Major wine retailers boast mixed fortunes over Christmas

Majestic Wine saw sales creep up 1.1% over a "difficult Christmas" while Waitrose celebrated a bumper 15.4% increase in BWS sales over the same period last year.

Justin Keay gets over his prejudices to delight in wines from Mallorca

Codorniu continues search for UK chief

Spanish wine company Codorniu Raventos is still on the look-out for a UK managing director, after senior Diageo wine executive John Hearn failed to take up the post.

Cava brand says 'we are not Champagne, we are Codorniu' in new ad campaign

Cava producer Codorníu has launched a global ad campaign which emphasises the brand's suitability for all occasions and its differences to Champagne - "we're not big on formalities, we prefer hugs and kisses" - in time for Christmas.

Spanish wines fastest growing in UK bars and restaurants

Spanish wines are the fastest growing in the UK on-trade - listings are up 25% in the last year - at the expense of French wines, whose listings have fallen by 11%.

Geoffrey Dean on how wine tourism has taken off in Catalonia

If New World countries were the forerunners in promoting wine tourism, it has taken some Old World heavyweights much longer to embrace the concept. Spain was slow off the mark, notably Catalonia, but from a standing start 10 years ago, the Catalans have finally woken up to the value of wine tourists. And the punters are coming in big numbers - an estimated 750,000 a year, with Torres' Penedes headquarters alone attracting 120,000 visitors.

González Byass invests €2.5m in sustainability

Spanish sherrymaker and wine firm González Byass is investing €2.5 million in a new sustainability programme over the next three years.

Top wine brands choose Vente Privee as new route to market

Top name wine producers are using flash sales site Vente Privée to attract new consumers to their brands in the UK.

Xavier Gramona: why he is committed to Cava and putting quality first

Established in 1921 at the heart of Cava's homeland in Sant Sadurni D'Anoia, Gramona has long held the status of the region's finest sparkling winemaker. Driven by the belief that top class Cava - both in price and quality - can compete with world class Champagne, Gramona practices extended lees ageing for its wines, in contrast to the industry norms. The house also now closely observes the Champagneois culture of late disgorgement, having released a Bollinger-esq R.D 14 year old Cava at €125 a bottle this year.

Bulk wine market sluggish as 2014 harvest ends, says Ciatti

As the 2014 harvest draws to a close, the bulk wine market remains sluggish, with plentiful stocks available in most markets, says the latest report from Ciatti. 

Ports, sherries and fortifieds get ready for Christmas

The tapas craze helped boost sherry sales temporarily but the category is now in decline, and Port is still struggling to shake its fusty and festive image. Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith look at how fortified wines can carve a niche

Codorníu Raventós appoints senior Percy Fox exec to head UK business

John Hearn, global commercial director for Diageo's wine arm Percy Fox, is to become the new managing director of Codorníu Raventós in the UK.

Pablo Alvarez, Vega Sicilia, on the global opportunity for Ribera del Duero wines

Vega Sicilia was established in 1859, although its modern history began with the property's purchase by the Alvarez family in 1982, who acquired the estate as joint shareholders. Patriarch David Alvarez subsequently appointed his son Pablo as managing director of the property. Since the mid-1980s, Pablo Alvarez has ensured that Vega Sicilia remains Ribera Del Duero's most renowned and prestigious wine, for sale in over 25 markets. With Alvarez's careful direction, the property has managed to overcome both the Spanish economic crisis and endure a family feud over the future of the estate, in addition to investing in the regions of Rioja and Toro. James Lawrence reports:

Ribera del Duero should shun powerful wines for more classic style says Pingus founder

The biggest threat to the future of wines from the Ribera Del Duero is consumers turning their back on the signature ripe and powerful style of the region, according to Pingus founder Peter Sisseck.

Wine importer Red Squirrel sees wholesale business grow fivefold in three months

Chiswick wine importer Red Squirrel Wine has seen its wholesale business take off after it beefed up its portfolio and revamped its logo and website.

French bulk market 'tense' in face of Languedoc shortages

The French bulk wine market is starting to look "very tense", according to one top broker, following major shortages in the Languedoc region.

Spain's wine industry must restructure but avoid 'trashing vinous treasures', warns MW

Spain has to be very careful not to trash its vinous treasures, warned Justin Knock MW, as the country faces a restructure following a wine glut.

Sangre de Toro wine gets design revamp for 60th birthday

Bodegas Torres has relaunched its famed Sangre de Toro brand with a sleeker design that harks back to the wine's 1950s origins.

Ribera del Duero wine region ramps up UK activity

Spain's Ribera del Duero wine region is looking to raise its profile in the UK with the launch of its first promotional campaign in this country.

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