First Gamay Symposium attracts 11 countries

The first Gamay Symposium, aimed at raising consumer and professional awareness of the grape, saw over 600 entries from 11 different countries and 167 medals won.

Harpers Champagne Summit gets underway

Harpers Wine & Spirit is holding its 2011 Champagne Summit today, which is aimed at educating and showcasing the best in Champagne to the UK's wine trade.

On-trade failing to claim back £1,000s in capital allowances

Bar and restaurant owners are failing to claim back thousands of pounds worth of capital allowances, says one tax claim firm.

Wines in the press February 11-13

The Guardian

Sterling holds firm ahead of data release

Sterling was firm yesterday ahead of a big day of data releases in both the UK and euro zone.

Bargain Booze may be for sale at £90m

The 640-store Bargain Booze chain may soon be on the market for £90 million, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

Analysis: wine merchants vs bloggers

The wine blogging community was up in arms last week over a report from Wine Intelligence, which said independent bloggers were one of the "least trusted sources of wine information". Harpers asked bloggers, merchants, online retailers, and Wine Intelligence for their views.

D&D to slash prices on top-end wines

Former Conran restaurants, D&D London, has announced a wine spending review that includes slashing the mark-ups on top-end bottles.

UK pub and restaurant sales up 10.7% in January

UK restaurant and pub groups performed well in January, with like-for-like sales up 10.7% on the same period last year, according to monthly sales monitoring report the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. 

California producers: grape prices 'unsustainable'

Californian producers are facing a challenging year thanks to "unsustainable grape prices", according to Allied Grape Growers president.

Sterling falls due to lack of clarity over interest rates

Sterling fell against a stronger US dollar on Friday after investors sold sterling on a lack of clarity about interest rates from the Bank of England.

On-trade missing out on upselling wine

A quarter of restaurant, hotel and pub operators do not encourage their staff to upsell wines to customers, according to a report from ViVAS.

Tesco listing up for grabs in new drinks innovation competition

Champagne Awards finalists to be revealed at Harpers Champagne Summit

The finalists in Harpers Wine & Spirit's inaugural Champagne Awards have been announced with the winners revealed at the title's Champagne Summit at London's Soho Hotel on February 15.

Colour more important than price when choosing wine, says new Wilson report

Colour is the most important factor for up to nearly half (47%) of all British wine drinkers when deciding what type of wine to buy.

PLB appointed UK agent for Bodegas Navajas

Importer PLB has been appointed UK agent for Rioja winery Bodegas Navajas.

Glenmorangie unveils private edition at the new Savoy

The Glenmorangie Company has unveiled the European release of a century-old recipe at the newly-reopened Savoy Hotel.

Smirnoff sales down in 'challenging' British spirits market

Diageo has reported challenging trading conditions in Britain, where sales of its flagship spirit brand Smirnoff fell by 16% in the second half of last year.

V-KAT Schnapps campaign set to launch into student union bars

Inter Continental Brands ICB, is launching a advertising campaign for its new V-KAT Schnapps, in student union bars this month.

Project Merlin could help boost on-trade

The government's Project Merlin deal with the banks has the potential to stimulate activity in the pub, restaurant and hotel business, according to Christie Finance.