Alsace's 'fresh and fruity' vintage down 22%

Alsace wines have seen a large fall in volumes in the 2010 vintage following problematic weather conditions.

New wine bar for Planet of the Grapes

London merchant Planet of the Grapes is opening a second wine bar.

Laithwaites and Anthropologie join forces in natural cork campaign

Laithwaites Wines and Anthropologie have joined forces in support of the I Love Natural Cork campaign to host a wine tasting evening promoting the benefits of the stopper.

Fratello - it's a nutty one

Straight from Italy via the Global Brands portfolio is Fratello Premium Hazelnut Liqueur, abv 30% (rrp £11.99).

Maison du Languedoc holds the key

A brand which acts as the key to understanding the whole Languedoc region, in order to develop greater awareness and build increased category sales, is the new initiative from Languedoc producer, Jeanjean and UK distributor D&D Wines.

Sterling recovers slightly in anticipation of inflation figures

The pound dropped to €1.1287/ £1 early on, but staged a slight recovery on speculation that today's inflation figures will come in higher than expected.

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.