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.

2014 Review and Hopes and fears for 2015: Concha y Toro's Simon Doyle

Simon Doyle, general manager or Concha y Toro UK, reflects on the growth of its key brands, and how to step up to deliver more in 2015.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Wines of South Africa's Jo Wehring

Jo Wehring, UK market manager for Wines of South Africa, is already gearing up for 2015's Cape Wine, saying the "energy" behind South Africa's wines just keeps growing

Fresh inquiry into Tesco accounts as suppliers come under spotlight

'Unfair': how 84% of Britons describe tax on Scotch whisky

More than eight out of 10 Britons find the 78% tax on Scotch whisky unfair, according to new research carried out by Censuswide on behalf of the Scotch Whisky Association.

Prosecco sales rocket while still wine lags

Off-trade alcohol sales have risen 2.4% to £14 billion, with volumes up 0.8% - and Italian sparkler Prosecco has seen the most stunning increase of all, with values up 55% throughout 2014.

Vinexpo makes changes to 2015 show

France's major wine and spirits show Vinexpo, has made changes to the 2015 exhibition to focus more on gastronomy, a bespoke meeting booking service and networking.

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.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Robin Copestick

Robin Copestick, managing director of Copestick Murray, reflects on the vagaries of the grocery retail sector in 2014 and greater international collaboration for 2015.

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.

British drivers support lower drink-drive limit

Three quarters (74%) of UK drivers support a lower drink-drive limit, according to a survey of 1,000 consumers by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line insurance.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Liv-ex's James Miles

James Miles, managing director of fine wine exchange Liv-ex, reflects on the "tough year" for fine wine that was 2014, and why he believes the Bordelais will offer more realistic prices in the coming year's en primeur campaign.

Chief of the Week: Joe Wadsack, the BBC's Mr Booze

Hold on to your Santa hats, lock up your drinks cabinet and gird your loins for our Chief of the Week: Mr Joe Wadsack.

Drinks industry 'vastly exceeds' target to remove 1bn units

The drinks industry has "vastly exceeded" its target to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the UK market two years ahead of schedule, a report from the Department of Health has confirmed.

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.

Sparkling wine is success story of 2014, as still wine sales fall, says WSTA report

Wine sales fell 3% in the off-trade in 2014, and 2% in the on-trade - but sparkling wines are still in the ascendancy, says the latest market report from the Wine & Spirits Trade Association.

Yellow Tail owner Casella completes purchase of Peter Lehmann Wines

Casella Family Brands is planning to ramp up sales of Peter Lehmann Wines both in Australia and overseas now that the acquisition has been completed.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Daniel Murphy of Murphy Wine Company

In the first of our annual reviews of the year for the festive period, we ask Daniel Murphy, founder of bulk wine broker Murphy Wine Company, to look back on 2014 and assess what he sees as the big challenges for the sector in to 2015. In a nutshell he believes few in the trade have really grasped the impact of a sea change in world wine production, nor of the potential for bulk wine in the UK.

Glasgow Distillery Company finds rare 30 year-old single malt casks to release its first whisky

Glasgow's first standalone whisky and gin distillery in over a 100 years has acquired 30-year-old rare aged single malt Speyside casks which it is to turn in to its first official whisky release.

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.