Robin Copestick heads home and reflects on his Asian and Australia adventure

In his final account from travelling around Asia and Australia for the last couple of months, Robin Copestick, co-founder of Copestick Murray, reflects on his weeks on the road, what he has learnt and the lessons to be applied in 2014. 

Two Good, 2 Bad 2013 - Hopes and Fears for 2014: Hal Wilson, Cambridge Wine Merchants

As we get ready for Christmas we we asked a number of key players in the trade to pick out their two good and two bad memories from 2013, and their hopes and fears for 2014.

Vino Fresco hopes to capture share of the lighter wine category with new carbonated drink

A new wine based drink, Vino Fresco, hopes to tap in to the drinking trend popular across the Mediterranean of adding carbonated lemon and lime with red wine to make a refreshing style drink.

Geoffrey Dean basks amongst the vines and winemakers of Margaret River

After the desert-like 40-degree heat of Perth for the Test match, it was quite a relief to encounter Margaret River's Mediterranean climate with temperatures in the mid-20s. World-class Chardonnays abound there, of course, but Voyager Estate has raised the bar to new heights with its expressions of the varietal.

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: Robin Copestick, co-founder Copestick Murray

As we begin the Christmas week Harpers.co.uk has asked key figures in the trade to look back on 2013 and give their best and worst memories of the year as well as look ahead to their hopes and fears for 2014. You will be able to read a selection of 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 and 2 Hopes and 2 Fears for 2014 throughout this week and in to the New Year so please check your Harpers.co.uk to see who is appearing each day. First up is Robin Copesick co-founder of wine agency, Copestick Murray.

2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013: Gavin Quinney, Chateau Bauduc

In the second of our 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 series Bordeaux winemaker, Gavin Quinney of Chateau Bauduc, looks back on a year with more than its share of highs and lows including seeing a large part of his crop destroyed by hail as well as spend part of the year entertaining BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans on a tour of Bordeaux's best chateaux.

Damien Wilson and Jérome Gallo look at the importance of business and wine education

On November 15, the Burgundy School of Business launched a new School of Wine and Spirits business at the Chamber of commerce, in Beaune. Although this launch wasn't front-page news in the New York Times, the fact that there is continuing coverage of the topic by the press suggests that there is more to this story than just another series of academic programmes to help prepare a batch of wine professionals.

Two Good, 2 Bad for 2013: Gavin Quinney, owner Chateau Bauduc

In the second of our 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 series Bordeaux winemaker, Gavin Quinney of Chateau Bauduc, looks back on a year with more than its share of highs and lows including seeing a large part of his crop destroyed by hail as well as spend part of the year entertaining BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans on a tour of Bordeaux's best chateaux.

2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013, 2 Hopes and Fears for 2014: Robin Copestick, Copestick Murray

As we begin the Christmas week Harpers.co.uk has asked key figures in the trade to look back on 2013 and give their best and worst memories of the year as well as look ahead to their hopes and fears for 2014. You will be able to read a selection of 2 Good, 2 Bad for 2013 and 2 Hopes and 2 Fears for 2014 throughout this week and in to the New Year so please check your Harpers.co.uk to see who is appearing each day. First up is Robin Copesick co-founder of wine agency, Copestick Murray.

Brits are Scrooge-like when buying wine for themselves, but generous to others says Cobevco

Specialist Cheshire-based bottler Cobevco, has revealed that Brits will spend an average of just £5.83 this Christmas on a bottle of wine for themselves, but are trebly generous when it comes to buying for others.

Vinexpo to launch new event in Japan in 2014

Vinexpo, the international wine trade show, is to launch a new event in Japan in November 2014.

Price is key to buying wine in an independent says Corks Out survey

Nearly 40% of customers in an average independent wine merchant are guided by price when picking out a bottle of wine, according to new research from north west independent, Corks Out.

Fine wine market declines for third year says Liv-ex

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Liv-ex Fine Wine Special Report 2013

Liv-ex, the global market place for fine wine specialists, has released its report on the fine wine market for 2013. Find out the key trends, the issues and how the market is set to decline for a third unprecedented year. Subscribers can download the special report.

Beer lobby steps up campaign to see beer duty rates frozen in 2014 Budget

The UK pub and brewing sector has stepped up its efforts to see another freeze in beer duty rates in the 2014 Budget just days after the wine and spirits sector has called for the same treatment by the Chancellor.

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Alissa Aron assesses the fall out over the impact of microbes on terroir and winemaking

Microbial Mayhem: How the recent media buzz about microbes and terroir could impact winemaking and communication.

Joelle Nebbe-Mornod lays down a challenge to national wine writers

Gusbourne Estate raises £2m funding to help expand vineyards and winery

Gusbourne Estate, the Kent-based English sparkling wine producer, has acquired a £2m loan from Barclays bank to help develop the winery and overall business.