Spanish restaurant chain, MasQMenos, opens in London

MasQMenos, the Spanish restaurant chain, is to open its first UK site in Holborn in London offering what it claims will be "Spanish gastronomy in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere".

Tesco tries out wine tastings for customers at home

Government praises drinks industry's on Responsibility Deal as new pledges announced

The drinks industry has been roundly praised by the Home Office and Department of Health for the "real progress" it has made in tackling alcohol misuse via the Responsibility Deal.

First Cape trims range as hard to make 'nice-tasting' low alcohol wines

Brand Phoenix has radically cut its First Cape lighter-style range admitting it's hard to make wines that taste good between 4% and 5.5%.

California's wine regions at risk of fire caused by extreme drought

The entire state of California is now in the worst stages of drought according to new figures released on July 3, 2014 by the US Drought Monitor.

Wine flexitank capable of carrying two different liquids launched

If 24,000 litres of wine is too much to ship at once, bulk buyers can now take advantage of a dual compartment flexitank which can transport two different wines within one container.

Adrian Atkinson on Zidane, Lineker and Barry Davies in his World Cup memories

After the long, two day wait, the World Cup in Brazil starts again later today with Brazil back in to action againt Columbia. To get you in the mood, here Adrian Atkinson is the latest to step up to the plate and share his World Cup memories.

No sign of slowdown in sparkling wine growth

Sparkling wine sales are showing no signs of slowing down - volumes rocketed 20% in the second quarter of 2014.

Whisky maker William Grant & Sons donates to campaigns against Scottish independence

Spirits firm William Grant & Sons has donated money to several groups who are campaigning for a "no" vote in the upcoming Scottish independence referendum.

New Zealand scholarship up for grabs for UK wine professionals

UK wine professionals with a hankering for the New Zealand way of life could see their dreams come true by winning a scholarship to Marlborough.

David Cartwright remembers Mario Kempes, Gordon Banks and Bryan Robson

And then there were four...yes the Brazil World Cup is getting down to the serious stuff with only the semi-finals and final to go. But there is still time for members of the trade to share their World Cup Memories. David Cartwright of Seckford Agencies is the latest to take up the challenge.

Lebanese producers move to protect vital supplies from Syria

Lebanese wine producers are having to take continued steps to ensure the quality of aniseed sourced from Syria to help make the traditonal drink, arak, is not compromised by the continued conflict over the border.

Adrian Atkinson leaves his role as Pernod Ricard's wine development manager

Adrian Atkinson has left Pernod Ricard this week as part of a mini restructure of its commercial and marketing teams.

Wine merchants celebrate national Independents' Day with sales boosts 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%.

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.