Hardys still UK biggest wine brand for 2014

The annual review looks at the 100 biggest alcohol brands in the off-trade and found that over the last year UK consumers spent £400 million more on alcohol, an increase of 5% and consumed more than 70.3 million litres, an increase of 3.3%.

YouGov poll: public profiles of Aldi and Lidl have never been stronger

The public appeal and profile of hard discounters, Aldi and Lidl, has never been stronger, according to the results of a YouGov poll.

Marks & Spencer's Japanese wine is going down well with shoppers

The first Japanese wine to be listed by a UK supermarket has proved popular with shoppers at larger Marks & Spencer (M&S) stores. Sol Lucet Koshu was launched in May in limited quantities, retails at £12.99 for 750ml, and has an abv of 11.5%. Sales have been 'really good', M&S told Harpers.

Tesco to replace chief executive, Philip Clarke, with outsider from Unilever

Chief of the Week: The Wirral

OK I may be biased having been brought up, schooled, educated and shown the way to a good life on the Wirral, but this week's Open golf championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake only reminds me of what a wonderful place it is.

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson win Independent Merchants of the year at IWC 2014

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson Wine were named Large and Small Independent Merchant of the Year at last night's International Wine Challenge awards dinner. 

French dominate Winemakers of the Year at the IWC 2014

France dominated the overall winemaker awards at last night's International Wine Challenge dinner picking up three of the main five prizes handed out.

Glenrothes introduces a reserve edition matured in sherry casks from Jerez

The Glenrothes, the Speyside distillery, is releasing  a new expression that has been matured in specified sherry casks in Jerez, southern Spain.

Special Yorkshire liqueur recreated in honour of the Brontë family

Sir James Aykroyd, former chairman of Speyside Distillers, has recreated a special liqueur in honour of the Brontë family and their home in Yorkshire.

Beautiful South offers themed tastings and winemaker debates on Chile, Argentina and South Africa

A central "meet the winemaker" themed area will be the central focus for this September's combined Beautiful South tasting featuring wines from Chile, South Africa and Argentina.

Casillero del Diablo's Wine Legend tour to reach one million people

Casillero del Diablo kicked off its Wine Legend UK tour on July 10, 2014 in the hope of promoting the brand to one million UK consumers on its branded bus tour.

England's failure results in poor World Cup for beer and cider brands

Later kick off times and England's poor performance combined to have a knock-on effect on what were disappointing sales of beers and lagers during the first half of the World Cup, according to the latest Nielsen data.

The Ledbury named as London's "Ultimate" restaurant for third year running

The Ledbury has scored a hat-trick of wins in the Ultimate Restaurant List 2014 which picks its winners based on an aggregate of all other dining awards and ratings.

Your chance to enter and nominate brands for the Harpers Global Design Awards

If you have seen or worked with an exciting new drinks in the last 12 months then you can now nominate them to receive special recognition in the Harpers Global Design Awards.

Scotland win the World Cup...Harpers Predictions game!

James Macdonald of Burlington Drinks can hold his head up high today as the canniest, wisest football tipster in the UK wine and spirits industry as he came out top in the Harpers World Cup Predictathon.

T.E.D signs up ethical wine suppliers for new sustainable restaurant

John Williams at Frog's Leap on the changing face of Californian winemaking

Reflecting on the recent period of uncertainty for this year's vintage in Napa Valley as a result of drought conditions in California, Katherine Canfield catches up with Frog's Leap winemaker, John Williams, in Rutherford to discuss how approaches to winemaking in the region are changing.

UK spirits market is "more polarised than ever" says new William Grant & Sons report

Tesco Wine Fairs set to attact 15,000 visitors to shows this autumn

Tesco Wine Fairs are set to return this coming autumn at five locations throughout the UK, including a switch to Earls Court in London to cope with the expected increase in visitors.

World Cup drinks sales to top £1bn but dry up as tournament reaches its end

As we enter the final stage of the World Cup it seems the great British public is ready to put down its pint glass as well as turn off the football on television.