Harpers Awards announces its finalists for 2014

Restaurants, bars, sommeliers, multiple grocers, drinks websites, independent wine merchants, suppliers and brand owners will all come together on June 2 in the hope of winning a trophy at the Harpers Awards 2014.

BrewDog's co-founder James Watt attacks Portman Group and dismisses its rulings

BrewDog guilty of breaking Portman Group marketing rules for Dead Pony pale ale

BrewDog, the maverick has fallen foul of the Portman Group's alcohol marketing rules for its Dead Pony Club pale ale brand which was found to encourage "both anti-social behaviour and rapid drinking".

BBC's Graham Norton make his own wine to raise money for Elton John Aids Foundation

When you settle down tonight to watch the Graham Norton show on BBC1 you might like to know the wine he and his guests drink will soon be helping to raise money to combat Aids as part of the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Retail industry boosted by strong spring and Easter sales

Overall retail sales continue to grow strongly and will pick up further in May, according to the CBI's latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey.

BrewDog to open craft beer shop

BrewDog, the maverick Scottish independent brewer, is looking to bring its definitive edgy style to the high street with the opening of its a retail store, BottleDog, which will specialise in craft beers at its first site in London.  

Brazilian nightclub to open in Battersea in time for the World Cup

Cocobananas is a new Brazilian nightclub that is set to open in Battersea, south London in time for people to celebrate the World Cup.

Wine growing in the UK guide to be published

The first practical guide on growing wine grapes in England and across the UK has been written by acclaimed English wine expert, Stephen Skelton MW.

Tesco offers online shoppers hundreds of pounds a year in savings

Tesco has ramped up the stakes in grocery online retailing by offering potentially hundreds of pounds a year in savings to customers looking to get their shopping delivered to their homes.

Future of global rum category up for debate

Two of the leading personalities within the spirits industry will openly debate the future of the global rum category in London next month for the latest annual Distillers Debate organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Michel Bataille, president of Foncalieu, on its new export strategy and plans for the UK

Michel Bataille tells Richard Siddle how he hopes Foncalieu's new export strategy will help promote wines from all price points from the Languedoc-Roussillon to the UK on- and off-trades.

English Wine Week unveils new brand and image for 2014

A new logo has been produced to help English Wine Producers promote and celebrate English Wine Week which takes place between May 24 and June 1 across the UK. 

Interview: John Osborne's sets out his vision for PLB

It may only have been three months since John Osborne became PLB's managing director, but it's a role he has been working towards his entire career. He talks about the challenges and opportunities facing him, PLB and the industry.

ProWein: What the trade thought of the 2014 show

Last month it seemed like the entire UK wine trade had decamped to Düsseldorf for ProWein. The Harpers team was there to find out what key trends emerged and why the show is now so important.

Richard Siddle: ?We've milliseconds to make a difference

Richard Siddle reflects on encouraging signs he saw for the UK wine trade at ProWein.

Have we made an (April) fool out of you?

Just in case you have not realised, but we thought it was only fair to own up and admit a couple of the stories on today's news feed are not quite what they seem.

Les Dauphins becomes a million bottle brand in the UK and around the world

Les Dauphins, the Rhone brand from Cellier des Dauphins, is now selling over a million bottles in the UK and a million bottles around the world as it continues to expand in to new countries.

MW students to be voted either "in" or "out" by final BBC Voice-style judging panel

Final year Masters of Wine students will have to face the wine trade's equivalent of the BBC's The Voice in order to stand a chance of being accepted in to the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Heston Blumenthal to take Fat Duck and Dinner to Melbourne

Heston Blumenthal is to close his three Michelin star restaurant, the Fat Duck, and re-open it in Melbourne, Australia as part of a six-month deal with the Crown Melbourne Resort. When it returns to the UK it will be replaced by his other UK Michelin restaurant, Dinner.

Over 200 restaurants, bars and merchants back natural wine in April for Real Wine Fair

Natural and biodynamic wines are being included on over 200 wine lists and shelves of independent merchants throughout April as part of a nationwide promotion to bring attention to the Real Wine Fair that takes place in London on April 13-14.