Northern Ireland's alcohol abuse totals £900m

Alcohol abuse in Northern Ireland costs £900 million per year - a figure that could be reduced by earlier intervention.

Scottish independence: drinks trade on tenterhooks as voters go to polls

The wine and spirits trade is on tenterhooks as the people of Scotland go to the polls over independence.

Ex-Oddbins boss, Simon Baile, says standalone wine retailing not sustainable

Former Oddbins-supremo Simon Baile says there's no future in the world of standalone wine retailing, and has changed his model to include food and entertainment.

Buckingham Schenk sees Argentina and Prosecco sales soar

Buckingham Schenk see sales of its Argentinian Viñalba brand rocket, with Prosecco also leading the charge while pre-filled goblets hit sales of 1 million.  

An independent Scotland is bad news for Scotch whisky in short-term, says Rabobank

An independent Scotland will have a negative impact on the Scotch whisky industry in the short term, says a new report from Rabobank.

French harvest looking good, say estate owners

French winemakers are optimistic about the current harvest, especially given the current spell of good weather is making for perfect harvesting conditions.

Francoise Peretti of the UK's Champagne Bureau on the region's 2014 harvest

Peretti tells Harpers.co.uk this year's Champagne harvest is "textbook" so far, with high quality grapes that could lead to a vintage year.

Baking hot September boosts prospects for Bordeaux 2014 harvest

September's "baking hot" weather in Bordeaux has "greatly improved" the prospects for this year's harvest, with chateau owners comparing it to 2008.

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Bordeaux Index sees 'green shoots of recovery' in fine wine market

Fine wine merchant Bordeaux Index is seeing a recovery in the market thanks to growing demand for Bordeaux wines from the US and Asian markets.

New firm North South Wines ramps up activity

Newly-created North South Wines is planning to boost its team as it gets ready for a series of product launches in the coming months.

Your view: the impact of Scottish independence on the drinks trade

With only three more days to go until the big Scottish independence vote we ask the UK wine and spirits industry what it thinks will be the best outcome for individual businesses and look at some of the big issues that might arise after the Yes/No vote. Will alcohol duty rates differ in an independent Scotland? And how would drinks firms cope with trading in separate currencies north and south of the border? What do you think is the right future for Scotland and the rest of the country. Take part in our poll and let's find out...

South African wines 'gaining momentum' in UK market

The hard work put into growing the UK market by South African producers is beginning to pay off, but the country still needs to bring prices in line with market, says Wines of South Africa.

Hallgarten signs South Africa's Lismore Estate

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has signed South Africa's Lismore Estate to its portfolio, with the wines now available to the on-trade and independents and the on-trade.

Spain's wine industry must restructure but avoid 'trashing vinous treasures', warns MW

Spain has to be very careful not to trash its vinous treasures, warned Justin Knock MW, as the country faces a restructure following a wine glut.

Seckford Agencies toasts sales growth

Seckford Agencies has seen sales grow by 10 to 15% in the past year, says director David Cartwright.

Tesco expands Dan Jago's global wine role to include beer and spirits

Tesco's UK and group wine director Dan Jago is to increase his responsibilities with the addition of the beer and spirits portfolio.

Pernod Ricard UK chief to be new WSTA chair

Pernod Ricard UK's managing director Denis O'Flynn has been selected as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Les Grands Chais de France moves into Costières de Nimes

Les Grands Chais de France has acquired Château de la Tuilerie in the Costières de Nimes region for an undisclosed sum. 

Argentina's total wine exports to UK rocket 36%

Argentina's total wine exports to the UK have soared 36% on last year for the first six months of 2014, says Wines of Argentina's European and Asia director Andrew Maidment.