New Zealand wine exports grow 9.2%

New Zealand wine exports topped NZ$1.3 billion annually for the first time in March, up 9.2% on the previous year, according to figures from Statistics New Zealand.

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby retires

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby is to retire after a 15-year career at the drinks distributor.

McWilliam's revamps entire wine range to stand out in "staid" Australian category

Naked Wines turns to London Stock Exchange to help its next phase of growth

Naked Wines is preparing for the next stage in its rapid growth by joining a London Stock Exchange business support programme.

Hallgarten outsources logistics to London City Bond

Hallgarten Druitt and Novum Wines has switched its in-house warehousing operations to London City Bond.

Menopausal women are the target for new US wine brand - Hot Flash Wines

A new wine business targeting menopausal women has been set up in the United States called Hot Flash Wines.

Drinks trade on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol

The drinks industry is on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the market by the end of 2015, according to a report by the Department of Health.

Katherine Canfield on a new US wine business targeting menoposaul women

The important role women play in the future of wine - and the drinks industry as a whole - is undeniable; however, this critical demographic continues to be elusive for many in the trade. Wine businesses have attempted to fill this gap in their customer base with new marketing strategies, such as the calorie-focused marketing for wines and cocktails employed by US alcohol brand Skinnygirl Cocktails

Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling launches in Tesco Express

Germany's well-known Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling wine has grown its UK supermarket distribution with a Tesco Express listing at around 1,000 stores.

Jon Bonné of San Francisco Chronicle on how American wine is changing

Jon Bonné, wine editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, tells Anne Krebiehl at last week's New California tasting how what constitutes a good American wine is changing radically as new consumers start experimenting more.  

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

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.

English wine producer Chapel Down sees sales fall after recent poor grape harvests

English wine and beer producer, Chapel Down, suffered a 24% sales volume drop due to smaller yields from the 2011 and 2012 grape harvests. It has, though, increased overall sales revenue by 4% by raising the average selling price of its wines by 10% during the past financial year.

Kingsland Wine & Spirits ditches Legacy name

Manchester-based Kingsland Wine & Spirits and Legacy Wines will now be known as Kingsland after stakeholders called for the name to be simplified.

Enotria recruits Troy Christensen as chief executive as Alison Levett leaves

Ex-Accolade Wines boss Troy Christensen is taking up the role of chief executive at Enotria, following  Alison Levett's departure.

Bulk wine driven by price not green issues

Wine buyers who justify bulk shipping by citing the green argument are simply 'ticking boxes' when price is driving sales, say industry experts.

Pernod Ricard to buy California's Kenwood Vineyards

Pernod Ricard is strengthening its US business with the purchase of Kenwood Vineyards in California's Sonoma Valley from F Korbel & Bros.

South Africa's 2014 wine harvest set for 'mild decline'

South Africa's harvest is set for a "mild decline" in 2014, as the picking season draws to an end.

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.

Fladgate releases three 2012 vintage ports

The Fladgate Partnership has declared the release of three 2012 vintage Ports from Taylor's Quinta do Vargellas, Fonseca's Guimaraens and Croft's QUinta do Roêda on St George's Day.