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.

Aldi announces record 65% jump in profits as it attracts 1m new customers

Aldi, the German hard discount chain, has returned record sales in the UK with profits up 65% and the promise of even more price cuts that are acting as a wrecking ball through the figures of the major multiples.

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.

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

Argentina's Viñalba wine brand launches two new wines

Argentina's Viñalba brand has added two new wines to its portfolio - Parrilla by Viñalba and Reservado de la Familia.

Tesco fast tracks new finance chief to help with fall out from profit crisis

Tesco has pushed the start date forward of its new chief financial officer Alan Stewart to October 1 instead of December 1 after the fallout of yesterday's misstatement of profits.

Tesco announces £250m overstatement of profits

Tesco overstated its profits for the first six months up to August 23, 2014 by an estimated £250 million, according to a statement released by the company this morning.

New York merchant named Best Independent in the World in Jancis Robinson competition

wNew York independent wine merchant, Chambers Street Wines, has been named the Best Independent Retailer in the World in a competition run by Jancis Robinson MW.

Wine should follow Top Gear's example and look to entertain not educate

The wine industry should look at the massive success of BBC's Top Gear in how to make a potentially complex subject entertaining to the public, according to advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty.

Supermarkets are threatening the future of wine suppliers warns Sir John Hegarty

Britain's biggest supermarkets are in danger of "screwing" wine suppliers so much the market is no longer "sustainable" was the dire warning laid down this week by advertising guru and wine producer, Sir John Hegarty.

Advertising guru, Sir John Hegarty, slams "truly appalling" wine industry

Scottish independence: drinks trade on tenterhooks as voters go to polls

The wine and spirits trade is on tenterhooks as the people of Scotland go to the polls over independence.

Ex-Oddbins boss, Simon Baile, says standalone wine retailing not sustainable

Former Oddbins-supremo Simon Baile says there's no future in the world of standalone wine retailing, and has changed his model to include food and entertainment.

Independent merchants have key role to play in lobbying MPs for duty changes, says WSTA

Independent wine merchants have a key role to play in persuading local MPs to listen to the wine and spirits industry's calls for an effective cut in alcohol duty levels at the 2015 Budget.

A "united" industry effort can force a 2% cut in duty, claims WSTA's Miles Beale

Buckingham Schenk sees Argentina and Prosecco sales soar

Buckingham Schenk see sales of its Argentinian Viñalba brand rocket, with Prosecco also leading the charge while pre-filled goblets hit sales of 1 million.  

Buyers should act quickly to secure Languedoc wine from 2014 harvest

Wine buyers looking to secure wine from the Languedoc this year are urged to act quickly following predictions the yield could be down as much as 40% on last year, according to the grape broking business, Ciatti Group.

Global wine harvest predictions released by Ciatti

The overall European wine harvest for 2014 looks like being down on last year, according to the latest report from Ciatti, the global grape broking business, but France is set to return to its position as the biggest wine supplier in the world.

Business and drinks experts to share innovation insights at WSTA conference

Experts from both inside and outside the drinks industry will share their experience on the importance of driving innovation through business at tomorrow's annual conference of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Your view: the impact of Scottish independence on the drinks trade

With only three more days to go until the big Scottish independence vote we ask the UK wine and spirits industry what it thinks will be the best outcome for individual businesses and look at some of the big issues that might arise after the Yes/No vote. Will alcohol duty rates differ in an independent Scotland? And how would drinks firms cope with trading in separate currencies north and south of the border? What do you think is the right future for Scotland and the rest of the country. Take part in our poll and let's find out...