International Wine Challenge reveals shortlist for Champion Wine awards

The full shortlist of wines from around the world that will be competing for Champion Wines of the Year in the International Wine Challenge 2014 have been revealed.

Sunday Times Rich List reveals wealthiest families in the wine and spirit trade

Laithwaite's owners Tony and Barbara Laithwaite saw their personal wealth increase by £23 million to £148 million in 2014, after a £60 million decline last year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2014.

Louis Latour Agencies boosts its London sales team

Louis Latour Agencies has boosted its London sales team with the appointment of David Hargreaves and Sophie Cruise.

Cloudy Bay's David Hohnen links up with Off Piste Wines to produce Bordeaux wine

Richard Siddle's tongue in cheek guide to "What to know about wine" in new Kitchen Magpie

Richard Siddle, editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit, was asked by award winning author and journalist, James Steen,  to write a tongue in cheek chapter for his new book, The Kitchen Magpie, on "What to know about wine". Which you can read below.

Ibiza Ice looks to crack the sparkling wine cocktail category

Ibiza Ice is the latest brand entry in to the growing sparkling wine cocktail category with the added selling point of having only a 5.5% abv.

Wineries with no UK distribution get the chance to win listings at London Wine Fair

Wineries with no distribution in the UK will get the chance to pitch their wines to the largest judging panel of buyers to be brought together by the Winestars World competition at next month's London Wine Fair.

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.

Formula One drivers can now celebrate with limited edition Champagne GH Mumm

As Formula One drivers spend so much time throwing around quality Champagne, official sponsors, Champagne GH Mumm, has produced a special limited edition bottle unique for Formula One.

Tesco to share consumer insights at the Harpers Debate at London Wine Fair

Tesco is to share some of its consumer insights and how it actively works with its customers to generate feedback, debate and help drive its wine and spirits strategy at the Harpers debate at the London Wine Fair.

Entire state of California suffering from 'severe drought'

The entire state of California is now suffering from either 'severe drought', 'extreme drought' or 'exceptional drought', according to a report released by the US Drought Monitor.

Free Run Wines to take on low alcohol wines from New Zealand producer, Selaks Wines

Free Run Wines, the UK off-trade wine supplier, is to distribute a new low alcohol, 9% abv, wine from New Zealand producer, Selaks Wines, which will be introduced along with the rest of the winery's UK range to the trade at next month's London Wine Fair.

Ubifrance looks to find UK distribution for nearly 30 wineries at London tasting

Nearly 30 independent French wineries looking for distribution in the UK will be showing their wines to the trade on May 22 as part of the latest tasting organised by Ubifrance and the French Trade Commission.

Tech-focused wine entrepreneurs could win start-up help

Tech-focused entrepreneurs with a foot in the wine world could win start-up funds, a trip to Bordeaux, and expert advice after pitching ideas to new club 33Entrepreneurs next month.

M&S to offer cachaça and four new Brazilian wines in time for the World Cup

Marks & Spencer's stores across the UK will now offer Abelha Organic Silver Cachaça, a key ingredient in Brazil's national drink the Caipirinha, as well as rolling out four new Brazilian wine this month just ahead of the World Cup.

Tio Pepe sherry sign returns to Madrid skyline

Following a three year absence, the iconic Tio Pepe sign that dominated Madrid's Puerta del Sol skyline has been returned to its rooftop home.

Codorniu reaffirms commitment to UK market as search for new chief continues

Cava firm Codorníu Raventós says it is "100% committed" to the UK market in the wake of the departure of its managing director of 12 years, Nick Mantella.

South Africa's Wellington Wines looks to treble UK bulk sales by 2015

South African co-operative Wellington Wines is hoping to treble its bulk sales to the UK to 6 million litres by next summer and have 40% of its production, or 11 million litres, going to the UK by 2016.

OIV reports USA is biggest wine market by volume in the world

The International Wine and Vine Organisation (OIV) says that despite overall wine consumption dropping slightly in 2013 to 238.7 millions of hectolitres, the US overtook France last year and became the biggest wine consuming country by volume in the world.

Blossom Hill launches fruitier wines with Sun-Kissed red and white

Blossom Hill has launched two fruitier style wines - Sun-Kissed red and white - after finding that almost half of its consumers wanted wines with a lighter, fruitier taste.