Australian wine companies to gain better protection with joint agreement with Woolworths

Australian wine producers are set to gain better protection with the signing of the "Good Wine Buyer and Suppler Principles: A Code of Fairness and Transparency'' with Australia's biggest wine retailer Woolworths Liquor Group (WLG).

Bordeaux ramps up focus on younger consumers with white wines

The president of a Bordeaux wine body wants to open up younger UK wine consumers to the region's white wines.

Lidl's £12m France promotion sets tone for wine department

Lidl's upcoming £12 million Bordeaux-focused wine promotion is to set the tone for the retailer's future wine strategy.

Price wars and discounters hit overall retail sales

Retailer price wars coupled with the ongoing impact of the hard discounters saw overall UK retail sales slip back for the first time in two years, according to the latest British Retail Consortium /KPMG figures.

Maison Sichel shows its support for independents by signing Harpers Best Practice Guidelines

Maison Sichel is the third major French wine company to support the UK independent sector by signing up to Harpers Best Practice Guidelines designed to promote open and fair trading between wine merchants and suppliers.

Harpers.co.uk introduces new dedicated finance section

Today Harpers.co.uk introduces a new section of the website that hopes to keep you up to speed with all the latest breaking financial stories affecting the global wine and spirits industry.

Big interview: Pierre Levron on why Costco takes wines and spirits so seriously

Costco likes to pile it high, so if you secure a listing there you can expect to see sales take off overnight. Pierre Levron explains to Andrew Don why the wholesaler takes beers, wines and spirits so seriously

Final week to enter Harpers Global Design Awards

There is now a week to go to get your entries or nominations in for the 2014 Harpers Global Design Awards asa we look to celebrate the very best creative minds and talents in the drinks industry.

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.