Andrew Catchpole: A promising year for the wine trade

Consumer confidence - and spend - is on the up, a stronger pound is easing the path for UK buyers, and time has seemingly been called by the multiples on an era of heavy discounting, with range cuts also playing into the hands of adventurous independents selling on the contrasting breadth of their portfolio.

Sipsmith to open Swan on a Hot Gin Roof pop-up bar in Soho

London's award-winning Sipsmith gin distillery has partnered with Soho's Ham Yard Hotel for a winter pop-up bar on the hotel's exclusive fourth-floor roof terrace.

Successful Christmas launch for Bar 44 online retail service

Bar 44, the Welsh tapas bar and restaurant group, has successfully launched an online store to complement its existing customer offer.

Justerini & Brooks signs exclusive deal with Château Unang

Fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks has been appointed the new, sole agents for boutique Rhône winery Château Unang.

Christopher Cooper: The rise of the drinks expert entrepreneur

Christopher Cooper has worked in the restaurant scene for over a decade, but it all prepared him to launch his own drinks start-up. Here are some of the lessons he learned along the way.

London hipster district gets capital's first fine-wine burger restaurant

London's fashionable Dalston district is about to get the capital's first burger and fine-wine restaurant.

Flint looks to Brooklyn's Red Hook for latest US winery listing

On-trade supplier Flint Wines has signed an exclusive deal to add Brooklyn's Red Hook Winery to its US portfolio.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Nik Darlington, Red Squirrel Wine

For founder of Red Squirrel Wine, Nik Darlington, 2015 was a year of tremendous growth. Next year Darlington is looking forward to getting his wines even further around the UK. He sees that in 2016 the way forward, although challenging, will be through building a loyal and sustainable customer base.

ALERT: Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme in Force from 1 January 2016

From the 1 January 2016 HMRC will introduce the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) to tackle alcohol fraud. Cindy Dorrington of Bivonas Law asseses the implication for the trade. 

November leisure spend falls as Britons watch spending in lead up to Christmas

Last month the average British household spent £188.41 on out of home leisure, which is a decrease of £5 (2%) year-on-year and a £17 (8%) decrease compared to October according to the Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Roger Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn

The celebrated Roger Jones of Michelin-star restaurant The Harrow at Little Bedwyn had a great 2015 with sales up 20%! He

Newly launched iSommelier device receives innovation award

The iSommelier, a 'smart' decanter which reduces aeration time for a wine from hours to minutes, has been awarded the 2015 Innovation Trophy.

Australia Day Tastings revealed for London, Dublin and Edinburgh

Wine Australia has announced the dates of its Australia Day Tastings for 2016.

Searcys St Pancras celebrates Christmas with Cocoflake hybrid

Analysis: Is BYOB set to rise in the UK on-trade?

With consumers increasingly expectant of value for money while dining out, it begs the important question of whether the market for BYOB is poised to grow in 2016?

Matthew Clark predicts adventurous 2016 for consumers

Leading online distributor Matthew Clark is predicting that UK consumers will become yet more inquisitive in 2016.

Manchester pub smashes own world record for varieties of gin

The Old Bell Inn in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, has added a 600th variety of gin to its list.

First finalists for Diageo Reserve World Class UK 2016 revealed

Diageo Reserve has announced the first five UK finalists for its World Class UK 2016 competition, which aims to find the best bartender in the UK.

UK on-trade failing to keep up in battle against under-age drinking

The UK on-trade needs to do more to contend with the problem of under-age drinking, according to a new survey released this week.

Insight: Coffee shop by day and wine bar by night outlets are hot

Coffee operators are turning their focus from daytime-only trade to the evening opportunity, including alcohol sales. Jo Bruce looks at the trend for serving skinny lattes alongside Sauvignon Blanc.