New Zealand vineyards to be 20% organic by 2020

Organic wine producers in New Zealand have announced that 20% of the country's vineyards will be organic by the year 2020.

Pernod sells New Zealand wine brands

Pernod Ricard has sold Lindauer, its New Zealand wine brand, to Lion Nathan and Indevin.

Camel Valley - grab it while you can

As demand steadily ramps up for English wines, Camel Valley Vineyard in Cornwall is capitalising in time for Christmas by releasing the last 200 bottles of its triple trophy-winning Sparkling Rosé 2008 as a special edition.

Champagne Gosset - packaging goes ecological

Champagne Gosset may be the oldest wine house in Champagne, dating back to 1584, but it's bringing its packaging straight into the 21st century by demonstrating the company's latest ecological concerns and commitment to sustainable development.

The Macallan - one for the collector

One for the collecter here ? which invariably involves a fair sum of money.

Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards shortlist announced

The shortlisted restaurant and bars in this year's Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards have been announced.

A new and funky bottle

It's a new and funky bottle for Chambord, the French black-raspberry liqueur.

Babicka - a witches brew

Hailing from a recipe handed down from a band of 16th-century Czech peasant grandmothers, with a bit of a reputation for witchcraft, comes the wormwood based Babicka (pronounced Ba-bitch-ka).

Hot of the vinous starting blocks

Hot off the vinous starting blocks is the Domaine Blomac wine label which is being launched in the UK by Roger Harris Wines.

Vida Organica - a sparkling affair

Supplied to the UK exclusively by Alliance Wine is the new line-up from Familia Zuccardi.

Kofi Annan to address Spanish wine conference

One for sloe berry addicts

In time for the dusky autumnal weather and winter woollies is Demijohn Sloe Sherry (50cl rrp £21.60).

Chivas goes Christian Lacroix

There are only 3,000 bottles of the limited-edition haute couture styled Chivas 18 Year Old (rrp £399) ? one edition that is guaranteed to stand out on anyone's shelf or drinks list.

New look for Cuvée Pierre Frapin

The new packaging for the ultra-premium Cuvée Pierre Frapin 1888 features stylish detail.

New look for Cuvée Pierre Frapin

The new packaging for the ultra-premium Cuvée Pierre Frapin 1888 features stylish detail.

Wine with a quick response

One of the first wines in the UK that precedes the rush to include a quick response code on the label is the Vinultra Insight Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Laithwaites Wine, rrp £11.99).

Baron de Ley-El Coto invests €5m in new white varieties

Spanish wine group Baron de Ley-El Coto has bought Carbonera-Bergasa's 500-hectare estate in Rioja and plans to invest €5m in developing new white varieties approved by regional authorities three years ago.

Noval goes minimal for Xmas

Keeping it minimal and aimed at younger drinkers to the port category is Noval Black from Quinta do Noval (rrp £14.99).

Campo Viejo ramping up tapas campaign

Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo is ramping up its Viva el vino tapas campaign in the on-trade after the success of last year's marketing push.

Pernod Ricard sells New Zealand Wine brands

Pernod Ricard Group has sold some of its New Zealand Wine brands, including Lindauer, to a consortium of buyers from Lion Nathan and Indevin, for NZ $88 million (circa £42 million).