Bordeaux's last chance to transform "out of touch" en primeur system says Tim Atkin

Leading UK wine critic and Harpers columnist, Tim Atkin MW, has fired a warning shot across the bows of Bordeaux and warned its producers and chateaux that they need to listen to the international critricism of its en primeur system and make serious changes or risk looking "ridiculous" in the eyes of the wine world.

Tim Atkin MW: Last chance for Bordeaux to get it right with 'out of touch' en primeur

There's a scene in This is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner's 1984 spoof rockumentary about English heavy metal band Spinal Tap, that features a live performance of a song called "Stonehenge". Keen to add some extra theatre to the gig, the band commission a model of the prehistoic English monument, which descends from above as they play on stage. There's only one problem: the dimensions are all wrong. Instead of 18-foot replica stones, the band orders 18-inch ones by mistake.

UK vs France: the differences in marketing regulation of alcoholic drinks

If we think drinks legislation is inhibitive in the UK we only need look across the Channel to cheer ourselves. We asked Dr Tom Farrell and Dr Beno&icirct Lecat which system is more fit for purpose in the 21st century.

Loire wine exports to the UK sees further growth

Anivin announces its ambassador wines for 2015

Anivin de France, the organisation responsible for promoting Vin de France Wines, has announced 112 'ambassador' wines for 2015.

French vineyard attracts Seedrs highest number of crowdfunding investors

A French vineyard that launched a crowdfunding campaign has already attracted the record number of investors.

Les Dauphins hopes to promote niche areas of the Rhône to mass wine consumers

Inter-Rhône's Agnès Heller lives the rock n' roll dream with Skin Côntact

With little more than a week to go before Skin Côntact, the wine trade's first ever rock band, take to the stage at London's Vinopolis to help raise money for Comic Relief we turn to those resonsible for making it happen - the sponsors.

Rhone wine brand Les Dauphins expands to US

Rhône wine brand Les Dauphins will launch in over 40 US states this spring, marking the opening of its 25^th export market.

Wine sales rocket 20% to €44m at Vente-Privee

Wine sales rocketed in 2014 at flash sales site Vente-Privée, which is celebrating a 20% increase in wine turnover to €44 million, as it ramps up its UK focus with the appointment of a new managing director. 

French wine exports to the UK fall 10% by value in 2014

France's wine exports to the UK have fallen 10% by value in 2014, although British consumers still take in 12.2% of their neighbour's wines, making it the second biggest export market for France.

French bag-in-box only retailer BiBoViNo seeks UK franchisees

French bag-in-box only wine retailer BiBoViNo is actively seeking UK franchisees to expand its 10-strong estate internationally.

12 ways indies can work better with suppliers says Les Grands Chais de France

A growing list of major wine suppliers and producers are now seriously looking to work closer and more effectively with independent wine merchants. Here Tim North, UK director for Les Grands Chais de France, one of the largest French wine producers with estates in all the main wine growing regions, offers his advice to merchants on how to buy and then market and sell their wines. Les Grands Chais de France is one of the partner suppliers behind the March for the Independents campaign.

Burgundy's Domaine Chanzy first company to use crowdfunding for IPO

Domaine Chanzy will be the first company in the world to use a crowdfunding platform to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on the AIM exchange.

Top British importers and merchants unite to call for better prices from Bordeaux

Some of the biggest wine importers, distributors, brokers and retailers in the country, including Majestic, Berry Bros & Rudd and Farr Vintners, have written to Bordeaux producers to demand changes in pricing of wines being offered to the UK.

Champagne celebrates return to growth as sales hit €4.5 billion

Champagne shipments grew 1% by volume in 2014, with sales expected to exceed 307 million bottles and hit €4.5 billion.

Vinexpo 2015 set for radical revamp after producers felt 'cut off'

Exhibitors and visitors to this summer's Vinexpo in Bordeaux can expect to be "wowed" by a completely different type of trade show, which is looking to be more welcoming to producers from outside its Bordeaux heartland. 

Geoffrey Dean on why Burgundy's Chateau de Santenay is a winery to watch

Copestick Murray to distribute advertising mogul Sir John Hegarty's wines

Copestick Murray was inspired by Bartle Bogle Hegarty co-founder Sir John Hegarty's 'no holds barred' keynote speech at the WSTA conference last year to sign a distribution deal for his wines in the UK and Ireland.

France needs to do better at selling itself hears French Wines Discovery tasting

France needs to better communicate its enviable attributes, according to a Harpers trade debate held at this week's French Wines Discoveries fair in London.