New Zealand Winegrowers’ Europe director David Cox remains bullish in the face of duty hikes, exchange rate pressures and early reports of a potentially small 2012 vintage, he has told OLN.

Pernod Ricard UK is set to launch a 18.7cl bottle of Brancott Estate.

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has called on the drinks trade to work with HM Revenue & Customs to stamp out alcohol duty fraud.

East London brewer Truman’s is asking London ale drinkers to help it find a new brewery site.

Minimum unit pricing may not stop young people binge-drinking, one of the academics behind the influential Sheffield Report on alcohol pricing has said.

HM Revenue & Customs is making little or no progress in fighting alcohol duty fraud, with fewer than six cases a year leading to convictions, a National Audit Office report has revealed.

Sainsbury’s has started the year on the hunt for a new wine chief after two high-profile team members announced their departures. 

Off Licence News is launching a raft of activity at this year’s London International Wine Fair to increase the show’s appeal to independent retailers and help maximise its business-building potential.

The head of Wine Australia has warned the country stands to lose market share in the UK amid tough conditions driven by exchange rates and pricing pressures.

The drinks trade is facing a tough 2012 as the country struggles economically – and even major sporting events aren’t expected to bring much of a sales uplift.

Asda has insisted that a wine it has been selling for £2.48 is not selling for less than duty plus VAT.

Tesco is hoping to steal a march on rivals by becoming the first retailer to list a new range of lower-strength beers.

Wines from Brazil is increasing its presence in the UK to grow awareness as it gears up to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

International Cider Challenge 2012 entries open

OLN has launched the International Cider Challenge 2012 and is calling for entries from producers.

The competition is designed to recognise the diversity and range of packaged products in the dynamic and growing cider category.

An alcoholic jelly called Suck & Blow has been banned in its current format for breaching three elements of the Portman Group’s code.

Thatchers has redesigned the labels for its single varietal Katy cider. The 7.4% medium-dry cider has an oval label designed to highlight its style, abv and tasting notes, as well as creating a family identity with Thatchers' other premium heritage ciders, Thatchers 2011 Vintage and Katy Rosé.

Online retailer and bottler Master of Malt has launched what it says is the world’s hottest chilli vodka.

Sainsbury’s winemaker Clem Yates MW is leaving the retailer to join Off-Piste Wines as sourcing and supply director.

Paul Braydon has joined Guy Anderson Wines as national account manager.