Day 2 Wine Vision News Blog: Social media is key for producers going direct to consumers

Wine producers need to use social media more effectively to drive sales of their own wines be it going direct to consumers or through traditional retail channels, according to innovative wineries speaking at today's Wine Vision.

Consumers are now "risk averse" Future Foundation tells Wine Vision

Simon McMurtrie opens Wine Vision with clarion call to industry

Simon McMurtrie, chief executive of Direct Wines, opened Wine Vision 2014 with a clarion call to the global wine industry to do all it can to get people to not only spend more on wine, but to buy a wider selection of wines.

Fine wine investment requires 'visionary eye', says Moet chief at Wine Vision

Isabelle Pangault, Foncalieu' s new winemaker, on opportunities for Languedoc-Rousssillon

Geoffrey Dean talks to Isabelle Pangault, winemaker and brand ambassador for Foncalieu, the leading Languedoc-Roussillon co-operative:

Burgundy winemaker Roland Masse set for last Hospice de Beaune before handing over to first female manager

Burgundy winemaker, Roland Masse, will see his last vintage put up for auction at this weekend's Hospice de Beaune before he passes on the responsibility to Ludivine Griveau, the first woman to look after the domain in its history.

Burgundy winemaker Roland Masse reflects on his last year as manager of Hospice de Beaune

The winemaker and manager of Domaine des Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy, Roland Masse, 61, will complete his 15^th and final vintage for the annual Hospices de Beaune auction this coming Sunday. Here he reflects on his career before handing over responsiblity to Ludivine Griveau who will become the first woman to manage the domain from January.

Why Greek wine deserves to be taken seriously

Greece recently celebrated its "Ohi Day" ("No" day) on October 28 to mark the time when in 1940 the then Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, rejected Benito Mussolini's ultimatum to march troops through Greece. In 2014, much is being said about how Greeks need to say "no" to corruption, which has contributed to the country's on-going economic crisis.

Cockburn's Port looks to capture spirit of family Christmas with new festive campaign

Cockburn's Port is hoping to capture the spirit of Christmas with a new print and online advertising campaign that breaks this week.

Top wine brands choose Vente Privee as new route to market

Top name wine producers are using flash sales site Vente Privée to attract new consumers to their brands in the UK.

Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery, kicks off with potato vodka

A super-premium Scottish potato vodka is to be the first spirit produced by Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery.

Casella set to buy Peter Lehmann Wines

Two major players of the Australian wine world are to come together as Casella Family Brands, owners of Yellow Tail, plans to buy Peter Lehmann Wines.

Government ministers to set out misuse strategies at Alcohol Concern conference

Alcohol Concern has lined up a strong panel of front bench MPs and ministers to speak at its annual conference next week which will be held under the theme "Taking back our health and high streets".

ProWein launches new Asia show in Singapore from 2016 to support its Chinese exhibition

Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty on what it is really like to be a winemaker

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering his high standing in the world of advertising, and the vociferous views on wine marketing which he expressed in last month's Harper's, Sir John Hegarty intends his 37 acre vineyard, located amid woodland and spontaneously sprouting herbs by Minervois' Montaigne Noire, to be a brave venture.

Bordeaux Buyers Roundtable: What leading on and off-trade players are looking for from Bordeaux

In light of its new global advertising campaign, launched last month, which looks to reposition Bordeaux as a region producing wines for all tastes and occasions, several leading buyers and consultants come together to truly assess Bordeaux's position in the UK trade.

Ten things you need to know about Bibendum PLB

It's been billed as one of the biggest deals of the century, but what do you need to know about the Bibendum takeover of PLB and what it means for the trade?

TescoGate: UK investors could join US shareholders and fire legal action against senior chiefs

Tesco UK and European investors could join US shareholders in taking legal action against the beleaguered retail chain in the wake of its £263 million overstatement of profits.

Les Dauphins looks to raise money for BBC Children in Need

Les Dauphins, the French wine brand, is linking up with the BBC Good Food Show to help raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal at this weekend's event.

Diageo's bet on Don Julio Tequila applauded by analysts

Last week Diageo announced it agreed to acquire Don Julio Tequila in exchange for its Bushmills Irish whiskey brand with Jose Cuervo in a move that has been widely applauded by analysts.