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.

Kingsland Wines and Spirits to invest £1 million at Irlam site

Manchester-based independent supplier, Kingsland Wines and Spirits is to invest in excess of £1 million at its Irlam based site.

Whisky producers raise money for Japan appeal

The 'Spirit of Unity' whisky produced by a group of independent Scottish distilleries in aid of Japan's disaster relief effort has raised £5,900 within 24-hours.

Positive service sector figures sees sterling gain ground

Sterling benefitted from some better economic data here in the UK and negative sentiment elsewhere.

WDR launches duty + VAT calculator

The Wilson Drinks Report has launched new online calculator to help retailers work out the lowest permissible sales price when the ban on selling alcohol below cost is implemented.

Hungarian Wine Society launches to UK market

The Hungarian Wine Society has been launched with the aim of bringing a broader range of the country's wines to the UK market.

English sparkling wines to showcase at Vinitaly

For the first time English Sparkling wines are to be showcased at Vinitaly.

Tesco's wine team to focus on product type

Tesco is changing the focus of its wine buying and development teams to look at product type rather than country of origin, and has recruited two new buyers.