Shortlist for Harpers French Wine Awards announced

The shortlist for the 2014 Harpers French Wine Awards are released today with the likes of Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, The Sampler, Daniel Lambert, Tim Atkin MW and Gerrard Basset MW MS fighting it out for the main awards.

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

Wine importer Red Squirrel sees wholesale business grow fivefold in three months

Chiswick wine importer Red Squirrel Wine has seen its wholesale business take off after it beefed up its portfolio and revamped its logo and website.

What's on at SITT Autumn: Andrew Steel from Connoisseur Estates

Andrew Steel, director of Connoisseur Estates, a UK wine agency, tells Harpers.co.uk, what to expect on his stand today at the SITT Autumn Tasting held at the Royal Horticulture Halls in London.

What to expect at SITT Autumn: Forth Wines

Scottish distributor, Forth Wines, explains what visitors can expect on its stand at SITT Autumn taking place at the Royal Horticutural Halls in London on September 24.

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.

KWV relaunches UK distribution strategy by switching from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green

KWV, the South African wine giant, is to switch its UK distribution from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green as it looks to reposition itself in the UK with a targeted multiple and independent retail strategy.

What to expect at SITT Autumn: Steven Gerrard, Barwell & Jones

In a first of a series of interviews with suppliers exhibiting at next week's London SITT tasting for independent merchants and the on-trade we ask Barwell & Jones managing director, Steven Gerrard, what visitors can expect on their stand.

What to expect at SITT Autumn: Richard Dudley Craig, Dudley Craig Wines

Here Richard Dudley Craig explains what Dudley Craig Wines will have on show at the SITT Autumn tasting on September 24 at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

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.

New York merchant named Best Independent in the World in Jancis Robinson competition

wNew York independent wine merchant, Chambers Street Wines, has been named the Best Independent Retailer in the World in a competition run by Jancis Robinson MW.

Wines of Beautiful South to return in 2016 as South Africa switches focus to Cape Wine

The combined Chile, Argentina and South Africa Wines of the Beautiful South tasting will not take place next year as South Africa switches its attention to Cape Wine. But Chile and Argentina will continue to work together with a joint South American tasting sometime in London in 2015.

Wine should follow Top Gear's example and look to entertain not educate

The wine industry should look at the massive success of BBC's Top Gear in how to make a potentially complex subject entertaining to the public, according to advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty.

Advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty, slams "truly appalling" wine industry

Team Cox complete Médoc Marathon and raise £16k for drinks charities

Ex-Oddbins boss, Simon Baile, says standalone wine retailing not sustainable

Former Oddbins-supremo Simon Baile says there's no future in the world of standalone wine retailing, and has changed his model to include food and entertainment.

Independent merchants have key role to play in lobbying MPs for duty changes, says WSTA

Independent wine merchants have a key role to play in persuading local MPs to listen to the wine and spirits industry's calls for an effective cut in alcohol duty levels at the 2015 Budget.

A "united" industry effort can force a 2% cut in duty, claims WSTA's Miles Beale

Independents all set for September's Specialist Importers Trade Tasting

Next week's SITT (Specialist Importers Trade Tasting) promises another sell out event offering independent wine merchants, restaurants, bars, pubs and sommeliers the chance to taste wines specifically targeted at them from around the world. 

Your view: the impact of Scottish independence on the drinks trade

With only three more days to go until the big Scottish independence vote we ask the UK wine and spirits industry what it thinks will be the best outcome for individual businesses and look at some of the big issues that might arise after the Yes/No vote. Will alcohol duty rates differ in an independent Scotland? And how would drinks firms cope with trading in separate currencies north and south of the border? What do you think is the right future for Scotland and the rest of the country. Take part in our poll and let's find out...