The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to include the Champagne slopes, houses and cellars on its world heritage list.

Marlborough Lines has agreed to invest NZ$89 million to purchase an 80% shareholding in New Zealand wine producer, Yealands.

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced that Gisborne will host New Zealand’s first Chardonnay and sparkling wine symposium early next year.

Wines of South Africa UK is launching a new event with a trade tasting targeting independent merchants and on-trade buyers.

Accolade Wines has announced a £4 million above the line campaign for its leading Australian wine brand Hardys, to coincide with its sponsorship of the English and Australian  cricket teams ahead of the Ashes test matches with Australia.

The UK alcohol market has returned to growth following years of continuous decline, according to the latest WSTA market report. 

The leading French cooperative wine group, Val d'Orbieu-UCCOAR, has unveiled a new name, Vinadeis, and announced a strategic partnership with France’s number one French agricultural cooperative group.

Leading New Zealand winery, Villa Maria, has announced that Alastair Maling is leaving after more than 12 years.

Chilean wine brand Cono Sur is the official wine of the legendary road cycle event and one of the world’s great sporting spectacles, Le Tour de France.

One million bottles of Kumala wine will carry an instant win competition neck collarettes in its 10,000 prize giveaway.

London wine agency Barwell & Jones has invited London Wine Fair visitors to come and fix a leaf to a tree on their stand.

Online shopping for wine in Germany is closing the gap on shops and supermarkets, but regular wine drinkers still by far prefer the real world to the digital one, according to a new Wine Intelligence report.

The state of California is suffering its fourth year of severe drought. The governor has recently imposed the state's first mandatory water restrictions, affecting nearly 40 million people. Farmers, business owners, and residents will be forced to cut their usage by 25%.

Drinks International editor, Christian Davis, is pictured presenting DI’s The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand award plaque to Torres general manager, Miguel Torres Maczassek.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2015 in international trade.

Majestic Wines has shocked the UK wine trade by buying Rowan Gormley’s Naked Wines and appointing him as CEO of the enlarged Majestic.

The Brazilian market offers massive potential for domestic and overseas wine producers  – but economic and political pressures could blow growth off course, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

The two Spanish wine regions have come together to raise awareness of their wines in the all-important US market.

Casillero del Diablo, the global Chilean wine brand, has announced that its Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is the best selling Cabernet Sauvignon in the UK off trade*.

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence or Vins de Provence has announced the 2014 vintage as 1,385,500 hectolitres across the Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence appellations.

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

The Netherlands is emerging from a long economic hiatus, and is slowly dragging the wine market back into positive territory, thanks in no small part to Prosecco.

The Skin Côntact concert last Monday (March 9) at Vinopolis in London raised more than £10,000 for charity, the organisers have estimated.

Wines Unearthed is a new feature at this year’s London Wine Fair. It is dedicated to global wine producers seeking UK representation.

The Queen will name the new P&O Cruises vessel Britannia in Southampton, on Tuesday (March 10) with English sparkling wine from Wiston Estate.

Anivan de France, the organisation responsible for promoting Vin de France wines, has announced that 112 wines have been selected as its ambassador wines for 2015.

Robert Parker, probably the world’s most influential wine critic, has announced that he is giving up tasting and judging Bordeaux en primeur wines.

Sparkling wine consumption in the US is growing, according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Major Australian wine producer, Australian Vintage has announced half year net profits of AUS$4.4 million, up from $4m, for the half year to December 31, 2014.

Vina Cono Sur, the major Chilean wine brand part of the Concha y Toro stable of brands, is the official wine of the Tour de France in the UK in 2015 and for the following two years.

The Australian wine producer Yalumba, which claims to be Australia’s oldest family owned winery established in 1849, has announced senior management changes.

Chapel Down Group plc has announced that it has completed two long term land leases increasing the total under lease by 181 acres to 326 acres (73/131 hectares). 

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

The House of Ruinart says the deadline for applications for its Ateliers Ruinart programme 2015 has been extended to Friday January 23.

Direct Wines has announced the appointment of David Thatcher as group chief executive. Simon McMurtrie steps down on January 19.

Casella Family Brands (CFB), producers of the Australian wine brand Yellow Tail, has announced that it has acquired full ownership of Peter Lehmann Wines (PLW).

A two-class wine market is emerging in the UK as some wine drinkers splash out and others are increasingly drawn to hard discounters, according to new research from Wine Intelligence.

Master of wine Laura Jewell is leaving Tesco to become Wine Australia’s regional director for Europe including the UK following the untimely death of Yvonne May.

Casella Family Brands, producers of the major Australian wine brand Yellow Tail, is set to buy Peter Lehmann Wines.

The Spanish wine industry is finally coming of age, according to an experienced observer and operator.

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

Rhône wine brand Les Dauphins is running a social media campaign in aid of the BBC’s Children in Need charity appeal.

The Great Wine Capitals' has announced the winners of its 'International Best Of Wine Tourism' awards.

Wines of South Africa (Wosa) has opened a third international office, in Hong Kong.

Chapel Down, the market leader in English wines and beers, has completed its equity crowdfunding offer in 24 days by raising the maximum allowable amount of £3.95m and achieving a new world record in the process.

AdVini and its Bordeaux house, Antoine Moueix, based in Saint Emilion, have signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Domaines Lapalu, owners of the celebrated Médoc Cru Bourgeois, Château Patache d’Aux.

Kingsland, the specialist UK fillers, packers and bulk wine shippers has added FirstCape and Distell to its South African portfolio, as part of a strategic partnership with wine brand builders, Brandphoenix.

Despite a challenging year Siobhan Thompson, CEO Wines of South Africa (Wosa) is optimistic that South African wines are on the up.