Ribera del Duero should shun powerful wines for more classic style says Pingus founder

The biggest threat to the future of wines from the Ribera Del Duero is consumers turning their back on the signature ripe and powerful style of the region, according to Pingus founder Peter Sisseck.

German specialists, ABS Wine Agencies and Howard Ripley, on promoting Grosse Gewächse

The annual release of the Grosse Gewächse in September is a firm feature in the German wine calendar. Slowly, this important release date is also gaining UK currency. Grosse Gewächse are dry single-vineyard wines produced to a strict quality code by VDP members (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter). The VDP is Germany's largest and most important grouping of quality producers whose private vineyard classification recognises exceptional, historic single sites as Grosse Lagen.

UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain market share as exports plummet

Top UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain shelf space as figures reveal exports to the UK have halved in 2014, following last year's short harvest. 

Buyers should beware of storm damage when sourcing New Zealand's 2014 wines

New Zealand's 2014 vintage resulted from "near perfect" conditions, but winemakers have warned buyers to take care as some Marlborough estates battled to harvest before Cyclone Ita hit.   

Chance for "Harpers Rising Stars" to win a grant for Wine Vision

Harpers is giving talented, rising stars in the global wine industry the chance to take part in this November's Wine Vision conference by applying for a special Harpers grant.

Moët & Chandon joins Europe's celebrations at the Ryder Cup

Europe's victory in this weekend's Ryder Cup brought smiles not only to golf fans across the continent, but to the marketing team at Moët & Chandon whose sponsorship of the event resulted in priceless images of the winning team celebrating with its Champagne appearing in the international press around the world.

Chester Osborn on his new d'Arenburg Amazing Site wines

Chester Osborn of d'Arenburg winery in McLaren Vale, on why he's decided to vinify and release winers from some of his top plots separately.

Glenmorangie releases first 'crowd-sourced' whisky

Glenmorangie is releasing its first 'crowd-sourced' whisky today, which is a limited 12,000 bottle production called Taghta.

Shortlist for Harpers French Wine Awards announced

The shortlist for the 2014 Harpers French Wine Awards are released today with the likes of Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, The Sampler, Daniel Lambert, Tim Atkin MW and Gerrard Basset MW MS fighting it out for the main awards.

Northcote retains title of Sud de France Sommelier of the Year

Tamus Czinki, head sommelier of Michelin-starred restaurant, Northcote near Blackburn, Lancashire, has been named Sud de France Sommelier of the Year for 2014.

British Bottle Company offers expert export service for UK drinks

The British Bottle Company is a new specialist export business dedicated to helping British drinks, including English wine, craft beers and artisanal spirits, gain distribution in key export markets around the world.

Today's SITT London tasting offers masterclasses on Italy and the Rhône

Greenall's releases first new gins in over 250 years

Gin brand Greenall's is launching its first new gins in over 250 years today - a sloe gin and wild berry option.

Cru Bourgeois selects 267 chateaux from 2012 vintage

The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has chosen 267 chateaux to represent the region's best wines from the 2012 vintage - bringing numbers to their highest level in the five years since the selection was relaunched.

Kingsland ramps up its South Africa wine listings with Brand Phoenix deal

Kingsland has signed a deal to distribute Brand Phoenix's First Cape and Distell ranges throughout the impulse, convenience and wholesale markets.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

Salentein hopes to win over independents with new premium Argentinian wine range

Salentein, the Argentinian wine producer, is to release a new premium range of wines to the UK including it icon wine, Gran Vu Blend, which it hopes to gain distribution across the on-trade and independent sectors.

KWV relaunches UK distribution strategy by switching from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green

KWV, the South African wine giant, is to switch its UK distribution from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green as it looks to reposition itself in the UK with a targeted multiple and independent retail strategy.

Wine and spirits industry welcomes "stability" of Scottish "No" vote for independence

Parts of the UK wine and spirits industry have welcomed the "stability" the news this morning that Scotland has rejected independence to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Wines of Beautiful South to return in 2016 as South Africa switches focus to Cape Wine

The combined Chile, Argentina and South Africa Wines of the Beautiful South tasting will not take place next year as South Africa switches its attention to Cape Wine. But Chile and Argentina will continue to work together with a joint South American tasting sometime in London in 2015.