?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.

PLB takes its wines on the road to independents

Harpers has teamed up with national wine distributor PLB to run a special debate on the growth and opportunity in online retailing as part of its series of regional roadshows that is taking its wines to the independent trade in March.

Getting ready for SITT : Spring clean your wine list

Ahead of this month's SITT tastings, Erin Smith talks to key suppliers about how they hope to help independents give their range a boost

?The Smith report: The rise of the Great British pound

Erin Smith assesses the currency map as the pound continues to gain ground

Jason Wilson on the Riesling syndrome: too sweet or too dry?

"Sweet is politically incorrect now. We say 'fruity' rather than sweet." That's what Johannes Selbach, winemaker at Selbach-Oster, told me when I visited him last spring in the Mosel Valley.

Katherine Canfield: consumers are listening to those who communicate well

Communication - a topic that is discussed time and time again by those of us in the wine trade, from producers to bloggers and retailers to restaurateurs. Technology continually provides innovative devices to facilitate and increase the reach of communication, yet a common sentiment is that whilst other industries use these tools to engage with their consumers in a profitable way, the wine trade is failing to do so effectively.

California's drought could raise foreign wine imports to the US and bulk wine prices

With California in the midst of one the most severe droughts in its history, the shortfall in domestic wine supply in the US could see a rise in bulk wine prices and an increase in foregin wine imports. 

Wines of Rioja to target on-trade in 2014

One in four Russian men die by 55 due to alcohol

A collaborative study between Russia, Oxford University and the World Health Organisation found that 25% of all Russian men die before the age of 55 primarily due to over consumption of alcohol, particularly vodka.

Australia Day Tasting hosts over 700 visitors

Australia Day Tasting, hosted by Wine Australia and held yesterday, saw more than 700 trade and press guests visit Lindley Hall in London, indicating that Australian wine maybe coming back in style.

?Annual Wines from Spain Trade Fair celebrates 25 years

On Thursday the March 20th, 2014 the Wines from Spain Trade Fair will be hosting its annual tasting at the Old Billingsgate in London, celebrating its 25th year of the event.

?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.

?Mila Kunis is new face of Jim Beam Bourbon campaign

Jim Beam Bourbon whiskey has brought in actress Mila Kunis as the face of its new multi-media campaign "Make History" that will be launched in more than 100 markets worldwide.

Finding the best bank account for your business

Opening a business bank account should be quite easy. However, banks seem to deliberately muddy the waters so as to make choosing harder than it really should be.

Market latest: Credit downgrade for Rémy Cointreau SA and Treasury Wine Estates halts trading

It has been a challenging week financially for two major players in the drinks trade; Remy Cointreau SA credit rating was downgraded on Monday to 'negative' and Treasury Wine Estates requested a trading halt on Tuesday until the ASX opens tomorrow.

Pernod Ricard hosts #InnovationDay to find new ideas to connect with consumers

Pernod Ricard hosted its second annual Innovation Day and Harpers put together a day in review for those not in attendance.  See what to expect from the drinks giant in the coming months.

Diego Bonnel on whether Spanish wines have entered the ultra-luxury segment

When talking about expensive Spanish wines, some brands spring naturally to mind: Vega Sicilia, Pingus, L'Ermita and others. However, how about Aurum Red or Valquejigoso? In spite of the fact that these brands are still not very well known on a global scale, they are fetching extraordinarily high prices in the marketplace and at auction. Are these wineries bringing about a revolution in the Spanish wine market? In any case, we should follow closely the evolution of these wines in the near future.

Double Impact's Sobar is first alcohol-free bar in Nottingham

East Midland's charity Double Impact has opened Sobar, the region's first-ever alcohol-free bar and restaurant in Nottingham.

Enter Story Headline

Call Time on Duty: Beer sales up due to impact of duty cuts

Beer sales in the off trade rose 3.9% by volume in the fourth quarter of 2013, marking increases for two consecutive quarters for the first time in 10 years, following the cut in beer duty last year.