Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine, on why Fairtrade is important for business as a whole

When asked what Fairtrade means for me, I cannot think of a better explanation than the inspirational quote of our late leader Nelson Mandela: "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the life of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

SITT Spring opens its doors to independents in Manchester

Leading independent merchants, sommeliers and restaurateurs will be heading to Manchester's Old Trafford Cricket Club today for the start of this spring's Specialist Importers Trade Tasting and the chance to discover new and diverse wines from suppliers focused on the independent sector.

Vinisud attracts buyers from around the world to highlight its Mediterranean wine and spirits

Over 1,600 exhibitors from across the Mediterranean's world of wine and spirits are set to descend on Montpellier in Southern France next week for this year's Vinisud trade show which hopes to attract buyers from all over the world.

Michael Cox UK head of Wines of Chile and respected industry figure has died from cancer

Michael Cox, the highly respected wine trade figure, died last night having lost his year long battle with bile duct cancer. He was at home, as was his wish, and was surrounded by his close family.

Marston's to launch new range of craft beers from its regional breweries

Traditional brewer, Marston's  is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for craft beers by launching a new "Revionist" range of six artisan beers which will be unveiled to the trade and public at a special event, Craft Beer Rising, at the Old Truman brewery in London between February 21-23.  

Q&A with PLB's managing director John Osborne as he looks to put his stamp on the business

Major drinks firms back Harpers call to get producers behind Call Time on Duty campaign

Direct Wines, Matthew Clark and Bibendum are just three of the big name UK wine companies that have got behind the Harpers initiative to get as many wine producers as possible to back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Call Time on Duty campaign and make the government aware how damaging its on-going alcohol duty strategy is on the UK drinks industry.

Harpers Report: The best route to market for buyers and sellers of wine

There have never been more choices available to producers and buyers alike on how to distribute and source wines in the UK market. Harpers has produced a new Routes to Market report to help you find the best solution for your business. It is available free of charge to Harpers subscribers through the Insights section of Harpers.co.uk or, for non-subscribers, it can be purchased from our shop (see right hand tab) for £99 plus VAT.

Bibendum's Michael Saunders: "Why wine isn't enough..."

Sourcing and selling wine at Bibendum is the day job; it stands out from the competition by what it can tell its customers about their own businesses. Managing director, Michael Saunders

Bibendum to stop its annual tasting in favour of smaller channel specific events

Bibendum has no intention of ever running again the kind of large scale annual company tasting it has become so well known for in the trade and will instead run channel specific smaller events around the country.

Copestick Murray latches on to World Cup fever with launch of Brazilian Moscato

Copestick Murray hopes to tap in to World Cup fever early with the launch of a new sparkling Moscato sourced direct from Brazil which is the latest brand in the award winning I Heart wine portfolio.

Bibendum chief slams all in the trade yet to support Call Time On Duty campaign

Michael Saunders, Bibendum's managing director, has spoken out strongly against those in the trade that have yet to get behind the WSTA-led Call Time on Duty campaign.

?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, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Q&A with Guillaume Deglise, chief executive, Vinexpo

Richard Siddle talks to the new chief executive of Vinexpo about his plans for the Bordeaux event and how he has found moving over to a show organiser from the Champagne sector.

China is the world's biggest consumer of red wine says Vinexpo study

China has become the biggest red wine consuming country in the world as its increasing influence on global wine trends continues, according to latest figures released by Vinexpo.

New Vinexpo chief offers something completely "different" for 2015 show

Vinexpo 2015 will be something "completely different" from previous shows, according to its new chief executive, Guillaume Deglise.

UK remains sixth biggest wine drinking country in world despite falling sales says Vinexpo

The UK remains the sixth biggest wine consuming country in the world despite another year of falling wine sales, according to the latest figures released by Vinexpo, but there are signs drinking levels could be on the up again from 2015.

ProWein has to turn away exhibitors for 2014 show as waiting list grows

ProWein, the international wine trade fair, is having to turn away an increasing number of exhibitors who are keen to get in to the show as it is looking to "consolidate" on its strong 2013 performance by not increasing stand or hall space in 2014. 

Q&A with Robert Nicholson of American M&A specialists International Wine Associates

In 2013, vineyard acquisitions and mergers on the US West Coast were a key talking point for industry insiders. As a key party to many of the major transactions that took place last year, Robert Nicholson, president of mergers and acquistion specialists, International Wine Associates, is ideally placed to share his expertise on the future of the West Coast property market. James Lawrence asks the questions:

US merchants call for lower prices in Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign

As the trade gets ready for the annual 2013 en primeur tastings an increasing number of leading wine merchants  around the world are calling for lower prices in this year's campaign, including key players in the United States.