Constellation Wines goes solar

Constellation Wines, is to expand its solar initiative to become the producer of the largest amount of solar energy in the U.S. wine industry.

Drinks firms in line for VAT windfall on samples

Drinks firms who use promotional samples to help sell their products could be in line for a VAT windfall after a European judgement.

More mandatory alcohol sale conditions go live

Pubs, restaurants and other retailers must offer customers drinks in smaller sizes and ensure they have an age verification policy in place from today.

Townsend to move from Louis Latour to head up Foster's UK wine division

Foster's EMEA has revealed the outcome of the restructuring of its wine division, Treasury Wine Estates, which will see Dan Townsend switch from Louis Latour Agencies to become its general manager for UK and Ireland.

Minimum wage lawbreakers named and shamed

Currency update, October 1 - EU farming subsidy causes sterling to drop

Sterling fell to a 4 month low against the euro yesterday after large flows related to the annual EU farming subsidy saw investors covering short positions after a surprise jump in orders for euros into sterling.

Whisky returns to TV after 15-year absence

Grant's whisky is back on TV after a 15-year absence as the sponsor of Piers Morgan Life Stories on ITV1, which starts on Saturday (October 2).

Harrods to open new wine department

Harrods is to open a new wine department that will house a series of wine discovery areas including an 'aroma zone', tasting room and bar.

'Virtual sommelier' service launches

An online "virtual sommelier" service has been launched.

Thieves steal 30 tonnes of grapes

A vineyard near Béziers in the Hérault region of southern France had 30 tonnes of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes stolen overnight.

Grant's to sponsor Piers Morgan Life Stories

Grant's has announced that it is to sponsor the ITV1 show, Piers Morgan Life Stories as part of the brand's multi million pound investment for 2010.

Grants whisky signs TV sponsorship deal

Grant's whisky will return to TV screens after a 15-year break after signing a sponsorship deal with Piers Morgan Life Stories on ITV1. 

Currency update, September 30 - sterling falls due to concerns over Quantitative Easing

Sterling fell again against the euro yesterday after Tuesday's downbeat comments by a key Bank of England policy maker left sterling under severe pressure from investors.

Fairtrade wine sector set for "massive growth"

Fairtrade has surpassed organic as the latest ethical product set for massive growth in the alcohol sector, according to recent research by Datamonitor.

Cockspur unveils new distributor

From October 1 Whyte & Mackay will distribute Cockspur rum in the UK and Ireland's on and off-trade markets.

Clos Maggiore pairs chocolate with food and wine

London restaurant Clos Maggiore is championing that most traditional of aphrodisiacs in a special chocolate-laden tasting menu designed to coincide with National Chocolate Week.

Sterling flounders after downbeat comments

Currency exchange rates daily analysis for September 29 from Smart Currency Exchange.

UK entering the "Prosecco decade"

Prosecco is becoming a favourite tipple among UK wine drinkers, according to the latest consumer research from Wine Intelligence.

Highland Park's Visitor Centre retains five star rating

Highland Park's Visitor Centre has retained its five star rating from VisitScotland's quality assurance scheme for the seventh year running.

Wines in the press - September 23-26

The Guardian
Victoria Moore likes crackling so much that she once roasted an entire pork shoulder and managed to eat all the crispy, crunchy, fatty skin in a single sitting.