Sandeman vintage Ports spanning eight decades to sample in London

Port wine is having a renaissance and London restaurant "The Sign of the Don", in partnership with the Sandeman Port wine, is offering the public a rare chance to sample the wines which go as far back as 1944.

Suntory to lose three key Beam executives

Beam Inc, which is in the final stages of being acquired by Suntory Holdings Ltd, has reported its chief financial officer and two other executives have announced their intention to resign.

Sipsmith expands distillery to west London

Gin distillery Sipsmith is expanding from its original base in Hammersmith to a larger facility in Chiswick, west London. 

Diageo blames political instability as growth stalls

Diageo's interim results show only 0.3% growth over the last nine months, with organic net sales down 7.4%  to Q3.

Argentina celebrates Malbec World Day

Today marks the fourth annual Malbec World Day, which celebrates the grape that has helped Argentinian wines become the third most popular wine in the UK.

Campari to acquire Fratelli Averna for €103.75 million

Gruppo Campari announced yesterday it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the 150-year-old independently-owned Fratelli Averna for €103.75 million.

Waitrose to roll out in-store cafes with wines by the glass

Cafés selling wine by the glass, deli foods and gourmet cheese could become the new norm across the multiple grocers, as Waitrose tests new café formats including a grazing area.

Diageo increases bid to close United Spirits deal

Diageo, which already owns 28.8% of India's United Spirits, has made a $1.9 billion bid to acquire an additional 26% share of the company.

LVMH wine and spirits fall short of Q1 expectations

LVMH's wine and spirits business group posted a decline of 8% in the first quarter compared to the previous year.

London Wine Fair 2014 cuts costs for exhibitors

London Wine Fair has been making some big changes this year including pledging £40,000 to bring in 200 major buyers for the show, with the money being flagged to help the buyers with travel and accommodation costs and a 25% reduction in the space price for exhibitors.

PaperBoy Wine selects new paper bottle manufacturer

PaperBoy Wine bottles, which were supplied by GreenBottle who helped manufacture the first paper wine bottles, have entered into a three year agreement with Ecologic Brands, Inc., an American company, to supply the bottles.

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, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Education is critical for Italian wines to compete in Hong Kong

A panel of wine educators from Hong Kong have urged Italian producers to invest in education modules specific to Italy to boost the country's paltry share of the wine market.

Michel Bataille, president of Foncalieu, on its new export strategy and plans for the UK

Michel Bataille tells Richard Siddle how he hopes Foncalieu's new export strategy will help promote wines from all price points from the Languedoc-Roussillon to the UK on- and off-trades.

Liv-ex survey finds 'significantly less demand' for Bordeaux 2013 wines

The annual Liv-ex en primeur survey found that 78% of merchants expect "significantly less demand" - down by at least a fifth - for 2013 wines compared to their 2012 counterparts.

Online debate: how different channels are changing the digital landscape of wine online

We all know the importance of communicating and retailing online, but how effective is it? Harpers hosted an "Online Debate" featuring retailers and online specialists at PLB's independent merchants' roadshow in Manchester last month and found supermarkets, independents and even drink apps are changing the digital landscape of wine online.

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Constellation Brands bet on beer pays off

Constellation Brands released its 2014 fiscal results today reporting fourth quarter profits increasing 92% to $157 million, driven largely by market gains related to the acquisition of Grupo Modelo's US commercial beer business.

Douglas Blyde visits Putney's new Italian trattoria BIBO

BIBO, defined as "simply the Latin, Bibo (I drink) - Bibo ergo Sum if you will," by consultant-sommelier, Zeren Wilson, is brought to you by restaurateur Rebecca Mascarenhas, mind behind local stars, Sam's Brasserie and Kitchen W8, and chef Chris Beverley, "one of Theo Randall's top boys."

Bacardi's chief abruptly retires

Bacardi's chief executive Ed Shirley is to retire and will leave the role after just two years and with no successor named.