all levels, according to leading research body Wine Business Solutions.

Matthew Clark brings in 30 new producers to meet market and customer demands

George Clooney hopes to make a star out of his Casamigos premium tequila in the UK

England and New Zealand sparkling wines go head to head in a "Battle of the Bubbles"

Competition between English and New Zealand sparkling wine came to a head last week as the two countries tied in a blind-tasting organised to coincide with the Cricket World Cup.

Burgundy MSC students romp home in "Oenology Challenge" with Plumpton College

MSC students at Burgundy's School of Wine & Spirts came out top last week in an "Oenology Challenge" competition with winemaking students at Plumpton College.

How video will be the norm in wine marketing within three years says Matthew Dickinson

Following last week's web video masterclass and seminar hosted by Google and YouTube for members of the UK wine trade and students from Burgundy's School of Wine Business, wine consultant Matthew Dickinson gives his personal summary and looks at how video is going to change the way the wine industry communicates.

SITT tastings for independents come to Manchester and London

Independent wine merchants are flocking to Manchester's Old Trafford today for the start of the Specialist Independent Trade Tasting (SITT).

CAMRA claims cut in beer duty has saved over 1,000 pubs and created 26,000 jobs

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) is calling on the government to cut the beer duty for the third year in a row as a report out today highlights the boost scrapping the duty escalator in last year's Budget has given the industry.

March for Independents: Action Week 4 offers data and insights to help drive profits

As we enter the final Action Week of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on the market trends, insights and data that will help independent wine merchants ensure they have the rights wines and spirits on shelf at the right price.

Wine industry needs to rethink the way it uses video hears Google social media seminar

Wine businesses need to rethink use of online video to engage with consumers, a leading wine academic has said.

All female-panel selects the winners in the 2015 Argentina Wine Awards

An all-female line up of international judges have voted for the winners in the 2015 Argentina wine awards.