Oddbins introduces TV talent show element to hunt for best amateur wine taster

High street wine retailer Oddbins is expecting a record turnout of 25,000 entrants for its third annual search for the UK's best amateur taster in The Palate competition.

The Co-operative boosts wine buying team with Gyles Walker

English Wine Week kicks off across the trade

English Wine Week kicked off over the bank holiday on Saturday and will be celebrating English Wine across the country all week long with several high street retailers, independent merchants and the on-trade promoting "locally" produced wines.

Premium New Zealand wine commerce site launches in UK

Top New Zealand wine expert Melanie Brown is launching an e-commerce site dedicated to over 160 premium New Zealand wines for the UK market.

Vente Privée to ramp up flash sales of top wines to UK market

Flash sales site vente-privee.com is looking to ramp up sales of prestigious wines as UK customers are flocking to the site in search of big-name bargains.

Mouton Cadet hopes to build brand awareness through international sponsorships

Mouton Cadet is building brand awareness through several high profile sponsorships this summer, including the Cannes Film Festival, BMW PGA Championship Tour and the Ryder Cup in order to gain market share in the UK on and off trade.

New Zealand winery Amisfield signs Inverarity Morton as UK agent

New Zealand winery Amisfield has returned to the UK market after a five-year absence and signed Scottish distributor Inverarity Morton as sole agent.

Jancis Robinson MW keynote speaker at digital wine conference

Top British wine expert Jancis Robinson MW will be keynote speaker at the seventh annual Digital Wine Communications Conference, which takes place in Switzerland later this year.

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.

Chilean wineries to get squeezed by taxes and sluggish economy

A slowdown in Chile's economy and a possible tax restructure being debated in Congress would raise the price of wine and squeeze already-struggling producers.

Marks & Spencer's head of wine Andrew Bird takes role at Woolworths South Africa

Marks & Spencer's wine boss and head of trading Andrew Bird is leaving his role next month to take up a two-year post at Woolworths of South Africa.

Wine shipments could be hit by surcharges over strikes at US ports

Shipping firms are already announcing surcharges which could hit wine shipments hard ahead of feared industrial action at western US ports.

A 100-mile cycle ride raises £3,400 for wine trade charity

On May 16 and 17 a group of seven people from the wine trade completed a 100 mile cycle ride called the South Downs Way Challenge and raised £3,400 for The Benevolent.

Mitchells & Butlers sees flat half year profits but food volume growth

Bar and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers has seen a sluggish first half, with pre-tax profits flat at £68 million and like for like sales up 1.1%.

Cult Wines' 'revolutionary' systems fuel rapid growth

Cult Wines' "revolutionary" wine portfolio management service is helping the company to expand rapidly, with gross profits doubling and revenue on target to grow 48% this year.

Morrisons to offer bespoke wine range at convenience stores

Morrisons is making major changes to its wine offering throughout its expanding convenience arm.

Top English winemakers at joint independent tasting to help launch English Wine Week

Five leading English winemakers are coming together tomorrow in Plymouth to unveil their new 2013 vintages at leading local independent wine merchant , Le Vignoble. The event is being held to also help promote English Wine Week that starts on Saturday, May 24.

California shines the spotlight on latest Chardonnay trends and issues

Over 50 Chardonnay producers from Santa Barbara to Napa Valley and Sonoma County came together to discuss the latest trends and issues surrounding this key wine varietal at the 5th Annual Chardonnay Symposium held last weekend in Pismo Beach, California.

Champagne Veuve Clicquot to debut at London Wine Fair

Champagne Veuve Clicquot is taking its own stand - a vintage yellow Airstream trailer - for the first time at London Wine Fair in June.

Morrisons to deliver chilled wine direct to customers' doors

Morrisons is to deliver chilled wine direct to consumers' doors as part of changes being made to its online business.