Price comparison site Bring A Bottle pinpoints cheapest times to buy major drinks brands

Customers should be buying and stockpiling lager in June and July, and Champagne at Christmas, according to new data from Bring A Bottle which pinpoints exactly when the biggest promotions start across a range of top-selling brands.

Hallgarten Druitt boosts sales and marketing teams

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has recruited a former Mirror journalist to head up its communications team and added an extra national accounts manager.

Ethos to offer vegetarian wine list to London diners

A new vegetarian restaurant boasting not only a meat-free menu, but a vegan and vegetarian wine list is to open in London in September.

South Africa's Sodbuster wine targets UK farmers

A South African wine has decided to bypass the usual UK retail channels in favour of directly targeting farmers as its would-be consumers.

A 'yes' vote from Scotland could cripple drinks firms with duty headaches

If Scotland splits from the rest of the UK drinks firms could face potentially crippling changes to duty which would add a significant cost and administrative burden - even causing some to go out of business.

Naked Wines kicks off same-day delivery trial in San Francisco

Vinoteca hand-picked to open its fifth site in new Kings Cross development

Vinoteca, the award winning London restaurant and wine bar chain, is working with property agents at the new Kings Cross retail development to open a tailor made site in February 2015.

Major wine companies should not pin their futures on China, warns Krug chief

The wine world needs to let go of its obsession with China, and stop believing that the market can solve all its problems, according to Margareth Henriquez., chief executive of Krug, the top branded Champagne house.

Mixologists gather in the UK to battle it out for Diageo's World Class crown

The world's best mixologist will be unveiled this week as 47 of the very best cocktail shakers and makers gather in the UK for the sixth annual Diageo Reserve World Class global final 2014.

New "Tesco tax" to raise money for small businesses could be counter productive warns ACS

Moves by local councils to introduce a so-called "Tesco tax" on major supermarkets to raise money to be re-invested in high street areas could set a dangerous precedent warns the Association of Convenience Stores.

Oddbins to start franchise operation with 26 independent wine retailers

High street chain Oddbins is planning to kick off its franchised model by converting around 26 independent wine merchants to the company fascia.

Amathus opens third London wine and spirits store

Amathus, well-known as a drinks supplier, importer and specialist retailer, has opened its third London store, this time in Knightsbridge.

Conviviality Retail opens discount drinks store BB's Warehouse

Conviviality Retail, owner of Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, is launching BB's Warehouse, a new drinks store focused on multibuy and bulk discounting. 

Chinese crackdown on gifting expected to hit Diageo's full year results

The crackdown in China on luxury products and gifting continues to hit major drinks players with Diageo expected to announce a further drop in sales in the country in its full year results this week including another hit on its premium baijiu brand, Shui Jing Fang.

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 done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

CYT signs Premiership rugby sponsorship deal for Trivento Argentinian wine

Trivento, the Concha y Toro Argentinian wine brand, has signed the first wine sponsorship deal with Premiership Rugby which will see its wines promoted across all grounds and coverage during the 2014-2015 season.

Oxford Wine Company signs deal to be exclusive UK importer of Downton Abbey wines

Ted Sandbach of the Oxford Wine Company has become the exclusive UK importer for a special Downton Abbey range of wines, created by French producer, Les Grands Chais de France.

Vinoteca to offer Riesling by the glass straight from 20-litre kegs

Vinoteca, the London chain of wine bars and restaurants, is introducing what it claims will be the first Riesling to be sold by the keg in the capital.

Brown-Forman celebrates 2014 as one of the most successful years in its 144-year history

Brown-Forman shareholders celebrated yesterday the success of its 2014 financial results which it said was "one of the company's most successful years in its 144- year history."

LVMH's wine and spirits business drags down overall performance of luxury group

Louis Vutton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) stock price is taking a hit as financial markets react to the conglomerate's half yearly results announced at close of business yesterday. This morning the stock was trading 6.12% lower, down from yesertday's close €141.25 per share to €132.75 (Bloomberg).