President Obama drinks English wine at Buckingham Palace

English sparkling wine, Ridgeview Fitzrovia Sparkling Rosé 2004 was served at the Buckingham Palace state dinner to honour the visit of President Barack Obama.

Sterling strengthens against dollar due to growth in UK exports

Sterling strengthened for a second day against the US dollar.

Kingsland appoints sales director

Kingsland Wines and Spirits has appointed Rob Page, formerly of Treasury Wines Estates, into the newly-created role of sales and marketing director.

Black Tower launches low alcohol wine

The latest firm to catch the low alcohol bug is Reh Kendermann ? it is launching a 5.5% abv wine called B by Black Tower.

Jascots site allows customers to search for wine by abv content

Independent merchant Jascots has launched a new website which allows customers to search for wine by abv content and closure type.

Pernod Ricard launches global initiative, Responsib'ALL Day

Pernod Ricard has launched a global awareness day called, Responsib'ALL Day in a bid to tackle drink driving.

Sterling recovers against US dollar after seven week low

Sterling gained by 0.5% against the US dollar yesterday morning, recovering from an earlier seven week low.

Campaigners lobby MPs to change smoking ban

The smoking ban has had a devastating impact on community pubs throughout Britain, according to campaigners who claim Scotland has lost 7.1% of its pub estate (467 pubs), Wales 7.3% (274), and England 7.6% (4,148).

Mumm stengthens its association with food

Champagne G.H. Mumm is rolling out a limited edition neck collar to promote its new Gourmet Explorers' competition.

Percy Fox hits back at criticism of big brands

Blossom Hill brand owner has hit back at criticism that brands are low quality and overpriced ? Percy Fox boss says brands have consistency, and that consumers decide what they will pay.

Laithwaites raises £12,600 for Macmillan Cancer Support

Laithwaites Wine has raised £12,600 for for Macmillan Cancer Support after it auctioned eighteen lots of wine on the last night of the London International Wine Fair, LIWF.

Sterling hits high after UK push to raise interest rates

Video: Australia needs to make its wines more fun

Buyers, winemakers, marketers and generic bodies are in agreement that Australian wines need to bring the fun back to the category, as well as making it easier for customers to make choices.

Chivas Regal announces partnership with FilmAid International

Scotch whisky brand, Chivas Regal, official partner of the Festival de Cannes, has announced a new global partnership with the charity, FilmAid International.

Video: Jeremy Beadles on minimum pricing

Minimum pricing in Scotland could encourage illegal cross-border alcohol trading, cause serious difficulties for suppliers and internet retailers, and is likely to quickly increase above the suggested 45p per unit.

European Wine Bloggers' Conference speakers

George Taber, the only reporter to attend Steven Spurrier's 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, will be one of The 2011 European Wine Bloggers' Conference two keynote speakers.

Sterling lowers against dollar - analysts lacklustre over UK recovery

Sterling has started the week slightly lower against the US dollar, having tracked the euro's decline against the US currency over the weekend.

Wines in the press - May 20-23

The Guardian
Fiona Beckett says where she was staying in the Languedoc recently, you could buy rosé from the local cave for just £1.25 a litre, or 94p a bottle and it was exactly what she wanted at lunchtime, "light, crisp, refreshing and surprisingly well made".

Vallée de Vin said to be in talks with India's Grover Vineyards

The owners of Vallée de Vin are said to be in talks to buy a significant stake in India's Grover Vineyards.

Numbers up at LIWF

Despite tough trading conditions, attendance numbers for London's International Wine Fair have shown a slight increase, organisers Brintex have reported.