Co-op unloads 298 stores to McColl's Retail Group for £117m

The Co-op has announced it is selling 298 of its smaller food stores to the McColl's Retail Group for £117 million.

President of Viña Santa Rita board of directors passes away

Juan Agustín Figueroa, the president of Viña Santa Rita board of directors passed away on 7 July, 2016 at the age of 82.

Premium exports drive value growth for Australian wine

The value of Australian wine exports grew by 11% to AUD$2.11 billion, while volume grew by 0.5% 728 million litres for the twelve months ending in June 2016.

University of Adelaide launches free wine class online with 10,000 enrollees

University of Adelaide in Australia launched its online class World of Wine: From Grape to Glass, which is free to enroll and has already had 10,000 students enlisted.

Gallo expands it fruit-flavoured wine range

Gallo family Vineyards has added a Peach & Nectarine flavoured wine to it Spirtz range, which is it fruit-flavoured wine range following the success of other wines in the category.

Côtes du Rhône to launch free art pop-up called The Rhône Touch

Côtes du Rhône will be launching a pop-up in collaboration with the London College of Communication (LCC) and chef Adam Rawson for an interactive art exhibition called The Rhône Touch.

Think Indie: Vagabond Wines takes top Independent Merchant for UK's 50 Best Indies Award

At yesterday's Think Indie Drink Indie event hosted in London Vagabond Wines took the top top spot in the UK's 50 Best Indies Award list.

Think Indie: Indies from across the UK collaborate on how to build their businesses

At today's Think Indie Drink Indie event held at M Restaurant Threadneedle in London, independent merchants heard panellists from across the trade discuss four key topics on how owners could help diversify and grow their businesses.

Bancroft Wines appointed UK agent for Petaluma

Rosemount aims to be perfect match for everyday meals

Treasury Wine Estates has launched a "food-centered" range of wines under its Rosemount brand in an effort to link wine to everyday meal occasions.

Waitrose introduces seven day payment terms for small suppliers

Waitrose announced it would be rolling out seven day payment terms for small suppliers in an industry leading move.

California wine sales hit record-high sales volume

California wines sales both domestically in the US and international hit a record of 276 million cases in 2015, with an estimated retail value of US$31.9 billion, according to the Wine Institute located in California.

Vega Sicilia moves to London

Spain's Vega Sicilia aiming to capitalise on London's vibrant global wine market

Nielsen: Brexit shakes consumer sentiment

According to new Nieslen data, the sentiment that "Brexit will negatively impact the British economy" is now being held by almost two-thirds of shoppers, with younger consumers looking to tighten their financial belts.

Sicilian producer Planeta focuses on the entire customer experience as business expands

Sicilian and family-owned producer Planeta is expanding the business with investments focusing on enhancing the entire customer experience and diversifying the business as it expands across the island.

Liv-ex: En Primeur 2015 sales less than 25% of 2009 levels

In a final report on En Primeur 2015 from fine wine trading platform Liv-ex, the company predicts that the prices seen in 2009 and 2010 are now a thing of the past.

Think Indie, Drink Indie: Independent insight

Independent merchants to take centre stage at Think Indie, Drink Indie symposium

Rabobank: EU Referendum outcome to have 'critical implications' for beverage sector

According to a new report released by Rabobank today, the results of the referendum vote "will have critical implications for the beverage sector, given the UK's role as both a major importer (e.g. wine) and major supplier (e.g. scotch)."

The Week That Was: Top news, Q&As and analysis 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, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Wine Society takes top merchant award as IWC winners celebrate

At last night's 33rd annual International Wine Challenge dinner held at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London, The Wine Society was the bigger winner of the evening taking home IWC's Wine Merchant of the year award.