Be part of the largest survey of the indie sector to date

Suppliers going bust, reduced consumer spending and competition from online are among some of the biggest challenges facing the independent sector in 2013, according to merchants taking part in Harpers' Indies Uncovered research project.

Drinks industry launches public campaign against minimum pricing

Kleine Zalze hires new winemaker

South African wine estate Kleine Zalze has appointed RJ Botha as winemaker.

Horizons reports Christmas dining-out decline

Consumers cut back on their spending this Christmas and fewer people dined out over the festive period, according to foodservice analysts Horizons.

English wine experts question need for regionality

Harpers hears from leading experts on English sparkling about whether establishing a cru-based identification system would help estates promote their wines better on an international stage.

Bulk wine will boost branded wine

As value rises on the producer side of the supply chain due to reducing global wine stocks and increasing shortages in many key producing countries...

Half of UK high street retailers plan spring staff cuts

Half of our high street retailers intend to cut staff numbers within the next three months, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Ross Carter appointed exhibition director for LIWF

Former event manager for the London International Wine Fair, Ross Carter, has returned as exhibition director, replacing James Murray who left Brintex last week.

Fine Bordeaux tender opens

Cases of fine Bordeaux wine worth £140,000 have been put on the market by asset disposal group Winterhill Largo to repay the creditors of Wine Traders International.

Find your perfect match from France

For a chance to taste wines from small, terroir-driven French producers, head to the fourth annual First Date for France tasting on February 12.

Cellar Trends reports positive results from Drinkaware campaign

Drinks distributor Cellar Trends and alcohol education charity Drinkaware have reported positive results to its responsible drinking message campaign Why let good times go bad? which it held in 18 cities across England before Christmas.

Maison Sichel reports 21% uplift in value

Bordeaux-based producer and négociant Maison Sichel has reported a 21% value growth for 2012, making it the company's second best year since it was established in 1883.

Cobevco to offer bag-in-box filling service

Cheshire-based specialist bottler Cobevco has announced it is to offer bag in box as part of its beverage-filling capabilities.

Last chance to register for South Africa tasting

There are just a few places remaining at Harpers' upcoming Cape Crusaders - Wines for your Business tasting, which will take place on January 29.

Enotria takes on Californian Cannonball Wine Company

Enotria has announced California's Cannonball Wine Company will be joining the Enotria USA portfolio.

New single malt distillery for Isle of Harris

A new single malt distillery is due to be built on the Hebridean Isle of Harris after it recieved a grant of £1.9 million from the Scottish government.

Mike Paul: don't judge wines on how well they taste but what they mean to consumers

The wine industry has more in common with The X Factor than it does with The Voice.

The Benevolent receives healthy donation from Vintners

The wine and spirit trades' charity, The Benevolent, has received a cheque for £9,000 from the master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners following the New Year wine trade lunch at Vintners' Hall in January.

Port shipments to UK increase by 6%

The Port Wine Institute has reported a 6% increase in total Port shipped to the UK in 2012, despite difficult economic conditions, according to Symington Family Estates.

Mike Paul: why generic bodies should look again at pushing regionality

Read any interview with the various heads of generic wine bodies in the UK, like Michael Cox, Yvonne May or Jo Wehring - or an individual producer of premium wines in Australia, Chile or South Africa - and you'll spot a common theme. They're almost certain to vent their frustration that the quality of their premium offer is not being sufficiently recognised, either by the trade or the consumer.