Alastair Stevens, founder of Stevens Garnier, dies after long illness

Alastair Stevens, the founder of wine agency Stevens Garnier, has died peacefully at home after a long illness.

Silvano Giraldin joins Just Great Wine

Silvano Giraldin has joined British wine merchant Just Great Wine as a consultant.

Great Western joins Environment Agency scheme and considers appeal

Great Western Wine has come to a legal understanding and agreement with the Environment Agency to meet its reclycing commitments following an initial £35,000 fine which it is now considering appealing.

UK wine market sees steady growth

The light wine market has grown faster than any other major category of alcoholic drinks over the last 10 years, according to a consumer survey.

Johnnie Walker gets intense

Diageo is launching a new variant of the world's number Scotch whisky brand called Johnnie Walker Double Black.

Skalli to launch new signature

Southern French producer Skalli, has launched a new signature across its wine labels in celebration of its 90^th anniversary in 2010.

Restaurants and online thrive over Christmas

The restaurant trade is reporting a good Christmas, although the bad weather of the past two weeks has kept customers away.

Conservatives to scrap alcohol unit system

Navarra wines to get consumer boost

A new initiative to promote the Navarra wine region is being launched by The Consejo Regulador in Navarra.

Tesco goes lightweight

Tesco is rolling out the lightest glass wine bottle available in the UK on its own-label ranges.

A rosé future for rosado

Exports of rosados from Navarra to the UK rose by over 30% to the end of October 2009, due to increased promotional activity says the Consejo Regulador Navarra. 

IWC to roll out iPhone application for 2009 winners

The International Wine Challenge has launched an iPhone Application that includes all the medal winners in the 2009 competition.

Johnnie Walker tests Double Black

A peatier version of Johnnie Walker Black Label is to be tested by Diageo in global travel retail.

Wine company fined £35,000 for failing to recycle

Great Western Wine has been fined a total £35,000 including costs through the courts for officially failing to recycle its waste packaging.

Trade stalwart Colin Gurteen dies

The trade is mourning the loss of Colin Gurteen, a well-known wine eductator and pioneer of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Trade defends itself against MPs' attack

MPs have attacked the drinks industry's lack of action in curbing problem drinking and demanded tougher regulation on the trade, including a 50p-a-unit minimum price.

Whisky roofs collapse under weight of snow

Two Chivas Regal sites in Speyside have been damaged after roofs collapsed on its warehouses under the weight of heavy snow.

Torres appoints new head of Chile operation

Miguel Torres Jr of the Torres family in Spain has been appointed executive president of the company's Chilean subsidiary, based in Curicó.

Thresher closures boost Spar wine sales

The collapse of First Quench has seen a 6% rise in alcohol sales at convenience chain Spar, according to the group's managing director Jerry Marwood.

Drinks indusry dismisses MPs claims it is "dependent" on heavy drinkers

The drinks industry has refuted allegations from a government select committee that it is "dependent" on heavy drinkers and holds too much sway over government alcohol policy.