Andrew Peace in cricket and rugby link-up

Aussie wine brand Andrew Peace Wines has announced a six-figure advertising deal with the World Cricket and World Rugby League agencies.

Makers' Mark bourbon boss steps down

Long-standing Makers' Mark president Bill Samuels is to hand over control of the Kentucky business to his son in the spring.

Nicolas plans London expansion

French wine specialist Nicolas is planning expansion in London, and has appointed Gilberts Evans to seek out new sites as well as handle rent reviews and lease negotiations.

Smirnoff doubles online marketing spend

Asda sees Champagne sales surge in December

Asda has reported a strong end of year performance in the Champagne category.

Strong buying by Asian sovereign accounts helps strengthen sterling

Sterling strengthened to near a one month high against the US dollar yesterday following strong buying by Asian sovereign accounts.

Paul Henry joins Wine Intelligence as associate director

Wine Intelligence has appointed Paul Henry as associate director, effective immediately.

Late hours confirmed for Royal Wedding

The Home Office has laid out plans for on-trade outlets to be allowed extended opening hours and live entertainment on the weekend of the Royal Wedding.

Longer hours confirmed for Royal Wedding

The Home Office has confirmed plans for on-trade outlets to be allowed extended opening hours and put on live entertainment on the weekend of the Royal Wedding.

UK spirits market on course for growth

Spirits consumption in the UK will continue to increase over the next four years, according to research carried out by Vinexpo/IWSR.

Sterling holds firm against the weakened euro

Sterling held firm above the €1.20/£1 level after jumping to a four month high in the last few days.

Foster's joins flood relief effort

The Foster's Group is to contribute A$500,000 to help with flood relief in Queensland.

Geoffrey Dean's Ashes and wine blog: reflections on historical victory Down Under

As the dust settles over another Ashes series, the realisation has hit all of the visiting press corps that this was England's finest campaign Down Under since the Second World War, the 5-1 win in 1978-9 being a pyrrhic victory against Australia's second string players.

Mass to be held for Portuguese wine stalwart

A funeral mass for José Leitao, who died on New Year's Eve, will take place next week.

Last call for entries for Glenrothes Whisky Makers competition

Glenrothes Whisky is making a last call for online entries for its Glenrothes Whisky Makers competition.

Sterling hits four month high against euro

Sterling hit a four-month high against the euro yesterday as the single currency was dogged by concerns over the debt problems in the euro zone.

National Wine Month goes live

National Wine Month has gone live with the launch of a website designed to show the trade how they can benefit from the industry initiative.

Delegat's moves for remaining Oyster Bay shares

Delegat's Wine Estate is in the process of taking outright control of Oyster Bay Marlborough Vineyards.

Wolf Blass signs two-year deal with England Rugby

Wolf Blass has signed a two-year deal with the Rugby Football Union to be the official wine of England Rugby until June 2012.

Kiwi wine producers aim to make 20% of vineyards organic

Organic wine producers in New Zealand want to account for 20% of the country's vineyard area by 2020, up from 4.5% now.