How Jascot's Alastair Pyatt "persuaded" the Chancellor to freeze wine duty

So here's us all thinking it was the gallant combined efforts of a cross industry high profile campaign that convinced the Chancellor, George Osborne, to freeze the duty on wine in last week's Budget. Well think again.

Tom and Ed Martin head to Suffolk to open their first pub outside London

Tom and Ed Martin, who have been building up an impressive range of pubs across London as part of their privately-owned ETM Group, are now set to venture outside the capital and head to Lavenham in Suffolk to open their first rural pub, The Six Bells.

Budget Latest: WSTA's Miles Beale says Chancellor has given drinks industry "perfect result"

Miles Beale, chief executive, of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has described the Chancellor's decision to freeze wine duty and cut spirits by 2% as "just about the perfect result" it could have hoped from its Drop the Duty campaign.

Budget 2015: Chancellor cuts duty on cider and spirits by 2% and wine duty frozen

The Chancellor George Osborne has today cut the duty on cider and spirits by 2%, frozen duty on wine and cut beer by a penny a pint for the third year running in his last pre-election Budget.

ProWein 2015: Record breaking 52,000 visitors attended this week's show

More than 52,000 visitors attended ProWein 2015 this year, an increase of 7% over last year,  further solidifying the show as a must attend event on the international wine trade calendar.

Prowein 2015: Bibendum PLB uses fair to showcase new multi-channel strategy

The recently combined Bibendum PLB company was able to showcase its new business strategy to the international wine industry at this week's Prowein with 120 of its producers taking part in the show.

Prowein 2015: Improved technology is helping South Africa make "best wines ever", says Accolade's Bruce Jack

Advances in technology, including the use of satellite and GPS tracking data, are helping winemakers in South Africa make the best wines of their generation, according to Bruce Jack, head winemaker for Accolade Wines.

Prowein 2015: Gonzáles Byass grows profit 63% through international export effort

Gonzáles Byass has reported a 63% increase in net profit in 2014 over the previous year, which was primarily driven through the expansion of its international exports.

Enotria's move to new warehouse set to boost supplier's flexibilty

ProWein 2015: Australia set for most "exciting period" in its history predicts Neil McGuigan

Critics of Australian wine need to "stand back" and prepare themselves for what Neil McGuigan of Australian Vintage believes could be the most "exciting period" in the country's history driven by the best quality wines it has ever produced.

ProWein opens for business with its biggest show to date

ProWein 2015 kicks off today in Dussdeldorf, Germany with a new looking show, different exhibition halls and over 5,500 producers, wineries and spirit companies all vying for the attention of visitors.

Distillers City Debate to explore how innovative whisky is compared to other categories

Is the whisky category sufficiently innovative and how does it compare with other drinks categories will be the key issues up for debate at the Distillers City Debate 2015 organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

St Austell's Brewery appoints first exclusive wine buyer to drive more sales

St Austell's Brewery has promoted Louisa Fizpatrick to the newly created role of wine buyer, in recognition of her hard work and expertise and extensive knowledge of the wine world.

Barry Dick MW brought on board to help Origin Wine expand its global sourcing footprint

Origin Wine has brought in Barry Dick MW to help the company expand its global sourcing footprint.

Oakley Wine Agencies grows sales by 20% in face of reduced listings in major multiples

Family run Oakley Wine Agencies, which specialises in Portuguese wines, posted 20% growth over the last 12 months despite facing a challenging trading market with supermarkets.

Aldi launches new 'super premium' range of £10 wines

Aldi is adding a new 'super' premium range of £10 'boutique' wines as it seeks to capitalise on growth from middle class customers.

Morrisons' new boss faces a tough challenge say City analysts

Morrison's results were broadly in line with expectations, City analysts agreed - but incoming chief executive David Potts faces a tough year.

UK casual dining sales enjoy 23rd consecutive month of growth

Pubs and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.6% across the UK, making February the 23rd consecutive month to show growth, according to new figures released by the Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures.

Morrisons posts losses of £792m as 23 convenience stores come into the firing line

Morrisons has posted an annual pre-tax loss of £792m, as total turnover fell 4.9% to £16,816m in the 52 weeks to 1 February 2015.

Spanish winery Abadia Retuerta returns to UK with Enotria