Constellation Brands to buy Casa Noble Tequila to grow spirits offering

Constellation Brands announced last week its plans to acquire the Casa Noble Holdings tequila brands

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Just A Minute: Charles Pashby-Taylor talks about finding a job he loves

HARPERS CHOICE

HARPERS CHOICE

Bowmore and Glenmorangie both raise a dram to increased profits and sales

Morrison Bowmore Distillers, a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, and Glenmorangie Company, part of LVMH, both saw sales and profits grow last year, only further confirming the "hot" streak that whisky is currently having

Renaissance Pubs moves into hospitality

Tom Peake, Mark Reynolds and Nick Fox of Renaissance Pubs have not had much time for lying in bed recently. They have been even busier than usual. They relaunched the iconic Battersea pub, The Latchmere in May and are now renting out six rooms above its Kennington Cross pub The Tommyfield. Harpers caught up with Peake, the "new projects" junkie of the group, to see how its new ventures are working out.

EU and US sanctions unlikely to harm the Russian Vodka industry

COPY: CP's Tweets of the week

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

"Where am I?" Well Nyetimber, of course!

Guy Smith was particuarly well placed to win our recent "Where Am I?" picture caption competion which asked you to name where this very pretty back garden happened to be.

Australian wine companies to gain better protection with joint agreement with Woolworths

Australian wine producers are set to gain better protection with the signing of the "Good Wine Buyer and Suppler Principles: A Code of Fairness and Transparency'' with Australia's biggest wine retailer Woolworths Liquor Group (WLG).

William Grant & Sons invests in new global whisky innovation role

William Grant & Sons has promoted Kevin Abrook to become the company's first global whisky specialist for innovation and will start his new role on September 1.

Matriarch and co-founder of Yellow Tail and Casella Family Brands dies

Maria Casella, the co-founder of Casella Family Brands and its flagship brand, Yellow Tail, died on August 10, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.

Mike Ratcliffe: Leadership changes will shake up South African wine industry

A lack of visionary and legitimate leadership has long been a thorn in the side of the South African wine industry.

Caroline Gilby MW explores Central and Eastern European wines

Caroline Gilby MW analyses why the wines and key growing regions of  Central and Eastern Europe are finally taking  their place on the world wine stage.

Own-label wine is not just for major multiples any longer

Own-label and private-label wines are no longer the preserve of the major multiples, but what is the attraction for independent merchants and restaurants alike?

Have we gone too far? Wine ice cream is the sherry on top.

The Claret Pimpernel recently spotted wine ice cream on the shelves of a local shop and so sparked an idea to investigate further this concept - how prolific is the world of ice cream and booze?

Bulgaria's Yakata group strives to change the country's wine image

Bulgaria is looking to promote itself as a very different kind of wine-producing country than it was 30 years ago and it seems to be attracting the right level of investment and interest to potentially change its image in the UK wine trade.

Discover new wine producing areas at September's Emerging Regions Tasting

The Emerging Regions Tasting, to be held on September 3, 2014 in London, is geared to help raise awareness around emerging region producers and promises to offer buyers the opportunity to unearth some wines that have yet to be discovered in the UK.

Cape Legends is pushing the premium wine boundaries in South Africa

South Africa's wine industry is changing and the premium wine segment is no exception. Harpers.co.uk talks to the leaders who are pushing the boundaries of Distell's premium wine portfolio, Cape Legends.

The Smith Report: Exchange rate is it a friend or foe?

The Smith Report takes a look at the opportunities for wine producers in South Africa, where its currency exchange has proven to be both its best friend and its worst enemy.