Model Laetitia Casta helps launch Cointreau 'Creative Crew' campaign

Cointreau launches the 'Creative Crew' philanthropist programme focused on supporting the creativity of women.

Analysis: Is Burgundy is set for one of its greatest vintages?

Perhaps keen not to be outdone by Bordeaux, where hopes for 2015 are already very high, Burgundy is set for one of its greatest vintages. That, at least, is the view of Thierry Budin, president of Chateau de Santenay, which owns 98 hectares of vines across fourteen appellations of Burgundy.

Insights: Testing the Naked Wines' text for wine service

OMG, don't LOL, its tru, a g8 new service has launched where u can order wine by txt. An innovative new service where customers can order wine by a simple text message has been launched. Jo Bruce put it to the test.

Q&A: Graham Gayler appointed as new non-executive director

Ridgeview, one of the largest English sparkling wine producers in Sussex, has appointed its former bank manager, Graham Gayler as a non-executive director. Gayler, a former director at NatWest bank, was one of the few lenders to show faith in Ridgeview and the future of English wine, when he agreed to fund the fizz producer during its first years of production in the 1990s.

Iconic Artesian bar loses several key bar staff members

Is it the end of an era for the iconic Artesian bar, a four-time winner of the World's 50 Best Bars, which lost its two lead bartenders Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale and nine other staff members?

Harpers 2015 Survey: A look back at 2015 and what to expect in 2016

As we approach the end of 2015 and set our sights on 2016, we thought it was an apt time to take stock of the trade and where you, our readers, think the future of drinks is headed.

Q&A: Merchant Vintners' chairman James Tanner

James Tanner is the third chairman of the buying group which is celebrating 50 years of business and looking for new recruits.

Insights: Autumn tastings reveal long-term strategies for multiple retailers

Angela Mount hit many of the autumn multiple retailer tastings ahead of the Christmas trading period to get in-depth insight into each retailers different long-term strategies.

Q&A: Andrés Lavados, Chile's Santa Rita Estates

Andrés Lavados has been heading up Chile's Santa Rita Estates for more than a year. He talks about his vision for the company and how he plans to crack the UK market.

Analysis: Is the flavoured whisky and Bourbon drinks boom offensive to purists?

As flavoured whisky and Bourbon drinks sales boom, Dominic Roskrow looks at their impact on the category and how purists are coping with their popularity.

Insights: The 12 must have drams of Christmas

It's been another huge year for whisky, but how do you go about offering a comprehensive and exciting choice for your customers? Dominic Roskrow offers some advice.

Interview: Barbara Banke takes family-owned Jackson Family Wines global

Barbara Banke, the driving force behind Jackson Family Wines, on the challenges involved in guiding a family-owned business to global success.

DWCC 2015 call to action: start talking to consumers

The annual Digital Wine Communications Conference held last month issued a call to action to the wine trade- stop talking to yourself and start talking to consumers.

Insights: What wine trends will be driving this year's festive period

et the planning, stock, marketing and sales mix right and Christmas should deliver a bumper season, with a sales uplift over the extended period that, for many, can come close to matching the take for the rest of the year. Conversely, though, at its most extreme, depressed or underperforming, Christmas trading can seriously impact on the ongoing health of a business. Which is why it is so important to make the most of this seasonal drinkfest.

Mark Harvey, new MD of wine at Chapel Down, wants to shake up the wine trade

Mark Harvey was recently appointed managing director of wine at Chapel Down. He talks to Erin Smith about his new role and what he sees for the future of the English sparkling wine brand.

Openings: Sexy Fish

Douglas Blyde weighs in Sexy Fish. The ambitious, 190-cover late October opening from Caprice Holdings (owners of The Ivy) which is inherently design-led.

Insights: Retailers' Christmas strategies revealed

Analysis: Spirits brands set to make the most of Christmas trading period

With the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas the most crucial for all in the drinks trade, Erin Smith looks at how the spirits sector fares at this time of year.

On-trade: The rising popularity of pop-ups

From wine car boot sales to pop-up shops and mobile wine vans, Jo Bruce looks at how operators' fresh formats are uncorking wine sales

Preview: Wine Vision 2015 heads to Bilbao

Wine Vision returns in December and this year it takes place at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Andrew Catchpole previews a world-class event.