Three quarters of British adults have shopped online in 2014, says ONS

South African wine under the microscope

South Africa may be known for its value-for-money wine, but the country is vying for a spot in more premium territory, as Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith find out

High street wine retailers take a fresh look at franchising

As Oddbins announces plans to open up 200 franchise stores, Gemma McKenna looks at franchising in the wine trade and, as the economy recovers, asks whether taking on a business that already has the wow factor could be the way forward

Tour de France helps Cono Sur wine double sales to £14m

Concha y Toro wine brand Cono Sur is toasting a £7m boost to sales - growth of 100% - which has catapulted it into fourth position in the Chilean brand leader board in the UK off-trade.

Wine must adapt its branding for China or face failure

Wine firms that do not adapt their brands for the Chinese market - such as by having a Chinese brand name - face "immediate disadvantage" and possible failure.

Start-up Wineist sends sample wine packs direct to consumers

Slovenian start-up firm Wineist has landed upon a unique concept - to send out monthly wine tasting kits, complete with samples to consumers the world over.

Diana Hunter, Conviviality CEO, on the new BB's Warehouse concept

Diana Hunter is chief executive of Conviviality Retail, owner of the Bargain Booze network. Last week the firm announced the launch of a new concept - BB's Warehouse - a destination discount off-licence warehouse. Gemma McKenna finds out more.

Your chance to vote in Harpers France Wine Awards and take part in France Summit

Harpers is once again looking to reward the very best retailers, restaurants, distributors and individuals that are leading the way in selling and promoting French wine in the UK in our second Harpers France Awards.

Tesco invites consumers to come up with wine descriptions

Tesco is inviting its consumers to join in a wine tasting to help come up with more customer friendly and impartial wine descriptors.

Waitrose warns of lower profits but still shows growth

Waitrose is following its supermarket brethren Tesco and Morrisons with a lower profit warning, but the upmarket chain still is expecting profits to rise by 4.5%, albeit down on last year's stellar increase.

Put your football knowledge to the test in the new Benevolent Fantasy Football League

So do you think your football? Your Christmas Tree formation over your 4-4-2? Know what "running between the lines" actually means? Well why not put those skills to the test and take part in the new Benevolent Fantasy Football League - oh and raise some money for the drinks charity along the way.

House of Lords calls for drinks industry's advice on next EU Alcohol Strategy

The drinks industry has been invited by the House of Lords to send in its suggestions for what the next European Union Alcohol Strategy should look like.

Consumers will drink cheap wine until the trade convinces them to do otherwise, warns Jerry Lockspeiser

The UK wine trade should stop lamenting the fact the average consumer is looking to buy cheaper wine and work harder to convince them to do otherwise, according to leading wine consultant Jerry Lockspeiser.

WSTA conference to focus on engaging consumers

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's annual conference will focus on the role branding, innovation and digital communications play in engaging with consumers in today's wine and spirits world.

Wine brands say promotion forecasting site Bring A Bottle could 'misdirect consumers'

Top wine brands have accused new drinks promotions forecasting website Bring A Bottle of having the "potential to misdirect consumers".

Craft cider boom sees Brits spend extra £10m on pricy ciders

Sales of the priciest ciders on the market have grown by £10 million in the past year, as British drinkers seek out more expensive artisanal versions of the drink.

Aldi on verge of overtaking Waitrose as sales jump a further 32%

Price comparison site Bring A Bottle pinpoints cheapest times to buy major drinks brands

Customers should be buying and stockpiling lager in June and July, and Champagne at Christmas, according to new data from Bring A Bottle which pinpoints exactly when the biggest promotions start across a range of top-selling brands.

A 'yes' vote from Scotland could cripple drinks firms with duty headaches

If Scotland splits from the rest of the UK drinks firms could face potentially crippling changes to duty which would add a significant cost and administrative burden - even causing some to go out of business.

Naked Wines kicks off same-day delivery trial in San Francisco