Nick Mantella steps down as UK managing director of Codorniu

Nick Mantella has stepped down as managing director of sparkling wine company Codorniu UK after 12 years at the firm.

Laithwaite's appoints former Carphone Warehouse boss as managing director

Scotland's minimum price plan referred to European Court

The Scottish government's plan to introduce a minimum price for alcohol has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

Stevens Garnier to distribute Finca Flichman through Molson Coors

Stevens Garnier has appointed Molson Coors to distribute its Argentinian brand Finca Flichman in the on-trade.

Beam Suntory US$16billion acquisition deal closes

Suntory's acquistion deal worth US$16 billion of Beam Inc officially closed yesterday making the renamed company Beam Suntory the third largest maker of distilled drinks in the world.

Michel Rolland defends his ability to manage wines on up to 200 wineries around the world

Michel Rolland has defended his role as an international wine consultant capable of managing the quality of wine on up to 200 wine estates around the world.

Farr Vintners to double fund raising efforts of Benevolent's Chris Porter

Farr Vintners has announced it will match whatever sum of money is raised by Benevolent  chairman, Chris Porter, as he embarks on his 'Around the Grounds in 14 Days' challenge to visit all  the 91 football league  grounds between May 12 and May 25.

Organic wine firm Vintage Roots returns to growth

Organic wines supplier Vintage Roots has seen sales surge by 12% in the past nine months.

Wine shipments through US ports in jeopardy as strike action 'unavoidable'

Industrial action at western US ports now looks "unavoidable" say opposing sides in the dispute - putting wine shipments in jeopardy.

New Zealand wine exports grow 9.2%

New Zealand wine exports topped NZ$1.3 billion annually for the first time in March, up 9.2% on the previous year, according to figures from Statistics New Zealand.

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby retires

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby is to retire after a 15-year career at the drinks distributor.

McWilliam's revamps entire wine range to stand out in "staid" Australian category

Naked Wines turns to London Stock Exchange to help its next phase of growth

Naked Wines is preparing for the next stage in its rapid growth by joining a London Stock Exchange business support programme.

Hallgarten outsources logistics to London City Bond

Hallgarten Druitt and Novum Wines has switched its in-house warehousing operations to London City Bond.

Menopausal women are the target for new US wine brand - Hot Flash Wines

A new wine business targeting menopausal women has been set up in the United States called Hot Flash Wines.

Drinks trade on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol

The drinks industry is on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the market by the end of 2015, according to a report by the Department of Health.

Katherine Canfield on a new US wine business targeting menoposaul women

The important role women play in the future of wine - and the drinks industry as a whole - is undeniable; however, this critical demographic continues to be elusive for many in the trade. Wine businesses have attempted to fill this gap in their customer base with new marketing strategies, such as the calorie-focused marketing for wines and cocktails employed by US alcohol brand Skinnygirl Cocktails

Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling launches in Tesco Express

Germany's well-known Blue Nun Rivaner Riesling wine has grown its UK supermarket distribution with a Tesco Express listing at around 1,000 stores.

Jon Bonné of San Francisco Chronicle on how American wine is changing

Jon Bonné, wine editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, tells Anne Krebiehl at last week's New California tasting how what constitutes a good American wine is changing radically as new consumers start experimenting more.  

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.