Restaurateur Marlon Abela buys into wine merchant OW Loeb

High profile restaurateur Marlon Abela has taken a majority ownership interest in wine merchant OW Loeb.

Wine app Drync lets consumers search favourite wines and get delivered to local merchant

US wine app Drync has launched a new feature that allows customers to buy online and have their wine shipped to a local wine retailer for pickup - a move it claims turns local shops into the world's largest wine store. 

How trade can help South African wine industry's disadvantaged children through Pebbles Project

Celebrating 10 years of South Africa's Pebbles Project, Harpers.co.uk finds out what the charity has done to help children in the winelands and what more the trade can do to help.

Welsh government report backs minimum pricing for alcohol

Wales is following hot on the heels of Northern Ireland last week, with moves to support a minimum price for alcohol.

Italian wineries must take advantage of wine tourism, finds report

The small size of most Italian wineries means they are struggling to take advantage of wine tourism and professionalise - both of which are required in order to secure the industry's future, a new report says.

Top 30 suppliers control 90% of wine lists in UK on-trade, says new study

The top 30 wine distributors in the UK are responsible for supplying 89% of all on-trade wine lists in the UK, according to new research released this week from Wine Business Solutions.

Fine wine merchant AWC appoints David Murphy operations manager

Fine wine and spirits merchant AWC has appointed David Murphy, formerly of Wine Networks and Liberty Wines, operations manager, as its business grows. 

Christmas Report: Champagne still a staple at any Christmas table

When it comes to celebrating in the Champagne category it pays to have a story, to be different and to stand out from the competition.

COPY: The Week That Was: Top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Naked Wines is UK's most popular specialist online wine retailer, says Harpers new report

Naked Wines is the most popular specialist online wine retailer in the UK, according to a new Harpers report published today that examines the online shopping habits of British consumers.

Over 40% of Brits will buy wine online this Christmas, says Harpers new e-commerce report

Wine and spirit industries to unite in combined campaign for 2% duty cut in 2015 Budget

The wine and spirits industry is to unite under a combined campaign and consider calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty in the 2015 Budget.

Borough Wines opens sixth shop in London

Independent merchant Borough Wines has opened its sixth London  shop, this time in Clerkenwell.

Will the real Brigitte Bardot/Bordeaux please stand up?

Kent wine merchant Taurus has sexed up its image with the arrival of a new (actually it is an antique) Citroen HY van as a key member of its delivery fleet.

Start-ups 'exploding' into wine sector

Start-ups have exploded onto the wine sector, particularly those with a digital focus, as 1,400 apps alone launched by 2014.

Wine Fusion launches Conviviality exclusive NZ wine

The Wine Fusion has created New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Bay of Plenty especially for Conviviality's Bargain Booze and Wine Rack stores.

Good Wine Shop opens third outlet

Independent merchant the Good Wine Shop is opening a third branch - this time in Surrey's Esher - with plans for up to two more outlets in the pipeline.

Enotria appoints Hallgarten's Helen Munday as marketing director

Hallgarten's marketing director Helen Munday is jumping ship to take up the same role at Enotria, starting in January 2015.

Northern Ireland proceeds with minimum pricing policy

The Northern Ireland Executive is pressing ahead with plans for a minimum unit price for alcohol, despite similar plans in Scotland being reviewed the European Court of Justice.  

Swedish drinks monopoly Systembolaget 'not about maximising sales'

"We're in this not for maximising sales but eliminating the harmful effects of alcohol. Is this possible? I think so." These words come from Sara Norrel, head of buying at Systembolaget, the monopoly that controls drinks sales in Sweden.