Scotland's minimum price plan referred to European Court

The Scottish government's plan to introduce a minimum price for alcohol has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

Farr Vintners to double fund raising efforts of Benevolent's Chris Porter

Farr Vintners has announced it will match whatever sum of money is raised by Benevolent  chairman, Chris Porter, as he embarks on his 'Around the Grounds in 14 Days' challenge to visit all  the 91 football league  grounds between May 12 and May 25.

BrewDog's co-founder James Watt attacks Portman Group and dismisses its rulings

Breakthrough in fight against Scotch whisky fakes in Australia

Scotch whisky has been registered as a certification trade mark in Australia, giving consumers and the industry better protection against the growing market for fake whiskies there.

UK alcohol consumption down 2.1% in 2013

UK alcohol consumption fell in 2013 by 2.1% - the seventh decline in nine years - according to new figures compiled by the British Beer and Pub Association.

Chilean wine exports to UK fall by one third in 2013

The UK is still the second largest export market for Chilean wine, but volumes have plummeted by 34% in the last year, with value down 17%.

MW students to be voted either "in" or "out" by final BBC Voice-style judging panel

Final year Masters of Wine students will have to face the wine trade's equivalent of the BBC's The Voice in order to stand a chance of being accepted in to the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Drinkaware's Derek Lewis to head up Community Alcohol Partnerships scheme

Derek Lewis, the former head of Drinkaware, has been appointed chair of the Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP)scheme as it hopes to ramp up its impact in troubled drinking areas of the UK.

Changes to packaging waste recycling costs could save wine and spirit sector £38m

The wine and spirits industry has welcomed news that the government intends to lower the costs involved in recycling packaging waste, following a huge increase in glass recycling costs, which could save the sector up to £38 million.

Scrapping duty escalator could be bad news for suppliers warns Robin Copestick

Robin Copestick, co-founder of UK wine agency Copestick Murray, has sounded a warning shot about the Chancellor's decision to scrap the duty escalator in today's Budget and fears suppliers will be forced to take on the costs of inflationary duty increases rather than the higher costs under the escalator that were easier to pass on to consumers.

Countdown to Budget: pubs more reliant on wine and spirits sales says CGA study

Pubs are becoming increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales, according to new figures released today by on-trade specialists, CGA Strategy.

Duty escalator to blame for shrinking Scotch sales in UK

The UK market for Scotch whisky has contracted by 3% in the last year as duty increases put pressure on the industry.

WSTA launches more accessible website

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has revamped its website to make it more accessible for members.

TaxPayers Alliance calls on the public to get behind Call Time On Duty campaign

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance has thrown his weight behind the wine and spirit industry's Call Time On Duty campaign, by callling on the public to lobby their MPs to urge the Chancellor to stop the duty escalator.

Call Time on Duty piles pressure on government as Budget looms

The Call Time on Duty campaign is ramping up its activity in the final weeks before the Budget with a coaster campaign in pubs urging consumers to lobby MPs.

Rioja sales to UK flat in 2013 but remains in top spot

Rioja sales to the UK were flat in 2013, but it remains the region's top performing foreign market accounting for one third of its exports.

Benevolent joins forces with London Wine Fair to host party

Drinks industry charity the Benevolent has teamed up with London Wine Fair to hold the fair's closing party this year.

Major drinks firms back Harpers call to get producers behind Call Time on Duty campaign

Direct Wines, Matthew Clark and Bibendum are just three of the big name UK wine companies that have got behind the Harpers initiative to get as many wine producers as possible to back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Call Time on Duty campaign and make the government aware how damaging its on-going alcohol duty strategy is on the UK drinks industry.

Major shake-up at Drinkaware after audit criticism

Still time for you and your suppliers to get involved in Call Time On Duty campaign

There is still time to make sure your voice is heard in the industry's bid to get the Chancellor to finally Call Time On Duty and scrap the duty escalator on wine and spirits in the 2014 Budget. Harpers has also teamed up the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to give wine producers and drinks manufacturers the chance to take part in the Call Time On Duty campaign and make the government aware of the serious concerns they have about the alcohol duty levels in the UK. Here's how you and your supplier can get involved.