Fifth annual London Cocktail Week expects to attract 25,000 people

The fifth annual London Cocktail Week, scheduled for October 6 -12, 2014, is expected to draw up to 25,000 attendees throughout the week.

Bombay Sapphire opens distillery doors tomorrow

The new Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire is set to open its doors to the public tomorrow for the very first time.

Tesco debt and credit ratings in question following accounting crisis

Tesco's senior unsecured long-term debt rating and its short-term credit rating was placed "on review for a downgrade" by credit rating agency Moody's Investor Service following the announcement that it had overstated its profits for the first six months by an estimated £250 million.

Moët & Chandon joins Europe's celebrations at the Ryder Cup

Europe's victory in this weekend's Ryder Cup brought smiles not only to golf fans across the continent, but to the marketing team at Moët & Chandon whose sponsorship of the event resulted in priceless images of the winning team celebrating with its Champagne appearing in the international press around the world.

Aldi announces record 65% jump in profits as it attracts 1m new customers

Aldi, the German hard discount chain, has returned record sales in the UK with profits up 65% and the promise of even more price cuts that are acting as a wrecking ball through the figures of the major multiples.

International Wine Challenge 2015 open for entries

The International Wine Challenge 2015 is now accepting entries from the first tranche of applicants from now until October 30, 2014.

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.

Glenmorangie releases first 'crowd-sourced' whisky

Glenmorangie is releasing its first 'crowd-sourced' whisky today, which is a limited 12,000 bottle production called Taghta.

Copestick Murray to be exclusive distributor of Lisa McGuigan Wines in European markets

Copestick Murray announced today they will be the exclusive distributor in European markets for Australian wine brands Lisa McGuigan Wines.

Northcote retains title of Sud de France Sommelier of the Year

Tamus Czinki, head sommelier of Michelin-starred restaurant, Northcote near Blackburn, Lancashire, has been named Sud de France Sommelier of the Year for 2014.

British Bottle Company offers expert export service for UK drinks

The British Bottle Company is a new specialist export business dedicated to helping British drinks, including English wine, craft beers and artisanal spirits, gain distribution in key export markets around the world.

Mitchells & Butlers adds 195 sites in past year

Mitchells & Butlers, one of the largest operators within the UK market, has been quietly growing the number of site throughout the year and has added 195 new sites over the past year.

Today's SITT London tasting offers masterclasses on Italy and the Rhône

Wine Vision 2014 turns spotlight onto the wine and consumers of the future

The future of wine, from emerging markets to evolving consumers, will be up for debate at this year's second Wine Vision event which takes place in November.

Tesco fast tracks new finance chief to help with fall out from profit crisis

Tesco has pushed the start date forward of its new chief financial officer Alan Stewart to October 1 instead of December 1 after the fallout of yesterday's misstatement of profits.

Salentein hopes to win over independents with new premium Argentinian wine range

Salentein, the Argentinian wine producer, is to release a new premium range of wines to the UK including it icon wine, Gran Vu Blend, which it hopes to gain distribution across the on-trade and independent sectors.

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

Scotch whisky exports plummet 11% in first half of 2014

Scotch whisky exports have fallen 11% to £1.77 billion in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period last year, with the finger being pointed at "economic headwinds and uncertainty".

RumFest aims to break rum tasting world record

RumFest in London is aiming to break the record for the world's biggest ever rum tasting with over 700 people tasting a selection of six rums on October 9.

Independents and suppliers come together for Harpers Best Practice debate

Leading independent wine merchants are suppliers are to come together next month to take part in an open Harpers debate to look further at ways in which they can work closer and more effectively together.