Jenny Mackenzie on Marks & Spencer's spring tasting

A key focus of M&S's spring press tasting was to show the 'major refresh' of the Italian range, overseen by winemaker Jeneve Williams, working with buyer Emma Dawson.

Su Birch to leave Wines of South Africa

Su Birch is to resign from her position as chief executive of Wines of South Africa at the end of September.

Finalists announced for Harpers Awards 2013

The shortlist for the Harpers Awards 2013 can now be revealed.

Top trade panel lined up to discuss upcoming wines at Emerging Regions Tasting

Harpers Emerging Regions Tasting on May 1 will kick off with an industry debate featuring key buyers from both the on and off-trades who will discuss the opportunities wines from up-and-coming countries and regions have in their businesses.

Douglas Blyde discovers 'super Rhône' producer Chêne Bleu

Lizzie Shell of boutique "Super Rhône" producer, Chêne Bleu, demonstrated the versatility of its output at North African restaurant, Momo, in Piccadilly, London recently.

LIWF to relaunch as UK focused show in 2014

The London International Wine Fair is to announce radical changes for its 2014 event which will see it rebrand itself as domestic wine and spirits show primarily for the UK multiple and independent on and off-trades.

Richard Siddle: why we must all hope Tesco knows what it is doing

It was somewhat ironic that the announcement of Tesco's end of year results on Wednesday should be released on the same day the news bulletins were dominated by the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

Naked Wines looks to further growth

With operations in the UK, US and Australia, Naked Wines' Rowan Gormley and Eamon Fitzgerald look at further growth with Richard Siddle

Wines of Argentina's Cambalache event shows way ahead for consumer wine tastings

Wines of Argentina claims this week's sell out consumer event, Cambalache, which is bringing together Argentinian wine, food, dance, music and culture over two nights in Dalston, east London, could show the way for how consumer events are held in the future.

Harpers Debate line up for LIWF announced

Leading trade figures from all sectors of the industry will debate the most efficient way to buy wine for their business as part of the Harpers Debate at next month's London International Wine Fair.

Douglas Blyde enjoys a night out with Beringer wines and premium US cuisine at CUT, Park Lane

Laurie Hook, Beringer's seventh winemaker since the winery was founded in 1896, hosted dinner at Wolfgang Puck's first European restaurant, CUT, Park Lane recently to showcase its range of premiuim Californian wines.

Catching up with the new wine team at Harrods

Anne Krebiehl catches up with the new wine team at Harrods and hears how the double act are looking to turn customers' heads in the wine aisles

Q&A: Jamie Walker, director, EWG

Jamie Walker, EWG's commercial director Laura Heywood meets the distributor's commercial director to hear about the company's plans for the future

Richard Siddle: Why the world of wine is getting smaller by the day

Three years ago a trip to ProWein in Düsseldorf was very much a foreign affair. While there was still a strong British delegation, it was swamped by visitors from around the world - but not any more. For many in the UK wine trade, ProWein has become the most important show of the year.

Producers get behind Vin de France

More than 700 French wine producers are now supporting the Vin de France promotional classification scheme, which came to operation in 2010.

Jenny Mackenzie finds much to discover at Wine Society tasting

The Wine Society held its spring tasting last week showing 60 wines new to the list in 2013. The long-standing loyalty and affection from the UK wine press saw "94% attendance" and plenty of enthusiastic tweeting, encouraged along by PR manager and social media supremo, Ewan Murray.

Winestars World producers battle it out for international listings

Six out of the 10 competing producers at the inaugural Winestars World competition held at last week's Prowein walked away with significant interest from at least one of the wine buyer judges, writes Erin Smith.

Douglas Blyde on the widening horizons of Chablis producers

Chablis, a collage of Chardonnay often sown on fossilised oysters, spans almost 5,000 hectares of villages, valleys and riverbanks. When I last visited in 2010, producers were wary. Tough economic times spelled strain when it came to their major export market - Britain. But, on my latest visit, it felt as if they had learnt to minimise risk by reaching out to a number of new markets.

Budget News Blog: Drinks industry split as duty escalator cut on beer but not wine and spirits

Whilst the beer industry celebrates  the "brilliant news" that the Chancellor is to scrap the duty escalator on beer, the wine and spirits sector is faced with further increases under the controversial measure, with wine duty now up to £2.

Wine Australia puts the focus on Riesling at Landmark Tasting