Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards shortlist announced

The shortlisted restaurant and bars in this year's Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards have been announced.

A new and funky bottle

It's a new and funky bottle for Chambord, the French black-raspberry liqueur.

Babicka - a witches brew

Hailing from a recipe handed down from a band of 16th-century Czech peasant grandmothers, with a bit of a reputation for witchcraft, comes the wormwood based Babicka (pronounced Ba-bitch-ka).

Hot of the vinous starting blocks

Hot off the vinous starting blocks is the Domaine Blomac wine label which is being launched in the UK by Roger Harris Wines.

Vida Organica - a sparkling affair

Supplied to the UK exclusively by Alliance Wine is the new line-up from Familia Zuccardi.

Kofi Annan to address Spanish wine conference

One for sloe berry addicts

In time for the dusky autumnal weather and winter woollies is Demijohn Sloe Sherry (50cl rrp £21.60).

Chivas goes Christian Lacroix

There are only 3,000 bottles of the limited-edition haute couture styled Chivas 18 Year Old (rrp £399) ? one edition that is guaranteed to stand out on anyone's shelf or drinks list.

New look for Cuvée Pierre Frapin

The new packaging for the ultra-premium Cuvée Pierre Frapin 1888 features stylish detail.

New look for Cuvée Pierre Frapin

The new packaging for the ultra-premium Cuvée Pierre Frapin 1888 features stylish detail.

Wine with a quick response

One of the first wines in the UK that precedes the rush to include a quick response code on the label is the Vinultra Insight Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Laithwaites Wine, rrp £11.99).

Baron de Ley-El Coto invests €5m in new white varieties

Spanish wine group Baron de Ley-El Coto has bought Carbonera-Bergasa's 500-hectare estate in Rioja and plans to invest €5m in developing new white varieties approved by regional authorities three years ago.

Noval goes minimal for Xmas

Keeping it minimal and aimed at younger drinkers to the port category is Noval Black from Quinta do Noval (rrp £14.99).

Campo Viejo ramping up tapas campaign

Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo is ramping up its Viva el vino tapas campaign in the on-trade after the success of last year's marketing push.

Pernod Ricard sells New Zealand Wine brands

Pernod Ricard Group has sold some of its New Zealand Wine brands, including Lindauer, to a consortium of buyers from Lion Nathan and Indevin, for NZ $88 million (circa £42 million).

Pernod Ricard sells New Zealand Wine brands

Pernod Ricard Group has sold some of its New Zealand Wine brands, including Lindauer, to a consortium of buyers from Lion Nathan and Indevin, for NZ $88 million (circa £42 million).

Roberson Wine & Orbiel & Frères

Fed up with the lack of wine available in the UK at a low enough price for Roberson Wine to retail it sub-£6 and wholesale at around £4, senior buyer Mark Andrew embarked on a hunt for a range of great, superb-value wines.

Bowmore's launches limited-edition expressions

One for the whisky collector.

Carol Emmas reviews Roux at Parliament Square

It was a sad day for me when the peace protesters were removed from Parliament Square - where some had camped for almost a decade.

González Byass celebrates 175th anniversary with London tasting

González Byass is presenting its entire range of wines, sherries and brandies to celebrate the 175th anniversary since the Spanish wine company's establishment.