Last chance for shops to take part in Shop Rioja campaign and win £1,000 for new listings

Independent wine retailers have a last chance to enter the Shop Rioja campaign and win £1,000 towards new listings of the Spanish region's wines.

Ex-News of the World journalist to head WSTA communications

A former News of the World journalist, who was acquitted of criminal charges of paying sources for information, has been appointed as the Wine & Spirit Trade Association's head of communications.

Bordeaux lines up dinner dates to showcase affordable wines

Bordeaux wines are getting a push in restaurants and independent wine merchants, backed by the region's governing body.

Funding for project to define the character of English sparkling wine

A newly-created English Wine & Research Development Group has secured funding from the Vintners' Company for a research project to define the specific character of English sparkling wine.

Tour de l'Oc cycling team raises £32,000 for trade charity The Benevolent

Drinks trade charity The Benevolent has been presented with a cheque for £32,704 after a cycling fundraiser through the wine lands of southern France.

Portuguese wine importers' body disbands with 'job done'

South Africa to hold London tasting for independents and the on-trade

Wines of South Africa is hosting an autumn tasting event targeted at independent wine merchants and on-trade buyers.

Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras will head London office for whisky body

The Scotch Whisky Association has recruited the UK's ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras to be its director of global affairs.

The Benevolent seeks ambassadors to raise awareness in Buddies revamp

The Benevolent is calling for volunteers to become ambassadors to spread the word about the drinks industry charity and how it can help colleagues in need.

Craft keg available through small brewers' scheme for the first time

The Society of Independent Brewers has begun to sell craft keg beer through a revamped version of its Direct Delivery Scheme for the first time.

Scots' alcohol consumption down, but still ahead of rest of UK - report

Per capita alcohol consumption in Scotland is in decline - but still far exceeds levels in other parts of the UK, a new report shows.

Possible New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc shortage following 2015 harvest

Buyers could be faced with a shortage of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the 2015 vintage.

As many as 3.4m UK middle aged drinkers are at risk of health problems despite industry warnings

Drinkaware, the alcohol education charity, found that 3.4m middle aged drinkers are "regularly drinking about the lower risk limits despite many recognising the potential health arms" according to a new report.

WSTA members angered by lack of support and other "freeloading" businesses in the trade

The WSTA has called for more drinks businesses to take up membership and support the trade organisation as some members that have been contributing to the body feel that other business in the trade are "freeloading."

Lobbying local councils could be key weapon against 'prohibitionist' alcohol policies, the WSTA claims

Local councils are the real driving force between prohibitionist alcohol policies - and the trade should devote more attention to them, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. 

Chief of the Week: Ian Harris and the WSET

We raise a glass to The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and chief executive Ian Harris today for all the work that they have been doing over the decades to educate both those in the trade and consumers about wine.

WSET to receive The Queen's Award for 2015

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust today announced it is set to receive The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2015 in international trade at a reception on the 14 July, 2015 held at the Buckingham Palace.

UK remains largest export market for Côtes du Rhône wine

Côtes du Rhône figures for 2014 confirmed the UK remained the Rhône Valley's largest export market, accounting for 18% of its exports. 

Q&A: David Cox, chief executive, The Benevolent

"Despite being in existence for 129 years, I am acutely aware that there are many people within the drinks trade that do not actually know that there is a trade charity there to support and help them. And even if they did know about The Benevolent, we found that many myths and misconceptions exist about who we help and how we help."

Health body urges Premier League to look beyond booze brands for sponsors

The Alcohol Health Alliance is today calling on the Premier League to follow the lead of sporting organisations in France and look outside the alcohol industry for future high profile sponsorship deals.