Christmas Report: why wine has reasons to be merry

It's that time again. With more than a third of wine sales coming through in the 12 weeks of Christmas, the trade is nervously checking the weather forecast and gauging the mood among consumers as shoppers prepare to fill their stockings, writes Gemma McKenna.

Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

Quintessential hires former Edrington exec William Ovens

Quintessential Brands Company, which distributes Blooms and Greenall's gins, has appointed William Ovens, former Edrington executive to the role of international commercial director.

Diageo agrees to sell Bushmills whiskey as part of Tequila Don Julio deal

Diageo has agreed a deal with Jose Cuervo that would see it acquire Tequila Don Julio in exchange for its Bushmills Irish whiskey.

Virgin Wines wants to be Interflora of wine gifting

Online wine retailer Virgin Wines is looking to "own" the wine gifts market with its new gifting service which includes options from £20 to £150.

Aperol celebrates success as sales rocket 800% at Waitrose

Italian aperitif brand Aperol is gaining a strong foothold in the UK market, as sales of the drink shot up 800% at Waitrose in the last year.

Public health experts call for calorie labelling for beers, wines and spirits

The drinks industry faces renewed calls for calorie labelling on drinks, following research which shows strong public backing for the measure and a lack of consumer awareness on how calorific drinks can be.

Trade reacts to the Bibendum PLB merger

Rival suppliers and potential customers of the new Bibendum PLB group have been unsurprised by the news of the merger, given tough market conditions, with most saying further consolidation in the supply chain is on the cards.

Armagnac Academies expands to China

French brandy Armagnac is setting its sights on China with the launch of its Armagnac Acadamies there later this month. 

Beam Suntory names Rebecca Asseline as Courvoisier ambassador

Rebecca Asseline has been appointed the global brand ambassador for Courvoisier.

Bibendum acquires PLB to create 'UK's most powerful independent' drinks supplier

Bibendum, one of the UK's largest wine and spirits distributors has acquired major rival, PLB, for an undisclosed sum and is merging both businesses, as of today, October 29, into the Bibendum PLB Group, Harpers.co.uk can reveal.

Analysis: The new Bibendum PLB supergroup

Bibendum's acquisition of UK drinks rival PLB and the merger of both businesses has created a supergroup, complete with five divisions, catering to the on and off-trades, independents, specialist beer and spirits and events sectors.

Tia Maria liqueur teams up with beauty brand Babyliss

Tia Maria has teamed up with beauty brand Babyliss as part of its multi-million pound campaign to boost brand awareness.

Diageo launches on-trade winter spirits campaign

Diageo is looking to help bartenders cash in on the 39% sales increase spirits enjoy in wintertime with a new campaign based on 'inspiring serves'.

English gin grows in western Europe, says Euromonitor

English gin consumption has been dominated primarily by the US, Spain and the UK, but Euromonitor is beginning to see signs of change as the product becomes more popular in Western Europe.

Treasury and Mast- Jägermeister join Portman Group

Minimum pricing still on agenda with Public Health England

Minimum pricing could be back on the UK government's agenda sooner than expected, as Public Health England vows to keep pushing for the measure in the next 18 months.

Burgundy's School of Wine & Spirits Business enrolment rises 30%

Burgundy School of Business's recently launched School of Wine & Spirits Business (SWBS) saw the number of students rise by 30% to nearly 140 students for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Berry Bros releases Exceptional Cask Collection going back 50 years

Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits is releasing a series of exclusive bottlings of whisky and rum that have been matured for 50 years as part of its new Exceptional Casks Collection.

Waitrose predicts healthy future for South American and lighter style wines and spirits

South American wines and more left field grape varieties like an Austrian Grüner Veltliner or a Spanish Albarino are going to become far more trendy in the months ahead, according to the new Waitrose Food and Drink Report 2014.