Keynote speakers confirmed for the International Cool Climate Symposium 2016

The ninth International Cool Climate Symposium 2016, which is being held in the UK for the first time between May 26-28, has confirmed its keynote speakers, including Jancis Robinson MW, Professor Dr Huiquin Ma, Dr. Mike Trought, Dr Kees Van Leeuwen, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Essi Avellan MW, Dr Steve Charters MW and Professor Charles Spence.

English vineyard Hambledon strikes distribution deal to help 1m bottle sales target

English sparkling wine producer Hambledon Vineyard has taken its first steps towards building sales to one million bottles per year by signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Fields, Morris & Verdin in the UK.

English wines awarded a record five IWC golds and two IWC trophies

English winemakers have wowed judges at the International Wine Challenge 2014, taking home a record two trophies and five gold medals.  

Campo Viejo's Streets of Spain festival attracts 300,000 people

Campo Viejo's Streets of Spain festival doubled in size this year, attracting 300,000 people to London's Southbank Centre over the May bank holiday.

Top 10 En Primeur wines by Bordeaux winemaker Gavin Quinney

The Influential Bordeaux winemaker, Gavin Quinney, owner of Château Bauduc in Bordeaux, has picked out his Top 10 picks from this year's en primeur campaign that he thinks show the best value and quality for the trade to invest in. It is part of his wider analysis of the overall en primeur campaign for Harpers.co.uk which includes his comprehensive scores of all the main wines from the leading chateaux. 

Diageo in talks to sell Whyte & Mackay to Alliance Global Group

Diageo is reportedly in advanced talks with Alliance Global Group as a possible purchaser of the Whyte & Mackay spirits business, according to the financial press.

Treasury Wine Estates

En Primeur 2013 final verdict is "better than expected"

Gavin Quinney, owner and winemaker of Château Bauduc in Bordeaux, gives his definitive verdict on the 2013 en primeur campaign with his own detailed analysis of all the main Bordeaux chateaux wines, including his recommendations of what to buy now, what to age and what to avoid.

Treasury Wine Estates UK off-trade sales soar 17%

Treasury Wine Estates is committing itself to a multimillion pound spend across the UK off-trade this summer as it announces a 17% increase in its own off-trade sales to £193 million in 2013-2014 (Nielsen MAT March 29, 2014)  .

Treasury Wine Estates: UK wine industry missing a £200m opportunity in the convenience channel

The UK wine industry is missing out on a potential £200m lost opportunity in the impulse and convenience channel, according to new research from Treasury Wine Estates.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Wines from Rioja is launching 'Shop Rioja' retailer promotion

Wines from Rioja is going to be holding a retailer promotion competition for the whole of October, called 'Shop Rioja', aiming to promote the region to consumers and offering independent and online retailers an opportunity to win £1000 towards new Rioja listings.news

Michelin star chef Jason Atherton opens City Social in Tower 42

Award winning chef, Jason Atherton, has opened his new City Social restaurant situated in the Tower 42 skyscraper that dominates the skyline of the City of London.

Beam Suntory US$16billion acquisition deal closes

Suntory's acquistion deal worth US$16 billion of Beam Inc officially closed yesterday making the renamed company Beam Suntory the third largest maker of distilled drinks in the world.

Tesco's credit rating downgraded to 'negative' by Standard & Poor

The UK's largest retailer Tesco has had its credit rating downgraded by Standard & Poor following a "greater than anticipated" decline in like-for-like sales and lower profitability.

Beefeater launches limited edition gin to mark visitor centre opening

Beefeater Gin is launching a limited edition gin in celebration of next month's opening of Beefeater London: The Home of Gin, which will be the first dedicated gin distillery visitor centre in London

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Port wine producer Symington Family Estates releases three 'en primeur' 2012 Ports

Symington Family Estates is releasing three very limited 2012 Ports that are up for sale prior to the public release of the wines, which in some cases won't be available to the market until 2020 at the earliest.

English wine producer Chapel Down sees sales fall after recent poor grape harvests

English wine and beer producer, Chapel Down, suffered a 24% sales volume drop due to smaller yields from the 2011 and 2012 grape harvests. It has, though, increased overall sales revenue by 4% by raising the average selling price of its wines by 10% during the past financial year.

Pernod Ricard posts €127m net sales loss in Q3

Pernod Ricard, which released its Q3 financials today, posted a net sales loss of €127 million for the nine months of the 2013/2014 financial year, which is down 7% compared to last year for the same period, primarily due to heavy declines in Asia and other emerging markets.