Top Merchants seminar, Birmingham, February 2010

The first Top Merchants event held in Birmingham in February revealed a real desire amongst leading indepedents to work closer together and find ways to stand up collectively for themselves, Richard Siddle and Tom Bruce Gardyne reports

Top Merchants criteria and how to enter

Criteria to be a Top Merchant includes:

Gruppo Italiano Vini: Top Merchants overall partner

Top Merchants key partner: Gruppo Italiano Vini

Facebook tips for Top Merchants

Facebook tips for wine merchants

WSTA advises consumers on how to avoid wine fraud

The WSTA has offered new advice to consumers investing in wine after fears that demand for the high quality Bordeaux vintage 2009, may lead to potential investors being targeted by fraudsters.

Winning retailers lined up for first Top Merchants day

Corks Out, Arthur Rackham and Oxford Wine Company will be three of the keynote speakers at the first Top Merchants business day being held by Harpers Wine & Spirit and sponsors GIV at the Malmaison hotel in Birmingham on February 8.

Trade must engage on responsible drinking

The drinks trade must carry on engaging with responsible drinking issues despite the recession or face the threat of more costly and ineffective legislation, a major conference of industry leaders heard this week.

Social networking: get with the programme

A business that is not engaged in social networking online with its customers is grossly negligent and should be embarrassed, according to Gary Vaynerchuk of winelibrary.com.

Top Merchants 2011

To help bring independent merchants together and offer them the advice and support they need to move their businesses forward in these challenging times Harpers Wine & Spirit, is introducing the Top Merchants initiative. Here's how you could get involved.

Don't miss - Whisky Tutorial & Sommeliers for Spain Tasting

The Academy of Food & Wine is holding its first ever whisky tutorial at the Renaissance Chancery Court, London, November 23, it is also holding a 'Sommeliers for Spain' tasting on November 21.

President of Irish Guild of Sommeliers disputes news article

The president of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers disputes a recent article that implied French and international sommeliers attracted to the country during the boom were leaving Ireland.

The president of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers disputes a recent article that implied French and international sommeliers attracted to the country during the boom were leaving Ireland.

Sake qualification for sommeliers

British sommeliers are to have the chance to gain a professional qualification in Japanese sake for the first time.

anne Krebiehl: Ninth blog from New Zealand harvest

As the days and weeks in Central pass, late summer turns into autumn. The poplars have turned into glowing colours; their heart-shaped leaves are flying in the gusts of wind, covering the road in a carpet of bright yellow.

New business venture for top sommeliers

Three of the world's sommeliers have been appointed to join Winelife with co-founder and sommelier Philippe Messy in order to embark on a new business venture.

Hayward in surprise BBPA departure

Rob Hayward has made a surprise departure from his position as chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association.

Hayward in surprise BBPA departure

Rob Hayward has made a surprise departure from his position as chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association.

Alcohol in the workplace policy launched in Scotland

A new initiative to help employers across Scotland develop responsible workplace alcohol policies has been unveiled.

Constellation launches national ad campaign for Nobilo

Constellation Europe is positioning its New Zealand-based Nobilo wine brand as "the idea wine to drink with seafood" with the launch of a national ad campaign.

Constellation pushes Nottage Hill with TV ad campaign

Constellation Europe is launching a fresh burst of TV activity for its Hardys wine range.

Magners sales down 45% in July

Decline in sales of the brand "worse than expected."