Accolade Wines sees profits rise £4m

Accolade Wines saw profits rise more than £4m in the 12 months to 30 June 2014, according to accounts filed at Companies House.

Drop the Duty!: WSTA thanks industry for support as it waits for Budget Day

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has commended the drinks industry for uniting behind the WSTA's Drop the Duty campaign and producing a compelling case for a 2% cut in duty.

Distillers City Debate to explore how innovative whisky is compared to other categories

Is the whisky category sufficiently innovative and how does it compare with other drinks categories will be the key issues up for debate at the Distillers City Debate 2015 organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

WSTA poll claims cutting wine duty could help swing the election

Cutting duty on wine might swing the election, a new poll has claimed.

SWA ramps up call to cut duty as domestic sales of whisky fall

Domestic sales of whisky have fallen nearly 5% in the last year, according to new figures from the Scotch Whisky Association.

Waitrose profits hit by investment and deflation

Waitrose saw operating profits fall 23.4%, on the back of increased investment in operations and amid a deflationary market.

Aldi launches new 'super premium' range of £10 wines

Aldi is adding a new 'super' premium range of £10 'boutique' wines as it seeks to capitalise on growth from middle class customers.

Morrisons posts losses of £792m as 23 convenience stores come into the firing line

Morrisons has posted an annual pre-tax loss of £792m, as total turnover fell 4.9% to £16,816m in the 52 weeks to 1 February 2015.

Vine viruses found in UK for first time highlights need to be vigilant, experts claim

Recent reports that English vines are in danger from widespread viruses have been exaggerated, according to English winemakers - although they recognised the need to remain vigiliant.

Maxxium promotes Mark Riley from head of off-trade to group's managing director

Spirit distributor Maxxium UK has named Mark Riley as its new managing director, who will take up the role next month.

Gruppo Campari sees sales up but profits hit by acquisitions and poor exchange rate

Italian drinks group Gruppo Campari saw sales rise 2.4% in 2014 - but group net profit fell 13.9% to €43.2m, following one-off costs involved in recent acquisitions and an unfavourable exchange rate.

New Zealand wine exports up, as premium grows in the UK

New Zealand's wine industry has seen exports grow 8.2% in the last year, hitting a record NZ$1.37 billion.

Villa Maria launches lighter alcohol wine range

New Zealand winery Villa Maria is set to launch a lower abv wine range into the UK off-trade.

Artisan gin producers throw weight behind WSTA campaign

Artisan gin distillers have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's campaign calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty.

Portuguese wine exports up 10% in UK says ViniPortugal

Portuguese wine exports to the UK rose 10% by volume in 2014, according to the latest figures from ViniPortugal. Values were also up 23%, it said.

Sherry to benefit from boost to marketing spend

Sherry is set to benefit from a boost, after the regulatory body successfully doubled its global marketing spend.

Lords committee calls for reform of EU tax laws

A House of Lords committee has called on the EU to reform the structure of alcohol tax so that variable taxes on wine and cider according to alcoholic strength can be introduced.

Diversifying in to cafes, bars and events are key for growth hears March for Indies conference

Independent merchants are seeing growth through expansion and diversification, moving from a purely traditional merchant and wholesale model to embrace new revenue streams, the March for the Independents conference heard.

Exclusive Google tips: 10 ways wine could can tell a better story online with video

Key trade figures came together last month to discuss with Google how to use online video, in a seminar organised by the School of Wine & Spirits Business in Dijon and supported by Harpers.

Loire wine exports to the UK sees further growth