Trade bodies step up fight to protect smaller shops

Diageo to buy stake in Vietnamese distiller

Diageo is to buy a 23.6% stake in Hanoi Liqour, the Vietnamese branded spirits producer.

Restaurants 'don't maximise web opportunity'

Restaurants have been urged to do more to promote their restaurants online, and to use the web to allow bookings.

WSET holds fourth annual Awards & Graduation Ceremony

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust held its fourth annual Awards & Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the success of the top performing 2009/10 WSET students and diploma graduates.

Tiger Tiger operator 'to buy Balls Brothers'

Tiger Tiger operator Novus Leisure has been linked with a bid for Balls Bros, the London wine bar chain which went into administration last year.

Sterling plummets on back of poor GDP figures

The rate of sterling plummeted earlier today, dropping by 1.3% against the US dollar and 1.1% against the euro, as the market reacted to worse than expected GDP figures, writes Nick Ryder of Smart Currency Exchange.

Wines in the press - January 28-30

The Guardian
The Chinese may be buying up the world's best Bordeaux, but is hard to think of a wine that's less suited to Chinese food, says Fiona Beckett.

Sterling falls back after a bumper week

Sterling fell against the US dollar and euro yesterday as investors took profits following last week's highs.

Bibendum launches Market Insights division

Bibendum has launched a new Market Insights division that aims to work closely with customers to deliver greater profits for the its category.

Le Bouchon Breton best in Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards

Le Bouchon Breton in London's Spitalfields market has been named the best place for a drink whilst out dining in the 2011 Harpers Wine & Spirit Drinking Out Excellence Awards.

Creation Wines appoints Ellis of Richmond

Creation Wines of South Africa has named Ellis of Richmond as its UK distributor.

Emporia Brands rolls out spirits school

Emporia Brands is rolling out a series of spirits training days for specialist wines and spirits merchants.

Artisan & Vine and DrinkBritain to launch 'Meet the Winemaker' tastings

Battersea-based wine bar Artisan & Vine is joining with DrinkBritain.com to launch a 'Best of English - Meet the Winemaker' series of tastings.

Austrian wine industry announces record value

The Austrian wine industry has announced a positive year in 2010, despite difficult market conditions.

Lloyd Webber's wine sells for £3.5m at auction

A selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's wine collection went under the hammer in Hong Kong this weekend, raising $5.6 million (£3.5 million). 

Home Office joins trade for new alcohol conference

The Home Office has linked up with key trade bodies for a new alcohol conference "Is Big Society a partnership?" which aims to allow the industry to debate new legislation.

A volatile week for sterling

Sterling finished slightly stronger against the US dollar on Friday after following the euro higher against the US currency.

Cognac sales up 30% in 2010

2010 was a record year for Cognac, as shipments reached an all-time high of 1.86 billion Euros (£1.58 billion).

Wikio rates Bibendum wine blog as 'most influential'

Bibendum's Bibendum Times website has been named as the UK most influential wine blog by Wikio in its January 2011 rankings.

Champagne Laurent-Perrier releases its Vintage 2002 to the trade

Champagne Laurent-Perrier has revealed it is to release its latest vintage to the trade, the Vintage 2002.