Now or never call by WSTA's Miles Beale for trade to back Drop the Duty campaign

With less than three weeks to go before the Budget, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, has made an empassioned appeal to the industry to act now and get fully behind its campaign to persuade the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty by 2% in his March Budget.

Brazil wine sales quadruple on back of strong multiple support

Brazilian wine sales in the UK have more than quadrupled over the last year following strong support from multiple retailers.

Major trade figures urge whole industry to act now and back the Drop the Duty campaign

Senior trade figures are rallying around the Drop the Duty campaign and urging everyone in the sector to play their part and lobby their MP to call on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty rates by 2% in the March Budget.

Conviviality Retail signs franchise deal for GT stores to push its c-store off-licence model

Conviviality Retail has signed a 10-year franchise agreement with award winning East Anglian-based convenience retailer, Jonathan James to run 35 franchise stores. 

Soul Tree exceeds crowdfunding target to boost its Indian wine business

Indian wine producer Soul Tree has raised more than £388,000 through crowdfunding, which it says will help it put Indian wines on the map.

Champagne Jayne supporters launch fundraising effort to pay legal fees

Online and c-store shopping will drive global wine sales says ProWein and Wine Intelligence

Online and convenience shopping will be the two key channels that wine companies and prducers will have to target in the future in the major global wine markets, according to new research from ProWein and Wine Intelligence. 

Ex-Tesco director David Potts named as new Morrisons chief executive

Morrisons has named former Tesco director, David Potts, as its new chief executive following weeks of speculation of who would succeed Dalton Phillips who announced he was stepping down in January.

Restaurant and bar owners confident about future says news CGA Peach study

Up to 90% of pub, bar and restaurant owners are optimistic about their businesses in the year ahead despite ongoing concerns about staff costs and finding a niche in the market, according to latest research from CGA Peach.

March for Indies: 10 ways to boost sales and business through Twitter

Twittter is no longer just a way to communicate, keep in touch and build your audience, it can also really help to drive sales and bring new and existing customers to your business.

Independent wine merchants urged to appeal soaring business rates in hardest hit areas

Independent wine merchants and high street retailers are being urged to appeal soaring business rates before a March 31 deadline that will set new rates until 2017.

New Zealand wineries award first scholarship to UK MW student

A group of artisan wine producers in New Zealand have awarded their first MW scholarship to a UK-based wine writer.

Australia needs a strategy that speaks for all its wine industry says Wine Business Solutions

The quickest way for the Australian wine industry to achieve the effective and lasting changes it seeks is to implement a strategy that does not just speak for the big corporations, but works for all levels, according to leading research body Wine Business Solutions.

Matthew Clark brings in 30 new producers to meet market and customer demands

Hospitality and off-licence sectors throw weight behind Drop the Duty campaign

The hospitality and multiple off-licence sectors are throwing their support behind the trade's Drop The Duty campaign, as new research from CGA highlights the importance of wine and spirit sales to the UK on-trade.

Coravin takes on Nespresso boss as new chief executive to lead expansion

Coravin, the pioneering wine access system which allows you to pour wine from a bottle without removing the cork, has appointed former Nespresso boss Frédéric Levy as its new chief executive to lead its ambitious expansion plans in to new markets.

George Clooney hopes to make a star out of his Casamigos premium tequila in the UK

England and New Zealand sparkling wines go head to head in a "Battle of the Bubbles"

Competition between English and New Zealand sparkling wine came to a head last week as the two countries tied in a blind-tasting organised to coincide with the Cricket World Cup.

Burgundy MSC students romp home in "Oenology Challenge" with Plumpton College

MSC students at Burgundy's School of Wine & Spirts came out top last week in an "Oenology Challenge" competition with winemaking students at Plumpton College.

How video will be the norm in wine marketing within three years says Matthew Dickinson

Following last week's web video masterclass and seminar hosted by Google and YouTube for members of the UK wine trade and students from Burgundy's School of Wine Business, wine consultant Matthew Dickinson gives his personal summary and looks at how video is going to change the way the wine industry communicates.