Whisky maker William Grant & Sons donates to campaigns against Scottish independence

Spirits firm William Grant & Sons has donated money to several groups who are campaigning for a "no" vote in the upcoming Scottish independence referendum.

Lebanese producers move to protect vital supplies from Syria

Lebanese wine producers are having to take continued steps to ensure the quality of aniseed sourced from Syria to help make the traditonal drink, arak, is not compromised by the continued conflict over the border.

Adrian Atkinson leaves his role as Pernod Ricard's wine development manager

Adrian Atkinson has left Pernod Ricard this week as part of a mini restructure of its commercial and marketing teams.

Harpers Design Awards relaunches as global competition

The Harpers Design Awards are being relaunched for 2014 as a global competition, inviting entries for wines, spirits, beers, ciders and soft drinks from anywhere in the world - providing they are already on sale in the market.

Guy Woodward lambasts old school wine world for being stuck in its ivory tower

Former Decanter editor, Guy Woodward, uses his first regular Harpers column today to lambast the old school wine world for being out of touch with how consumers now want to talk about wine.

The rum doctor: Dr Frank Ward of WIRSPA

Harpers.co.uk caught up with Dr. Frank Ward of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers' Association (WIRSPA) to find out what the association is currently doing to raise the profile of Caribbean rum in the UK.

Wine Vision to focus on how industry must adapt to millennials' needs

Wine Vision's return to London in November will examine key issues affecting growth in the industry as relationships between wine brands and consumers change and competition from spirits and beer intensifies.

Nik Darlington plays out the World Cup for real - with the world of wine

You could cut the tension with a grissino. The shoot-out was tied at 2-2, both sides' fans on tenterhooks.

Tour de France celebrates with Champagne de Castelnau

As parts of the UK brace themselves for the start of the gruelling Tour de France cycle race that starts in Yorkshire on July 5, Champagne de Castelnau has introduced this very appropriate limited edition Champagne.

Christian Seely shows the quality of the Douro with a vertical tasting of Quinta do Noval

Christian Seely's contention that the Quinta do Noval vineyards are producing outstanding dry red table wines was vindicated at a mid-summer vertical tasting in London. The flamboyant, bow-tie- wearing managing director of the leading port house has always believed that unfortified wines from the Douro had the potential to express Noval's terroir. A look at the estate's three dry reds - Quinta do Noval Douro DOC,  Cedro do Noval and Quinta do Noval Touriga Nacional - between the period 2004-11 supported that view.

Edrington Group profits and turnover rise due to whisky boom

The Edrington Group, the Scottish maker of The Macallan, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, and Highland Park whiskies, saw profits rise by 3% and turnover hit £730.4 million for fiscal year 2014 which ended on March 31.

Treasury Wine Estates appoints Coca-Cola exec to lead Asia and Europe

Mentzendorff boosts premium Australian wine range with Kilikanoon

Mentzendorff is looking to ramp up its premium Australian wine offering and has taken on distribution of Clare Valley's Kilikanoon as a first step.

Australian wine legend, Doug Lehmann, dies a year after his father Peter

Doug Lehmann, one of the charismatic figures in the Australian wine trade, has died over the weekend aged 62.

Major global speakers lined up for Wine Vision 2014

An international line up of major global wine players is being built up for the second Wine Vision event, being run in association with Harpers, in London between November 17 and 19.

UK wine buyers more cautious to try new ideas than in Europe says Origin's Bernard Fontannaz

It is easier to convince retail buyers in Europe to take on new wine ideas and designs than it is in the UK, according to Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wines.

Provence's Ventoux is 'about more than entry-level co-op table wines', says winemaker

Provence's Ventoux region has more to offer than entry-level co-operative grown table wines, and quality rivals its Côtes du Rhône neighbours, claims a winemaker from the region.

Chilean winemakers see overall production down 15-20%

Chilean winemakers are suffering losses of up to 15% on their red wine volumes caused by vine damage, coming after frost decimated white grapes by up to 55%. Mario Pablo Silva, managing director of Chile's Casa Silva winery, said the frost had two different impacts - decimating white grapes and damaging vines in longer term leading to lower volumes of red grapes. 

Penfolds to push back Bin, Icon and Luxury wines to one combined release in October

Burgundy needs two strong harvests to ease stocks and prices

Burgundy needs two strong harvests to get stocks back on track and stabilise prices, says Will Oatley, managing director of Louis Latour Agencies.