Exclusive: Domaine Bargylus reveals what life is like as Syria's only winery

"It makes me very sad that I can't go there," says French oenologist consultant Stephane Derenoncourt speaking from Beirut yesterday. "You have no idea what is like to make wines by [looking at] photographs, and emails and receiving grapes [samples] by taxi. This is not how it is supposed to be done, but this is our baby. We started from scratch and now we are working with exciting terroir that will one day be famous all over the world. I know these wines can age and I want to be able to taste the war vintage in 15 years."

Henkell & Co Group takes a 60% stake in Copestick Murray

Sparkling wine giant, Henkell & Co Group, has acquired a 60% stake in UK wine impoorter and distributor Copestick Murray which will help take the company to the next stage of its growth and dramatically strengthen its postion in international markets.

WSTA's Miles Beale urges trade to do more following minimum pricing success

Miles Beale, the chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Asssociation, sets out a series of fresh challenges to the drinks industry on today's Harpers.co.uk following the success of its campaign to prevent the introduction of minimum unit pricing on alcohol.

Miles Beale: WSTA's ceo on challenges facing the trade after minimum unit pricing success

Minimum unit pricing (MUP) has been high on the political agenda over the past 12 months with many column inches dedicated to discussing a policy which has never been implemented anywhere in the world.   

Vast majority of alcoholic drinks comply with Portman Group Code, says audit body

The drinks industry has been given a boost today with an independent audit report that states the vast majority of alcohol products conform to Portman Group responsibility standards.

Nyetimber signs export deal to Denmark

Nyetimber continues to expand overseas with a new contract to supply its English wines to Denmark.

Provence harvest begins after most vineyards escape weather damage

Vineyards in Provence have escaped wide-scale weather damage and the harvest looks set to begin this month. 

Treasury sees 50% profits dip due to unsold wine in US

Treasury Wine Estates has seen annual net profits slide by 50% due to one-off charges on unsold wine in the US, but sales in the UK have shown signs of recovery in recent months.

Nyetimber to release single vineyard sparkling wine

English wine producer Nyetimber has announced the release of a single vineyard sparkling wine.

Judges lined up for Wines of Spain Awards 2013

Jim Beam's Red Stag boosted by national TV campaign return

Jim Beam hopes its second wave of national television advertising for its Red Stag Bourbon will help it drive on sales further following 100% plus increases in volume and value performance in the on-trade in the past year.

Bordeaux winemakers seek government bailout after devastating hailstorm

French wineries and vineyard owners in the Entre-deux-Mers region in south eastern Bordeaux are seeking government assistance in order to avoid bankruptcy after last weekend's "catastrophic" hailstorm, which affected an estimated 20,000ha, reported France 24.

Chapel Down offers shareholders new incentive package

English winery Chapel Down is offering new and existing shareholders a range of benefits to hopefully build loyalty and strengthen its shareholder base.

Q&A: Vincent Géré of Rémy Martin on the Far East Cognac boom

Few people are better placed to discuss the Far East Cognac boom than Vincent Géré, Rémy Martin's director of estates and oenology. The man responsible for the style and supply of the Cognac brand, his association with China dates back more than 25 years. He spoke to Richard Woodard

Aspall cyder returns to India after 110 years

Aspall, the premium cyder brand from Suffolk, is returning to India after an absence of over 100 years.

Drinks journalists and whisky retailers dig deep to complete Ardbeg Islay Half Marathon

A team of more than 20 drinks writers and whisky retailers have helped raise over £6,000 for the National Brain Appeal in memory of drinks journalist, Alan Lodge, who died last year of a brain haemorrhage aged just 29 by taking part in last weekend's Ardbeg Islay Half Marathon.

Chance to shine in Harpers French Wine Awards

Harpers is looking to recognise the best retailers, restaurants, suppliers, distributors  and ambassadors for the French wine category in the UK over the last 12 months with our inaugural French Wine Awards being run as part of the France Summit on October 22.

Latin American Free Trade Agreement is a boost to Scotch whisky industry

The Scotch whisky industry has received a boost this month with the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to how it trades in areas of Southern and Central America including Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Denbies to harvest its first Sauvignon Blanc vintage in October

Denbies Wine Estate is looking forward to harvesting its first Sauvignon Blanc vines. Planted four years ago, they should be ready to harvest mid-October, said the Surrey vineyard's general manager, Chris White.

Pernod Ricard urges trade to get behind premium sales this Christmas

Pernod Ricard is spearheading its 2013 Christmas campaign with a raft of new products, including a vodka launch already successful in the United States, a lower-alcohol variety for its flagship wine brand, Brancott Estate, and mainstream brandy, Domecq 1820.