Wines in the Press, January 23-24

What the national wine critics have had to say in this week's WINES IN THE PRESS

Winning retailers lined up for first Top Merchants day

Corks Out, Arthur Rackham and Oxford Wine Company will be three of the keynote speakers at the first Top Merchants business day being held by Harpers Wine & Spirit and sponsors GIV at the Malmaison hotel in Birmingham on February 8.

Absolut and Spike Jonze collaborate on short film

Absolut has launched a creative collaboration with director Spike Jonze which will premier at the Sundance Film Festival this week.

Asia's wine consumption to increase by 25% in five years

Asia's wine consumption is set to grow by 25% in the next five years in stark contrast to a predicted fall in European wine drinking, according to new figures released today by Vinexpo.

DIAM wine closures judged Natamycin free

The fungal antibiotic, Natamycin that was found in a number of South American and South African wines was ruled not to have been connected to the DIAM closure.

McKeon gets top Asda drinks job

Asda has appointed Adrian McKeon as its new BWS category director.

Portman hits back at ad attack

The Portman Group has defended self-regulation of drinks advertising by the industry after a report in the British Medical Journal said that regulations on the advertising and marketing of alcoholic drinks are failing.

WSTA appoints new policy manager

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has appointed Laura Davies as its new policy manager.

Laithwaites re-launches website

Diageo wins court case against Intercontinental Brands

WSTA questions mandatory code

FQR franchisees braced for independence

Most of the 88 franchised stores licensed by First Quench Retailing are expected to continue as independent off-licences, it has been confirmed.

advertorial-IWC

advertorial-IWC

Chablis winners announced

Hillebrand buys drinks logistics rival

Specialist drinks shipper ABV Logistics has been bought by JF Hillebrand.

Wines in the press - January 15-18

Guardian

Scots bigger drinkers than English or Welsh

Scottish people drink 25% more alcohol than English or Welsh and the gap is increasing according to a National Health Service survey.

Alastair Stevens, founder of Stevens Garnier, dies after long illness

Alastair Stevens, the founder of wine agency Stevens Garnier, has died peacefully at home after a long illness.

Silvano Giraldin joins Just Great Wine

Silvano Giraldin has joined British wine merchant Just Great Wine as a consultant.