Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

Denis O'Flynn, Pernod Ricard UK, why we need to get behind the WSTA

Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, talks about his plans as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

New Lindeman's wine packaging to hit shelves next month

Treasury Wine Estates' Lindeman's brand will start appearing on shelves with its new packaging from March onwards, with the refresh completed by May.

Moet launches pop-up Champagne academy in London

Moët & Chandon is launching a pop-up Champagne school on London's Southbank in order to show consumers how the premium French fizz differs from other sparkling wines.

E&J Gallo to psychoanalyse tweets of Apothic Red drinkers

E&J Gallo is ramping up its marketing activity for its Apothic Red wine brand by aiming to psychoanalyse consumers on social media after seeing UK sales double in 2014.

Waitrose named UK's favourite supermarket by Which?

Waitrose has returned to the top spot of the Which? annual supermarkets survey - narrowly ahead of last year's winner, discounter Aldi.

Majestic Wine chief Steve Lewis steps down

Majestic Wine's chief executive Steve Lewis is leaving the retailer with immediate effect, on the back of poor festive sales.

Australian Vintage pulls back from bulk to focus on branded wine in UK

Australian Vintage is pulling back from bulk wine sales in the UK to focus on its core branded range as prices sink.

Chile's Cono Sur extends Tour de France partnership

Concha y Toro's Cono Sur brand has signed up as official wine of the cycling race the Tour de France for the next three years.

London Wine Fair brings fine wine to 2015 show

London Wine Fair's organisers are launching a restricted-access area at this year's fair, specifically for producers of premium wines priced £30 or over.

New Zealand's Ara Wines moves to Bibendum PLB

Bibendum PLB has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of Marlborough's Ara Wines - formerly supplied via Negociants UK.

Diageo's Johnnie Walker unveils limited edition whisky to coincide with Chinese New Year

Diageo's John Walker & Sons King George V whisky has released an art deco inspired limited edition pack in time for Chinese New Year.

Tesco names John Allan as new chairman

Dixons Carphone deputy chairman John Allan has been appointed to lead Tesco's board of directors as Richard Broadbent departs.

'Painful moment' for Argentina's wine exporters, says Rabobank

Argentina's wine exporters are having a "painful moment" as fast-rising inflation rates make it unprofitable to ship goods, says Rabobank.

Education franchise Local Wine School grows turnover 42%

The UK-wide Local Wine School network has seen turnover grow 42% to £1.26 million in 2014, as seven new franchises opened.

Cape Wine 2015 auction raises over R10.5m

The 2015 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction raised R10.565 million for education in the Cape Winelands, up 50% on last year.

Pernod Ricard shakes up Havana Club rum's look and recipe

Sales up 5% at Spanish wine giant Bodegas Torres

Spanish wine giant Bodegas Torres, which also produces wines in Chile and California, has seen its sales grow 5% to €240 million in 2014.

Wine sales rocket 20% to €44m at Vente-Privee

Wine sales rocketed in 2014 at flash sales site Vente-Privée, which is celebrating a 20% increase in wine turnover to €44 million, as it ramps up its UK focus with the appointment of a new managing director. 

UK wine industry backs calls for alcohol duty cut

The UK's growing wine industry has called for the Chancellor to cut the high rate of alcohol duty rate by 2% in the upcoming Budget.