Northcote retains title of Sud de France Sommelier of the Year

Tamus Czinki, head sommelier of Michelin-starred restaurant, Northcote near Blackburn, Lancashire, has been named Sud de France Sommelier of the Year for 2014.

Scotch whisky exports plummet 11% in first half of 2014

Scotch whisky exports have fallen 11% to £1.77 billion in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period last year, with the finger being pointed at "economic headwinds and uncertainty".

Wine and spirits industry welcomes "stability" of Scottish "No" vote for independence

Parts of the UK wine and spirits industry have welcomed the "stability" the news this morning that Scotland has rejected independence to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Team Cox complete Médoc Marathon and raise £16k for drinks charities

Independent merchants have key role to play in lobbying MPs for duty changes, says WSTA

Independent wine merchants have a key role to play in persuading local MPs to listen to the wine and spirits industry's calls for an effective cut in alcohol duty levels at the 2015 Budget.

A "united" industry effort can force a 2% cut in duty, claims WSTA's Miles Beale

Consumer confidence rises despite drop in wine and spirits sales says WSTA

There are further signs that the economy is recovering and consumer confidence is returning despite a fall in wine and spirits sales, according to the latest market report issued by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Business and drinks experts to share innovation insights at WSTA conference

Experts from both inside and outside the drinks industry will share their experience on the importance of driving innovation through business at tomorrow's annual conference of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Pernod Ricard UK chief to be new WSTA chair

Pernod Ricard UK's managing director Denis O'Flynn has been selected as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty to be star turn at WSTA conference

Advertising guru turned wine producer, St John Hegarty, is to give the keynote talk at this month's Wine & Spirit Trade Association annual conference.

Young alcohol abusers not helped by counselling says new research

Counselling young people with drinking problems has limited results, according to new academic research.

One more day to register for Benevolent Fantasy Football League

The countdown to the start of the new English Premier League season is well and truly on. Which means there is only a day left to get your thinking caps on and enter the new Benevolent Fantasy Football League, have some fun, compete against friends (and soon to be foes) and raise some money for the drinks charity along the way.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust boosts student numbers by 16%

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust attracted 16% more students in the past year as the importance of education in the wine industry globally continues to grow.

Put your football knowledge to the test in the new Benevolent Fantasy Football League

So do you think your football? Your Christmas Tree formation over your 4-4-2? Know what "running between the lines" actually means? Well why not put those skills to the test and take part in the new Benevolent Fantasy Football League - oh and raise some money for the drinks charity along the way.

Drinkaware links up with British racing to promote responsible drinking at racecourses

Drinkaware has linked up with the Racecourse Association (RCA) to promote responsible drinking at major horse racing events across the country in a bid to address the growing problem of over drinking at some racing venues.

WSTA conference to focus on engaging consumers

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's annual conference will focus on the role branding, innovation and digital communications play in engaging with consumers in today's wine and spirits world.

Hakkasan teams up with WSET to provide first dedicated sake training course

An increasing demand for sake amongst UK consumers is not being met by the trade, according to Christine Parkinson, head wine buyer at the Hakkasan restaurant group, which has recently put the sommeliers in its London branches through a new WSETdedicated sake course.

WSTA's Miles Beale wins Harpers Special Achievement award for Call Time on Duty campaign

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, has been awarded with a Special Achievement award at tonight's Harpers Awards for the leadership he showed in driving the Call Time on Duty campaign which resulted in the duty escalator on wine and spirits being scrapped in the 2014 Budget.

Chris Porter's "Around the Grounds" challenge raises £30,000 for The Benevolent

Chris Porter, chairman of the Benevolent, hopes to have raised £30,000 for the drinks charity by successfully completing his "Around the Grounds" challenge to visit every one of the 91 football league grounds in the country across a two week period.