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, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Zuma's Noel Pusch is named Sake Sommelier of the Year

Noel Pusch of premium Japanese restaurant chain Zuma's Abu Dhabi branch has been named Sake Sommelier of the Year at an awards ceremony at London's Westbury Hotel this week.

Wine Australia confirms Tesco's Laura Jewell as its new head of UK and Europe

Wine Australia has confirmed to Harpers.co.uk that it has appointed Tesco's Laura Jewell MW to be its new regional director for the UK and Europe.

Raisinable wine app brings mark up transparency to restaurant consumers

Raisinable, a free wine app which compares restaurant and retail wine prices and illustrates the mark up, is launching today and will feature several restaurants in London.

Italy's Lugana wine producers fight plans for 'devastating' fast train

Wine producers in northern Italy's Lugana region are fighting plans for a high speed rail line which would wipe out one third of their vineyard area.

Chile and South Africa bulk wine markets face 'stormy weather'

Chile and South Africa's bulk wine suppliers are facing "stormy weather", according to experts, given there is still a lot of wine from last year's harvest.

Rugby stars Ruan Pienaar and Robbie Diack launch South African wine

Soul Tree looks to raise £350k in crowdfunding scheme for its Indian wine business

Maison Sichel signs Amazon deal to boost off-trade sales

Maison Sichel has signed a deal with Amazon for five of its wines, with a special focus on flagship brand Sirius, in an effort to revitalise the brand after its UK off-trade distribution "ran out of steam".

Roger Jones on falling in love with the "wild west" of New Zealand's Central Otago

If there was one area in New Zealand which defines the whole ethos of its wine industry it must be Central Otago.

Debate over role and relevance of wine bloggers continues as trade figures take sides

What role and relevance bloggers have on the wine trade has become a major debating issue on Harpers.co.uk and on social media following recent articles questioning their value from leading wine commentators.

Consumers to tighten purse strings on food and drink this Christmas

Consumers are planning to rein in Christmas spending on food, drink and gifts this year, according to a poll carried out by pub operator Greene King.

David Gleave, Liberty Wines, and his key wine trends for Christmas

We believe Old World wines will continue to perform well this Christmas as people look to spend a little bit more and trade up to premium examples of known varieties. Alpha Zeta's Single Vineyard Pinot Grigio 'Terrapieno' from the Veneto is a good example of this.

TescoGate latest: UK shareholders poised to sue over "reckless" accounting errors

A UK law firm is preparing legal action on behalf of Tesco shareholders that will allege directors and senior managers "knew or were reckless" over the retailer's "untrue of misleading" accounts, which overstated profits by £263 million.

Morrisons rapped by ASA for "misleading" wine adverts after only two complaints

Morrisons has been forced by the Advertising Standards Authority to pull what it claims are "misleading" adverts offering special promotions after only two complaints.

Buck's Fizz is UK's favourite festive tipple, says Waitrose survey

Buck's Fizz, Irish coffee and mulled wine top the list of Britons' favourite festive cocktails, according to a survey of 1,000 people for Waitrose Cellar.

South Africa's Cape Wine 2015 to reach 'new levels'

Wines of South Africa says 2015's Cape Wine event will reach "an exciting new level", reflecting the industry's "dynamism".

Mitchells & Butlers profit down as revenues grow

Pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Browns venues, has seen revenues grow by 4% to £1.9 billion, while profits before tax fell by 13% to £123 million.

Wine industry should take initiative on calorie labelling, says WSTA chief

The wine industry needs to prepare itself for adding calorie labels to wine bottles, as the battle against obesity continues, warned Wine & Spirit Trade Association chief Miles Beale.

Cape Wine Auction hopes to raise thousands more for education in South Afrrica's winelands

Plans are in place for the second AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction which hopes to raise millions of rand to help fund education in the winelands of South Africa.