Unearthed - the true story of the birth of wine

Researchers from Domaine of the Bee have rediscovered a primitive winemaking culture deep in the Caucasus mountains who have been making wine the same way for thousands of years.

Insights: French wine exports to the UK are changing

The latest data from French customs shows Bordeaux wine exports to Britain fell sharply by almost 7% (6.79%) last year when compared with 2014, but their value increased by 2.08%.

Insights: How can smaller producers make the most of big trade shows?

Reka Haros of Sfriso Winery was pleased to not attend this year's Prowein because as a small producer she finds it difficult to justify the cost of attending the fair. Instead she and Marilena Barbera of Cantine Barbera share some lessons learned and how they are changing their approach to trade shows to make sure they get the best return on the time and resource investments they make for events they do attend. 

ProWein 2016: The importance of brand building within the UK wine trade

This year's ProWein was marked by a distinct spilt that seems to be happening within the UK wine trade. Discovery of small producers and esoteric wines is growing in popularity, but simultaneously so is the emphasis on brand building within the wine trade. Bill Hardy, of UK's number one wine brand discussed the importance of why brand building is important in the UK wine trade.

Jerry Lockspieser: Are you an Inner or an Outer?

Are you an "inner" or an "outer"? This is not a question about bicycle tyres but the increasingly vexed matter of where you stand on Britain's membership of the European Union.

ProWein 2016: The challenge of the falling South African rand

Between the bush fires, one of the most severe droughts in the last century and a toppling currency, South Africa has not had it easy in 2015. The currency specifically has been challenging for wine producers and could potentially pose a problem for wine producers in the year ahead.

Analysis: Why are Portugese wines still struggling in the UK?

It really is one of the great mysteries of modern wine retailing: why hasn't the huge critical acclaim accorded to Portuguese wines translated into either higher shelf sales or wider recognition amongst the wine-buying public?

Budget 2016: Duty on beer, cider and spirits frozen; wine duty to rise

Today the Chancellor George Osborne froze the duty on beer, cider and whisky, but wine will see duty rise at the same rate of inflation as part of Budget 2016.

Geoffrey Dean:

ProWein 2016: Anticipated record breaking visitor numbers at ProWein

On the final day of ProWein, a trade show considered by some to be one of the most important wine business trade fairs in the world, visitors numbers are expected to exceed last year's attendees figures.

ProWein 2016: 'Wine needs to be more daring,' says Origin Wines founder

Origin Wines founder Bernard Fontannaz at the first day of ProWein called on the UK wine trade to be more daring and try new packaging and product ideas for the off-trade in a effort to engage more with consumers.

ProWein 2016: Casella Family Brands sets up European subsidiary and launches new brand

Casella Family Brands, owner of [yellow tail] and Peter Lehmann wines, has established Casella Family Brands Europe Limited in Cambridgeshire with an expected launch date of May 2016.

Champagne's battle for the top spot

It's no secret that sparkling wine sales have been a massive success story in the UK market of late

Q&A: Bernadette Knight, Armand de Brignac

Launched in 2006 by historic house Cattier, the success of Armand de Brignac was largely built on its association with celebrities like Jay Z, who purchased the brand from Cattier in 2014. Yet, de Brignac's chief marketing officer insists that the wine's quality has chiefly contributed to the brand's success

Openings: The Fizzy Tart

Stephen Hargreaveas, the chief executive officer of The Cranleigh Boutique, a company focused on high-end luxury sites is opening the first of two luxury bars located in the Lake District called the Fizzy Tart.

Co-op look to UK bottling to safeguard consumer availability

"We want to be the best at Convenience," is the stated aim of the Co-operative BWS team. With the convenience sector showing market growth, the Co-operative is launching a new initiative to implement clustered ranging plans across its portfolio of over 4000 stores, and aims for "excellence in execution" on product availability.

California, Oregon and Washington wines shine at Go West Tasting

At yesterday's Go West! annual tasting California, Oregon and Washington wines emphasised that wines from west coast of the USA are gaining traction in the UK market.

English sparkling wine's southern charm

Recent research conducted by Harpers into the sparkling wine listings of around 50 mid to high-end restaurants in south east England and London threw up some interesting insights into the mix of fizzes offered both by the bottle and being served by the glass. 

ProWein 2016 preview

With the world of wine and spirits soon to descend on Düsseldorf for ProWein, Harpers delivers the essential knowledge on the largest drinks trade show

Openings: Barrio South

Barrio Bars, the quirky South-American cocktail bar chain, is continuing to expand across London and is adding a fourth location in Brixton, is set to open this month.