The general trend towards trading-up in the global wine market has been well-documented. Latest figures for French exports of quality wines reflect this trend and reveal that, thanks to rising average prices, France has topped previous records for value sales.

To upgrade the image of the region ...

The Spanish wine pioneer passed away last month in Santiago de Compostela. He had a heart attack after completing a pilgrim's walk for charity.

A new map of the Douro Valley will be auctioned alongside a 12 bottle vertical of Quinta do Noval from 1937 to 2003 by Christie's this June.

En primeur releases this morning include Beychevelle, Grand Puy Lacoste and Haut Batailley but there are some big names still waiting in the wings.

The last two days have seen a few attempts to get what has been described as the 'forgotten Bordeaux 2012 campaign' finally moving, but customers are 'turning their backs on the vintage', merchants say.

France's exports of grains including wheat rose in March, helping to reduce the effect of lower shipments of processed agricultural products from wine to candy.

Jancis Robinson MW has become only the fourth woman to become an honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners.

Tesco's wine team will again give suppliers the chance to pitch their business for potential listings at next week's London International Wine Fair (LIWF).

Quinta do Noval has added its name to the plethora of port producers declaring a vintage for 2011.

As marketing budgets diminish in the UK wine trade, brand owners and importers are investing more in label design to attract consumers.

Despite some woe-laden headlines there are still compelling reasons to visit the London Wine Fair.

Bordeaux en primeur releases continued this morning with Léoville and Langoa Barton and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - but the cuts are still minimal.

Chateau de Pic in the Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux, Chateau l'Enclos in Sainte Foy la Grande and Chateau Patarabet in Saint Emilion are the latest Bordeaux estates to reportedly pass into the hands of Asian investors.

French Senator Yves Daudigny is looking for support for a new tax on wine sold in France.

Ferguson, who retired from the managing post this week, is expected to spend around £2m to purchase the vineyard.

Tesco has launched its Co-buy Collection scheme, which will see the price of a case of wine reduce as more people decide to buy it.

LIWF organizers have announced the line-up for the Speakers' Corner platform in the MyWineFair area of the show.

Seymour Fortescue is to step down as chairman of the Portman Group on June 18 after four years in the role.

Port producers are reporting significant demand from markets worldwide in the wake of their superlative-fuelled 2011 vintage declarations.