2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Daniel Murphy of Murphy Wine Company

In the first of our annual reviews of the year for the festive period, we ask Daniel Murphy, founder of bulk wine broker Murphy Wine Company, to look back on 2014 and assess what he sees as the big challenges for the sector in to 2015. In a nutshell he believes few in the trade have really grasped the impact of a sea change in world wine production, nor of the potential for bulk wine in the UK.

Glasgow Distillery Company finds rare 30 year-old single malt casks to release its first whisky

Glasgow's first standalone whisky and gin distillery in over a 100 years has acquired 30-year-old rare aged single malt Speyside casks which it is to turn in to its first official whisky release.

Australian wine Giant Steps moves to Liberty Wines from OW Loeb

Yarra Valley's Giant Steps wine has shifted its UK distribution from OW Loeb to Liberty Wines.

Tesco accused of 'blunderbuss' approach in scrapping supplier fees

Tesco's move to scrap supplier fees and instead focus on getting the lowest prices upfront has been greeted with scepticism by leading consultants who describe is as "old-fashioned" and taking a "blunderbuss approach".

Mitchells & Butlers lists Help for Heroes wine

Bar and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers has listed the Help for Heroes wine brand at 300 of its venues across the country.

Liv-ex optimistic about fine wine market heading into 2015

Bordeaux's fine wine market "looks to be recovering", says fine wine exchange Liv-ex, whose 100 index has showed gains over the past four months, with its 50-index holding steady since July.

Bulk wine shipping and New World plantings to slow, says Rabobank

Shipping wine in bulk is set to slow, while New World plantings are also declining - that's according to Rabobank's recently published World Wine Map.

Price wars saved UK shoppers £182m in last three months, says Kantar

While the grocery market has returned to very slight growth, real grocery deflation, which has seen prices fall by 0.7% versus last year, equates to savings of £182 million for consumers in the last three months, according to Kantar. 

Brighton's first craft gin hits the market

Brighton & Hove's first distillery has opened its doors with Brighton Gin fresh out of the still and into a host of local outlets.

Spike in applications for craft distillers' licences takes HMRC 'by surprise'

The number of applications for craft distiller licences in the UK has taken HMRC "by surprise", spiking from two last year, to 35 so far in 2014.

Burgundy wines tries to buck falling UK sales with week-long event

The generic body behind Burgundy wines in the UK is launching a week long showcase of the region's wines in London in January 2015 as part of a bid to counteract its slump in sales.

Still time to test your knowledge and take the Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge!

There has been a lot going on over the last 12 months and it can be hard to keep up with the latest news, views and opinions in the UK wine and spirits sector. So why not find out how much you remember or what caught your attention in 2014 by taking part in our fun Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge.

Taiwan's wine imports growing at 27% per year

Taiwan's wine imports have grown by 27% per year between 2008 and 2012, and are expected to remain in double digit growth until 2017.

Treasury Wine Estates to slim down branded portfolio

Treasury Wine Estates is focusing its investment on 15 global umbrella brands, 20 international brands, and 20 local brands, out of its 80-strong portfolio.

James Bond returns to vodka - Belvedere vodka for new Spectre film

Bond is back and this time's he's drinking vodka. Belvedere vodka to be exact.

Town centres 'hollowing out' over lack of local plans

Instil Drinks appoints new MD and brings PLB beer portfolio under its wing

Bibendum PLB's beer and niche spirits trading arm Instil Drinks Company has incorporated PLB's extensive beer range into its portfolio, including its flagship Estrella Galicia.

Bargain Booze launches discount app to drive sales

Bargain Booze - the 500-strong franchised off-licence chain operated by Conviviality Retail - is investing in an app which will offer customer discounts.

BBC Food & Drink's new double act of Joe Wadsack and Tom Kerridge goes live on January 2

Joe Wadsack, the acclaimed wine broadcaster and consultant, will make his first appearance as the new face of wine on BBC's Food & Drink programme when the programme is re-launched with two Michelin-star chef, Tom Kerridge, on January 2, 2015. 

Grey Goose takes over London Tube station with huge ad

Grey Goose vodka has taken over the full length of London's Bank Underground Station with the "largest piece of single advertising creative" in UK history in the run-up to Christmas.