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.

Leading independents hit out at major wine suppliers for their "lazy" service

Leading independent wine merchants have stepped up to the plate today to strongly criticise the quality of service that they are receiving from many of the major UK national wine suppliers and distributors.

Naked Wines has 50% increase in number of Angels and 40% sales growth in 2013

Naked Wines released it financial performance results today for 2013 which includes a 40% increase in sales reaching £53 million driven by a 50% increase in the number of Angel investors.

Harpers Design Awards relaunches as global competition

The Harpers Design Awards are being relaunched for 2014 as a global competition, inviting entries for wines, spirits, beers, ciders and soft drinks from anywhere in the world - providing they are already on sale in the market.

France Summit to focus on how the country is adapting to UK consumer needs

Harpers will once again be turning the spotlight well and truly on the ins and outs, ups and downs of the French wine category as the French Summit returns for its second year on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Guy Woodward lambasts old school wine world for being stuck in its ivory tower

Former Decanter editor, Guy Woodward, uses his first regular Harpers column today to lambast the old school wine world for being out of touch with how consumers now want to talk about wine.

Independent wine merchants report sales hikes of up to 30%

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20 and 30%.

World Cup memories from Nik Darlington, Robin Copestick and Rachel Davey

England may have nothing but disappointment to bring home from Brazil, but here we turn to some friends in the trade to remind us of past glories and happy memories from World Cups gone by. If you would like to share your World Cup memories then send to richard.siddle@wrbm.com.

'Team Cox' to run Médoc Marathon in memory of Michael Cox

Leading members of the wine trade are to come together as "Team Cox" to run the Médoc Marathon in memory of Michael Cox, the former UK head of Wines of Chile, who died earlier this year.

Guy Woodward remembers Maradona, Gazza and 1990 in his World Cup memories

Two days without World Cup football on TV? Well here is our latest World Cup Memory to keep you going whilst we wait for the quater-finals to kick off tomorrow afternoon. Step forward Aston Villa fan and former editor of Decanter, Guy Woodward, for his trip down World Cup memory lane. Guy has also agreed to sign for Harpers as one of our regular columnists here on Harpers.co.uk and in the magazine, so look out for his latest column on the site tomorrow.

Wine Vision to focus on how industry must adapt to millennials' needs

Wine Vision's return to London in November will examine key issues affecting growth in the industry as relationships between wine brands and consumers change and competition from spirits and beer intensifies.

Australian wineries face selling wines at a loss in 2014

Australian wineries face selling their wines at a loss this year if prices fall below current levels, given high costs of grapes and production in 2014, warns top wine broker.

Clapham wine bar to open in public toilet

A 100-year-old public toilet in Clapham in south London is getting ready to open its doors after being radically revamped into WC, Wine & Charcuterie bar.

Tour de France celebrates with Champagne de Castelnau

As parts of the UK brace themselves for the start of the gruelling Tour de France cycle race that starts in Yorkshire on July 5, Champagne de Castelnau has introduced this very appropriate limited edition Champagne.

Dan Townsend on Italia 90, Johan Cruyff and Archie Gemmill in his World Cup Memories

Bordeaux-based wine and technology accelerator attracts investors

Edrington Group profits and turnover rise due to whisky boom

The Edrington Group, the Scottish maker of The Macallan, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, and Highland Park whiskies, saw profits rise by 3% and turnover hit £730.4 million for fiscal year 2014 which ended on March 31.

Treasury Wine Estates appoints Coca-Cola exec to lead Asia and Europe

Highland Park releases new whisky Dark Origins

Tesco to host a live online summer wine taste along