Constellation Brands stock hits 52-week high

Constellation Brands hit a 52-week high on the New York Stock Exchange this week, closing at US$84.33 per share, indicating investors faith in the company's ability to continue to deliver strong financial results, following strong third quarter results in January.

Duty escalator to blame for shrinking Scotch sales in UK

The UK market for Scotch whisky has contracted by 3% in the last year as duty increases put pressure on the industry.

WSTA launches more accessible website

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has revamped its website to make it more accessible for members.

Mateus launches four wines combining international and Portuguese grapes

Portugal's Mateus is extending its reach with the launch of four new wines combining Portuguese and international grape varieties.

Up to 40 wineries look to be granted the new Cape Vintner Classification in South Africa

Between 30 and 40 South African wineries are expected to be granted the prestigious new Cape Vintner Classification, launched last December, after the disbandment of the old Cape Wine Producers' Association.

Wine in danger of losing share to other categories, says report

Generation Y - 18 to 35 year-olds - has an overall lack of engagement with wine, according to a study carried out for London Wine Fair.

Indie rock band the 1975 to headline Bushmills gig

Irish whiskey brand Bushmills' third annual Bushmills Live gig will be headlined by up and coming indie rock band the 1975.

The Co-op revamps wine range to focus on own brand

The Co-operative is introducing 56 new wines to its range, which will have greater focus on own brand wines - especially its Fairtrade and Truly Irresistible wines.

Alliance Wine aims to create 'iconic' rosé brand

Alliance Wine has high hopes that its new French rosé wine La Vie en Rose will become an iconic brand.

Over 100 buyers head to Windsor to take part in first Wine Buyers' Forum

Over 100 buyers from across all channels of the trade are heading to Windsor today to take part in the first Wine Buyers Forum where they will get the chance to have in-depth discussions with over 30 suppliers and take part in a series of targeted business workshops.

Buckingham Schenk ramps up sales of pre-filled wine goblets

Buckingham Schenk is aiming to double sales of pre-filled wine goblets this year to 1.5 million, which managing director Jon Pepper MW says are incremental to the wine category.

Deadline for Harpers Awards 2014 extended for a further week

The deadline for entries to this year's Harpers Awards has been extended for another week.

Average 2013 harvest "very necessary", says head of Bordeaux body

Sud de France to invest more funds to drive distribution in independents and the on-trade

The Sud de France promotional body in the UK hopes to capitalise on the good 2013 vintage in the region to help build up distribution in independents and the on-trade during the rest of 2014.

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.

New Vinexpo chief open to idea of starting new shows around the world

Guillaume Deglise, the new chief executive of Vinexpo, said he remains open to running events in new markets around the world but only in the context of the bi-annual Bordeaux show remaining "the number-one priority".

New device aims to turn water into wine

The founder of struggling flash wine sale site Lot 18 has come up with another radical idea for the wine trade -a machine to turn water into wine within three days.

Vente-privee.com to launch wine flash sales in the UK

The growth of flash-sales sites looks set to hit online wine retailers as French giant vente-privee.com prepares for its UK wine launch.

France's LGI Wines promotes winemaker Xavier Roger to MD

Southern French specialists LGI Wines' chief winemaker Xavier Roger has stepped up to the role of managing director in the wake of founder Alain Grignon's retirement.

TaxPayers Alliance calls on the public to get behind Call Time On Duty campaign

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance has thrown his weight behind the wine and spirit industry's Call Time On Duty campaign, by callling on the public to lobby their MPs to urge the Chancellor to stop the duty escalator.