Call for higher VAT on supermarket alcohol

VAT should be increased on drinks sold in supermarkets and off-licences - but not the on-trade, a leading doctor has suggested.

Fuller's grows wine division

Fuller's, the London brewer and pubs operator, has reported a big increase in profits, helped by a strong performance from its wine division.

Independents and on-trade look to benefit from #winedealfriday

Anyone looking to service the independent or on-trade sectors is today encouraged to join the growing the number of suppliers that are using Harpers Wine & Spirit's #winedealfriday to offer special deals directly through Twitter, the social media service.

Analysis: How vital is a wine qualification?

Susanna Forbes launches British drinks website

A website dedicated to showcasing British drinks and promoting the best places to visit has been launched by industry journalist, Susanna Forbes.

Slurp sells out of wine with email voucher campaign

Michael Mondavi wines go on sale through Bibendum

Chile Summit secures expertise of leading MWs

Two Masters of Wine - Peter McCombie and Peter Richards - will be sharing their expertise on Chilean wine in a series of exclusive masterclasses at the Harpers Chile Summit on Monday, November 22.

Eristoff ramps up advertising with £250k spend

Pig in a Poke signs up with Dating in the Dark

Pig in a Poke has signed a deal with Living TV to be the official wine supplier for the next series of Dating in the Dark.

Sterling edges up after unemployment benefit claims fall

Sterling edged up yesterday after an unexpected drop in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits.

Get involved with wine qualification debate

For the wine trade a WSET qualification has long been highly sought-after ? but this week Harpers checks out whether the next generation of wine movers and shakers feel the same.

In our analysis, we discovered most wine industry professional still value the WSET certificates. But the blogging community, according to blogger Robert McIntosh of wineconversation.com, points out that having a slightly different view point ? one that's not so "standardised" ? can be healthy.

Since our digital edition was published Twitter has come alive with interested parties calling for it to be available on the website so that it can be discussed.

Please tweet your comments using #HarpersWineWSET.

Spirits producers in sensible drinking pledge

European spirits producers have pledged to step up their efforts to promote sensible drinking.

Jameson Cult Film Club returns

Irish whiskey brand Jameson is again using film as a way of engaging with its audience.

Cheval Blanc smashes wine auction record

An imperial of Cheval Blanc 1947 has broken the record for a price paid for a single bottle at auction.

Napa Valley winery overwhelmed by debt

California's Cosentino Winery has ceased trading after failing to secure extra finance to cover its debts.

Sterling falls sharply due to talks of further quantitative easing

Sterling fell sharply yesterday after Bank of England governor Mervyn King signalled that the Bank of England could launch a further programme of quantitative easing if needed.

The Macallan sets record for most expensive whisky sold at £288,000

Wines in the press - November 11-14

The Guardian
Fiona Beckett is talking about Beaujolais, not the "banana and bubble gum-scented nouveau" that will be hitting our shelves on Thursday, but the much-lauded 2009 vintage.

Christie's NY wine sale raises $3.6 million