Morrisons first supermarket to launch new green wine closure

Morrisons has become the first major UK retailer to use the environmentally friendly GL closure - which employs 64% less aluminium - on its own brand Soave wine.

'Normal' vintage kicks off in Spain as government moves to curb last year's excess

The first grapes of the 2014 crop are being harvested in Spain, with winemakers predicting a "normal" sized vintage of between 42 and 45 million hectolitres.

Chile's Santa Carolina switches from Percy Fox to Ehrmanns

Chilean wine brand Santa Carolina has ditched Diageo-owned distributor Percy Fox in favour of Ehrmanns in order to boost UK sales across all channels.

Liberty Wines adds Australian Tempranillo to portfolio

Liberty Wines has added Australia's La Linea to its portfolio, which managing director David Gleave MW says demonstrates the potential for Tempranillo in the Adelaide Hills.

Alliance Wine adds Celler del Roure to wine list

Alliance Wine has boosted its Spanish portfolio with the addition of boutique Valencian producer Celler del Roure.

South Africa's Kleine Zalze takes on new cellarmaster

Most wine industry's challenges are no different to other sectors, says economist Mike Veseth

Mike Veseth, the celebrated US wine economist and blogger, has dismissed the idea that the dynamics of the wine industry are different to the challenges faced by other business sectors.

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.

Entries for Harpers Global Design Awards extended to August 22

The deadline to enter this  year's Harpers Global Design Awards has been extended by a week and now closes on August 22.

Echo Falls links up with British fashion designer for new limited edition range

Accolade Wines has introduced two new limited edition bottle designs for its leading Echo Falls wine brand that have been created by top British fashion designer, Holly Fulton.

Single serve wine glass Intrepid Fox taken over by angel investor

Single-serve tulip wine glass Intrepid Fox, brought to market by entrepreneur James Nash after appearing on Dragon's Den, is being relaunched after the company was bought out.

Australian wine companies to gain better protection with joint agreement with Woolworths

Australian wine producers are set to gain better protection with the signing of the "Good Wine Buyer and Suppler Principles: A Code of Fairness and Transparency'' with Australia's biggest wine retailer Woolworths Liquor Group (WLG).

TED-style DisruptWine Talks to be central focus of the 2014 DWCC conference

A series of what are being billed as "DisruptWine Talks"  will be one of the key new features at this November's Digital Wine Communications Conference taking place in Montreux, Switzerland.

Bordeaux ramps up focus on younger consumers with white wines

The president of a Bordeaux wine body wants to open up younger UK wine consumers to the region's white wines.

Chile's wine production plummets by one quarter, say official figures

Chile's wine production has plummeted by almost one quarter compared to last year, but experts aren't expecting price rises as the country still has plenty of leftover wine in its tanks.

Drinkaware launches mobile app to help people cut down on drinking

Drinkaware has launched a mobile app which tracks alcohol consumption, calculates units and calories and helps users set goals to cut down their drinking.

Maison Sichel shows its support for independents by signing Harpers Best Practice Guidelines

Maison Sichel is the third major French wine company to support the UK independent sector by signing up to Harpers Best Practice Guidelines designed to promote open and fair trading between wine merchants and suppliers.

Own-label wine is not just for major multiples any longer

Own-label and private-label wines are no longer the preserve of the major multiples, but what is the attraction for independent merchants and restaurants alike?

Parliamentary group calls for tobacco-style health warnings on alcohol

A group of MPs has called for cigarette-like health warnings on all alcoholic drinks, as well as a lower drink driving limit.

Harpers.co.uk introduces new dedicated finance section

Today Harpers.co.uk introduces a new section of the website that hopes to keep you up to speed with all the latest breaking financial stories affecting the global wine and spirits industry.