IBD and SIBA launch microbrewery qualification

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) have launched a new brewing qualification, in response to the growth in microbreweries.

Stop telling consumers 90 per cent of wines they drink are 'crap' warns Wilson

Telling consumers that 90% of wines they drink are "crap" is hardly the best way to attract new drinkers to the category, according to Damien Wilson of the Burgundy School of Business.

Chase Distillery launches Extra Dry Gin

Wines of Germany announces 31 Days of German Riesling winners

The winners of the first Wines of Germany on and off-trade promotional competition - 31 Days of German Riesling - have been announced.

Winemakers must take terroir seriously, hears EWBC

Producers who want to make wines that are true to their terroir must cut out the "noise" of modern winemaking techniques and look back to the traditions of how their wines were made, according to Californian winemaker Randall Grahm.

PLB boosts retail sales team

PLB has added four new staff to its sales team to better support its new structure, which sees the business split into five categories to cater for each segment of the market.

Frederic Robinsons launches e-learning training programme

Frederic Robinsons is to launch an e-learning training programme with the aim of offering its on-trade tenants induction guidance and hands-on experience.

New Portman Group code sets 'gold standard' for drinks marketing

Stricter rules governing how images of under 25s are used in alcohol marketing, new guidelines on promoting lower strength drinks and closer ties with the Advertising Standards Authority are all key facets of the Portman Group's revised code of practice.

Maison Sichel rebrands Sirius for 25th anniversary

Maison Sichel has launched new packaging for its Bordeaux brand Sirius to celebrate its its 25th anniversary.

ITV Christmas sponsorship deal for Crabbie's

A new TV ad campaign for Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer will break this Christmas in a bid to increase brand awareness.

FirstCape smaller format wine sales rocket

FirstCape sales of smaller pack sizes have rocketed in the past six months, contributing to a sales hike of 327% overall.

Wines of Germany plans significant UK investment

The German Wine Institute is "significantly" increasing its UK investment to boost its burgeoning growth of the above £5 price bracket.

CIVL buyers' trip: Laurent Chaniac

Next up in our CIVL buyers' trip series, Laurent Chaniac, food and wine consultant to The Cinnamon Club & Kitchen in London, tells Harpers which wines and producers stood out for him and why carbonic maceration is a real turn-off.

Vodka Emporium opens door to first retail store

Online drinks specialist Vodka Emporium has opened its first retail store in Colchester in partnership with indie wine merchant The Wine Company.

Morrisons online wine store goes live

Morrisons Cellar, the supermarket's online wine store which aims to boost its wine sales by £100 million, has gone live.

Distell launches new sparkler in UK

Distell is hoping to cash in on consumer demand for lower-alcohol wines with its new sparkling white.

UK interest in American whiskey booming

Bourbon Buffalo Trace plans to host more pop-up bars across the country following its success at London Cocktail Week, and the distillery is also launching a limited edition whiskey as UK interest in the category grows.

Languedoc's white wines growing in popularity in UK

Renowned for its red wines, the Languedoc is seeing an increase in demand from UK buyers for its "fashionable" whites.

Asda's IPL arm sources 40% of its wine

Asda has revealed its direct sourcing arm IPL is responsible for buying up to 40% of its wine range.

CIVL buyers' trip: Ana Sapungiu

Encouraging new UK listings of Languedoc wines was the aim behind the recent CIVL study tour to the region, organised in conjunction with Harpers.