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.

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.

Meet Downton Abbey's new cast

Move over Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey has a new cast.

Katie Jones recovers from last year's destroyed vintage to release new 2013 wine

Katie Jones, the English winemaker based in the Languedoc in France, who saw last year's vintage destroyed by vandals, has successfully released her new 2013 wine which is now available in the UK.

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson win Independent Merchants of the year at IWC 2014

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson Wine were named Large and Small Independent Merchant of the Year at last night's International Wine Challenge awards dinner. 

M&S named Supermarket of the Year by International Wine Challenge for second year running

Marks & Spencer has claimed the International Wine Challenge Supermarket of the Year award for the second year running.

Special Yorkshire liqueur recreated in honour of the Brontë family

Sir James Aykroyd, former chairman of Speyside Distillers, has recreated a special liqueur in honour of the Brontë family and their home in Yorkshire.

Bibendum's launches 15-strong sake range for UK on-trade and independents

Last week marked the offical launch of Bibendum's new range of sakes to the on-trade and independent merchants in the UK.

The Wine Chambers: bringing quality wine to the north east

Ben Chambers, owner of The Wine Chambers stores in Tynemouth and North Shields, talks about the difficulty of buying quality wine in the north east, the superiority of bottled-at-source wine and what keeps customers returning.

Calling all drinks businesses: share your Responsibility Deal successes

Following this week's public backing of the drinks industry by the government for the work it has done to comply with the Responsibility Deal, Harpers is now giving drinks businesses the chance to share and publicise the efforts they have made.

Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company: what I want from my suppliers

As an independent wine merchant one of the important and challenging jobs is how we deal and negotiate with suppliers. These can be large national companies or small boutique operations and we could be dealing with anything from the old fashioned "rep" to owners, directors or winemakers.

Independents put their foot down and demand more from major suppliers

Serious about working with leading independent wine merchants? Then this is a must read for you. Members of Harpers Independent Wine Crew set out what it is they like and don't like from the major wine distributors. Richard Siddle and Erin Smith report

Wine merchants celebrate national Independents' Day with sales boosts of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20% and 30%.

Leading independents hit out at major wine suppliers for their "lazy" service

Leading independent wine merchants have stepped up to the plate today to strongly criticise the quality of service that they are receiving from many of the major UK national wine suppliers and distributors.

France Summit to focus on how the country is adapting to UK consumer needs

Harpers will once again be turning the spotlight well and truly on the ins and outs, ups and downs of the French wine category as the French Summit returns for its second year on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Independent wine merchants report sales hikes of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20 and 30%.

Beermoth looks to bring US style beer retailing to Manchester

Specialist beer shops have joined the 21^st century, among them Beermoth, in central Manchester's hip northern quarter, and set up by Scot Davies, a former manager at the city's The Knott bar, and American Jeremy Stull, who worked at the esteemed Port Street Beer house.

Nik Darlington plays out the World Cup for real - with the world of wine

You could cut the tension with a grissino. The shoot-out was tied at 2-2, both sides' fans on tenterhooks.

British Airways pilot and flight attendant wife team to open Salut Wines in Manchester

A British Airways pilot and his first class flight attendant wife hope their new wine merchants, Salut Wine, which opens in Manchester in August,  will help keep their feet firmly on the floor with what they claim will have the largest Enomatic machine installation in the city. 

Penfolds to push back Bin, Icon and Luxury wines to one combined release in October