Though not an isle famed for its fine wines, England celebrates the start of national Wine Week today. Many of the 370 vineyards in England and Wales will open their doors to the public as well as launching a range of events throughout the week. The Daily Telegraph
UK private equity firm, Lion Capital is to acquire Russian Alcohol, the parent company of Russia's top selling vodka brand, Green Mark. The deal valued Russian Alcohol at around $600m (£303m) including debt. Financial Times
A landlady has defended Paul Gascoigne, saying she did not serve him alcohol at her Sunderland pub last Thursday - days after he checked out of rehab. Lizzie Porritt, landlady at the Oddfellows Arms in Seaham said he had ordered orange juice and a cheese toastie. Sunderland Echo
NHS Information Centre for health and social care has said that over 38% of adults in 2007 had seen units of alcohol displayed on drinks labels, compared with just 23% in 2000. Daily Star
The government's 'five a day' campaign has failed. According to the research, people think crisps and orange squash count, while over 20% of men say they don't care about the 'five-a-day' mantra, eating what they like. Sky News
A drunk police officer hurled abuse at stewards and police after he was thrown out of a football match, a court has heard. Kenneth Burnett, a constable who has served with Grampian Police for 26 years, drank "seven or eight" pints of lager before going to the Scottish Cup tie between Falkirk and Aberdeen. The Scotsman