The Wine and Spirit Trade Assoication (WSTA) has announced that Nick Hyde, managing director of Diageo Wines Europe, is its new chairman.

Drinksint.com is now home to the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands magazine supplement, a comprehensive industry poll of the world's best regarded wine. 

English wines have come of age – Georg Riedel has chosen suitable stemware for their wines.

The head of the consortium that protects Prosecco sparkling Italian wine from Conegliano Valdobbiadene is to address delegates at the International Sparkling Wine Symposium (ISWS), which takes place at Denbies wine estate in the UK on November 1-2.

French distributor DIVA (Distribution Internationale de Vins et Alcools) has created DIVA South Africa to market some of the country’s ‘premium’ wines to an international audience.

Nomacorc, the leading alternative wine closure producer, has announced the introduction of NomaSelector, which is software that recommends a closure tailored for a specific wine.

Constellation Brands has purchased the remaining 50.1% of Italian wine brand Ruffino from MPF International. 

Deep discounting on wine by UK retailers may be having less impact on consumer behaviour, according to a new report

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) or Bordeaux Wine Council, which represents Bordeaux vine growers and négociants, has announced the appointment of François Jumeau as its new marketing director.

The International Wine Challenge announced its winners last night at the Hilton hotel in London

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced 11 new masters of wine.

Accolade Wines has launched a low alcohol wine under the Stowells brand. Stowells Light is 5.5% abv and a 125ml glass contains one unit of alcohol and 56 calories.

The emerging South Korean market could boost the fortunes of wine importers, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

A bottle of 1811 Château d’Yquem has been sold for £75,000, setting a Guinness world record.

Rémy Cointreau has completed the sale of all the shares in Piper-Heidsieck-Compagnie Champenoise to the EPI Group (Européenne de Participations Industrielles).

Pernod Ricard has announced the disposal, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard Europe, of its shares in Georgian Wine and Spirits LLC to JSC Marussia (Georgia).

Laithwaites, the international wine mail-order company, has released Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 from California.

Wine producers looking to export to China for the first time need to get to grips with demands for high-quality packaging and culturally-sensitive labels, according to Wine Intelligence.

Entrants aiming to crack the US market need to take a bold approach, according to a wine importer.

New World brands continue to dominate the global wine sector and now constitute 13 of the top 15 wine brands, according to a recent study.

The International Wine and Spirits Institute (IWSI), based in Bordeaux, is to open an eight-week spirits training programme in London next year.

Brazilians are increasingly turning to wine as their beverage of choice, according to consumer research published by Wine Intelligence.

Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

Jeff Clarke has been appointed chief winemaker at Marlborough’s Ara Wines.

Cork producer Amorim recorded double-digit volume growth in 2010.

Brown-Forman has sold its Fetzer wine business to Concha y Toro for US$238 million. The transaction is expected to close in April 2011.

Clink! Wines, distributors to the UK and mainland Europe, has appointed Mariola Martinez as operations manager.

The South African government has increased excise duty on spirits by 10% and wine by 8%.

Foster’s Group has announced a proposal to demerge Treasury Wine Estates at a cost of AU$151m.

The Australian wine market faces tough challenges ahead because of a growing reliance on discounting, according to Wine Intelligence.

Former Wine Australia boss Paul Henry is to join wine research company Wine Intelligence as associate director.

New Zealand: An organic wine group has set a goal for 20% of New Zealand vineyards to be organic by 2020.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.

Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.

Constellation Brands, hitherto, the world's leading wine company, has announced that it has sold its Australian and UK business, (Constellation Wines Australia and Europe, CWAE), to CHAMP, an Australian private equity group.

Pernod Ricard has announced the completion of the sale, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard New Zealand, of Lindauer and other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their inventories and assets.

Bordeaux Wine Council has announced the release of a mobile phone application called Smart Bordeaux.

Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will deliver the keynote address at the World Climate Change and Wine Congress 2011.

A Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region has been named Champion Wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

Wine producer François Lurton has said he expects China to become the largest wine producing country in the world.

Paul Henry, outgoing general manager, market development for the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), has accused retailers of being only interested in “volume and price” and described retailer consolidation and price compression as direct threats to proprietary brands.

An Estonian has been named Best Baltic Sommelier after winning the Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2010.

Following a strategic review of its global operations, Pernod Ricard has confirmed that its key international wine properties will be grouped and managed under one business – Premium Wine Brands.

Two Asian wine experts are to host an introduction to the Institute of Masters of Wine education programme at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in early November.

Wines Of South Africa’s (WOSA) first Sommelier World Cup has been won by an American.

Pernod Ricard New Zealand has announced the disposal of its Lindauer wine brand. The company has also announced the sale of several other New Zealand wine brands from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay together with their related inventories and assets.

G H Mumm has released its 2002 vintage champagne to the UK and Italy.