Laura Clark - Christmas time, mistletoe and wine

And so the seemingly endless stream of Christmas tastings that journalists finds themselves traipsing to in the sweltering heat of the summer has begun.

Pernod Ricard launches online bartender community

Pernod Ricard UK has launched an online networking and knowledge sharing community for on-trade professionals.

Montana rebrands to become Brancott Estate

Montana Wine has changed its name to Brancott Estate and is to be official sponsor of the 2011 rugby union World Cup.

Pernod Ricard launches online community for bartenders

Pernod Ricard has launched an online networking and knowledge-sharing community dedicated exclusively to bartenders in the UK on-trade.

Finca Flichman becomes UK No1 branded Argentine wine

Argentine export monitor, Caucasia Wine Thinking, has released figures showing that Finca Flichman is the UK's number one branded Argentine wine in 2010.

Richard Siddle,World Cup wine blog: Recovering from a Green day

Richard Siddle, World Cup blog, Day 5: The English are coming!

After a great last day sipping and tasting my way through Stellenbosch I have now flown up to Johannesburg to the heart of the World Cup in readiness for tonight's England game.

Viñalba Reserva Malbec - Touriga Nacional on sale now

Viñalba Reserva Malbec - Touriga Nacional, the latest addition to Buckingham Schenk's trophy-winning Argentine brand Viñalba, has secured a major UK listing with Majestic Wine.

AdVini looks to drive quality French wine sales

Newly merged French wine giant AdVini has unveiled plans designed to keep the company at the top of quality French winemaking.

French launch first 3-D Virtual Wine Fair

The www.WineFair.com plans to help busy wine and spirit professionals network worldwide from the comfort of their desks

Gallo 'the most powerful wine brand in the world'

Gallo Family Vineyards, the American winemaker, has been awarded the title of the most powerful wine brand in the world - for a fifth consecutive year.

Cloudy Bay releases 2006 Riesling

Cloudy Bay, the New Zealand winemaker renowned for its sauvignon blanc, has released 1,500 bottles of 2006 Riesling for sale in the UK.

Sir George Fistonich accepts charity role

Founder and managing director of Villa Maria Estate, Sir George Fistonich, is to replace the role left by the late Sir Edmund Hillary, as vice patron of Variety - The Children's Charity of New Zealand.

Parker says parts of Bordeaux 09 are the best he has ever tasted

Robert Parker has revealed that that some wines of the wines in the 2009 Bordeaux vintage are the best he has ever tasted with 21 having the capacity to go on and score a perfect 100 points.

Harpers to discuss UK's role in global wine market at LWIF

The UK's position in the global wine market will be the subject of the Harpers Debate at this year's London International Wine Fair.

Draycott to head Gonzalez Byass sales

Former First Quench buyer Melissa Draycott has been named sales director of Gonzalez Byass UK.

Rebecca Gibb - Winery workout - Marlborough day 6

It's only been a week since I arrived in Marlborough to work part of the 2010 vintage but I'm already in need of a rest!

My Taste - big v small

Carol Emmas takes part in a blind tasting that pits the big brand Champagnes against the small growers.

First Taste - Wairarapa

A snapshot of wines from New Zealand's Wairarapa region.

Rebecca Gibb - Harvest hen do: Marlborough day 5

Winery dogs are so last year. The ultimate winery accessory this season is...a hen.