Live news blog: The Beautiful South Tasting Day Two

On day two of the Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London's Olympia, Harpers catches up with leading wine figures at the event with their thoughts on the UK market for Chilean, Argentinian and South African wines. 

Argentina's total wine exports to UK rocket 36%

Argentina's total wine exports to the UK have soared 36% on last year for the first six months of 2014, says Wines of Argentina's European and Asia director Andrew Maidment.

Ehrmanns 'galvanised and recharged' by recent changes

Wine supplier Ehrmanns has had a "lively" few months, but says recent changes have left it "galvanised and recharged" and looking to the future with confidence.

Argentina must celebrate its "rock and roll" winemakers to grow says Gaucho's Phil Crozier

If Argentina is to contine to grow in the UK then it needs to do more to celebrate, promote and tell the story of its winemakers and make them the "personalities" of their wines, according to Phil Crozier, head of wine at the Gaucho Group of Argentinian restaurants.

Supermarkets set to cull wine suppliers, warns Accolade's Paul Schaafsma

The UK wine trade must brace itself for what could be large scale "supplier rationalisation" across the major multiples over the next 18 months, according to Paul Schaafsma, UK and Ireland head of Accolade Wines UK.

South Africa's Bruce Jack warns winemakers not to jump on "bandwagons"

One of the greatest challenges for a branded winemaker is not to jump on the latest "bandwagon" but remain true to your beliefs and make wines that are right for your company, according to Bruce Jack, leading winemaker at Accolade Wines.

South Africa replaces Spain to become fifth best selling country in UK, says Accolade

South Africa is enjoying widespread success in the UK, is bringing new consumers to wine, has seen an increase in both value and volume sales and has replaced Spain as the UK's fifth biggest wine selling country, according to figures released today by Accolade Wines UK.

Dedicated Wines and Murphy Wine to share business insights at France Summit

Richard Evans of Dedicated Wines, the UK wine agency that helped devise the Les Dauphins wine brand, and Daniel Murphy of bulk wine brokers, Murphy Wine Company, will both share their experiences of French wine at this October's Harpers France Summit.

Bruce Jack on the challenges and opportunities for South African wine

Bruce Jack is a key figure in the Accolade Wines South African winemaking team. His direct responsibilities cover the Kumala, Fishoek and Flagstone ranges, Tesco Finest, The Rustler, Stumble Vineyards, Breakers Point and Lost Ostrich, as well as strategic NPD. He talks to Gemma McKenna about how he is working with the Kumala winemaking team to help reposition the Kumala brand and ensure the quality of the wine shines through to customers.

Live news blog: The Beautiful South Tasting Day One

As the Wines of the Beautiful South tasting takes place in London's Olympia Harpers catches up with leading wine figures at the event with their thoughts on the UK market for Chilean, Argentinian and South African wines. 

Sangre de Toro wine gets design revamp for 60th birthday

Bodegas Torres has relaunched its famed Sangre de Toro brand with a sleeker design that harks back to the wine's 1950s origins.

De Bortoli Wines closes UK office

Australian wine estate De Bortoli Wines has closed its standalone UK distribution office - instead opting for an equity stake in newly-founded North South Wines distribution firm.

Cornish winery Knightor introduces German-inspired low-alcohol wine

Cornish winery, Knightor, is releasing a new lower alcohol wine to its portfolio which is inspired by Italy's Moscato D'Asti or Germany's Kabinett and Spätlese styles in the Mosel.

Three quarters of FMCG product launches fail, according to Nielsen research

Over three quarters of all new product launches across the FMCG sector in Europe fail in their first year, according to new Nielsen research.

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Distell plans to triple value share of UK's premium South African wine category

Distell Vineyards and Estates (DVE), the premium wine division of South Africa's largest wine producer Distell, has pledged to over triple its value share of the South African premium wine sector in the UK in the next three years.

Ex-Ehrmanns directors form new wine distribution company

Three high profile UK wine professionals, including two former Ehrmanns directors, have launched their own distribution company in partnership with three wineries, including De Bortoli wines, which is closing its UK office as a result.

Diageo looks to tech start-ups to help drive innovation with Diageo Technology Ventures

Diageo is looking to harness the power of tech start-ups with its new Diageo Technology Ventures, in the hopes of identifying growth opportunities.

Ribera del Duero wine region ramps up UK activity

Spain's Ribera del Duero wine region is looking to raise its profile in the UK with the launch of its first promotional campaign in this country.

Wines of Chile plans major new consumer event

Wines of Chile is planning a major new consumer event for 2015 to raise awareness about the South American country as a whole, says new UK director Anita Jackson.