Restaurateur Marlon Abela buys into wine merchant OW Loeb

High profile restaurateur Marlon Abela has taken a majority ownership interest in wine merchant OW Loeb.

Wine app Drync lets consumers search favourite wines and get delivered to local merchant

US wine app Drync has launched a new feature that allows customers to buy online and have their wine shipped to a local wine retailer for pickup - a move it claims turns local shops into the world's largest wine store. 

Starbucks moves into on-trade in US with beer and wine offering

Last week Starbucks announced at its annual investor conference that it would begin serving beer, wine and 'evening' food in 3,000 of its 11,900 cafes in the US.

How trade can help South African wine industry's disadvantaged children through Pebbles Project

Celebrating 10 years of South Africa's Pebbles Project, Harpers.co.uk finds out what the charity has done to help children in the winelands and what more the trade can do to help.

Cava brand says 'we are not Champagne, we are Codorniu' in new ad campaign

Cava producer Codorníu has launched a global ad campaign which emphasises the brand's suitability for all occasions and its differences to Champagne - "we're not big on formalities, we prefer hugs and kisses" - in time for Christmas.

Glenfiddich appoints new UK brand ambassador Mark Thomson

William Grant-owned Scotch whisky Glenfiddich has appointed Mark Thomson as its new UK brand ambassador.

Welsh government report backs minimum pricing for alcohol

Wales is following hot on the heels of Northern Ireland last week, with moves to support a minimum price for alcohol.

Take a trip down memory lane with Harper's Quizmas Quiz

It has been a long and emotional 2014. Can you recall the rollercoaster ride of drinks trade happenings?

Italian wineries must take advantage of wine tourism, finds report

The small size of most Italian wineries means they are struggling to take advantage of wine tourism and professionalise - both of which are required in order to secure the industry's future, a new report says.

Top 30 suppliers control 90% of wine lists in UK on-trade, says new study

The top 30 wine distributors in the UK are responsible for supplying 89% of all on-trade wine lists in the UK, according to new research released this week from Wine Business Solutions.

Fine wine merchant AWC appoints David Murphy operations manager

Fine wine and spirits merchant AWC has appointed David Murphy, formerly of Wine Networks and Liberty Wines, operations manager, as its business grows. 

COPY: 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, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Naked Wines is UK's most popular specialist online wine retailer, says Harpers new report

Naked Wines is the most popular specialist online wine retailer in the UK, according to a new Harpers report published today that examines the online shopping habits of British consumers.

Over 40% of Brits will buy wine online this Christmas, says Harpers new e-commerce report

Wine and spirit industries to unite in combined campaign for 2% duty cut in 2015 Budget

The wine and spirits industry is to unite under a combined campaign and consider calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty in the 2015 Budget.

Borough Wines opens sixth shop in London

Independent merchant Borough Wines has opened its sixth London  shop, this time in Clerkenwell.

Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky launches Never Drink and Drive campaign

Johnnie Walker is giving away 30,000 kilometres of free journeys home in the UK over Christmas through Uber taxi service, as part of its responsible drinking programme.

Business rates relief welcomed by pubs and drinks retailers

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Busines rates relief welcomed by drinks retailers and pubs

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Start-ups 'exploding' into wine sector

Start-ups have exploded onto the wine sector, particularly those with a digital focus, as 1,400 apps alone launched by 2014.