Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

What to expect at SITT Autumn: Richard Dudley Craig, Dudley Craig Wines

Here Richard Dudley Craig explains what Dudley Craig Wines will have on show at the SITT Autumn tasting on September 24 at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

Buckingham Schenk sees Argentina and Prosecco sales soar

Buckingham Schenk see sales of its Argentinian Viñalba brand rocket, with Prosecco also leading the charge while pre-filled goblets hit sales of 1 million.  

Heston Blumenthal to open Melbourne version of Fat Duck on February 3

The Australian version of Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant is to open in Melbourne in February 3 2015 with reservations being taken from October 8.

Jackson Estate's Matt Patterson-Green showcases his Kiwi wines at Chiltern Firehouse

"I believe Marlborough will be known for producing the best Pinot Noir over time," declares Matt Patterson Green, winemaker of Jackson Estate. In his glass is one expression, Vintage Widow 2012, named, he says, "after women who lose their men to the vineyards..."

On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

Independents all set for September's Specialist Importers Trade Tasting

Next week's SITT (Specialist Importers Trade Tasting) promises another sell out event offering independent wine merchants, restaurants, bars, pubs and sommeliers the chance to taste wines specifically targeted at them from around the world. 

The Grafton in London wins Pub of the Year in Great British Pub awards

The Grafton in Kentish Town, north London, has been named the Pub of the Year in Harpers' sister title, The Publican's Morning Advertiser's Great British Pub Awards held last night.

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.

Myles Donneky on the high life at Hutong - 30 floors up in London's Shard

The 22 year-old bar manager of "Hutong" above Aqua on floor 31 of The Shard talks to Douglas Blyde about tea punches, pride in service, and competitive ping-pong...

Global leaders head to London for Wine Vision 2014

The Almeida reopens with new twist on a wine list - it does not have one

One of London's first restaurants without a wine list has just reopened after a mini refurbishment. The Almeida in Islington, north London, will instead rely on its waiting staff to make their own personal recommendations tailored to guests' individual budgets, style preferences and food order.

Brasserie Bar Company to follow British Queen launch with up to 20 more pubs

Brasserie Bar Company has just opened its fourth pub,  The British Queen, in Locksbottom, Orpintgon, Kent.

US cocktail gurus claim any bar only needs 12 bottles in new book

Ever stood in front of a packed back bar and wondered if some spirits never see the light of day? Well a new book from US cocktail gurus claims any bar can get away with just stocking 12 bottles.

Sake Sommelier of the Year competition open for entries

The search to find this year's Sake Sommelier of the Year is now on with entries open to win not only a £5,000 prize but a trip to Japan to delve even deeper in to the world of sake.

Hawskmoor's fourth annual charity dinner tickets go on sale

Tickets for Hawksmoor's fourth annual charity dinner which raise money for Action Against Hunger and is set to be held on Saturday 11 October are now on sale.

L'Enclume is number one is Waitrose Good Food Guide 2015

The Waitrose Good Food Guide has released its list of the Top 50 outlets in the UK which sees Simon Rogan's L'Enclume in the Lake District pip Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck to the top spot.

Georg Riedel on Riedel's new Veritas range and working with Coca-Cola

Founded in 1756 by Johann Cristoph Riedel, the Riedel name is today synonymous with high-quality glassware; loved by the trade and consumers alike. With an impressive track-record of product innovation and savvy marketing, Riedel's market breakthrough arguably came in 1979, when the firm opened a subsidiary in the US. Having collaborated with such iconic winemakers as Robert Mondavi, Angelo Gaja, and more recently soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola, Riedel is clearly not an old-world wine snob. The brand is coming to London's Vinopolis this month, to showcase the new Veritas glassware range. James Lawrence asks Georg Riedel what we can expect:

D&D restaurant group to hold month long "Bordeauxlicous" promotion

Bordeauxlicious is a new month long promotional campaign being launched by the London restaurant group, D&D, alongside Bordeaux Wines, to help promote the region's wines across all its outlets in September and October.