Waitrose bucks grocery trend for store closures with 14 new openings for 2015

Waitrose is bucking the trend of store closures and job losses in the grocery sector by opening 14 new outlets in 2015, with more in the pipeline for 2016.

Sparkling wine Luc Belaire gets glow-in-the-dark label

Sovereign Brands is launching a limited edition sparkling rosé wine under its Luc Belaire label which will have a glow-in-the-dark label activated via a power button.

London on-trade groups see festive sales uplift

Restaurant group D&D London and Davy's Wine Merchants have seen solid uplifts in performance over the Christmas trading period.

Buckingham Schenk promotes Craig Durham to MD

Wine supplier Buckingham Schenk has promoted Craig Durham from sales director to managing director as current chief Jon Pepper MW prepares for his move to Enotria.

Spanish glass manufacturer Vidrala to buy Encirc business

Spanish glass manufacturer Vidrala is expected to purchase Encirc - the former Quinn Glass business - in a deal worth up to €400 million.

Sparkling wine supplier Frizzenti hits back over Prosecco legal battle

Daniel Spinath, director of sparkling wine supplier Frizzenti, has hit back at claims that selling Prosecco on tap will be "illegal" if Italian producers of the wine win the legal right to fine bars and pubs that sell the drink by the keg instead of bottles.

Wine closure firm Nomacorc bought out by founder and Bespoke Capital

Synthetic wine closure firm Nomacorc is set for long-term growth after being bought out from Summit Parnetrs by its current founder and chairman Marc Noël along with Bespoke Capital.

Falling oil price unlikely to cut wine and spirits distribution costs

The wine and spirits sector can expect to see little relief on distribution costs despite the plummeting oil price, say logistics experts.

Comité Champagne under attack for its "vindictive" legal dispute against Champagne Jayne

Guy Woodward, Harpers columnist and former Decanter editor, has attacked  the Comité Champagne today for its on-going legal battle against freelance broadcaster and educator, Jayne Powell, over the use of her "Champagne Jayne" monicker.

Tesco is worst retailer to work with say wine and spirits suppliers in Harpers poll

Tesco has been named and shamed as the worst retailer to work with in a survey of over 200 wine and spirits suppliers carried out by Harpers.co.uk. 

New Zealand looks to break away from Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand maintains a privileged, premium position in the UK market and is working hard to shake its over-reliance on Sauvignon Blanc by introducing new styles. Anne Krebiehl MW reports

Marks and Spencer reports flat food performance in Q3

Marks and Spencer grew food sales 17% in Christmas week, but analysts were unimpressed by its flat food performance in Q3.

Corney & Barrow signs exclusive UK distribution deal for all Labruyère Family's wines

Corney & Barrow has extended its French wine offer with the news it is to represent the full Labruyère Family portfolio, which includes Domaine Jacques Prieur, Domaine Labruyère Moulin-à-Vent, exclusively in the UK.

Accolade Wines releases alcohol-free Echo Falls drink

Accolade Wines-owned Californian brand Echo Falls has released a tea-infused alcohol-free sparkling drink made from fermented grapes. 

Foncalieu puts winemakers at the centre of its L'Atelier Prestige relaunch

Leading French wine co-operative, Les Vignobles Foncalieu, is relaunching its L'Atelier Prestige wine range with a new look and focus on the winemakers behind the concept.

New Direct Wines chief advocates getting more personal with consumer

David Thatcher, new group chief executive of Direct Wines, says the key to success in 2015 is a continued focus on personalisation, as he prepares to take up the role later this month.

English wine gears up for bumper 2015

English wine is gearing up for another cracking year as its sales edge closer to the ambitious £100 million target and top MPs and industry chiefs begin to champion its progress both at home and abroad.

Sake set to finally make its mark in the UK in 2015

Major wine retailers boast mixed fortunes over Christmas

Majestic Wine saw sales creep up 1.1% over a "difficult Christmas" while Waitrose celebrated a bumper 15.4% increase in BWS sales over the same period last year.

Independent wine merchants celebrate festive fillip

Independent wine merchants across the country are toasting a cracking December, with sales up across the board.