Pernod Ricard hosts #InnovationDay to find new ideas to connect with consumers

Pernod Ricard hosted its second annual Innovation Day and Harpers put together a day in review for those not in attendance.  See what to expect from the drinks giant in the coming months.

UK remains sixth biggest wine drinking country in world despite falling sales says Vinexpo

The UK remains the sixth biggest wine consuming country in the world despite another year of falling wine sales, according to the latest figures released by Vinexpo, but there are signs drinking levels could be on the up again from 2015.

Call Time on Duty: Beer sales up due to impact of duty cuts

Beer sales in the off trade rose 3.9% by volume in the fourth quarter of 2013, marking increases for two consecutive quarters for the first time in 10 years, following the cut in beer duty last year.

Brown-Forman: the next big deal?

Mergers and acquisitions are the name of the game at the moment in the spirits world and whiskey brands are taking centre stage.

Berry Bros steps in to try and save UK juniper plants for gin production

Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits is looking to help protect juniper plants, vital in the production of gin, by providing grants for three different growing areas in the UK.

Mangrove adds Old Forester Bourbon to its range

UK distributor Mangrove will now offer Old Forester Bourbon whiskey as part of its portfolio of specialist spirits and liqueurs.

Stand out from the crowd and enter the Harpers Awards 2014

The Harpers Awards is your opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for all the hard work you do. With a host of categories across the industry and the on- and off-trade, here's how you can get involved.

Still time for you and your suppliers to get involved in Call Time On Duty campaign

There is still time to make sure your voice is heard in the industry's bid to get the Chancellor to finally Call Time On Duty and scrap the duty escalator on wine and spirits in the 2014 Budget. Harpers has also teamed up the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to give wine producers and drinks manufacturers the chance to take part in the Call Time On Duty campaign and make the government aware of the serious concerns they have about the alcohol duty levels in the UK. Here's how you and your supplier can get involved.

Anna Greenhous gives tips for food and Sake matching

There is a mysterious Japanese saying which literally translates as: "Sake never fights with food". At a glance this doesn't make much sense. What they mean to say is that sake matches well with food. It doesn't create the kind of mismatches wine sometimes makes - as testified by anyone who's ever drunk a tannic red with smoked salmon, creating an unpleasant metallic taste. Or been disappointed to find their Champagne, though great with sushi, is ruined when wasabi is added, the delicate flavours disappearing as the heat takes over.

Drinks industry takes its case to Westminster and urges MPs to Call Time on Duty

MPs from all parties came to talk to key figures of the wine and spirits industry last night at a special House of Commons event to publicise the Call Time On Duty campaign to try and get the Chancellor to freeze the alcohol duty escalator in the 2014 Budget.

Rolling update: Key drinks figures tell MPs about the damage duty increases have on UK businesses

Leading figures from across the UK wine and spirits industry joined the trade lobby that took the Call Time On Duty campaign to MPs at the House of Commons last night.

Boodles Gin hits the UK with multiple and premium on-trade listings

Chris Porter to visit all 91 football league grounds to raise money for The Benevolent

Chris Porter, chairman of the drinks charity, The Benevolent, is to set out on a fundraising attempt to visit all 91 football league league by using a combination of train, tram and bike.

Beam bought by Japan's Suntory for £9.7 billion

Aperol teams up with Manchester United

Scotch Whisky gets extra safeguards to protect from fakes

?Glenmorangie releases Companta Private Edition Whisky

Glenmorangie has released its fifth annual private edition label called Companta, which has been aged in Grand Cru and Côtes du Rhône casks.

Rum Experience University becomes annual event

Over 77,000 fake Smirnoff Vodka bottles to be destroyed

Singapore Customs has handed over 77,850 counterfeit Smirnoff vodka bottles to brand owner, Diageo. The authorities first discovered the shipment in June 2013 and have only now released them to be destroyed. 

Absolut Vodka releases friend finding app

Tired of losing your friends at the bar?  There is an app for that. Absolut, the iconic Pernod Ricard vodka brand, released the Buddy Check app in November on iTunes and will be releasing an Android application on Google Play in early 2014.