Dan Jago was "never suspended" from the business says Tesco

Tesco has confirmed to Harpers.co.uk that Dan Jago, who is returning to the business on March 9, was never actually suspended from the company, but asked to "step aside".

Tim Carlisle: what the drinks trade can learn from Dr Gregory House MD

House may not have much in the way of bedside manner but he is very good at working out what is wrong with people. In fact in the TV series despite getting it wrong sometimes, usually guessing that at some stage it's Lupus or Sarcoidoisis (and often both) before finally settling on the correct diagnosis.

Quintessential buys French spirits producer Lafragette & Legier

Origin Wine spearheads new campaign to get more wines bottled in South Africa

South Africa is set to increase its exports of bottled wine next year, following a change in the quota of duty free wine that is allowed to be exported to the EU as from 2016. In a campaign spearheaded by Origin Wines, one of South Africa's biggest exporters, other producers are being urged to switch to bottling to take advantage of the new allowances.

M Restaurants to celebrate World Malbec Day with mini vineyard in the City of London

M Restaurants, set up by former Gaucho managing director, Martin Williams, at the end of last year, is to celebrate World Malbec Day next month by creating a mini Malbec vineyard outside its venue in the City of London.

Oz Clarke's new book tells the history of wine in 100 bottles

TV's favourite wine critic, Oz Clarke, has released a new book which sets out what it is all about in the title: The History of Wine in 100 Bottles.

Harpers independents' poll reveals growing split between performance of UK wine merchants

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference being held today in London.

Colum Egan, master distiller at Bushmills, predicts a strong future for Irish whiskey

These are excavating times for Irish whiskey in general, and for Bushmills in particular. More than 20 distilleries have either started producing whiskey spirit or about to, the country's whiskey industry is awash with overseas money, and is more vibrant and dynamic than at any time in more than century.

Les Dauphins hopes to promote niche areas of the Rhône to mass wine consumers

Douglas Blyde finds much to savour in the "lovingly" assembled wine list at Stoke Place

Stoke Place, a characterful Georgian pile unfairly tarred by its Slough postcode has retained the accolade of AA Notable Wine List year-on-year. While the hotel may be a little scuffed around the edges, the 30-page wine list authored by general manager, Terry McEvoy is lovingly put together.

Merchants across the country gather for Harpers March for the Independents conference

Independent wine merchants from across the UK will be heading to London tomorrow for Harpers March for the Independents conference offering business insights, advice and the chance to network with fellow retailers.

Record breaking auction was only one highlight of Napa's "Premiere Week"

Last week's Premiere Napa Valley barrel tasting and live auction, held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Saint Helena, set the stage for bidding on a unique and highly-selective range of the appellation's finest wines resulting in a new record of $6 million USD in fundraising for local charities.

WSTA's Call Time on Duty campaign wins major PR award

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's Call Time On Duty campaign, which helped see the end of the duty escalator on wine and spirits in last year's Budget, has won a prestigious national public relations award.

How to drive a wine brand in the UK on-trade by Wine Business Solutions

Peter McAtamney, principal at research body, Wine Business Solutions, gives his personal assessment on how best to drive and build a wine brand in the UK on-trade with a particular nod to Kleine Zalze, which has been named number one South African brand in its latest 2014 Wine On-Premise report,and Matthew Clark which is reaping the rewards of an astute wine listing strategy

Inter-Rhône's Agnès Heller lives the rock n' roll dream with Skin Côntact

With little more than a week to go before Skin Côntact, the wine trade's first ever rock band, take to the stage at London's Vinopolis to help raise money for Comic Relief we turn to those resonsible for making it happen - the sponsors.

Gallo targets new wine drinkers with its first fruit and low-alcohol wine ranges

American wine giant, E& J Gallo, is continuing its drive to appeal to so-called millennial consumers, with the UK launch of a low-alcohol and a fruit wine range which are targeted at drinkers who are currently intimidated by wine but aspire to drink it.

March for Indies: Still time to get local MP and media on side and back duty campaign

Harpers is today repeating its calll out to independent wine merchants across the UK to lobby both their MP and local media to back the Drop the Duty campaign and invite both to their business so that they can hear their story for themselves.

Hunters of Helmsly named Best Small Shop in the UK

Hunters of Helmsley, the Yorkshire deli and fine wine merchants, is the 2015 winner of the Best Small Shop Competition.

Entries for Harpers Awards extended by a week to March 6

The deadline to enter the 2015 Harpers Awards has been extended by a weeek to March 6 to alllow extra time for the trade to collate their entries.

TescoGate: Dan Jago to return to retailer following investigation

Dan Jago, who was suspended from his role as Tesco's director of wine, spirits and beer at the height of the fallout from the £263 million shortfall in the retailer's profits, is being reinstated and will return to the retailer in a new role on March 9.