Oddbins to close 39 stores

Oddbins is closing 39 branches across the UK as part of its restructuring process.

Scottish distillers switch power off for WWF

Scotch Whisky Association to support 'Earth Hour'

The Scotch Whisky Association has announced support for the World Wildlife Fund's annual 'Earth Hour' charity event in aid of wildlife threatened by climate change.

Survey: how will the Budget affect the drinks trade?

Chancellor George Osborne is dealing with mixed messages from the UK drinks trade as he puts the finishing touches to his March 23 Budget, and Harpers wants to find out how it will affect you.

Northern Ireland debates 70p-a-unit minimum alcohol price

Northern Ireland could impose a minimum price of up to 70p per unit of alcohol under plans drawn up by ministers.

Slurp abandons minimum order to launch 'Slurp Singles'

Slurp.co.uk has abandoned its minimum order restrictions on the Slurp Express catalogue, allowing customers to purchase single bottles of wine for next day delivery at no extra cost.

Sterling falls to one month low against euro

Sterling fell to a one month low on Friday against the euro, which was boosted by comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, who said that interest rates could rise as early as next month.

Restaurant Manager of the Year UK finalists announced

Seven, instead of the usual six, of the UK's top restaurant managers will go through to the finals of the Academy of Food and Wine Service UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2011 competition.

Shock move by European Central Bank

Sterling fell by nearly 1% against the euro yesterday as poor UK services sector activity sector contrasted sharply with a shock statement from the European Central Bank that the ECB could hike interest rates in the region as early as next month.

Bibendum picks up Chateau de Saint Cosme agency

Rhone producer Chateau de Saint Cosme has signed an exclusive UK distribution deal with Bibendum.

Drinks trade outrage as barred from Scottish summit

The drinks trade is up in arms after being refused admission to a Scottish conference on alcohol and tobacco policy.

Bordeaux Index urges caution over second growth wines

Fine wine investors are being urged to exercise caution when buying "less prestigious second growth" wines, given the large volumes available and lack of growth in emerging markets, says Bordeaux Index.

Sterling still at 13-month high against US dollar

Sterling remained around a 13-month high against the US dollar yesterday as investors continued to speculate that US interest rates would stay in place much longer than the UK.

Cork producer Amorim's sales up 14%

Cork produer Amorim has posted a sales increase of almost 14% by volume in 2010, selling more than 3 billion cork bottle stoppers.

TV debut for Sourz

Maxxium's liqueur brand Sourz is making its TV debut as part of a new marketing campaign.

Rémy Cointreau in exclusive talks over Champagne sale

Rémy Cointreau has entered into exclusive negotiations with EPI over the sale of its Champagne division.

Sterling reaches highest level against US dollar for a year

Sterling jumped to the highest level against the US dollar for over a year after stronger than expected UK data left investors expecting an interest rate hike far before the USA.

Concha y Toro buys Fetzer for $238m

Concha y Toro has bought Brown-Forman's Fetzer Vineyards in a deal worth US$238 million, the largest transaction in the Latin American wine giant's history.

Sterling gains against US dollar over oil price concerns

Sterling gained against the US dollar yesterday as concerns over the price of oil dented the US currency.

Drinks bosses slam alcohol-related deaths forecast

Drinks bosses have slammed evidence which says there will be up to 30,000 alcohol-related deaths in the next 20 years, claiming official statistics were ignored.