Independents back Oz Clarke's exposure of supermarket half-price wine deals

Wine critic Oz Clarke has been applauded today by many in the trade for putting the spotlight on half-price wine deals in the major supermarkets on this week's edition of the BBC TV consumer affairs programme Watchdog.

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Harvest in Napa Valley is the earliest since late 1980s

While the harvest throughout much of Europe started abnormally late due to the extended winter and cold spring, the Napa Valley in California has experienced its earliest start to a vintage since the late 1980s.

Gerard Basset to take part in trade wine clinic at France Summit

Master sommelier and former World Sommelier of the year, Gerard Basset, is to take part in a special wine clinic at this month's Harpers France Summit, in which he will give his expert, personal advice on how best to source, range, price and promote French wines on a wine list.

Oddbins entreprenuer Nick Baile has died

Nick Baile, who was regarded as being one of the key figures in making Oddbins a national success in its heyday during the 1970s and 1980s, has died.

Booths rethinks its prices with new sampling strategy

Booths can't compete with other supermarkets in wine retail so has moved to give its wine department a more independent merchant style and price point range, according to its wine and spirits buyer Andy Green.

Château Margaux releases first ever Balthazar bottle

Le Clos, retailer of fine wines and spirits, unveiled today it will be selling a Balthazar (12 litres) of Château Margaux 2009 for US$195,000, which is currently on display at Le Clos' flagship store at Dubai International Airport.

Shortlist announced for Harpers French Wine Awards

The shortlist for the inaugural Harpers French Wine Awards has been announced and includes who the trade see as being the best performing retailers, supplilers and indiviudals in promoting and selling French wine in the UK.

Whisky research reveals taste can be affected by environment

A change of environment can enhance the experience of enjoying whisky by up to 20% according to new research.

First Sherry Trail to be held in London this month

The Sherry Institute of Spain is to hold its first Sherry Trail in designated London bars from October 14-27. 

William Grant releases experimental Scotch whisky

First Drinks-distributed William Grant & Sons is breaking with convention to release a new expression that comes from its 50-year-old Girvan Patented still.

Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC looks to drive awareness in UK

Wine producers of the southern Rhône Valley's northernmost AOC, Grignan-les-Adhémar, are launching a campaign to generate awareness of its wines in the UK on the back of a 20% rise in exports.

Accolade revamps WinningWithWine.com

Accolade Wines-owned WinningWithWine.com - an online tool for wine retailers and on-trade outlets - has revamped its website to offer a user-friendly platform with more advice than ever.

Robinsons broadens horizons with Argentinia's Casarena

Robinsons Brewery has become the exclusive UK supplier for Casarena Bodega Y Viñedos on the back of double-digit growth in the Argentinian category.

Nyetimber 'excited' as grape picking commences across UK

English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber is "excited" to have begun grape picking alongside other English producers after it wrote off last year's because of poor-quality grapes.  

Lindeman's £1m ad campagin aims for top spot

Treasury Wine Estates-owned Australian wine brand Lindeman's has unveiled a £1 million UK digital advertising campaign in a bid to become the "biggest Australian wine brand in the world".

Courvoisier launches campaign to attract younger consumers

Courvoisier hopes to attract key targeted premium spirit consumers to the Cognac category with a new campaign that looks to bring fresh excitement to what has often been seen as a traditional and elite drink.

Morrisons: suppliers overestimating lower-alcohol category

Wine suppliers are massively overestimating the importance of the lower-alcohol category and investing far too much time in developing new products, according to Morrisons head of wine.

Morrisons bottles wines in the UK for the first time through Accolade Wines

Morrisons is to use Accolade Wines' bottling facility in Bristol as it looks to pack in the UK for the first time.

Jackson Estate to build Pinot Noir-specific winery

Marlborough producer Jackson Estate is to build a new Pinot Noir-specific winery on the back of double-digit sales growth.