Drinks firms face increased costs and red tape over new HMRC fraud rules

Drinks firms face increased red tape and administrative costs for carrying out due diligence as part of a HMRC crackdown on alcohol fraud.

Australian drinks design studio the Collective opens first European office

The Collective, a Sydney-based drinks design agency, has opened its first outpost outside Australia, in London.

Today's SITT London tasting offers masterclasses on Italy and the Rhône

Wine importer Red Squirrel sees wholesale business grow fivefold in three months

Chiswick wine importer Red Squirrel Wine has seen its wholesale business take off after it beefed up its portfolio and revamped its logo and website.

Greenall's releases first new gins in over 250 years

Gin brand Greenall's is launching its first new gins in over 250 years today - a sloe gin and wild berry option.

Argentina's Viñalba wine brand launches two new wines

Argentina's Viñalba brand has added two new wines to its portfolio - Parrilla by Viñalba and Reservado de la Familia.

Wine Vision 2014 turns spotlight onto the wine and consumers of the future

The future of wine, from emerging markets to evolving consumers, will be up for debate at this year's second Wine Vision event which takes place in November.

Matthew Clark appoints new wine buyer

On-trade wine supplier Matthew Clark has appointed Judith Nicholson as assistant wine buyer to help expand the group's wine portfolio.

French bulk market 'tense' in face of Languedoc shortages

The French bulk wine market is starting to look "very tense", according to one top broker, following major shortages in the Languedoc region.

Cru Bourgeois selects 267 chateaux from 2012 vintage

The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has chosen 267 chateaux to represent the region's best wines from the 2012 vintage - bringing numbers to their highest level in the five years since the selection was relaunched.

Kingsland ramps up its South Africa wine listings with Brand Phoenix deal

Kingsland has signed a deal to distribute Brand Phoenix's First Cape and Distell ranges throughout the impulse, convenience and wholesale markets.

Tesco fast tracks new finance chief to help with fall out from profit crisis

Tesco has pushed the start date forward of its new chief financial officer Alan Stewart to October 1 instead of December 1 after the fallout of yesterday's misstatement of profits.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

Salentein hopes to win over independents with new premium Argentinian wine range

Salentein, the Argentinian wine producer, is to release a new premium range of wines to the UK including it icon wine, Gran Vu Blend, which it hopes to gain distribution across the on-trade and independent sectors.

Bolivian wine trade to head to ProWein 2015

Bolivia, newcomer to the wine trade, is making its presence felt internationally by taking a stand at next year's ProWein show in Dusseldorf.

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

KWV relaunches UK distribution strategy by switching from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green

KWV, the South African wine giant, is to switch its UK distribution from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green as it looks to reposition itself in the UK with a targeted multiple and independent retail strategy.

Low alcohol wines dogged by lack of awareness and poor quality perceptions

France and the USA are the most attractive markets for lower alcohol wines, although others show great potential, says a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Tesco announces £250m overstatement of profits

Tesco overstated its profits for the first six months up to August 23, 2014 by an estimated £250 million, according to a statement released by the company this morning.

Scotch whisky exports plummet 11% in first half of 2014

Scotch whisky exports have fallen 11% to £1.77 billion in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period last year, with the finger being pointed at "economic headwinds and uncertainty".