Italian Franciacorta and Brunello producers link up for first UK specialist tastings

The UK wine trade will get the chance to discover some of the premium wines available from two key Italian wine styles  - Franciacorta and Brundello - at special  masterclass tastings taking place in July.

London Wine Week attracts over 7,000 people to 100 events across the capital

Over 7,000 people took part in the first London Wine Week earlier this month which included a series of specialist tastings, including Robert Parker's first UK appearance in 25 years, and events across the capital.

UK imports of Loire wines have jumped by one third

Exports of Loire wine to the UK have grown by one third in the first four months of 2014 compared to the same period last year, according to figures from InterLoire

Independent merchants who work together can boost sales by £30k per year

Independent merchants who work together on the high street could boost their sales by up to £30,000 annually, according to a new report from American Express.

Humble Grape aims to open 16 tech-focused wine bars

London-based wine business Humble Grape has set its sights on becoming the 'Starbucks of the wine world', complete with enhanced technology, and plans to open16 franchised wine bars.

Underage alcohol sales have fallen, but proxy purchasing is rising

Retailers have made major progress in driving down underage alcohol sales, but proxy purchasing is on the increase, according to a new report.

Majestic boss says wine price inflation has stymied growth

Speaking to Harpers.co.uk following the group's results yesterday, Steve Lewis described the group's total sales growth of 1.4% to £278.2 million as "not where I'd want it to be", adding that the combination of poor harvests and duty increases had made for "difficult trading conditions".

Oxford Landing's ad campaign demonstrates 'absolute' commitment to UK

Australia's Oxford Landing wine brand is launching a 'significant' advertising campaign across London's underground stations, streetscapes and black cabs.

Wine trade has lucrative opportunity through mobile technology

The wine industry has historically been slow to cash in on mobile technology, but the time is right for the trade to ramp up its approach.

Mitchells & Butlers buys Orchid venues for £266m

Mitchells & Butlers has boosted its 1,600 strong estate with the addition of 173 of Orchid Group's venues after completing a deal worth £266 million.

Kathrine Larsen wins UK Sommelier of the Year 2014

Kathrine Larsen MS has become the Academy of Food & Wine Service's Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014 following an intense final at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel last week.

Majestic Wine profits flat in 'difficult year' as investment planned

Majestic Wine has reported a small dip in like-for-like sales, down 0.1%, but fine wine sales have rocketed by a fifth while Provence rosé is up 84%.

Franciacorta producers look to include old Italian indigenous variety to production process

Producers of Franciacorta, the premium Italian sparkling wine, may soon have to make it with an old indigenous grape variety if changes to the production process are approved. 

Your chance to win the World Cup with Harpers!

Love it or hate you won't be able to escape the World Cup taking part in Brazil over the next month. So why not keep up your interest over the coming weeks by taking part in the Harpers World Cup Predictathon?

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.

Digital innovation achieves record breaking $18.7 million at Auction Napa Valley

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association kicked off its 34th annual Auction Napa Valley on the 6th of June, but for the first time permitted bidding for the Barrel Auction via a mobile app.

Bodegas Campillo moves from Cellar Trends to Inverarity Morton

Spain's Bodegas Campillo has switched its UK distribution from Cellar Trends to Inverarity Morton to push sales in premium on-trade venues.

Laroche winemaker Grégory Viennois on a new dawn for Chablis, the difficult 2013 vintage and price changes

Grégory Viennois, the outspoken winemaker and technical director at Domaine Laroche (owned by the Advini group), was in London to present the 2012 vintage of his Chablis premiers and grands crus and hold a master class on the different crus on the right and left bank of the Serein river. Anne Krebiehl caught up with him afterwards: he sees the dawn of a new era for Chablis, reflects on the difficult 2013 vintage and price developments.

Bordeaux producers philosophical following 'catastrophic' hail storm

Bordeaux's wine producers remain philosophical in the face of destructive hail storms, despite some having up to 85% of grapes destroyed.

Bordeaux's wine cultural centre will drive wine tourism internationally