Pinkster gin steps up expansion plans

Raspberry gin brand Pinkster has stepped up expansion plans after securing a six-figure sum in second-round financing from an angel investor.

Wine app Vivino celebrates 100 millionth scan

Wine app Vivino is celebrating its 100 millionth wine bottle scan from one of its 7 million subscribers.

Harpers.co.uk's 10 most popular stories of 2014

The most popular stories on Harpers.co.uk throughout 2014 cover everything from TescoGate to Bordeaux 2013 to BrewDog and Bibendum PLB.

Fresh inquiry into Tesco accounts as suppliers come under spotlight

'Unfair': how 84% of Britons describe tax on Scotch whisky

More than eight out of 10 Britons find the 78% tax on Scotch whisky unfair, according to new research carried out by Censuswide on behalf of the Scotch Whisky Association.

Prosecco sales rocket while still wine lags

Off-trade alcohol sales have risen 2.4% to £14 billion, with volumes up 0.8% - and Italian sparkler Prosecco has seen the most stunning increase of all, with values up 55% throughout 2014.

Vinexpo makes changes to 2015 show

France's major wine and spirits show Vinexpo, has made changes to the 2015 exhibition to focus more on gastronomy, a bespoke meeting booking service and networking.

Bibendum PLB makes 'small number' of redundancies

Bibendum PLB has restructured its buying, off-trade, marketing and technical teams in the wake of its October merger, resulting in a small number of redundancies, Harpers.co.uk has learned.

British drivers support lower drink-drive limit

Three quarters (74%) of UK drivers support a lower drink-drive limit, according to a survey of 1,000 consumers by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line insurance.

Drinks industry 'vastly exceeds' target to remove 1bn units

The drinks industry has "vastly exceeded" its target to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the UK market two years ahead of schedule, a report from the Department of Health has confirmed.

Sparkling wine is success story of 2014, as still wine sales fall, says WSTA report

Wine sales fell 3% in the off-trade in 2014, and 2% in the on-trade - but sparkling wines are still in the ascendancy, says the latest market report from the Wine & Spirits Trade Association.

Yellow Tail owner Casella completes purchase of Peter Lehmann Wines

Casella Family Brands is planning to ramp up sales of Peter Lehmann Wines both in Australia and overseas now that the acquisition has been completed.

Australian wine Giant Steps moves to Liberty Wines from OW Loeb

Yarra Valley's Giant Steps wine has shifted its UK distribution from OW Loeb to Liberty Wines.

Tesco accused of 'blunderbuss' approach in scrapping supplier fees

Tesco's move to scrap supplier fees and instead focus on getting the lowest prices upfront has been greeted with scepticism by leading consultants who describe is as "old-fashioned" and taking a "blunderbuss approach".

Mitchells & Butlers lists Help for Heroes wine

Bar and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers has listed the Help for Heroes wine brand at 300 of its venues across the country.

Liv-ex optimistic about fine wine market heading into 2015

Bordeaux's fine wine market "looks to be recovering", says fine wine exchange Liv-ex, whose 100 index has showed gains over the past four months, with its 50-index holding steady since July.

Bulk wine shipping and New World plantings to slow, says Rabobank

Shipping wine in bulk is set to slow, while New World plantings are also declining - that's according to Rabobank's recently published World Wine Map.

Brighton's first craft gin hits the market

Brighton & Hove's first distillery has opened its doors with Brighton Gin fresh out of the still and into a host of local outlets.

Spike in applications for craft distillers' licences takes HMRC 'by surprise'

The number of applications for craft distiller licences in the UK has taken HMRC "by surprise", spiking from two last year, to 35 so far in 2014.

Burgundy wines tries to buck falling UK sales with week-long event

The generic body behind Burgundy wines in the UK is launching a week long showcase of the region's wines in London in January 2015 as part of a bid to counteract its slump in sales.