Australian initiative to asses viability of its wineries

With Australia suffering its worst ever grape glut a new initiative has been unveiled to help drain the country's wine lake.

Winning retailers lined up for first Top Merchants day

Corks Out, Arthur Rackham and Oxford Wine Company will be three of the keynote speakers at the first Top Merchants business day being held by Harpers Wine & Spirit and sponsors GIV at the Malmaison hotel in Birmingham on February 8.

Absolut and Spike Jonze collaborate on short film

Absolut has launched a creative collaboration with director Spike Jonze which will premier at the Sundance Film Festival this week.

Asia's wine consumption to increase by 25% in five years

Asia's wine consumption is set to grow by 25% in the next five years in stark contrast to a predicted fall in European wine drinking, according to new figures released today by Vinexpo.

DIAM wine closures judged Natamycin free

The fungal antibiotic, Natamycin that was found in a number of South American and South African wines was ruled not to have been connected to the DIAM closure.

McKeon gets top Asda drinks job

Asda has appointed Adrian McKeon as its new BWS category director.

Portman hits back at ad attack

The Portman Group has defended self-regulation of drinks advertising by the industry after a report in the British Medical Journal said that regulations on the advertising and marketing of alcoholic drinks are failing.

WSTA appoints new policy manager

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has appointed Laura Davies as its new policy manager.

Laithwaites re-launches website

Diageo wins court case against Intercontinental Brands

WSTA questions mandatory code

FQR franchisees braced for independence

Most of the 88 franchised stores licensed by First Quench Retailing are expected to continue as independent off-licences, it has been confirmed.

Chablis winners announced

Hillebrand buys drinks logistics rival

Specialist drinks shipper ABV Logistics has been bought by JF Hillebrand.

Scots bigger drinkers than English or Welsh

Scottish people drink 25% more alcohol than English or Welsh and the gap is increasing according to a National Health Service survey.

Alastair Stevens, founder of Stevens Garnier, dies after long illness

Alastair Stevens, the founder of wine agency Stevens Garnier, has died peacefully at home after a long illness.

Silvano Giraldin joins Just Great Wine

Silvano Giraldin has joined British wine merchant Just Great Wine as a consultant.

Great Western joins Environment Agency scheme and considers appeal

Great Western Wine has come to a legal understanding and agreement with the Environment Agency to meet its reclycing commitments following an initial £35,000 fine which it is now considering appealing.

UK wine market sees steady growth

The light wine market has grown faster than any other major category of alcoholic drinks over the last 10 years, according to a consumer survey.

Johnnie Walker gets intense

Diageo is launching a new variant of the world's number Scotch whisky brand called Johnnie Walker Double Black.