Wine sales hit hardest by Scottish multibuy ban

Since Scotland introduced a ban on multi-buy alcohol deals in the off-trade in October 2011, wine sales have been hardest hit, dropping 4.6% in the year following implementation.

Direct Wines appoints David Thatcher as group ceo as Simon McMurtrie steps down

Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines group chief executive, is stepping down later this month to act as chairman for a number of businesses, with current UK managing director David Thatcher replacing him.

Obituary: Serge Hochar of Lebanon's Château Musar

Michael Karam, acclaimed journalist, ambassador for Lebanese wine and author of  Wines of Lebanon remembers, Serge Hochar, the charismatic and buccaneering owner of Lebanon's Château Musar, who died at the age of 74, while on holiday with his family in Mexico over the new year.

International wine trade pays tribute following the death of Château Musar's Serge Hochar

The international wine trade has united today to pay its respects to the legendary Lebanese winemaker, Serge Hochar, of Château Musar, who died over the new year.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Doug Wood of WoodWinters

Doug Wood, owner of Scottish independent merchant WoodWinters, lets off steam about supermarkets, credit control and 'parasitic internet-only' retailers, while looking forward to lots of Christmas presents from staff.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: John McLaren

John McLaren, UK director of the Wine Institute of California, on how the UK has changed to become a fresh land of opportunity for Californian producers, how it's in a 'holding pattern' with grocers, and why he 'may scream' if he's told to 'engage with consumers' again.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Cambridge Wine Company's Hal Wilson

Hal Wilson, managing director of independent merchant Cambridge Wine Company, gives us the low-down on opening a new wine bar, Cahors wines making a comeback and why he's watching this space with Philglas & Swiggot.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: PLB's John Osborne

John Osborne, managing director of the PLB trading division at Bibendum PLB, talks about the 'year of transformation', how retailers must adapt to the changes in how consumers shop and further supplier consolidation into next year.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Australian Vintage's Julian Dyer

Julian Dyer, general manager for UK & Europe at Australian Vintage, talks about McGuigan breaking into the Top 5 global wine brands in the UK, consolidation in the supply sector, and why he's back the WSTA's Drop the Duty campaign.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: WSTA chief Miles Beale

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, says the industry's progress against the Responsibility Deal is something to shout about. Meanwhile he's gearing up the pre-Budget Drop the Duty campaign and planning to engage with government after 2015's General Election.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fear for 2015: Direct Wine Shipments Neal McAlindon

Neal McAlindon, director at Belfast's Direct Wine Shipments, tells Harpers.co.uk why 2014 has been another good year, despite tricky market conditions in Northern Ireland.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Morrisons Mark Jarman

Mark Jarman, head of wine operations at Morrisons, relives the retailer's award-winning year and predicts further success for sherry and South American wines.

Drinks suppliers: Last chance to rate major retailers in our survey

2014 saw the drinks supply sector rocked by news of Tesco's accounting practices, and the subsequent suspension of the supermarket's BWS chief brought the scandal closer to home. We would like to find out how suppliers rate retailers across the board. 

Wine app Vivino celebrates 100 millionth scan

Wine app Vivino is celebrating its 100 millionth wine bottle scan from one of its 7 million subscribers.

Harpers.co.uk's 10 most popular stories of 2014

The most popular stories on Harpers.co.uk throughout 2014 cover everything from TescoGate to Bordeaux 2013 to BrewDog and Bibendum PLB.

Fresh inquiry into Tesco accounts as suppliers come under spotlight

Prosecco sales rocket while still wine lags

Off-trade alcohol sales have risen 2.4% to £14 billion, with volumes up 0.8% - and Italian sparkler Prosecco has seen the most stunning increase of all, with values up 55% throughout 2014.

Vinexpo makes changes to 2015 show

France's major wine and spirits show Vinexpo, has made changes to the 2015 exhibition to focus more on gastronomy, a bespoke meeting booking service and networking.

Bibendum PLB makes 'small number' of redundancies

Bibendum PLB has restructured its buying, off-trade, marketing and technical teams in the wake of its October merger, resulting in a small number of redundancies, Harpers.co.uk has learned.

Drinks industry 'vastly exceeds' target to remove 1bn units

The drinks industry has "vastly exceeded" its target to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the UK market two years ahead of schedule, a report from the Department of Health has confirmed.