Merchant House to open specialist gin and rum bar in London

The London Bar Consultants are opening Merchant House in the City, which will stock super premium and rare rums as well as 250 different gins.

Consumer spending on the rise but discounters still winning, says Barclaycard

There are signs that UK consumers are also enjoying the benefits of an economic recovery with the latest spending figures showing a near 4% year-on-year increase in April thanks largely to the later Easter holidays and warmest April weather for three years. The on-trade enjoyed a very strong month with spending in restaurants up 16.8% year-on-year.

Quinn Glass and Cobevco rebrand as Encirc

Quinn Glass and Cobevco have rebranded as a single entity - Encirc - and now offers glass manufacturing, filling, warehousing and logistics. 

Next Bordeaux Vinexpo set for June 14-18 2015

The next French Vinexpo exhibition will be held in Bordeaux, from June 14 to 18, 2015.

Growth in bulk wine shipping to slow, says JF Hillebrand boss

Matthew Clark sees wine sales rise 7%

Wine sales at on-trade wholesaler Matthew Clark have jumped by 7% in the last year, outperforming the on-trade as a whole where sales fell 13%, according to CGA.

Cava producers must push diversity, says body president

Cava producers must push diversity, says the president of the sparkling wine body, as the industry prepares to launch a new premium classification.

Rich List: Laithwaite's Wine owners see personal wealth dip by £60m

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Final 12 sommeliers chosen to battle it out for Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014

The 12 semi-finalists of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine Service, have been announced who will now battle it out to go through to the grand final.

Michael Jordaan to be new chairman of Wines of South Africa

Wines of South Africa has appointed Michael Jordaan, former chief executive of the country's First National Bank, as its new chairman.

Albion Racing Club spiced malt launches first film: 'Méribel or Bust'.

The Albion Racing Club, a British spiced malt launched in March 2014, has brought back memories of Terry Thomas and Tony Curtis and the iconic film, Monte Carlo or Bust, with the premiere of its first hour long film in London this week, which centres around the Club's inaugural race, 'The Alpine Run 2014: Méribel or Bust'.

Cambalache - comes alive in front of your eyes!

Visitors to last week's two night Cambalacheevent, that looked to re-create a night out in Buenos Aires in the east of London, could see street art comes to life in front of their eyes.

Harpers London Wine Fair debate: how consumers can power growth in your business

How major brands and retailers are succeeding in making their customers their biggest business assets through peer to peer recommendations, social media, online clubs and communities will be the focus of the Harpers Debate at this year's London Wine Fair.

Keynote speakers confirmed for the International Cool Climate Symposium 2016

The ninth International Cool Climate Symposium 2016, which is being held in the UK for the first time between May 26-28, has confirmed its keynote speakers, including Jancis Robinson MW, Professor Dr Huiquin Ma, Dr. Mike Trought, Dr Kees Van Leeuwen, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Essi Avellan MW, Dr Steve Charters MW and Professor Charles Spence.

Uproot Wines looks to attract new US wine drinkers through colour only wine labels

US consumers no longer need reading glasses or language dictionaries to decipher wine labels; but they do need a taste for colour.

English wine producers celebrate 'relief' of record 2013 harvest

English vineyards are celebrating a bumper 2013 harvest as new plantings nudge figures to 33,384 hectolitres or almost 4.5 million bottles, helping alleviate depleted stocks after poor harvests in the past two years.

South Africa's grape harvest is down 2.6% on 2013 bumper crop

South Africa is on course for an average sized, good quality harvest despite heavy rains, says the body representing 3,600 of the country's producers.

English vineyard Hambledon strikes distribution deal to help 1m bottle sales target

English sparkling wine producer Hambledon Vineyard has taken its first steps towards building sales to one million bottles per year by signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Fields, Morris & Verdin in the UK.

Hallgarten Druitt to become a more insights and sales driven business

Hallgarten Druitt's decision to outsource its warehousing and bonding to LCB will allow it to concentrate on providing a far more insights driven business for its customers, according to managing director Andrew Bewes.