Chief of the Week: Cockburn's Vintage Port

OK admittedly it seems strange to bestow our "Chief of the Week" honour on simply a vintage Port house. But then Cockburn's, now safely ensconced in the paternal ownership of Symington Family Estates, is not your average vintage Port company.

Port on course to overtake sherry in the off-trade says Paul Symington

Port is set to overtake sherry in value sales in the off-trade in the next two years if current trends continue, according to Paul Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates.

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Australia's 170 year history of wine unravelled in new academic study

Anyone interested in the Australian wine industry can now access insights in to its 170-year history in a new free academic study that looks at how the country's wine production has developed and what lessons it teaches the wineries and producers today.

Pacta Connect to open more East European wine sites following success of Brighton store

Pacta Connect, specialist importers of central and Eastern European wines, is looking to open further retail outlets following the initial success of its first site situated in Brighton's recently renovated Open Market.

Seven of England's leading wineries to fly the flag at ProWein

Seven leading English wine producers will be heading to ProwWein this weekend to help further cement the reputation of home grown wines in the international marketplace.

Mitchells & Butlers launches its most ambitious apprenticeship scheme

Mitchells & Butlers is backing the National Apprenticeship Week by launching a new scheme that it hopes will help it find its managers of the future.

Independents winning battle against shop crime but alcohol still a major target for thieves

Investing in crime prevention measures like CCTV has seen the number of independent retailers that have been victims of shop theft fall from 91% in 2012 to 74% in 2014, but alcohol still remains one of the major problem areas, according to new figures.

How Armit's Italian tasting turned Justin Keay in to a believer

Stuart Broad signs up as Hardys ambassador...just don't mention the World Cup

With all the excitement of last week's March for the Independents events we missed out on news that England fast bowler has been signed up by Australian wine brand, Hardys, to be one of its ambassadors as part of its ongoing sponsorship of English cricket.

Japanese sake producers reflect on four years of recovery to mark earthquake anniversary

Four years since the earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc across Japan, Anna Greenhous looks at how sake producers, some of whom were wiped out at the time, have rebuilt their industry and how sake has become a symbol for regeneration and hope in the country.

Invivo looks to raise close to £1m in first New Zealand wine crowdfunding venture

Invivo claims it will be the first New Zealand winery to launch an equity crowdfunding offer as it hopes to raise a maximum $2million NZD (just under £1 million) with the help of shareholders, including UK chat show host, Graham Norton, to spearhead its future growth.

Smith & Wollensky hires Boisdale's Nathan Evans to spearhead its London launch

Nathan Evans has been recruited from the Boisdale Group to help oversee the launch of the famous US steakhouse chain, Smith & Wollensky in to the UK

Richard Siddle: can independents (and their suppliers) grasp their moment in the limelight?

We hear (and we write) a lot about how important the independent sector is to the future of the wine and spirits sector.

Spain and Argentina are the two big winners in the UK on-trade says new report

Spain and Argentina were the two big winners in the UK on-trade last year, according to the latest Wine On-Premise report from Wine Business Solutions.

2015 London Wine Fair will be the "most diverse" ever promises show organisers

This year's London Wine Fair will be the most diverse in its 35 year history, according to show director Ross Carter.

Pernod Ricard's Denis O'Flynn urges senior industry figures to sign up and back WSTA

More senior businesses and figures in the UK wine and spirits industry need to get behind the work of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to try and protects its future growth, according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and the trade body's new chairman.

Bordeaux's last chance to transform "out of touch" en primeur system says Tim Atkin

Leading UK wine critic and Harpers columnist, Tim Atkin MW, has fired a warning shot across the bows of Bordeaux and warned its producers and chateaux that they need to listen to the international critricism of its en primeur system and make serious changes or risk looking "ridiculous" in the eyes of the wine world.

Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

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