Schramsberg founder Jamie Davies dies

Jamie Davies, co-founder of Schramsberg winery and a pioneer of American sparkling wines, has died aged 73.

Bordeaux en primeur is 'madness': Petrus winemaker

Former Chateau Petrus winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet has become the latest high-profile wine professional to attack en primeur – calling it ‘madness’ and ‘a disaster for wine’.

Revue du Vin de France editor attacks French government, winemakers

The editor of wine magazine La Revue du Vin de France has accused his government of 'contempt' for French culture in a scathing attack in Decanter.

Official: successful people drink more wine

Big company bosses and top professionals consume the highest amounts of alcohol in the UK, says the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Constellation sells Inglenook, Almaden and Paul Masson winery

Wine giant Constellation has sold both the Inglenook and Almaden brands, as well as the Paul Masson winery, to The Wine Group, it was announced today.

Champagne winemaker in violent attack on journalist

A Champagne producer with far right-wing connections violently attacked a regional journalist in Reims yesterday.

Wine articles must carry health warning, French court decides

A French court has ruled that newspaper articles on wines should be subject to the same health and safety guidelines as alcohol advertising and display health warnings.

I won’t drink my own Parker-rated wines, says California winemaker

Robert Parker’s influence on Californian wines has forced winemakers to lose their sense of balance, says a cult Santa Barbara producer.

Decanter judge receives Canada’s top honour

Wine writer and newly-appointed Decanter World Wine Awards chair Tony Aspler has received Canada’s highest civil honour, the Order of Canada.

Martin Scorsese directs Freixenet advert

Acclaimed film director Martin Scorsese has produced a 10-minute television advert for Cava producer Freixenet.

Parker slams Nossiter with ‘Gestapo’ slur

Robert Parker has accused Mondovino director Jonathan Nossiter of ‘bigotry’ and ‘stupidity’.

100 helicopters scrambled to save New Zealand vines

Around 100 helicopters were called in to hover over Marlborough vineyards last night in a bid to save the local vines from frost.

Oz Clarke and James May return with second series

Oz and James’ Big Wine Adventure returned to UK television screens this week, continuing in the vein of the highly successful first series.

Middle-aged wine drinkers attacked in UK press

Middle class wine drinkers have been vilified in the UK press as the chief culprits behind alcohol abuse in the country.

Chateau Lafite, Antinori under the hammer at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Lunch at Chateau Lafite, a private weekend on the Antinori estate, and backstage tours of the Royal Opera House were just some of the charity auction lots going under the hammer at a splendid Decanter dinner at Covent Garden last night.

Cos d’Estournel launches first white wine

One of Bordeaux’s top red wine chateaux, Cos d’Estournel, has released its first ever white wine.

Cornas vineyards under threat

Two vineyards in the northern Rhone appellation of Cornas are under threat to a local building project, it has emerged.

Bordeaux 2007 harvest begins

Chateau Carbonnieux in the Graves region south of Bordeaux has kicked off the 2007 harvest.

Swiss producers face ladybird contamination

Swiss wine producers on the shores of Lake Geneva face a possible wine contamination threat from ladybird infestations discovered in the region.

Venom in wine triggers severe allergic reactions

Wasp venom found in very young wine can cause severe allergic reactions, say doctors in Spain.

French harvest smallest since 2003

The French wine harvest is expected to produce just under 50m hectolitres of wine, the lowest production level since 2003, says the French agriculture ministry.

Lafite renovator Elie de Rothschild dies

Baron Elie de Rothschild, the man credited with overseeing the post war revival of Chateau Lafite, has died aged 90.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visit French vineyard

Film star couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visited a southern French vineyard last week, but will not buy it despite reports to the contrary.

Compound discovery set to revolutionise wine world

In what scientists are hailing as the greatest breakthrough in a generation, Australian researchers have identified the aromatic compound that produces the black pepper smell in red wine.

Third International Wine Centre opens in Shanghai

China’s first independent wine school opened in Shanghai this week under the aegis of wine writer, consultant and educator Simon Tam.

Wine bar told to increase servings or face prosecution

UK retailer Selfridges is set to petition for a change in the law after it was told by trading standards officials that it could not sell sip-sized samples of wine to consumers.

Screwcaps worst for the environment says closure company

Screwcaps produce the largest carbon footprint compared to synthetic closures and corks says research conducted for a French closure company.

Figaro: Bordeaux 2006 could be the new 1982

Leading French magazine Le Figaro has said that Bordeaux 2006 vintage could be as ‘sublime’ as the great 1982 vintage.

Burgundy saved from mildew threat

The mildew plague sweeping through French vineyards has not caught on in Burgundy due to the recent cold weather, say local growers.

Chile to pull out of Vinexpo?

The UK head of Wines of Chile says he will advise bosses to boycott Vinexpo 2009 if air conditioning issues are not resolved.