Drinks businesses flex their sharp social media skills

Social media has become a crucial tool in any brand manager's box of tricks and it will become increasingly important in 2016. Erin Smith reports 

Insights: Is UK bottling the way forward for bulk wine?

As more and more top-selling wine brands in the UK move their bottling over here, Angela Mount looks at the benefits: does it make more sense to ship in bulk?

Analysis: Trade optimism lifts following festive trading

Consumer confidence is generally on the up and early indications suggest that Christmas delivered a welcome boost to the trade.

Analysis: How Australian wine is changing consumer perceptions

It's high time consumers stop pigeonholing Australia and recognise its rich and diverse winegrowing regions, says Anne Krebiehl MW

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Analysis: A critical part of Aldi's startegy for success - supplier relationships

Ahead of this month's profile piece in an exclusive interview with Harpers, Mike James, wine buying director of Aldi UK, talks with Angela Mount about his buying strategy and what he looks for in potential partners that has helped him succeed.

ALERT: Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme in Force from 1 January 2016

From the 1 January 2016 HMRC will introduce the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) to tackle alcohol fraud. Cindy Dorrington of Bivonas Law asseses the implication for the trade. 

Insights: The state of the sake market today

Looking at the recent history of the sake trade - the boom in sake, and sudden falling out of fashion in Japan which has resulted in the closure of 100s of sake breweries. Which types of sake Brewery survived? How have sake producers changed to meet different market conditions? Anna Greenhaus reports

Analysis: Is BYOB set to rise in the UK on-trade?

With consumers increasingly expectant of value for money while dining out, it begs the important question of whether the market for BYOB is poised to grow in 2016?

Insight: Frédéric Panaïotis, chef de caves at Champagne Ruinart, explores the technical side of Ruinart's famous style

Frédéric Panaïotis, chef de caves at Champagne Ruinart, explores the history of how Champagne Ruinart's famous house style came to be and the decades it took to develop it.

Insight: Coffee shop by day and wine bar by night outlets are hot

Coffee operators are turning their focus from daytime-only trade to the evening opportunity, including alcohol sales. Jo Bruce looks at the trend for serving skinny lattes alongside Sauvignon Blanc.

Analysis: The impacts of where to bottle and how to transport wines

Deciding where to bottle and how to transport their wines are big decisions for producers that can have a major impact on the rest of the supply chain, as Simon Jack reports

WSTA Analysis

Insight: Consumer wine style trends into 2016

 Will Malbec and Prosecco continue to attract consumers at a break-neck pace or is that so last year? Angela Mount reports

Analysis: Harper's survey reveals what trends may lay ahead in 2016

Looking back, 2015 was not a bad year for the trade, but it was a challenging one. But what does the future hold? We conducted a survey to find out the general feeling throughout the trade as we approach a new year. 

Insights: What's hot and what's not for retail trends in 2016?

Angela Mount reports on the retail trends that will have the greatest impact on the multiple and convenience sector in 2016

Analysis: Champagne battles for the top spot

In an ultra-competitive market within the buoyant category of sparkling wine, the world's most established and classic fizz tenaciously holds on to its market share. Anne Krebiehl MW reports

Insights: Better exchange rate, high enough quality means buying opportunities for 2014 Burgundy

Panos Kakaviatos reports on the Hospices de Beaune auction and the opportunities he found for Burgundy's 2014 vintage. He found 2015 may raise more headlines, but 2014 may offer better price/quality ratios.

New Gadget: iSommelier- the oxygenation decanting device

Decanting may soon become an act of minutes rather than hours and be controlled by an app on your phone.

Insight: Is Ribera Del Duero in Rioja's shadow?

James Lawrence asks if there is any room for Ribera Del Duero in London's crowded on-trade?