California's wine industry prepares for 'lighter' crop

California is preparing itself for a smaller harvest than 2013 - which was a bumper crop at 4 million tonnes - with some varieties looking to be down by around one third.

Californian wineries look to make use of a trade loophole and build exports to Cuba

From this side of the Atlantic relations between Cuba and the United States would hardly be described as friendly. But, as Katherine Canfield, explains there is far more bridge building going on than you might think. Here she looks at how the Californian wine industry is looking to promote its wines to the Cuban wine trade.

Start-up Wineist sends sample wine packs direct to consumers

Slovenian start-up firm Wineist has landed upon a unique concept - to send out monthly wine tasting kits, complete with samples to consumers the world over.

John Williams at Frog's Leap on the changing face of Californian winemaking

Reflecting on the recent period of uncertainty for this year's vintage in Napa Valley as a result of drought conditions in California, Katherine Canfield catches up with Frog's Leap winemaker, John Williams, in Rutherford to discuss how approaches to winemaking in the region are changing.

Screw cap grows in popularity in UK and Australia, but Americans lag behind

Americans are still wary of screw cap closures for wine, while their British and Australian counterparts are much more accepting.

California's wine regions at risk of fire caused by extreme drought

The entire state of California is now in the worst stages of drought according to new figures released on July 3, 2014 by the US Drought Monitor.

Beer drives Constellation Brands to increase financial expectations for 2015

Constellation Brands first quarter results for fiscal year 2015 beat expectations primarily due to its Crown Import beer distribution acquisitions last year and based on the results increased its fiscal year outlook.

Nail-biting times for US wine shipments as contract deadline looms

Delays and surcharges are on the cards for wine shippers as so far negotiators have failed to reach agreement on new contracts between dockworkers and their employers on the US west coast.

Jackson Family Wines expands Oregon holdings

Jackson Family Wines has appointed key staff to its new Willamette Valley winery in Oregon, one year after it bought to 220-acre vineyard.

US craft brewers unite for travelling beer festival

US craft brewer Sierra Nevada is teaming up with 700 brewers to host a series of beer festivals and collaborate on limited edition beers at a roadshow travelling from its California base to its new facility in North Carolina throughout July and August.

Australian wine chief tips US as 'outstanding opportunity' for wine

Top Australian wine producer Neil McGuigan says the US market is a "sleeping giant" when it comes to wine consumption, and predicts its growth will outpace China in the next few years.

Oregon wineries boost profile through direct sales

Oregon's wineries have turned to direct cellar door sales to help boost their brand and develop a following both in the US and internationally.

Co-op's major wine revamp yields strong results

The Co-operative has seen sparkling wine, smaller serve bottles and Argentinian wine sales soar since it revamped its range in recent months.

Bulk wine prices rocked by Chilean frosts, Californian droughts and a taste for French fruity wines

Frosts in Chile, droughts in California and the Languedoc and the boom in fruit-flavoured wines in France is having a knock-on effect on bulk wine prices, according to the latest data from Murphy Wine Company.

Bulk wine prices tighten for key Chilean varieties, says Murphy Wine Company

Keep on top of the latest bulk wine prices with the latest spreadsheet to the end of May 2014, from bulk wine brokers, Murphy Wine Company.

Echo Falls targets newcomers to wine category with fruity drinks

Californian wine brand Echo Falls is launching three new fruit-based wines in an effort to recruit new consumers and target its core 18-34 year-old female audience.

Wine shipments could be hit by surcharges over strikes at US ports

Shipping firms are already announcing surcharges which could hit wine shipments hard ahead of feared industrial action at western US ports.

California shines the spotlight on latest Chardonnay trends and issues

Over 50 Chardonnay producers from Santa Barbara to Napa Valley and Sonoma County came together to discuss the latest trends and issues surrounding this key wine varietal at the 5th Annual Chardonnay Symposium held last weekend in Pismo Beach, California.

Gallo pumps 'significant' investment into marketing Moscato in UK

OIV reports USA is biggest wine market by volume in the world

The International Wine and Vine Organisation (OIV) says that despite overall wine consumption dropping slightly in 2013 to 238.7 millions of hectolitres, the US overtook France last year and became the biggest wine consuming country by volume in the world.