Jeff Clarke appointed chief winemaker at Ara Wines

Jeff Clarke has been appointed as chief winemaker at Marlborough's premier single-vineyard producer, Ara Wines.

De Bortoli Wines moves to new UK offices

De Bortoli Wines is relocating its UK sales office from Blandford Forum in Dorset to Semley in Wiltshire.

Cable's reforms 'will save business £400m'

The government has announced reforms to the way small companies have to prepare their accounts, in a move it says could save the sector £400 million a year.

Tim Atkin MW to present WSET 3-Minute Wine School

Tim Atkin MW, is to present nine new films on the The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) YouTube Channel.

Sterling falls due to talks of euro zone interest rate rise

Sterling fell to a five week low against the euro yesterday as expectations of an interest rate hike in the euro zone saw sterling drop below €1.16/£1.

Oddbins to close 39 stores

Oddbins is closing 39 branches across the UK as part of its restructuring process.

Scottish distillers switch power off for WWF

Scotch Whisky Association to support 'Earth Hour'

The Scotch Whisky Association has announced support for the World Wildlife Fund's annual 'Earth Hour' charity event in aid of wildlife threatened by climate change.

Survey: how will the Budget affect the drinks trade?

Chancellor George Osborne is dealing with mixed messages from the UK drinks trade as he puts the finishing touches to his March 23 Budget, and Harpers wants to find out how it will affect you.

Northern Ireland debates 70p-a-unit minimum alcohol price

Northern Ireland could impose a minimum price of up to 70p per unit of alcohol under plans drawn up by ministers.

Wines in the press, March 3-6

The Guardian
Fiona Beckett was thinking about how we never hear much about Merlot any more. Of course you implicitly discuss it if you talk about St Emilion, Pomerol or other Merlot-dominated "right bank" Bordeaux, she says.

Slurp abandons minimum order to launch 'Slurp Singles'

Slurp.co.uk has abandoned its minimum order restrictions on the Slurp Express catalogue, allowing customers to purchase single bottles of wine for next day delivery at no extra cost.

Sterling falls to one month low against euro

Sterling fell to a one month low on Friday against the euro, which was boosted by comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, who said that interest rates could rise as early as next month.

Restaurant Manager of the Year UK finalists announced

Seven, instead of the usual six, of the UK's top restaurant managers will go through to the finals of the Academy of Food and Wine Service UK Restaurant Manager of the Year 2011 competition.

Shock move by European Central Bank

Sterling fell by nearly 1% against the euro yesterday as poor UK services sector activity sector contrasted sharply with a shock statement from the European Central Bank that the ECB could hike interest rates in the region as early as next month.

Bibendum picks up Chateau de Saint Cosme agency

Rhone producer Chateau de Saint Cosme has signed an exclusive UK distribution deal with Bibendum.

Drinks trade outrage as barred from Scottish summit

The drinks trade is up in arms after being refused admission to a Scottish conference on alcohol and tobacco policy.

Bordeaux Index urges caution over second growth wines

Fine wine investors are being urged to exercise caution when buying "less prestigious second growth" wines, given the large volumes available and lack of growth in emerging markets, says Bordeaux Index.

Sterling still at 13-month high against US dollar

Sterling remained around a 13-month high against the US dollar yesterday as investors continued to speculate that US interest rates would stay in place much longer than the UK.

Cork producer Amorim's sales up 14%

Cork produer Amorim has posted a sales increase of almost 14% by volume in 2010, selling more than 3 billion cork bottle stoppers.