Brexit is a chance to "simplify" international trade agreements, says Taylors Wines MD

At last week's WSTA conference, CEO Mile Beale announced the association is already starting to lay the groundwork for post-Brexit trade agreements by entering into discussions with counterparts in Australia and New Zealand.

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 put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Sipsmith launches quarterly subscription service

Artisanal gin company Sipsmith has launched a quarterly subscription service for consumers following a successful trial.

Jascots focuses expansion on Italy and Spain ranges

Jascots Wine Merchants rolled out 47 news wines at its autumn trade held on Tuesday 20 September 2016, with a focused expansion on Italian and Spanish wines.

New Diageo president for merged US and Canada spirits business

Smirnoff producer Diageo has named a new chairman for its North American and Canadian spirits businesses, uniting the two territories.

English sparkling wine had its best summer yet, says Vivino

English sparkling wine hit an all time high in the UK this summer, according to wine app, Vivino.

National Champagne Week aiming to improve Champagne's approachability

National Champagne Week returns for the fourth time next month, aiming to bring the ever popular French fizz to a new audience.

The Drinks Wholesaler: A little of what they like

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

Australia presents artisanal credentials to UK trade at Shoreditch tasting

Cargo nightclub in Shoreditch saw 23 boutique and artisanal winemakers showing some 220 wines to the UK's independently minded on- and off-trade at the inaugural Artisans of Australian Wine tasting on 20 September.

Tesco on top as UK supermarkets fight back

For the first time in at least two years, the UK's leading supermarkets experienced two consecutive months of growth in both money taken at the till and volume of goods sold.

Shares plunge 25% at Majestic following profit warning

Shares of Britain's largest specialist wine retailer plummeted this morning following an announcement from the company that it expects profits to fall far below expectations in 2017.

Enotria&Coe to host panel discussion with female game-changers

Wholesaler and importer Enotria&Coe are hosting a panel discussion and tasting with a line-up of top women working in wine.

Rising stars to appear at first Sud de France tasting since Occitanie extension

The body which overseas an promotes premium wines from the southern France, is due to hold its first annual tasting since the Occitanie region was extended to include both the Languedoc-Roussillon and the Sud Ouest.

Training with the WSET: Climbing the education ladder

As most people in the trade will tell you, learning about wines and spirits is the Mastermind specialist subject you never stop prepping for.

Tuscany: 300 years on and it is still evolving

It has been 300 years since Cosimo III de' Medici first drew up his Bando delineating four wine producing areas in Tuscany and it was through this lens that Liberty Wines hosted the "Beyond the Bando" tasting yesterday in London.

Condor Wines expands South American portfolio with Wines of Uruguay partnership

Chilean and Argentinean wine specialist Condor Wines and Wines of Uruguay UK have formed a partnership to become one of the UK's top specialist importers of premium South American wines.

Chapel Down launches in the US

Spanish wine producers see opportunity in the on-trade ahead of promising harvest

At a Spanish-focused tasting hosted by Boutinot today in London, producers, many just starting harvest, are optimistic about this year's crop and the opportunity in the UK for Spanish wines.

Chile's Santa Rita welcomes new winemaker

Viña Santa Rita has announced the appointment of Oscar Salas as head winemaker of the Santa Rita 120 tier of wines.

South African wine reaches all time high at auction

Prices at the 42nd annual Nederburg Auction reached all all-time high at the weekend.