The Week That Was: Wine Vision recap, 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, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Brown-Forman raises its dividend, continuing strong performance

Brown-Forman shows little signs of slowing down following the "most successful year" in the company's history, announcing yesterday that it would be increasing its quarterly cash dividend by 8.6% to $0.315 per share.

González Byass invests €2.5m in sustainability

Spanish sherrymaker and wine firm González Byass is investing €2.5 million in a new sustainability programme over the next three years.

Gallo's Autumn Red wine to appeal to younger consumers and white wine drinkers

Gallo Family Vineyards has added the "smooth and soft" Autumn Red wine, which tastes of blackberry and caramel, to its portfolio, alongside a marketing campaign with chef and forager Caroline Davey.

UK grocery market declines for first time in 20 years, says Kantar WorldPanel

The ongoing price wars in the British grocery market have led sales to decline by 0.2% - the first decrease since market research firm Kantar World Panel began keeping records. 

UK wine trade slow to react to Millennials' sweet tooth, says Mintel

The 18 to 34 year-old age group is partial to sweeter wines, with 44% of wine buyers believing they're better quality than drier ones, but few UK brands have "attacked this space", says Mintel.

France Summit video: what French producers and generics think of the UK market

Being able to highlight the steps they are taking to promote French wine in the UK as well as understand more the challenges of the British market were some of the key reasons producers and French generic and promotional bodies attended last month's Harpers France Summit.

Home Office Minister praises drinks industry efforts at Alcohol Concern conference

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone praised the drinks industry for the steps it has taken as part of the Responsibility Deal, and said local communities were best-placed to solve alcohol-related problems, in a speech at the Alcohol Concern conference yesterday.

France Summit video: UK trade figures on how to get the most out of French wine

The chance to understand the France wine category better, hear the views of leading UK buyers, distributors and retailers and meet like-minded people in the trade were some of the key reasons given by visitors  who attended last month's Harpers France Summit.

Beaujolais gains popularity with Millennials

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is here - and this year the festivities are shaking off their fusty image and attracting younger drinkers.

Wine brands need to get on top of Facebook, warns social media campaigner at Wine Vision

Brands should "just be honest and sell their gear" on Facebook and other social media as forcing likes and comments turns off consumers.

Kingsland signs deals with Australia's Limestone Coast Winery

Kingsland is the new exclusive supplier for Australia's Limestone Coast Winery's premium bulk wines in the UK on and off-trade.

Wine designs fail if don't stand for something, Stranger & Stranger's Kevin Shaw tells Wine Vision

The secret to good brand design is for it to stand for something which is where wine often falls down as they just all "blur" into each other, according to Kevin Shaw, founder of design agency Stranger & Stranger.

Day 2 Wine Vision News Blog: Social media is key for producers going direct to consumers

Wine producers need to use social media more effectively to drive sales of their own wines be it going direct to consumers or through traditional retail channels, according to innovative wineries speaking at today's Wine Vision.

I Heart wine has chance to become a global wine brand Robin Copestick tells Wine Vision

The "I Heart" wine brand has the potential to become a true global wine brand that could be sold in any country in the world, according to Robin Copestick of brand owner, Copestick Murray.

Glenmorangie launches Dornoch in to World Duty Free

Glenmorangie Dornoch is being launched in to the travel retail sector from November 26 in an exclusive deal with the World Duty Free Group before being released across the duty free sector. 

Consumers are now "risk averse" Future Foundation tells Wine Vision

Simon McMurtrie opens Wine Vision with clarion call to industry

Simon McMurtrie, chief executive of Direct Wines, opened Wine Vision 2014 with a clarion call to the global wine industry to do all it can to get people to not only spend more on wine, but to buy a wider selection of wines.

Wine Vision Live News Blog: Wine has to talk more to young consumers says Wine Riot chief

The wine trade is missing out on marketing to women, with many brands pushing "condescending" butterfly or cupcake messages, says Tyler Balliet, founder of Wine Riot in the US.

Fine wine investment requires 'visionary eye', says Moet chief at Wine Vision