Cava producers must push diversity, says body president

Cava producers must push diversity, says the president of the sparkling wine body, as the industry prepares to launch a new premium classification.

Rich List: Laithwaite's Wine owners see personal wealth dip by £60m

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Final 12 sommeliers chosen to battle it out for Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014

The 12 semi-finalists of the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014, organised by the Academy of Food & Wine Service, have been announced who will now battle it out to go through to the grand final.

Michael Jordaan to be new chairman of Wines of South Africa

Wines of South Africa has appointed Michael Jordaan, former chief executive of the country's First National Bank, as its new chairman.

Albion Racing Club spiced malt launches first film: 'Méribel or Bust'.

The Albion Racing Club, a British spiced malt launched in March 2014, has brought back memories of Terry Thomas and Tony Curtis and the iconic film, Monte Carlo or Bust, with the premiere of its first hour long film in London this week, which centres around the Club's inaugural race, 'The Alpine Run 2014: Méribel or Bust'.

Cambalache - comes alive in front of your eyes!

Visitors to last week's two night Cambalacheevent, that looked to re-create a night out in Buenos Aires in the east of London, could see street art comes to life in front of their eyes.

Harpers London Wine Fair debate: how consumers can power growth in your business

How major brands and retailers are succeeding in making their customers their biggest business assets through peer to peer recommendations, social media, online clubs and communities will be the focus of the Harpers Debate at this year's London Wine Fair.

Keynote speakers confirmed for the International Cool Climate Symposium 2016

The ninth International Cool Climate Symposium 2016, which is being held in the UK for the first time between May 26-28, has confirmed its keynote speakers, including Jancis Robinson MW, Professor Dr Huiquin Ma, Dr. Mike Trought, Dr Kees Van Leeuwen, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Essi Avellan MW, Dr Steve Charters MW and Professor Charles Spence.

Uproot Wines looks to attract new US wine drinkers through colour only wine labels

US consumers no longer need reading glasses or language dictionaries to decipher wine labels; but they do need a taste for colour.

English wine producers celebrate 'relief' of record 2013 harvest

English vineyards are celebrating a bumper 2013 harvest as new plantings nudge figures to 33,384 hectolitres or almost 4.5 million bottles, helping alleviate depleted stocks after poor harvests in the past two years.

South Africa's grape harvest is down 2.6% on 2013 bumper crop

South Africa is on course for an average sized, good quality harvest despite heavy rains, says the body representing 3,600 of the country's producers.

English vineyard Hambledon strikes distribution deal to help 1m bottle sales target

English sparkling wine producer Hambledon Vineyard has taken its first steps towards building sales to one million bottles per year by signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Fields, Morris & Verdin in the UK.

Hallgarten Druitt to become a more insights and sales driven business

Hallgarten Druitt's decision to outsource its warehousing and bonding to LCB will allow it to concentrate on providing a far more insights driven business for its customers, according to managing director Andrew Bewes.

Waitrose to grow online wine share with new website

Waitrose plans to grow its online wine share with the launch of a specialist site Waitrose Cellar.

German wine Black Tower partners with romcom film Walking on Sunshine

German wine brand Black Tower is getting behind British summer romantic comedy Walking on Sunshine.

Morrisons puts faith in further price cuts after another fall in sales

Morrisons like for like sales have declined by 7.1% in the first quarter, as the supermarket hopes its promised price cuts and revamped stores will sway consumers in its direction.

France tops medal chart at the International Wine Challenge 2014

France has topped the medal chart at the International Wine Challenge for the 31^st year running, taking 1987 medals, including 113 golds.

English wines awarded a record five IWC golds and two IWC trophies

English winemakers have wowed judges at the International Wine Challenge 2014, taking home a record two trophies and five gold medals.  

Morrisons shelves standalone wine site Morrisons Cellar

Supermarket Morrisons has decided to pull away from running its own standalone wine retail website and instead combine it with its new general grocery website, Morrisons.com.