On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

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.

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.

Bordeaux Index sees 'green shoots of recovery' in fine wine market

Fine wine merchant Bordeaux Index is seeing a recovery in the market thanks to growing demand for Bordeaux wines from the US and Asian markets.

Independents all set for September's Specialist Importers Trade Tasting

Next week's SITT (Specialist Importers Trade Tasting) promises another sell out event offering independent wine merchants, restaurants, bars, pubs and sommeliers the chance to taste wines specifically targeted at them from around 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.

Business and drinks experts to share innovation insights at WSTA conference

Experts from both inside and outside the drinks industry will share their experience on the importance of driving innovation through business at tomorrow's annual conference of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Diageo faces shareholder protests over executive bonuses at AGM

Diageo chiefs are bracing themselves for a tough ride at this Thursday's annual company meeting over a row with some investors over the levels of boardroom pay.

New firm North South Wines ramps up activity

Newly-created North South Wines is planning to boost its team as it gets ready for a series of product launches in the coming months.

Views from Beautiful South: Ricardo Rabelo, Finca Flinchman

Following this week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London Harpers caught up with key figures from across the Chilean, Argentinian and South African wine industries to assess their thoughts on the UK wine market for their wines.

Your view: the impact of Scottish independence on the drinks trade

With only three more days to go until the big Scottish independence vote we ask the UK wine and spirits industry what it thinks will be the best outcome for individual businesses and look at some of the big issues that might arise after the Yes/No vote. Will alcohol duty rates differ in an independent Scotland? And how would drinks firms cope with trading in separate currencies north and south of the border? What do you think is the right future for Scotland and the rest of the country. Take part in our poll and let's find out...

South Africa's Nederburg Auction tops R7 million with record breaking sales

South African wines 'gaining momentum' in UK market

The hard work put into growing the UK market by South African producers is beginning to pay off, but the country still needs to bring prices in line with market, says Wines of South Africa.

Last chance to vote in Harpers French Wine Awards

There is still time to vote and nominate the outstanding people and companies in the UK wine trade you think are doing the most to represent, promote and sell French wine as part of Harpers French Wine Awards.

Hallgarten signs South Africa's Lismore Estate

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has signed South Africa's Lismore Estate to its portfolio, with the wines now available to the on-trade and independents and the on-trade.

Spain's wine industry must restructure but avoid 'trashing vinous treasures', warns MW

Spain has to be very careful not to trash its vinous treasures, warned Justin Knock MW, as the country faces a restructure following a wine glut.

Views from the Beautiful South: Americo Hernandez, Vina Ventisquero

Following this week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London Harpers caught up with key figures from across the Chilean, Argentinian and South African wine industries to assess their thoughts on the UK wine market for their wines.

Jerry Lockspeiser on some peculiar but inspiring winemaking in Mallorca

The first thing you see at the winery is a sign saying "HIPPIES USE BACK DOOR- NO EXCEPTIONS".  In the barrel room oak vats are identified by the names of rock bands - the Clash, Joy Division, Pulp and Portishead amongst them - or images of molecular structures. Outside the back door a large pile of straw bales wait to be wrapped around modern stainless steel vats, nature's insulation to keep her product cool.

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.