Budget 2015: Chancellor cuts duty on cider and spirits by 2% and wine duty frozen

The Chancellor George Osborne has today cut the duty on cider and spirits by 2%, frozen duty on wine and cut beer by a penny a pint for the third year running in his last pre-election Budget.

'Unprecedented' demand from producers to promote South Africa at Cape Wine 2015

Cape Wine, the trade show for South African Wine, has seen unprecedented demand from producers six months before the show opens its doors.

ProWein 2015: Australia needs to promote its stories and personalities says Laura Jewell

Australia needs to continue to concentrate on promoting the stories behind its wines and the personalities of the winemakers who make them if it is to make the most of its diverse range of wines, according to Laura Jewell MW who has just taken on her role as head of Wine Australia in the UK and Europe.

ProWein 2015: Record breaking 52,000 visitors attended this week's show

More than 52,000 visitors attended ProWein 2015 this year, an increase of 7% over last year,  further solidifying the show as a must attend event on the international wine trade calendar.

Prowein 2015: Gonzáles Byass grows profit 63% through international export effort

Gonzáles Byass has reported a 63% increase in net profit in 2014 over the previous year, which was primarily driven through the expansion of its international exports.

ProWein 2015: Australia set for most "exciting period" in its history predicts Neil McGuigan

Critics of Australian wine need to "stand back" and prepare themselves for what Neil McGuigan of Australian Vintage believes could be the most "exciting period" in the country's history driven by the best quality wines it has ever produced.

Food diagnostics company launces glycerol wine analysis kit

A new wine analysis kit which can detect glycerol in wine has been unveiled by Randox Food Diagnostics this month.

ProWein 2015: Camel Valley looking for strong online partners to drive international growth

Camel Valley hopes its first involvement at ProWein in Dusseldorf will help it build its profile and distribution across Europe, particularly with strong direct and online players.

ProWein opens for business with its biggest show to date

ProWein 2015 kicks off today in Dussdeldorf, Germany with a new looking show, different exhibition halls and over 5,500 producers, wineries and spirit companies all vying for the attention of visitors.

Chief of the Week: Cockburn's Vintage Port

OK admittedly it seems strange to bestow our "Chief of the Week" honour on simply a vintage Port house. But then Cockburn's, now safely ensconced in the paternal ownership of Symington Family Estates, is not your average vintage Port company.

Port on course to overtake sherry in the off-trade says Paul Symington

Port is set to overtake sherry in value sales in the off-trade in the next two years if current trends continue, according to Paul Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates.

Australia's 170 year history of wine unravelled in new academic study

Anyone interested in the Australian wine industry can now access insights in to its 170-year history in a new free academic study that looks at how the country's wine production has developed and what lessons it teaches the wineries and producers today.

English winery Ridgeview Wine Estates celebrates 20th anniversary with new branding

Award winning English winery Ridgeview Wine Estates is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new look across its entire range of English sparkling wines.

Spanish winery Abadia Retuerta returns to UK with Enotria

Maxxium promotes Mark Riley from head of off-trade to group's managing director

Spirit distributor Maxxium UK has named Mark Riley as its new managing director, who will take up the role next month.

Gruppo Campari sees sales up but profits hit by acquisitions and poor exchange rate

Italian drinks group Gruppo Campari saw sales rise 2.4% in 2014 - but group net profit fell 13.9% to €43.2m, following one-off costs involved in recent acquisitions and an unfavourable exchange rate.

Japanese sake producers reflect on four years of recovery to mark earthquake anniversary

Four years since the earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc across Japan, Anna Greenhous looks at how sake producers, some of whom were wiped out at the time, have rebuilt their industry and how sake has become a symbol for regeneration and hope in the country.

Invivo looks to raise close to £1m in first New Zealand wine crowdfunding venture

Invivo claims it will be the first New Zealand winery to launch an equity crowdfunding offer as it hopes to raise a maximum $2million NZD (just under £1 million) with the help of shareholders, including UK chat show host, Graham Norton, to spearhead its future growth.

Villa Maria launches lighter alcohol wine range

New Zealand winery Villa Maria is set to launch a lower abv wine range into the UK off-trade.

Artisan gin producers throw weight behind WSTA campaign

Artisan gin distillers have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's campaign calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty.