Italy wins top spot in TripAdvisor Wine Destinations Awards

Online travel website TripAdvisor has announced the European winners of its 2012 Travellers' Choice Wine Destinations Awards.

Bodegas Muriel joins forces with Off-Piste Wines

Off-Piste Wines has been appointed the new UK off-trade agent for Spanish wine producer Bodegas Muriel.

Cape Winemakers Guild Auction achieves record takings

The 28th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has set record-breaking figures with the highest turnover and a complete sellout of all wines.

Lanson bucks Champagne trend with sales growth

Lanson Champagne has revealed 6% growth in value for the UK market against a 2.4% drop across the Champagne category as a whole.

Drinks trade charity launches Benevolent Bursaries

The drinks industry charity The Benevolent has launched new initiatives to deliver career-long support to members of the trade, alongside a new website and branding.

Liberty Wines to sell oldest Rivesaltes collection

Liberty Wines is to sell a limited collection from Roussillon producer Maison Cazes comprising the oldest Rivesaltes vintages in existence.

Wines in the press, October 13 -15

The Guardian

United Wineries looks to Russia, China and USA for growth

Spanish firm United Wineries has restructured its senior team as it turns its focus away from the UK and other mature markets and on to the faster-growing economies of Russia, China and the USA.

Jim Beam Honey sees off-trade launch

Spirits distributor Maxxium UK has launched Jim Beam Honey into the off-trade following its on-trade success.

Robinsons Brewery wins Business of the Year award

Robinsons Brewery has been awarded Business of the Year at the Stockport Business Awards 2012 for demonstrating all-round business excellence and impressive achievements.

HMRC launches Scotch whisky consultation

HM Revenue & Customs is calling for Scotch whisky producers to respond to a new consultation designed to further protect them from inferior competitors.

Port producers can learn lessons from whisky industry

Port producers should look to the whisky industry for packaging and marketing inspiration in order to safeguard the Douro's future.

William Curley team wins Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy

The Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy 2012 has been won by pastry chef Sarah Frankland and sommelier Robert Giorgione of William Curley.

Alcohol harm in baby boomers costs NHS most

Problem drinking among baby boomers is costing the NHS 10 times more than binge drinking in 16-24 year-olds across England, says Alcohol Concern.

Restaurants starting to phase out discount vouchers

High street restaurant operators are phasing out discount deals in order to return to standard pricing, says Horizons.

Restaurateurs begin pulling back on two-for-one deals

Restaurateurs are pulling back on two-for-one deals and money-off vouchers because they risk eroding the value of a restaurant's brand image, according to foodservice consultancy Horizons.

Laithwaite's Wine joins forces with Classic FM

Actor Simon Callow is to present an 11-part series called Tasting Notes on Classic FM in association Laithwaite's Wine.

Dourthe: 'patience and hard work critical' in 2012

The year 2012 for Dourthe has been one of "hard work" in the vineyards, according to Patrick Jestin, chief executive officer of Vins et Vignobles Dourthe.

Jordan Wine Estate to help women enter wine industry

South Africa's Jordan Wine Estate has launched an initiative to help young women, both in the UK and at home, get into the wine industry.

Matthew Dickinson: why some wine business survive and others become extinct