Former Accolade brand manager launches trade-focused wine school

A new wine school has been launched offering bespoke training services to staff across both the off- and the on-trade.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

National Champagne Week a welcome boost for struggling category

The UK has been popping bubbly this week for National Champagne Week - a much needed boost for the category which has seen a slow down in growth over the past year.

Guy Woodward: Seven things I hate about the wine trade

M Restaurants: Creating a community of investors

M Restaurants set Twitter alight yesterday as its crowd funding campaign to raise funds for a new Twickenham restaurant took off on social media.

The art of on tap in casual dining

The casual dining scene is a growing sector, with plenty of opportunities for the trade to capitalise on a consumer thirst for innovative dining concepts at affordable prices.

Michelin Guide 2017: 19 new restaurants announced

There will be cause for celebration and commiseration among restaurateurs this morning, as the new galaxy of Michelin star resturants is announced.

Q&A: Fraser McIlwraith, G1 Group

As the head of business development at Scotland's largest hospitality group, Fraser McIlwraith has the intimidating task of juggling increasingly strict government legislation with the needs of big business. We caught up with him to find out how he keeps G1 Group well stocked.

Martin Willams' M Restaurants raises £900,000 of crowdfunding target in four hours

London restaurant chain M Restaurant has raised over half of its crowdfunding campaign target in under four hours, bringing the total up to £900,000.

First female takes title at Diageo World Class Bartender competition

France's Jennifer Le Nechet has become the first female bartender to be crowned the world's best bartender at the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final 2016.

Top ten future cocktail trends

Cocktail culture is becoming an increasingly global phenomenon, with forecasts showing that by 2020, there will be 400 million new consumers drinking luxury spirits (Future Labs Luxury Report 2015).

Martin Willams' M Restaurants to crowdfund group expansion

M Restaurant group is looking to add a third site called M SOCIAL as well as expand the use of the some of the current space at the M Threadneedle site and plans to finance the expansion by raising £1.5m on the Seedrs crowd-funding platform.

Insights: White wine renaissance

Sales of premium whites are on the up, but restaurants still see red when it comes to higher-end sales.

Dirty Dozen tasting attracts the on-trade crowd

The Dirty Dozen tasting held yesterday in London attracted sommeliers and buyers from across the trade looking for more esoteric and off the beaten track wines.

Opinion: Five things to consider about the Hong Kong market

There is no doubt that Hong Kong is one of the most exciting wine hub in Asia and a gateway for merchants that want to get into the Chinese market.

Insights: The Age of Craft Beer

'Craft beer' is enjoying a golden age, with new breweries springing up across the UK - and there's still plenty of territory left to explore.

London Cocktail Week top picks

One of the biggest events on the London drinks calendar returns to the capital next month.

Restaurateurs urged to embrace smartphone technology - and ignore fears of negative feedback on social media

Smartphone technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the habits of consumers when they dine out - and might be better for business than proprietors imagine.

Jascots focuses expansion on Italy and Spain ranges

Jascots Wine Merchants rolled out 47 news wines at its autumn trade held on Tuesday 20 September 2016, with a focused expansion on Italian and Spanish wines.

National Champagne Week aiming to improve Champagne's approachability

National Champagne Week returns for the fourth time next month, aiming to bring the ever popular French fizz to a new audience.