Oakham Ales acquires Bellwether Wines

Peterborough-based Oakham Ales has acquired nearby Bellwether Wines, which supplies to the licensed on-trade within a 35-mile radius of the region.

Maxxium boosts on-trade training team

Maxxium UK has appointed two trainers to its spirits and cocktails training scheme - Mixxit.

Connoisseur Estates hires premium wine sales managers

Berkshire-based wine agency Connoisseur Estates has appointed two regional managers to handle sales of its premium wines.

Charles Metcalfe creates recipes for Portuguese wine

TV wine and food critic Charles Metcalfe has created six recipes to be paired with Tagus Creek wines from Portuguese producer Falua.

Dos and dont's of protecting your brand in China

Any business with international aspirations will have China in its sights. Consumption of imported wines and spirits is increasing rapidly, particularly in relation to high end products, which are seen as reflecting power and sophistication upon their consumers, or those giving such items as present. The current opportunities for Western brands seem limitless.

Cockburn's back at number one in the UK

Cockburn's has regained its number one status as the UK's biggest Port brand according to the latest Nielsen statistics released by brand owner Symingtons.

China to be number one market for WSET students in 2013

China will overtake the UK in 2013 as the number one market for students taking a Wine & Spirit Education Trust course.

The Guardian's coverage has potential for "unimaginable damage", warns WOSA

Wines of South Africa has accused The Guardian of potentially causing "unimaginable damage" to the industry.

Be part of the largest survey of the indie sector to date

Suppliers going bust, reduced consumer spending and competition from online are among some of the biggest challenges facing the independent sector in 2013, according to merchants taking part in Harpers' Indies Uncovered research project.

Drinks industry launches public campaign against minimum pricing

Kleine Zalze hires new winemaker

South African wine estate Kleine Zalze has appointed RJ Botha as winemaker.

Horizons reports Christmas dining-out decline

Consumers cut back on their spending this Christmas and fewer people dined out over the festive period, according to foodservice analysts Horizons.

English wine experts question need for regionality

Harpers hears from leading experts on English sparkling about whether establishing a cru-based identification system would help estates promote their wines better on an international stage.

Bulk wine will boost branded wine

As value rises on the producer side of the supply chain due to reducing global wine stocks and increasing shortages in many key producing countries...

Half of UK high street retailers plan spring staff cuts

Half of our high street retailers intend to cut staff numbers within the next three months, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Ross Carter appointed exhibition director for LIWF

Former event manager for the London International Wine Fair, Ross Carter, has returned as exhibition director, replacing James Murray who left Brintex last week.

Fine Bordeaux tender opens

Cases of fine Bordeaux wine worth £140,000 have been put on the market by asset disposal group Winterhill Largo to repay the creditors of Wine Traders International.

Find your perfect match from France

For a chance to taste wines from small, terroir-driven French producers, head to the fourth annual First Date for France tasting on February 12.

Cellar Trends reports positive results from Drinkaware campaign

Drinks distributor Cellar Trends and alcohol education charity Drinkaware have reported positive results to its responsible drinking message campaign Why let good times go bad? which it held in 18 cities across England before Christmas.

Maison Sichel reports 21% uplift in value

Bordeaux-based producer and négociant Maison Sichel has reported a 21% value growth for 2012, making it the company's second best year since it was established in 1883.