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.

Félix Solís plans for "sizeable" UK growth

Félix Solís has "ambitious growth plans" for the UK and will focus on its northern Spanish appellation wines, international varieties and core brands to deliver it.

Birmingham launches weekend wine festival

The organisers of Birmingham's first weekend wine festival are hoping to attract 2,000 consumers to the event in June.

LVMH wine and spirits fall short of Q1 expectations

LVMH's wine and spirits business group posted a decline of 8% in the first quarter compared to the previous year.

Accolade Wine's Kumala in Mandela film tie-in

Accolade Wine's Kumala has tied in with the DVD release of Nelson Mandela film Long Walk to Freedom for a major consumer campaign.

Private label wine prices jump 7.2%, says IRI

The average price of private label wine has shot up by 7.2% in the past year to £4.78, according to data collected by IRI.

Wine trade newcomers say producers too focused on quality

Future wine industry professionals say pushing wine's quality message is not enough to engage with new consumers.

Champagne exports to UK plummet by 5.1%

The UK remains Champagne's biggest export market, despite imports falling to €447.2 million last year, a decline of 5.1% by volume and 3.8% by value.

London Wine Fair 2014 cuts costs for exhibitors

London Wine Fair has been making some big changes this year including pledging £40,000 to bring in 200 major buyers for the show, with the money being flagged to help the buyers with travel and accommodation costs and a 25% reduction in the space price for exhibitors.

PaperBoy Wine selects new paper bottle manufacturer

PaperBoy Wine bottles, which were supplied by GreenBottle who helped manufacture the first paper wine bottles, have entered into a three year agreement with Ecologic Brands, Inc., an American company, to supply the bottles.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Scotch whisky exports hold steady, despite Chinese decline

Scotch whisky exports held steady in 2013 at £4.3 billion, despite a sharp drop off in China, according to figures the Scotch Whisky Association.

'No compelling reason to buy' Bordeaux 2013, say merchants

Merchants have so far sold very little, if any, Bordeaux 2013 wines, as collectors lack any compelling reason to buy.

Virgin Wines sees "loyal customers" join its Wine Bank

Virgin Wines says strong customer loyalty has encouraged 40,000 of them to join its Wine Bank Scheme, which offers customer 20% discount.

Liv-ex survey finds 'significantly less demand' for Bordeaux 2013 wines

The annual Liv-ex en primeur survey found that 78% of merchants expect "significantly less demand" - down by at least a fifth - for 2013 wines compared to their 2012 counterparts.

Gun-shaped vodka bottle breaks marketing rules

Red Army Vodka, packaged in a gun-shaped bottle, has been ruled "entirely inappropriate" for suggesting a link towards violent and dangerous behaviour.

Spain's Grandes Pagos wines kick off global campaign

Spain's 27 top single estate wineries, collected under the Grandes Pagos de España banner, have launched a campaign to put their wines on the map internationally.

UK wine firms should look to US market for growth, says senior trade figure

British wine firms should look to the US, where domestic wine consumption is outpacing supply, says trade stalwart James Forbes, who has formed a US-focused company.

Bacardi's chief abruptly retires

Bacardi's chief executive Ed Shirley is to retire and will leave the role after just two years and with no successor named.

Argentina wine consumers 'attractive' to retailers