Cru Bourgeois selects 267 chateaux from 2012 vintage

The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has chosen 267 chateaux to represent the region's best wines from the 2012 vintage - bringing numbers to their highest level in the five years since the selection was relaunched.

Kingsland ramps up its South Africa wine listings with Brand Phoenix deal

Kingsland has signed a deal to distribute Brand Phoenix's First Cape and Distell ranges throughout the impulse, convenience and wholesale markets.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

Salentein hopes to win over independents with new premium Argentinian wine range

Salentein, the Argentinian wine producer, is to release a new premium range of wines to the UK including it icon wine, Gran Vu Blend, which it hopes to gain distribution across the on-trade and independent sectors.

KWV relaunches UK distribution strategy by switching from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green

KWV, the South African wine giant, is to switch its UK distribution from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green as it looks to reposition itself in the UK with a targeted multiple and independent retail strategy.

Wine and spirits industry welcomes "stability" of Scottish "No" vote for independence

Parts of the UK wine and spirits industry have welcomed the "stability" the news this morning that Scotland has rejected independence to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Wines of Beautiful South to return in 2016 as South Africa switches focus to Cape Wine

The combined Chile, Argentina and South Africa Wines of the Beautiful South tasting will not take place next year as South Africa switches its attention to Cape Wine. But Chile and Argentina will continue to work together with a joint South American tasting sometime in London in 2015.

Wine should follow Top Gear's example and look to entertain not educate

The wine industry should look at the massive success of BBC's Top Gear in how to make a potentially complex subject entertaining to the public, according to advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty.

Advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty, slams "truly appalling" wine industry

Independent merchants have key role to play in lobbying MPs for duty changes, says WSTA

Independent wine merchants have a key role to play in persuading local MPs to listen to the wine and spirits industry's calls for an effective cut in alcohol duty levels at the 2015 Budget.

A "united" industry effort can force a 2% cut in duty, claims WSTA's Miles Beale

Jackson Estate's Matt Patterson-Green showcases his Kiwi wines at Chiltern Firehouse

"I believe Marlborough will be known for producing the best Pinot Noir over time," declares Matt Patterson Green, winemaker of Jackson Estate. In his glass is one expression, Vintage Widow 2012, named, he says, "after women who lose their men to the vineyards..."

William Grant & Sons invests in Tullamore whiskey with new Irish distillery

William Grant & Sons officially opens its new Tullamore state-of-the-art whiskey distillery today in Ireland to help keep up with international demand for what is now the second largest Irish whiskey in the world. It is the first time that whiskey has been produced in Tullamore for 60 years.

Francoise Peretti of the UK's Champagne Bureau on the region's 2014 harvest

Peretti tells Harpers.co.uk this year's Champagne harvest is "textbook" so far, with high quality grapes that could lead to a vintage year.

Baking hot September boosts prospects for Bordeaux 2014 harvest

September's "baking hot" weather in Bordeaux has "greatly improved" the prospects for this year's harvest, with chateau owners comparing it to 2008.

Views of the Beautiful South: Mario Pablo Silva, Casa Silva

Here Mario Pablo Silva , managing director of Chilean wine producer Casa Silva, gives his impressions and hopes for the UK market on the back of last weeek's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting.

Views from Beautiful South: Roberto Echeverria, Echeverria Family Wines, Chile

Here is the latest producer from last week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting who is happy to share his thoughts on the UK market and the opportunties for their wines.

Buyers should act quickly to secure Languedoc wine from 2014 harvest

Wine buyers looking to secure wine from the Languedoc this year are urged to act quickly following predictions the yield could be down as much as 40% on last year, according to the grape broking business, Ciatti Group.

Global wine harvest predictions released by Ciatti

The overall European wine harvest for 2014 looks like being down on last year, according to the latest report from Ciatti, the global grape broking business, but France is set to return to its position as the biggest wine supplier in the world.

Consumer confidence rises despite drop in wine and spirits sales says WSTA

There are further signs that the economy is recovering and consumer confidence is returning despite a fall in wine and spirits sales, according to the latest market report issued by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.