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.

Premium wine and web sales boost Majestic profits

UK wine retailer Majestic has posted an 11% increase in profits on last year with premium wine sales and web business driving the boom.

Hail destroys half of Cote Rotie

A violent hail storm has destroyed over half of the Cote Rotie harvest with nearly total destruction of fruit on the vines in some vineyards.

Top Bordeaux 2006 to release wines after Vinexpo

Prolonging an already pedestrian En Primeur campaign, top Bordeaux chateaux will not be releasing their 2006 prices until after Vinexpo, decanter.com understands.

Hospices de Beaune sign with Christie’s until 2010

The directors of the annual Hospices de Beaune auction have signed a deal with Christie’s for the auction house to continue running its sales until 2010.

Broadbent takes WSET post

Veteran taster and Decanter columnist Michael Broadbent MW has been appointed Honorary President of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

English wine neglected by consumers says survey

As English wine week draws to a close it has emerged that UK consumers know and drink very little when it comes to wine produced in their own country.

Controversial EU commissioner cancels trip to south of France

EU agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has cancelled a peacemaking trip to the Languedoc after being told to remain in Brussels, it has emerged.

Mondavi exposé ‘painful and sad’

A new book charting the history of Napa doyens the Mondavis is set to cause a storm on its release next month – so much so that no review copies are being distributed.

'Correct' Barton release price has merchants worried

Allocations of Chateau Leoville-Barton were released today with its price prompting both fear and understanding among UK wine merchants.

Deaths not ruled out in CRAV ultimatum to Sarkozy

The activist wine group CRAV has issued a one-month ultimatum to Nicolas Sarkozy threatening ‘action’, and possibly deaths, if the new premier does not help the struggling southern French wine industry.

Paris Hilton to be new face of Bordeaux

American heiress Paris Hilton will be the new face of Bordeaux wines, decanter.com can reveal.

English producer premiers vineyard insurance scheme

Top English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has become the first estate to adopt a specialist insurance policy covering its wine ‘from grape to glass’.

UK merchant calls for massive 2006 Bordeaux price cuts

The director of UK wine merchant BBR has called for Bordeaux chateaux to cut their prices by 70% citing ‘major concerns’ prior to this year’s En Primeur.

Man charged over California wine blaze

US prosecutors have charged a Californian man with embezzlement and arson following a warehouse fire that destroyed US$300m dollars of wine.

Michelin to publish Tokyo guide

The first ever Tokyo edition of the Michelin restaurant guide will go on sale in November, the publishers announced today.