Francis Ford Coppola appoints Château Margaux winemaker

Francis Ford Coppola has appointed current estate director at Château Margaux, Philippe Bascaules as estate manager and winemaker at Inglenook, his newly named Napa Valley vineyard.

Fine Wines Direct to distribute Munoz de Toro

Fine Wines Direct has become the sole UK importer and distributor for Argentine winery, Munoz de Toro in the UK.

Industry stalwart Pat Green dies aged 89

Pat Green, one of the first women to make her mark in the wine trade, has died after a short illness at the age of 89.

Donald Trump buys Virginia winery

Donald Trump has added a Virginia winery to his extensive property portfolio.

Concha y Toro pioneers South America's first Climate Exchange

Concha y Toro is pioneering South America's first Climate Exchange ? it will trade carbon bonds and begin a CO2 reduction industry.

WineOption steps up fight for clearer alcohol labelling

Wine campaigners, WineOption has step up its fight for clearer alcohol labelling after a British Medical Journal cancer warning.

Wines in the press, April 9-11

The Guardian

Sterling hits low as euro offers more to investors

Sterling hit a five-and-a-half month low against the euro in early trading this morning on expectations that interest rates in the euro zone would continue to rise at faster rate than in the UK.

Oddbins to be sold within seven days

Oddbins' administrators Deloitte are hopeful that the off-licence chain will be sold within seven days, as more speculation about bidders emerges.

It seems likely that, as happened First Quench, which collapsed in 2009, the 89-strong chain will be split up. What is not yet clear is whether new owners would continue to operate under the Oddbins fascia.

De Bortoli invests in 'soil puffer machine'

De Bortoli has invested in a soil puffer machine and claims to be the first Australian winery to own one.

Trade warned after Chapoutier wine theft

The trade has been urged to take care when buying M.Chapoutier wines after stock was stolen en route to Cert Octavian's Hoddesdon warehouse last week.

Malibu kicks of summer campaign with limited edition bottle

Malibu has launched a colourful limited edition bottle in collaboration with up-and-coming designer Nikki Farquharson.

Laithwaites Wine wins ECMOD, best business award

Laithwaites Wine has won the All Round Best Business Award 2011, organised by the catalogue and home shopping organisation,  ECMOD.

Bordeaux 2010: the round-up

This has been a busy week for the trade, who headed off en masse to deliver their verdicts on the en primeur tasting for Bordeaux 2010's "stunning", monumental" wine.

Bank of England holds interest rates

The Bank of England did as expected and kept interest rates on hold for the 25^th month in a row.

Exclusive: Baile in frame to buy Oddbins back?

Simon Baile is lining up an audacious bid to buy Oddbins from its administrators, Harpers understands.

Wines of Germany to hold UK generic tasting

Wines of Germany is holding its first generic trade tasting in the UK for five years on the back of the Riesling & Co world tour visit to theUK.

Diageo GB brings Captain Morgan to Morgan's Spiced

Diageo GB, is bringing the figurehead Captain Morgan to its Morgan's Spiced brand in a bid to give the golden rum based spirit drink a unique personality.

Inside Burgundy wins André Simon award

Inside Burgundy by Jasper Morris MW, has won the 2010 André Simon award for best drinks book.

Liv-ex and Vine open temperature-controlled storage chamber

Liv-ex - The Fine Wine Exchange and logistics provider, Vine, have trebled their warehouse space by opening a new temperature-controlled wine chamber within London City Bond.