Harpers Special Report: multiple and supplier relations uncovered

Tesco has taken a bit of a battering in recent months, with profits slipping and then the little matter of the £250 million profit overstatement.  But although Tesco is in the spotlight, there are issues for all of the major retailers right now, as the discounters go from strength to strength and the Big Four's choke hold on the market weakens. Harpers.co.uk spoke to some of the wine trade's key suppliers and ex-buyers to find out their views.

Wine suppliers can't complain about tough supermarket deals

A host of leading Tesco wine suppliers have said they are not surprised by the supermarket's £250 million accounting black hole - but say suppliers must "push back" harder against buyer demands.

Customers wanted us to pull through, Co-operative chief tells IGD Convention

Customers wanted The Co-operative to pull through its recent crisis, according to its chief executive Richard Pennycook.

Waitrose to make beers, wines and spirits 'destination' departments

Waitrose is making its drinks department more of a destination by upping the ante on its in-store dining plans - with plans to ramp up grazing options by adding steak bars and by serving fresh beer.

Bibendum bets on spirits in on-trade during festive trading period

Bibendum expects spirits to perform strongly in the run-up to Christmas after rum and gin sales shot up in the past 12 weeks, and the number of on-trade venues selling cocktails has grown by one third in the past year.

Experimental psychologist Prof Charles Spence to shed insight into spirits

Renowned experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence, who has worked with a host of top performing drinks brands, tops the bill at the upcoming Sprits Summit.

Proximo Spirits introduces TINCUP American whiskey in to the UK

Barwell & Jones doubles wineries in its portfolio

Wine agency Barwell & Jones is adding 10 wineries to its portfolio after sustaining 30% growth in the last two years.

Adnams adds Karen Hester as executive director

Suffolk brewer and distiller Adnams has added Karen Hester to its main board as an executive director.

McLaren Vale perfect for Mediterranean grape varieties, says winemaker

Winemakers at McLaren Vale's Hedonist say the region is perfect for growing Mediterranean grape varieties, after adding a Tempranillo and Sangiovese to its range.

Barworks expands 5cc cocktail bar concept to fourth site

Barworks, the operator behind a host of London's trendiest drinking dens, has opened its fourth 5cc cocktail bar below its Electricity Showrooms venue in Hoxton Square.

Top merchants and suppliers gather in London to debate ways they can work better together

How wine suppliers can work better and more efficiently with independent retailers will be the subject of a key Harpers debate being held this morning in London between leading figures on both sides.

Distell acquires International Beverage Company to increase US presence

Distell Group, South Africa's largest drinks producer, has acquired International Beverage Company in Atlanta, Georgia in an effort to grow its presence in the US market.

Bacardi Brown-Forman to distribute Patron tequila in 'critical' UK market

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands has taken over distribution of Patrón tequilas and liqueurs in the UK after the Mexican brand's seven-year deal with Cellar Trends came to an end.

Gordon Ramsay to open Heddon Street Kitchen off London's Regent Street

Heddon Street Kitchen is to be the latest London opening from the ever expanding Gordon Ramsay Group taking its portfolio of restaurants to 13.

Hallgarten launches Wine Heroes campaign for independent merchants

Hallgarten Driuitt & Novum has launched Wine Heroes - a campaign tailored to independent wine merchants offering winemaker visits, bespoke POS materials and discounted pricing to help engage consumers.

David Beckham officially launches new Haig Club whisky globally

David Beckham officially launched Haig Club Scotch whisky today, which is produced by Diageo in partnership with the world famous footballer and British talent agent Simon Fuller.

Analysis: how effective has the Crus Bourgeois classification been?

Last week the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois arrived in London for the fifth annual review of the wines deemed worthy to use the Cru Bourgeois seal of approval. Five years into the new incarnation of the classification Heather Dougherty reviews its successes and challenges - and looks at its prospects for the future.

Limited edition Andy Warhol Absolut vodka bottle released

Absolut Vodka has produced a limited edition Andy Warhol bottle of which only 4 million bottles are available.

Hallgarten launches Wine Heroes campaign for independents

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum has launched Wine Heroes - a campaign tailored to independent wine merchants offering winemaker visits, bespoke POS materials and discounted pricing to help engage consumers.