2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Australian Vintage's Julian Dyer

Julian Dyer, general manager for UK & Europe at Australian Vintage, talks about McGuigan breaking into the Top 5 global wine brands in the UK, consolidation in the supply sector, and why he's back the WSTA's Drop the Duty campaign.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fear for 2015: Direct Wine Shipments Neal McAlindon

Neal McAlindon, director at Belfast's Direct Wine Shipments, tells Harpers.co.uk why 2014 has been another good year, despite tricky market conditions in Northern Ireland.

Drinks suppliers: Last chance to rate major retailers in our survey

2014 saw the drinks supply sector rocked by news of Tesco's accounting practices, and the subsequent suspension of the supermarket's BWS chief brought the scandal closer to home. We would like to find out how suppliers rate retailers across the board. 

Pinkster gin steps up expansion plans

Raspberry gin brand Pinkster has stepped up expansion plans after securing a six-figure sum in second-round financing from an angel investor.

Harpers.co.uk's 10 most popular stories of 2014

The most popular stories on Harpers.co.uk throughout 2014 cover everything from TescoGate to Bordeaux 2013 to BrewDog and Bibendum PLB.

Bibendum PLB makes 'small number' of redundancies

Bibendum PLB has restructured its buying, off-trade, marketing and technical teams in the wake of its October merger, resulting in a small number of redundancies, Harpers.co.uk has learned.

Harpers launches March for Independents conference and campaign to support merchants

In a bid to put the spotlight firmly on the independent merchant sector Harpers is to launch a campaign in the new year designed to highlight the issues facing retailers which will build up to a major independent merchant conference in London on March 3.

Andrew Shaw to head up Bibendum PLB's new buying team

Andrew Shaw is to head up  Bibendum PLB's new joint buying team to work across all trading companies of the business - Bibendum, PLB and Walker and Wodehouse.

Australian wine Giant Steps moves to Liberty Wines from OW Loeb

Yarra Valley's Giant Steps wine has shifted its UK distribution from OW Loeb to Liberty Wines.

Tesco accused of 'blunderbuss' approach in scrapping supplier fees

Tesco's move to scrap supplier fees and instead focus on getting the lowest prices upfront has been greeted with scepticism by leading consultants who describe is as "old-fashioned" and taking a "blunderbuss approach".

Mitchells & Butlers lists Help for Heroes wine

Bar and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers has listed the Help for Heroes wine brand at 300 of its venues across the country.

Still time to test your knowledge and take the Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge!

There has been a lot going on over the last 12 months and it can be hard to keep up with the latest news, views and opinions in the UK wine and spirits sector. So why not find out how much you remember or what caught your attention in 2014 by taking part in our fun Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge.

Instil Drinks appoints new MD and brings PLB beer portfolio under its wing

Bibendum PLB's beer and niche spirits trading arm Instil Drinks Company has incorporated PLB's extensive beer range into its portfolio, including its flagship Estrella Galicia.

BBC Food & Drink's new double act of Joe Wadsack and Tom Kerridge goes live on January 2

Joe Wadsack, the acclaimed wine broadcaster and consultant, will make his first appearance as the new face of wine on BBC's Food & Drink programme when the programme is re-launched with two Michelin-star chef, Tom Kerridge, on January 2, 2015. 

Tesco in bid to scrap controversial supplier fees

Tesco is planning on scrapping its complex system of supplier fees in a move that could shake up the grocery sector.

The Week That Was: news, views and opinions on Harpers.co.uk

If you have been out and about a lot this week enjoying the build up to Christmas, or busy trying to cash in on some festive sales, here is a round up what you might have mised here on Harpers.co.uk:

Chiefs of the Week: Plucky members of Skin Côntact - live March 9, Vinopolis, London

EWGA acquires Heritage Wines and strengthens distribution across south west and London

Two of the UK's largest regional wine wholesalers have come together in a deal that sees Heritage Wines and its bonded warehouse acquired by EWGA.

Minister backs call for lower duty tax band for reduced alcohol wines

The UK's public health minister has expressed "frustration" with a lack of flexibility around introducing a lower tax band for lower end wines, but the WSTA warns such a step would discriminate against wine from warmer climes.

COPY: Harpers new consumer report reveals key wine trends in the UK on-trade

In the second of our exclusive consumer reports, Harpers turns the spotlight on drinking trends in the UK on-trade and finds out what the average Brit thinks of the wine in their glass and what attracts them, or not, to ordering wine when out and out about compared to other drinks